Into the Dimensional Battlefield
The sun had not yet risen when Li Xuan stood atop the eastern ridge of the academy. His long black robes fluttered in the breeze, his saber sheathed on his back, and a cold glint in his eyes. His body stood still, but his heart pounded with anticipation.
A new mission had arrived. A new battlefield was opening.
The inner sect had received an invitation from the Sky Obsidian Pavilion, one of the great forces in the Northern Territories. A dimensional trial—one of the ancient battlegrounds left behind by gods—was to open, and only core disciples, top geniuses, and highly ranked outer elites were permitted entry.
What shocked the sect was that Li Xuan, an outer disciple only recently promoted, had been personally named as a participant.
The academy elders had no choice.
System Notification:
—New Dimensional Trial Invitation Received—
—Origin: Sky Obsidian Pavilion, Blood Trial Field—
—Trial Difficulty: Extreme—
—Participants: Top 1,000 ranked geniuses in the Northern Territories—
—Suggested Actions: Prepare Body, Cultivation, and Willpower—
—System Assistance Restricted During Trial (80%)—
Li Xuan's gaze sharpened.
"So even the system will be shackled there…" he muttered.
This was the first time he would truly be left to his own ability—no full system guidance, no constant real-time updates, and only limited support.
For once, he'd fight alone.
And that meant…
He couldn't depend on the system anymore.
—
Training Before the Storm
The next three days, Li Xuan disappeared.
He secluded himself within the ancient Bonefire Gorge, where fire spirits raged day and night, a zone abandoned by the sect due to the dangerous environment. For Li Xuan, it was perfect.
His robes burned. His skin cracked. But he didn't retreat.
He trained Phantom Step until his knees bled. Swung Heaven-Shearing Executioner until his arms trembled. Practiced Qi compression, saber formation, close-combat instincts—and began forging his body, blow by blow.
He crafted weighted bracers from beast iron. Ran vertical cliffs under falling boulders. Fought spiritual beasts with his bare hands.
No system missions. No assistance.
Only sweat.
Only pain.
Only growth.
[Character Panel]
Name: Li Xuan
Realm: Late Qi Condensation (99%)
EXP Bar: [■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□] 71,890 / 100,000
System Points: 311 / 500
Notable Skills: Phantom Step, Kill Instinct (Passive), Saber Mastery (Intermediate), Qi Control (Refined)
New Attribute Unlocked: Perception Training – 2% Complete
Weapon: Heaven-Shearing Executioner
Storage Space: Active
Reputation: Demon Blade of the Outer Court
Titles: Shadow Butcher, Protector of the Lost
Day of Departure
When Li Xuan returned to the sect gates, the elders were already waiting. Dozens of disciples gathered to witness the departure of those chosen.
Among them stood arrogant inner sect geniuses, clad in rich robes and surrounded by their followers.
And beside them—
"Li Xuan?" someone called, voice sharp and mocking.
A tall figure stepped forward, his skin bronze and arms thick with power. His name was Han Xu, ranked 3rd among inner sect disciples.
"You're that demon brat they sent letters about? A mere outer disciple? Trash from nowhere?"
Li Xuan didn't answer. His gaze fell on Han Xu like a cold wind crossing a graveyard.
Han Xu stepped up, radiating mid Foundation Establishment pressure.
"Let me be clear," he growled. "You'll be cannon fodder. You stay out of my way, or I'll send you back in pieces."
Li Xuan's voice was calm.
"Try."
The word sent a chill down the nearby disciples' spines.
But before the tension exploded, the elder leading the expedition waved his hand.
"That's enough. You can kill each other inside the trial. Until then, shut up."
Li Xuan didn't even glance at the elder. He only smirked and walked into the teleportation circle, first among all.
The Dimensional Trial Begins
A flash of silver light.
Then darkness.
Then…
Boom!
The sky cracked, and Li Xuan fell from the sky—crashing into a blood-red battlefield soaked with bones and ancient weapons.
Screams echoed from every direction.
The Blood Trial Field was a floating battlefield suspended in a shattered realm, a dimension left behind by ancient cultivators who slaughtered each other for eternity.
Here, thousands had already arrived.
Geniuses from foreign sects. Warriors with monstrous bloodlines. Women wrapped in ice-cold killing intent. Monks with demonic tattoos.
And hovering above, a giant screen showed everyone's kill count, updated in real-time.
System:
—[Dimensional Kill Count Board Activated]—
—Kill Count: 0—
—System Support Reduced to 20%—
—Warning: Incoming Hostile Spiritual Beast Detected—
Li Xuan spun around—
A blood lion, three meters tall, roared from the mist and charged straight at him.
He jumped back—
Too slow!
Its claw grazed his chest, cutting through his reinforced inner robe and spilling blood.
Li Xuan's saber shot out.
Clang!
It bounced off the lion's hide.
"…Tough bastard."
He narrowed his eyes, Phantom Step flaring.
He circled left, dug his foot into the ground, and launched a sweeping attack—
Missed.
The lion roared again, pouncing.
Li Xuan rolled under it, slammed his fist into its ribs, and then sliced upward with a reverse grip.
Blood sprayed.
The lion shrieked.
But it didn't fall.
Li Xuan gritted his teeth.
This was not like fighting in the cursed forest. These beasts weren't just physical—they had divine fragments lingering in them.
It took him 12 clashes, 3 dodges, 2 injuries, and a brutal strike to the eyes before the lion finally died.
He stood over its twitching body, panting.
—
+1 Kill | +1700 EXP | System Points +8
EXP: 73,590 / 100,000
But there was no time to breathe.
He looked up.
Five shadows circled him—other participants. One stepped forward with a halberd burning with black fire.
"You're Li Xuan?" the man asked, voice like grinding stone. "Good. My clan wants your head."
Li Xuan gripped his saber.
A smirk crept onto his lips.
"Then come."