Supreme Legacy, War Of the Gods

The morning sun bathed the land in a golden hue as Mo Xiu set out on his journey to the sect recruitment trials. The trials, held in Falling Sky Valley, were renowned for attracting the best young talents from across the mortal realm. Thousands of aspiring cultivators would gather to vie for the chance to join one of the prestigious sects that could propel them to greatness.

For Mo Xiu, this journey marked the beginning of a carefully crafted plan to build strength, protect the mortal realm, and stay hidden from the gods and demons who believed him dead. Though his powers were sealed and he could not cultivate in the traditional sense, Mo Xiu's mind was sharp, and his experience from millennia of existence was unparalleled.

The path to Falling Sky Valley was bustling with activity. Groups of young cultivators, some dressed in expensive robes that marked their noble lineage, traveled in carriages or on horseback. Others, like Mo Xiu, walked quietly along the road.

He maintained a low profile, wearing simple, unadorned robes. To the outside world, he appeared as an unremarkable young man with no spiritual energy to speak of. This illusion was deliberate; the less attention he drew, the better.

Arrival at Falling Sky Valley

When Mo Xiu arrived at the valley, the sheer scale of the gathering astonished him. The valley was a vast gorge surrounded by towering peaks, with spiritual energy so dense it shimmered in the air. At the entrance, a grand stage had been erected, and rows of elders from various sects sat in elevated seats, their powerful auras making the atmosphere feel oppressive.

Hundreds of candidates, ranging from confident prodigies to nervous first-timers, gathered near the stage. The hum of excited conversation filled the air, punctuated by the occasional demonstration of spiritual techniques.

Mo Xiu's gaze swept over the crowd, noting the dynamics at play. Groups from prominent clans gathered in clusters, their arrogance evident. Lone participants, like himself, stayed at the fringes, their eyes filled with determination despite their lack of support.

As Mo Xiu moved to find a spot in the shade, a commotion broke out near the entrance.

"Step aside, trash!"

The shout came from a burly youth wearing the insignia of the Thunderclap Sect. He was shoving a smaller boy to the ground, his expression twisted with disdain.

The smaller boy, though clearly outmatched, clenched his fists and glared up at his aggressor. Mo Xiu recognized him immediately: Chen Wu, his childhood friend and one of the few people who had ever shown him kindness.

"People like you have no place here," the burly youth sneered. "You'll embarrass yourself and waste everyone's time."

As the bully raised his hand to strike, Mo Xiu stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding. "That's enough."

The bully froze, turning to glare at Mo Xiu. "Who do you think you are?"

"Just someone who doesn't like cowards picking on those weaker than them," Mo Xiu replied evenly.

The bully's face darkened. "You've got guts. Let's see if you can back them up."

Before the situation could escalate, an elder's voice boomed across the crowd. "Enough! Save your energy for the trials."

Reluctantly, the bully stepped back, casting Mo Xiu a venomous glare before walking away.

Chen Wu scrambled to his feet, brushing off his robes. "Thank you, Brother Xiu. I didn't expect to see you here."

"It's been a while," Mo Xiu said with a faint smile. "Are you here for the trials as well?"

Chen Wu nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "Yes. I've had enough of being looked down on. This is my chance to prove myself."

Mo Xiu patted his shoulder. "Then let's both do our best."

The First Trial: Spiritual Affinity

As the candidates gathered near the stage, an elder stepped forward. His long white beard and piercing eyes commanded respect, and his voice carried effortlessly across the crowd.

"The sect recruitment trials are not for the faint of heart," he began. "Today, you will face three trials designed to test your spiritual affinity, combat prowess, and survival instincts. Only those who prove themselves worthy will be accepted into our sects."

The first trial involved the Spirit Resonance Stone, a large crystal that measured a candidate's compatibility with spiritual energy. Each candidate would place their hand on the stone, and the intensity of the light it emitted would determine their affinity.

One by one, candidates stepped forward. The stone's reactions ranged from dim flickers to dazzling bursts of light, eliciting cheers or laughter from the crowd.

When it was Mo Xiu's turn, he approached the stone with measured steps. Placing his hand on its surface, he suppressed his spiritual energy, allowing only the faintest trace to seep through.

The stone glowed weakly, barely brighter than a candle flame.

The crowd erupted into laughter.

"What a waste!" someone jeered. "He has almost no affinity!"

Mo Xiu ignored the taunts, his expression calm. In truth, revealing even a fraction of his true power would have been disastrous. The gods and demons might not be watching, but he couldn't risk drawing attention to himself.

Chen Wu, who stood nearby, clenched his fists. "Don't listen to them, Brother Xiu. I know you're not a waste."

Mo Xiu smiled faintly. "Let them laugh. This trial doesn't decide everything."

The Second Trial: Combat Prowess

The second trial was a series of one-on-one duels. Each candidate was paired with an opponent, and their performance was evaluated by the elders.

Mo Xiu's opponent was a cocky disciple from a minor sect. The young man sneered as he stepped into the ring. "You should just surrender. Someone with your spiritual affinity doesn't stand a chance against me."

Mo Xiu said nothing, his expression unreadable as he took his position.

When the signal to begin was given, the disciple lunged forward, his sword blazing with spiritual energy.

Mo Xiu sidestepped the attack with ease, his movements fluid and precise. He didn't counterattack immediately, instead observing his opponent's technique and waiting for an opening.

Frustrated by Mo Xiu's evasiveness, the disciple began to overextend himself. That was when Mo Xiu struck. With a single, well-placed palm strike, he sent his opponent sprawling out of the ring.

The crowd fell silent, their earlier laughter replaced by disbelief.

The elder overseeing the match nodded in approval. "Winner: Mo Xiu."

Chen Wu grinned. "That's the Brother Xiu I know."

The Third Trial: The Beastwood Survival Test

The final trial took place in the Beastwood, a dense forest teeming with spirit beasts. Each candidate was tasked with retrieving a Spirit Core from one of the beasts within a limited time.

Mo Xiu entered the forest with calm determination. Unlike the others, who rushed headlong into battle, he moved quietly, observing the movements of the beasts and planning his approach.

Eventually, he encountered a Shadowfang Wolf, a mid-tier spirit beast known for its speed and cunning. Most candidates would have avoided such a dangerous opponent, but Mo Xiu saw an opportunity.

Using the terrain to his advantage, he lured the wolf into a narrow ravine. When it lunged at him, he sidestepped and delivered a precise strike to its neck, killing it instantly.

Retrieving the Spirit Core, he returned to the starting point with time to spare.

The elders were impressed. "Not only does he possess skill, but he also has intelligence and composure," one remarked.

The Silver-Haired Stranger

As the trials concluded, Mo Xiu stood among the successful candidates. Chen Wu had also passed, his performance in the trials earning him respect.

As they prepared to leave the valley, Mo Xiu's attention was drawn to a familiar figure in the crowd. The silver-haired woman from the forest was among the candidates, her emerald eyes scanning the crowd.

She didn't notice him at first, but when their gazes met, her expression shifted to one of recognition—and confusion.

Mo Xiu gave her a small nod, his expression unreadable.

"What's wrong?" Chen Wu asked, noticing the exchange.

"Nothing," Mo Xiu replied, turning away. But deep down, he knew their meeting was no coincidence.