Pillborn Immortal

The laughter that had filled the courtyard slowly died down, replaced by a tense silence as the disciples refocused on the trials ahead. Zhuan Ming returned to where he sat, his expression calm. He had passed the second trial, but he knew the final challenge would be the most difficult yet. The elders were watching closely now, and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

The elder in charge stepped forward once more, his voice booming across the courtyard. "The final trial will determine who among you is worthy of becoming an inner disciple. This will be a one-on-one battle amongs the students that passed, just as before, but the stakes are higher. Only those who emerge victorious will earn their place. Prepare yourselves—the matches will begin shortly."

A murmur of anticipation rippled through the crowd. Zhuan Ming glanced around, noting the faces of his competitors. Some looked confident, their eyes gleaming with determination, while others appeared nervous, their hands trembling slightly. He spotted Li Feng sitting a few rows away, his expression unreadable. Zhuan Ming wondered if they would face each other in the final trial. If so, it would be an interesting match.

The elder began calling out names, pairing disciples for the matches. Zhuan Ming watched as the first few pairs stepped into the arena, their movements sharp but lacking the refinement that could only be honed through experience. The battles were intense, with each disciple giving their all to secure their place as an inner disciple. Techniques clashed, spiritual energy surged, and the air crackled with tension.

Finally, the elder's voice called out, "Zhuan Ming versus Zhang Lei."

Zhuan Ming stood, his movements deliberate and unhurried. He stepped into the arena, his opponent already waiting for him. Zhang Lei was a tall, lean disciple with a focused expression. His hands were wrapped in bandages, and his stance was steady, exuding confidence.

Before the battle started, Zhuan Ming smirked and reminded, "Watch your groin."

Then he assumed a basic defensive stance, his expression neutral. The elder raised his hand and then brought it down sharply. "Begin!"

Zhang Lei was reminded of the cruel defeat Liu Wei had suffered. Still he surged forward, his movements fast. His fist shot toward Zhuan Ming's chest, infused with a burst of spiritual energy. Zhuan Ming sidestepped the attack. He countered with a quick jab, but Zhang Lei blocked it effortlessly, his reflexes sharp.

The two exchanged a series of rapid strikes, their movements a blur to the watching disciples. Zhang Lei's attacks were relentless, each one aimed at overwhelming Zhuan Ming with sheer speed and precision. But Zhuan Ming held his ground, his movements calculated and efficient. He allowed a few strikes to graze him, exaggerating their impact to maintain the illusion of a close fight.

The crowd watched intently, their murmurs growing louder as the battle dragged on. "Zhang Lei is so fast!" one disciple whispered. "But Zhuan Ming is holding his own. He's tougher than he looks," another replied.

Zhang Lei, growing frustrated, decided to change tactics. He channeled more spiritual energy into his fists, causing them to glow brighter. "Let's end this!" he shouted, launching a powerful punch aimed at Zhuan Ming's chest.

Zhuan Ming stepped to the side, letting the punch narrowly miss him. He countered with a spinning kick, his foot grazing Zhang Lei's side. The impact was minimal, but it was enough to throw Zhang Lei off balance. Zhuan Ming seized the opportunity, stepping in close and delivering a controlled strike to Zhang Lei's shoulder.

Zhang Lei stumbled back, his expression a mix of surprise and frustration. He was growing tired, he couldn't aford to drag out the fight. He launched another flurry of attacks, but Zhuan Ming deflected some of them, letting most hit for show. In reality, his movements were precise and calculated.So when Zhuan Ming feigned a moment of exhaustion, leaving his guard open. Zhang Lei took the bait, throwing a powerful punch aimed at Zhuan Ming's chest.

At the last second, Zhuan Ming twisted his body, letting the punch graze his side. He then stepped in close, his hand shooting forward to grip Zhang Lei's wrist. With a subtle infusion of spiritual energy, he twisted Zhang Lei's arm and swept his legs out from under him, sending the taller disciple crashing to the ground.

Before Zhang Lei could recover, Zhuan Ming pinned him, his knee pressing lightly against Zhang Lei's neck. 

Zhang Lei struggled for a moment, his face red with anger and embarrassment. But he quickly realized he was outmatched. "I yield," he muttered through gritted teeth.

The elder stepped forward, raising his hand. "Victory goes to Zhuan Ming!"

The crowd murmurs. Some were impressed by Zhuan Ming's resilience, while others dismissed his victory as luck. Zhuan Ming released Zhang Lei and helped him to his feet, offering a small nod of respect. Zhang Lei glared at him but said nothing, storming off the arena with his head down.

As Zhuan Ming returned to his seat, he could feel the eyes of the elders on him. He kept a exhousted expression, careful not to reveal anything. He had won the match, but he had done so in a way that didn't draw too much attention. For now, that was enough.

The final matches continued, each one more intense than the last. Finally, the elder stepped forward once more, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "The trials are complete. Those who have emerged victorious will now be recognized as inner disciples of the sect. Step forward."

Zhuan Ming stood, along with the other victorious disciples. They lined up before the elder, their faces a mix of pride and relief. The elder raised his hand, and a soft glow enveloped each of them. "From this day forward, you are inner disciples of the Azure Sky Sect. Remember your duties, uphold the honor of the sect, and continue to strive for greatness."

Zhuan Ming bowed slightly, his mind drifting off to the main reason he joined the academy.