Pillborn Immortal

Zhuan Ming sat in the sect's backyard, where the other successful candidates had gathered. The atmosphere was tense—some disciples quietly meditated, while others whispered among themselves.

As he rested, his mind was already strategizing for the next trial. He needed not only to pass but also to fool the elders. His gaze swept over the crowd, assessing the competition. Then, he spotted someone familiar—Li Feng.

Once arrogant and confrontational, Li Feng now stood awkwardly at the edge of the group. When their eyes met, Zhuan Ming shot him a cold, piercing glance. Li Feng immediately looked away, his face flushing with embarrassment and a hint of fear. The memory of their last encounter was still fresh—the humiliating defeat he had suffered at Zhuan Ming's hands.

Zhuan Ming smirked slightly. He had no intention of causing trouble, but it was good to know Li Feng had learned his lesson.

The elder overseeing the trials stepped forward.

"Listen well!" his voice boomed across the yard. "The second trial will test your combat prowess and adaptability. You will be paired against one another in controlled sparring matches. The rules are simple: you may use any technique at your disposal, but killing or permanently injuring your opponent will result in immediate disqualification. The victor will be decided when one party yields or is unable to continue. Prepare yourselves—the matches will begin shortly."

A murmur of excitement and anxiety rippled through the crowd.

Zhuan Ming opened his eyes. This trial would be trickier. Not only did he need to win, but he also had to ensure that his performance didn't reveal the depth of his true abilities.

The elder began calling out names, pairing disciples for matches. Zhuan Ming observed the fights, noting each competitor's strengths and weaknesses. Then, his name was called.

"Zhuan Ming versus Liu Wei."

Zhuan Ming stood, moving with deliberate ease. He stepped into the arena, where Liu Wei—a tall, muscular disciple—was already waiting. 

"I've heard about you, Zhuan Ming," Liu Wei said mockingly. "They say you're a loser. Let's see if you deserve to be here."

Zhuan Ming didn't respond. He assumed a basic defensive stance, his expression neutral.

The elder raised his hand and then brought it down sharply.

"Begin!"

Liu Wei surged forward, his movements powered by a burst of spiritual energy. His fist shot toward Zhuan Ming's face, aiming to end the fight quickly.

Zhuan Ming tilted his head slightly, letting the punch graze his cheek. He could have dodged it completely, but he needed to make the fight seem close.

Liu Wei unleashed a flurry of punches, each one infused with spiritual energy. Zhuan Ming dodged and deflected them with restrained precision, allowing some strikes to graze him while feigning struggle.

The crowd murmured.

"He's holding his own against Liu Wei," one disciple whispered. "But he's not landing any solid hits. He's going to lose if this keeps up."

Growing frustrated, Liu Wei channeled more spiritual energy into his fists, the glow intensifying as the air around them crackled with power. "Enough of this!" he roared, lunging forward with a flurry of rapid punches, each one carrying enough force to shatter stone.

Zhuan Ming's eyes sharpened. He sidestepped the first punch, letting it smash into the ground, leaving a small crater. The second came faster, but he pivoted at the last second, allowing it to graze his shoulder while making it look like a near miss. Liu Wei's barrage continued, each attack growing fiercer, but Zhuan Ming moved like a shadow, just barely slipping past each blow.

"Stop running!" Liu Wei barked, feinting a left hook before twisting into a spinning kick aimed at Zhuan Ming's head. This time, Zhuan Ming ducked under it and, without hesitation, drove a heavy strike straight into Liu Wei's groin.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Liu Wei's face turned purple as he crumpled to the ground, clutching himself.

Zhuan Ming bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. "Ah, my apologies. I aimed for your leg but missed."

Laughter erupted. Even some elders shook their heads in disbelief.

The elder in charge stepped forward, his face red with restraint.

"Victory goes to… Zhuan Ming!"