From Mortal To Immortal: Reign Of The Unyielding Chapter 5: The Trial of Power

The sounds of the courtyard had barely settled when Lin Tian’s next challenger stepped forward, a girl this time. She was young, no more than seventeen, but her presence carried the weight of someone with experience. Her aura was sharp and focused, the discipline of a cultivator evident in her stance.

Lin Tian observed her carefully, his mind as sharp as his eyes. She wielded a pair of short swords, their blades gleaming in the sunlight, and her posture was fluid—no wasted motion, every muscle coiled and ready to spring. The disciples watching from the sidelines whispered to each other, murmuring about her skill and experience. She was one of the top disciples in the Taiyan Sect, a true prodigy.

The man in white robes who had first confronted Lin Tian glanced toward the girl and nodded. "Mu Xinyi," he said, his voice carrying a note of approval. "Take care of him."

Mu Xinyi’s eyes flickered with determination as she stepped forward. She didn’t waste time with words. The air seemed to grow heavier, charged with the energy she was about to unleash. Her body shifted into a martial stance, and without warning, she lunged.

Lin Tian stood still, his expression calm. She was fast—faster than the previous disciple—but not fast enough to catch him off guard. The first sword slashed toward his side, a lightning-quick cut aimed to open him up. Lin Tian moved just before the blade could touch him, his body twisting and sliding to the side with fluid grace.

Mu Xinyi was already spinning, her other sword aimed for his throat, a lethal strike meant to end the battle in a single blow. But Lin Tian’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist mid-strike. There was no hesitation in his movement, no doubt in his mind. He was already a step ahead.

With a twist of his body, Lin Tian redirected her momentum, sending her flying through the air with ease. She landed on the ground with a soft thud but immediately sprang to her feet, her face a mask of determination. She wasn’t done yet.

"Impressive," she said through gritted teeth. Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of respect and challenge. "You move as though you’re untouchable."

Lin Tian’s gaze never wavered. "I don’t move to impress. I move to win."

Mu Xinyi narrowed her eyes but didn’t respond. Instead, she launched herself back into the fight, her movements even more calculated, her speed increasing as she channeled her spiritual energy into her blades. The swords danced through the air, the sound of metal cutting through the wind ringing out in a flurry of strikes aimed at Lin Tian’s vital points.

The onlookers, who had once been silent, were now watching with bated breath. Mu Xinyi was no ordinary disciple—her skill was exceptional, and yet Lin Tian moved with an ease that made it seem as though he were toying with her. He dodged each strike, his body a blur, his senses attuned to every movement in the fight.

And then, with a sudden motion, Lin Tian reached out, catching both of her blades in his hands, holding them in mid-air. Mu Xinyi’s eyes widened in surprise as Lin Tian’s grip tightened. She pulled back, but her swords were stuck, unable to break free from his unyielding hold.

"Yield," Lin Tian said coldly, his voice low but commanding.

For a moment, Mu Xinyi hesitated. She could feel the raw power in Lin Tian’s grip, the unrelenting force of his dominance. She had never encountered someone like him—someone who made her feel as though she were nothing more than a child playing at combat. But she wasn’t someone who gave up easily. She steeled herself, trying to break free.

But Lin Tian wasn’t finished. With a swift motion, he twisted the swords in his grip and then flicked his wrist, sending them flying through the air. They clattered across the stone courtyard, sliding to a stop several feet away. Mu Xinyi stumbled back, unable to retrieve her weapons.

Lin Tian took a step forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "You’re strong," he said, "but not strong enough."

Mu Xinyi’s chest heaved with the effort of the fight, but she didn’t break her gaze. "You’re... amazing," she admitted, her voice tinged with respect. "I’ve never faced anyone like you before."

Lin Tian remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. "This isn’t about respect. It’s about power. And I will have more of it than anyone here."

The courtyard was still, the silence stretching out as Mu Xinyi recovered her breath. Slowly, she nodded, stepping back and bowing her head. "I yield."

The onlookers broke into quiet murmurs. The spectacle of Lin Tian’s victory had left them stunned. There were no cheers, no applause—just an eerie silence. Even the man in white robes, who had initially seemed indifferent, was now looking at Lin Tian with a newfound respect. He knew this boy was different. He wasn’t like the others who came to the sect seeking glory—he was someone who was already well on his way to achieving it.

Lin Tian turned to face the man in white, his gaze unwavering. "I have proven myself. What’s next?"

The man regarded him for a long moment before nodding. "You’ve passed the trial of strength, but the Taiyan Sect does not accept members based solely on power. There is another test you must complete."

Lin Tian’s expression hardened. He had expected as much. Strength alone wasn’t enough to win the sect’s favor. "What is this test?"

"You must prove your worth to the sect’s leaders," the man explained. "You’ll face the Elders, who will test not just your martial abilities, but your wisdom, your resolve, and your ability to follow the teachings of the sect. Only after you pass their trial will you be officially accepted as a disciple."

Lin Tian’s eyes gleamed with determination. He was ready.

"I’ll do whatever it takes," he said firmly.

The man in white studied him for a moment longer before turning on his heel and walking away. "Follow me. The Elders will be waiting."

As Lin Tian followed him through the sect’s grand halls, the sound of his footsteps echoed through the corridors, the weight of what was to come pressing down on him. He knew that the real challenge had only just begun. The Taiyan Sect was a place of incredible power, but it was also a place where those who were unworthy would quickly be discarded.

And Lin Tian was not one to be discarded.

He would conquer the trial and stand among the greatest of the sect’s disciples.

The true test was about to begin.

End of Chapter 5

Chapter end