Sword God Journey

The morning light broke across the horizon, casting long shadows over the landscape as the child—now known as Lin Xuan—rose from the place where he had spent the night. The stars had faded, their light replaced by the golden hue of the early sun. He could feel the pulse of the land beneath his feet, a reminder that the world was alive, constantly shifting and changing, just like him.

Today was different. The weight of the previous day's conversation still lingered in his mind, but now he had a purpose. The path ahead was clear. The city he had seen in the distance during the night was now closer than ever. It was the first true test of his strength—what lay ahead would determine whether he would remain an unknown wanderer or if he would begin to carve his place in this vast world.

The city, known as Tian Long City, was a bastion of power and ambition. It was the heart of the Eastern Continent, where the strongest cultivators gathered to prove themselves, to rise above their rivals, and to solidify their legacies. Lin Xuan had heard tales of this city, of the warriors, the noble houses, and the prestigious sects that made it their home. It was a place where the strong ruled, and the weak fell into obscurity.

As he approached the city gates, the air thickened, a palpable tension clinging to the atmosphere. Hundreds of cultivators milled about, their eyes sharp, their expressions guarded. Some whispered to one another, while others kept to themselves, lost in thought. The aura of power was overwhelming, and Lin Xuan could feel it pressing against him, as though daring him to prove his worth.

He stepped forward, his steps measured, and his resolve firm. He had trained for this, honed his skills, and sharpened his senses. But he knew, deep down, that this city was not like the valley. Here, survival depended not just on strength, but on wit, diplomacy, and strategy. He would have to navigate the political currents of this place, and he would need allies. There was no place for the weak in Tian Long City.

The entrance to the city was guarded by two towering figures, their eyes cold and calculating. They wore the robes of the Tian Long Guard, the city's elite military force. Each of them stood like statues, unmoving, yet radiating an aura of immense power. Lin Xuan approached with caution, his hand resting on the hilt of his black iron sword, the weight of the weapon grounding him.

One of the guards raised a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "State your name and business," the guard said, his voice deep and commanding.

"Lin Xuan," he replied evenly. "I seek entry into Tian Long City to join the sects and prove my worth."

The guard eyed him for a moment, then nodded. "A wanderer seeking to carve his path. I can respect that. But know this, child—Tian Long City is not a place for those who do not have the strength to back up their words. If you wish to prove yourself, you will be tested. There is no turning back once you enter."

Lin Xuan nodded without hesitation, his gaze unwavering. "I understand."

The guard stepped aside, and Lin Xuan passed through the gates into the heart of the city. The streets were bustling with activity, the sound of merchants hawking their goods blending with the hum of conversation and the clatter of footsteps. The air was thick with the scent of food, incense, and the faint, acrid tang of cultivation energy.

Lin Xuan's senses were on high alert as he moved through the city, taking in every detail. The buildings around him were grand, towering structures made of stone and marble, adorned with intricate carvings and banners displaying the insignia of various sects. The people moved with purpose, their eyes sharp, and their expressions cold. It was a city of ambition, and every person here was either climbing or falling.

He soon found himself in the city's central square, a vast open area surrounded by towering walls and large stone pillars. At the far end of the square stood a massive stone platform, and atop it, a group of powerful cultivators stood waiting. They were the judges—leaders of the various sects, each of them exuding an air of authority and power.

A loud voice rang out from the platform, drawing the attention of everyone present. "Welcome, challengers! You have come to test your strength, to see if you are worthy of joining one of the great sects of Tian Long City. But know this—only those who survive the Trial of Blood and Steel will be allowed to proceed."

Lin Xuan's heart quickened, but he kept his composure. He had known this trial was coming. He had trained for it, prepared for it, but the reality of standing in front of these powerful figures was different from anything he had imagined. His senses sharpened as he scanned the crowd, watching the others who had come to challenge fate.

The voice from the platform continued. "Each of you will face a combatant chosen from the Tian Long Guard. You will fight to the death if necessary. Only the strongest will remain."

A chill ran through the crowd at those words. Some of the challengers began to exchange nervous glances, but Lin Xuan remained still, his expression unreadable. This was it—the test he had been preparing for.

The first challenger was called up, a young man with a fiery temper and an overinflated sense of self-importance. He stepped onto the platform, his fists clenched, and his eyes burning with determination. He was eager to prove himself, but his brash confidence would prove to be his undoing.

As the combat began, Lin Xuan observed with a keen eye. The young man was fast, his strikes landing with powerful precision. But his movements were too erratic, too predictable. The Tian Long Guard combatant, a hulking figure clad in black armor, moved with deadly grace, countering each of the young man's attacks with effortless precision. Within moments, the challenger was on the ground, bloodied and defeated.

The crowd gasped in shock, but the Tian Long Guard member showed no mercy. He stepped forward and dealt the final blow, ending the young man's life with a swift strike to the heart.

Lin Xuan's expression hardened as he watched the scene unfold. He could feel the weight of the trial in the air, the pressure mounting as the next challengers stepped forward. This was the reality of Tian Long City—the strong thrived, while the weak perished.

It was Lin Xuan's turn next.

He stepped forward, his black iron sword resting lightly in his hand. He approached the platform with the calmness of a predator, every movement deliberate and controlled. The Tian Long Guard member across from him regarded him with a cold, calculating gaze. This was no ordinary opponent—it was a trial, a crucible meant to test his limits.

"Prepare yourself," the Tian Long Guard said, his voice as cold as ice.

Lin Xuan nodded, his heart beating steadily in his chest. This was what he had come for. The fight would define him, shape his future, and carve his place in the world. There was no turning back.

With a deep breath, Lin Xuan raised his sword, and the battle began.

To be continued...