No one knew his true intentions.
Not Feng Chan.
Not the Nine Sects.
Not even the ancient powers hiding deep in the Mainland.
Master Tianyi's goals were buried under layers of mystery.
And one day...
those secrets would change the fate of the entire world.
---
A soft glow of sunlight spilled over the edges of the mountains.
There was a strange chill in the air — as if even nature was signaling a great change.
Feng Chan stood still in his place, a unique glimmer shining in his eyes.
Before him, at the center of a grand pavilion, stood Master Tianyi with both hands clasped behind his back — as calm as the sea, but with depths that no one could fathom.
"Are you ready?" Master Tianyi's voice was soft, yet there was a hidden thunder in it that struck directly at the heart.
Feng Chan took a deep breath and nodded.
"I am ready, Master."
Master Tianyi gave a faint smile, as if feeling an unseen burden.
"Good. But remember, this is only the first step. So far, you've only reached the gates of darkness. Now, you must walk into it."
Feng Chan clenched his fist tightly.
He remembered the past year — the hardship, the hunger, the beatings, and the humiliation.
He remembered his family's shattered dreams.
And most of all... he remembered Ying Yue's cold words:
> "Until you make a name for yourself on the Mainland... there can be nothing between us."
A burning sensation rose within his heart.
But in that very fire, his resolve was forged even stronger.
Master Tianyi drew out a small metallic token from within his sleeve — a half-hidden seal marked with the ancient symbols of nine different sects.
Seeing it, Feng Chan's breath quickened.
"What is this, Master?" Feng Chan asked.
Master Tianyi answered softly, "This is your decree — for the Grand Selection."
A light of excitement flashed in Feng Chan's eyes.
The Grand Selection — where the Mainland's greatest and harshest sects would choose their new disciples.
Where only the brave, the disciplined, and the truly exceptional would survive.
But Master Tianyi's face remained grave.
"Your path will not be easy, Feng Chan," he said.
"At every step, there will be those who will try to drag you down. At every turn, you will face deceit, treachery, and betrayal."
From the depths of his soul, Feng Chan made a silent vow — no matter what happened, he would not turn back.
"I will restore my family's honor," he swore silently.
"I will show the world what an abandoned son can achieve!"
Master Tianyi stepped forward and placed a hand firmly on Feng Chan's shoulder.
And then he said a single word — something only a true master could say to his true disciple:
> "Believe in yourself."
And with those words, unseen doors to the future quietly opened.
Master Tianyi's hand lingered for a moment longer on Feng Chan's shoulder — as if transferring something precious into him — an invisible strength, an indelible faith.
For a moment, there was only silence between them.
Only the soft sounds of nature drifted — the cool breeze, the gentle rustle of leaves, and somewhere in the distance, the sweet song of a bird.
Then, Master Tianyi withdrew his hand and adjusted his long robes, saying:
> "Tomorrow morning, you must begin your journey."
Feng Chan immediately nodded, a fire burning fiercely in his eyes.
"I am ready, Master!"
Master Tianyi smiled faintly, but there was a deep sadness hidden in his gaze — as if he knew that this journey would be more than just a challenge; it would be a great battle.
"Remember," he said quietly, "this is not just a selection...
It is your rebirth."
---
The Next Morning
Feng Chan stood by the edge of a small lake.
On his back was a light backpack carrying a few basic supplies — a sword, some medicinal herbs, and the seal given to him by Master Tianyi.
As he gazed into his reflection on the water, he wondered:
"Am I truly ready?"
Like flashbacks, images floated in his mind — his father's cold eyes, his mother's tears, his little sister's innocent face when everyone had abandoned him, calling him a failure.
And above all — the face of Ying Yue.
Those eyes, once full of love and hope, now only held disappointment.
"Until you make a name for yourself..."
Feng Chan clenched his fists.
He made a vow deep within his heart:
> "I will shake the world. No matter what it takes."
---
The Journey's First Step
The very first stretch was difficult.
Two full days passed as he trekked through the wild forests.
There was no help from anywhere.
No map, no guide.
Only one goal — reach the Grand Selection.
At night, when the darkness deepened, Feng Chan would sleep with his sword at his side — like a warrior guarding his last line of defense.
On the second day, while crossing a dense jungle, he suddenly heard voices.
"Leave her!"
"Take everything she has!"
Feng Chan immediately grabbed his sword and rushed toward the sound.
There he saw a young girl — about 13 or 14 years old — cornered by two large and dangerous-looking bandits.
Without thinking, Feng Chan jumped in between.
The clash began.
Swords flashed, dust flew, and the air trembled with tension.
One of the bandits lunged at Feng Chan, but he dodged and delivered a sharp counterattack — with a swift cut, the first bandit fell.
The second bandit backed away, but Feng Chan didn't give him a chance.
With a quick assault, the second one was also defeated.
The little girl's face was filled with fear, but in her eyes, there was something more — a spark, a hidden strength.
"But who are you?" the girl asked.
Feng Chan smiled and replied:
> "Just a traveler. And you?"
The girl introduced herself — Xiao Mei.
And from this meeting, a new twist was about to begin — one that would later affect Feng Chan's destiny.
Xiao Mei looked at Feng Chan carefully — as if trying to understand him.
"I... I'm a traveler," she said softly, "I was returning home but got lost in the forest."
Feng Chan observed her closely.
Her clothes were torn, her feet had small wounds.
This girl didn't seem like a normal traveler — something was being hidden.
But now was not the time for questions.
"Come," Feng Chan said, "I'll escort you to a safe place."
Xiao Mei hesitated, then nodded.
They both started walking together through the forest path.
---
First Camp of the Night
They set up camp near a small bush.
Feng Chan gathered some wood and started a small fire.
Xiao Mei sat silently, her eyes fixed on the flames.
"Xiao Mei," Feng Chan asked, "where is your home?"
The girl hesitated slightly.
"It's several days' journey away... in the North of the Mainland."
Feng Chan could tell she was lying but chose not to push her.
He simply smiled and said, "Don't worry. As long as you're with me, no one will harm you."
For the first time, a small smile appeared on Xiao Mei's face.
But that night, after Feng Chan fell asleep, Xiao Mei quietly got up.
She pulled out a small jade pendant from her belongings — engraved with the symbol of an unknown clan — and whispered softly:
> "Master... I am safe now."
Her real mission had just begun.
---
The Next Day – The First Challenge
Shortly after dawn, as they were walking through a narrow mountain pass, there was something strange in the air...
The First Challenge
Just shortly after dawn, as Feng Chan and Xiao Mei made their way through a narrow mountain pass, the air turned strangely heavy — as if some unseen force was watching them.
Feng Chan's instincts, honed by hardship and survival, immediately went on high alert.
He placed a protective hand in front of Xiao Mei.
"Stay behind me," he whispered.
Xiao Mei, sensing the sudden tension, obeyed without question.
The wind whistled sharply between the cliffs. And then — without warning — three figures emerged from the shadows, clad in dark robes, their faces masked.
"Hand over whatever valuables you have," the leader growled, his voice rough like grinding stones. "And we might let you live."
Feng Chan narrowed his eyes.
He could sense it — these men weren't ordinary bandits. Their stance, the subtle fluctuation of spiritual energy around them — they were minor cultivators.
But Feng Chan didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward, his sword gleaming under the morning sun.
"If you want anything..." he said, his voice steady and cold,
"...you'll have to take it from me."
The leader laughed — a low, mocking sound.
"So be it," he said, signaling his men.
The first attacker rushed forward, brandishing a jagged blade. His movements were fast — faster than the bandits Feng Chan had fought before.
But Feng Chan was faster.
He sidestepped smoothly, his sword slicing through the air — a clean, precise cut.
The bandit barely realized he was struck before crumpling to the ground.
The other two hesitated for a split second, realizing this boy wasn't ordinary.
But fear didn't stop them.
With a roar, they charged together.
Feng Chan's heart raced — but not with fear.
With clarity.
Every movement, every breath, every step he had taken over the past year had prepared him for this moment.
Steel clashed against steel.
Feng Chan parried a brutal overhead strike, ducked under a sweeping kick, and countered with a spinning slash that forced one opponent back.
The other lunged at Xiao Mei, seeing her as the weak link.
Feng Chan's eyes sharpened. No.
He moved like lightning, placing himself between the attacker and Xiao Mei.
With a fierce shout, he unleashed a forceful thrust, his sword piercing the bandit's shoulder, sending him sprawling back.
Breathing heavily, Feng Chan faced the last standing opponent.
The leader.
Unlike his lackeys, the leader didn't charge blindly.
He pulled out a small jade talisman, crushing it in his hand.
Suddenly, a surge of dark spiritual energy exploded around him, wrapping his body in a faint black aura.
Xiao Mei gasped.
Feng Chan tightened his grip on his sword.
This... was no ordinary bandit after all.
---
The Hidden Power Awakens
The leader smirked under his mask.
"You think you're strong, boy? You haven't even seen the real world yet."
He dashed forward, his speed tripled, his strikes now heavier, empowered by the dark energy.
Feng Chan blocked, but the impact sent him skidding back across the rocky ground.
Blood trickled from his lip.
His arms trembled slightly.
Still, he smiled.
"You think..." Feng Chan said, slowly raising his sword,
"...that you're the only one who's changed?"
Deep inside Feng Chan, a sleeping force stirred — the remnants of the ancient inheritance he had received.
A silver flame flickered briefly around his body, invisible to normal eyes but crackling with ancient might.
He exhaled.
And then — he moved.
Faster than before, his body almost a blur.
Their swords clashed again — but this time, Feng Chan pushed forward, each strike faster, heavier, sharper.
The leader faltered, his movements slowing.
And with a final decisive blow, Feng Chan disarmed him, knocking the masked man onto his knees.
The leader coughed up blood, his mask slipping to reveal a scarred face — hatred burning in his eyes.
"You think you've won...?" he spat. "The world will crush you, boy. It crushes everyone eventually."
Feng Chan looked down at him, calm and composed.
"Maybe," he said, turning away, "but not today."
He sheathed his sword in one smooth motion.
The man collapsed, unconscious.
---
A Silent Witness
Xiao Mei watched everything with wide, astonished eyes.
For a moment, she forgot to breathe.
Who exactly was this young man?
How could someone so young... move like that?
Her tiny hand clutched the jade pendant around her neck tighter.
> Master was right... he really might be the one.
But she said nothing, only smiled when Feng Chan turned to her and offered his hand.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded quickly, trying to hide the awe in her gaze.
Feng Chan smiled back — a real, warm smile — before picking up his bag and motioning forward.
"Come on. We still have a long road ahead."
As they walked, neither noticed the faint shimmer in the air atop the cliffs — a hidden observer cloaked in ancient magic — silently watching their every move.