Author of The Multiverse

Lin Xian stretched his fingers, took a deep breath, and entered the Inspiration Space.

> [Welcome to the Inspiration Space.]

[Scene Manifestation: Active.]

The world around him shifted. The blank void twisted into rolling mountains, towering stone pillars, and the vast Sect Entrance Examination Grounds.

Xianwei Continent – Everlescent Sect Entrance Examination

The stone gates of the Sect loomed over a crowd of thousands. The golden characters engraved at the top shimmered under the morning sun, exuding an ancient, boundless pressure.

> "The path of cultivation is cruel. Only the strong may step forward."

The sect elder's voice boomed across the courtyard. His piercing gaze swept over the gathered hopefuls—young men and women from various backgrounds, noble families, small clans, wandering cultivators—all vying for a chance to join one of the Seven Great Sects of Xianwei.

Among them stood a thin, ragged young boy. His black hair was unkempt, his robes tattered, but his golden eyes gleamed with an unearthly light.

> "This is it," he thought. "My only chance."

He adjusted the cloth blindfold over his eyes. Though he had long lost his natural sight, his Spirit Sight allowed him to see what others could not—the flow of qi, the pulse of spiritual energy, the flicker of emotions in those around him.

Yet even as he stood with quiet determination, whispers rippled through the crowd.

> "Who let a cripple in?"

> "Tsk. Probably a beggar from some backwater village."

> "Heh, look at him. He doesn't even have a clan emblem on his robe. No backing, no talent—what a joke."

A group of young masters in extravagant robes sneered, their gazes filled with disdain.

One of them, a tall youth with jade ornaments in his hair, stepped forward, folding his arms.

> "Everlescent Sect accepts only the elite. Trash like you should just kneel and leave."

The protagonist ignored them. He had heard worse in his life.

Seeing no reaction, the young master's expression darkened.

> "Tch, pretending to be noble? Let's see if you can even pass the first test."

---

The Trial of Survival

A sect elder raised his hand, and a massive spirit jade stele emerged from the ground, its surface flickering with golden inscriptions.

> "The entrance examination is simple," the elder announced. "In the Spirit Trial Grounds, there are thousands of scattered jade badges. Each of you must obtain at least five to pass. However, be warned—this is no ordinary scavenger hunt. The grounds are filled with traps, spirit beasts, and, of course… competition."

A cruel smile played at the corners of the elder's lips.

> "You may use any means necessary to obtain your badges."

At those words, the weaker cultivators paled. Those with stronger backgrounds, however, smirked.

The young masters from noble families exchanged knowing glances.

> "So it's like that, huh?"

The protagonist tightened his fists but remained silent.

> "Begin!"

A blinding flash erupted from the jade stele.

In an instant, the world shifted.

---

Within the Spirit Trial Grounds

When the light faded, the examinees found themselves standing in the middle of an ancient, mist-filled forest. Towering trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their branches twisted like ancient dragons. The ground was damp, covered in tangled roots and glowing mushrooms.

> "A pocket dimension..." the protagonist murmured.

Even without normal sight, his Spirit Sight revealed the landscape in ghostly shades of blue and gold. He could see the faint pulses of spiritual energy—and more importantly, the movements of hidden dangers.

> Step carefully.

He moved swiftly, dodging traps—a pitfall here, a hidden arrow there.

Not long after, he spotted a jade badge glinting atop a moss-covered stone.

> "One down."

He continued through the forest, hunting and evading. Every few minutes, he encountered another spirit beast—a Venom-Tail Scorpion, a Thunder Serpent, a Three-Eyed Wolf.

Using his heightened perception, he narrowly avoided fatal encounters.

An hour passed.

> Five badges.

Just as he turned to make his way back to the sect's rendezvous point—

---

The Ambush

> "Well, well, what do we have here?"

A chilling voice echoed through the trees.

From the shadows emerged a group of young masters, their luxurious robes pristine despite the trials. Their leader, the jade-ornamented youth from earlier, twirled a folding fan between his fingers.

> "I thought I saw a rat scurrying around."

The protagonist stiffened.

He had seen it coming—their presence had been lingering behind him for a while—but he had hoped to avoid confrontation.

> "Hand over your badges."

The young master extended his hand. His expression was bored, as if this was no different from taking candy from a child.

The protagonist's grip on his badges tightened.

> "No."

A moment of silence.

Then—

> "Hah! Did you hear that?"

The young master's entourage burst into laughter.

> "You think you have a choice?"

A flash of silver.

The next second, a palm strike hit the protagonist's chest, sending him flying into a tree. A sharp pain tore through his ribs.

> Damn it...

Before he could recover, a foot stomped onto his hand.

> "It's not personal, you see," the young master said lightly, leaning down. "It's just that weaklings like you don't deserve a place in Spirit Sect."

The protagonist glared up at him, but the young master only sneered.

> "Take them."

One by one, the jade badges were plucked from his fingers.

Then, without another word, the group walked away.

As if he were nothing.

---

Failure and Fury

The protagonist lay there, the damp earth cold beneath his fingers.

> This… this is how the world works, huh?

For the first time in years, rage burned in his chest.

Not sadness. Not despair.

Rage.

His nails dug into the dirt.

> No. I refuse to accept this.

He forced himself up, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.

His golden eyes shone in the darkness.

This wasn't the end.

This was only the beginning.

---

Back in the Inspiration Space, Lin Xian grinned.

> "Perfect."

This… this was a true protagonist's start.

He tapped his keyboard, satisfied.

People love a good weak to strong counter attack story .