Awakening of the Ancient: Rise of the Fallen

"You finally decided to come out. I've been wondering how long you guys would stay there," Mu Li said as he glanced back at Wu Tian.

"I would've asked you to give that enlightening ball to us, but I know that you won't do it. Let's just fight and get it done with," Wu Tian said as he pointed his sword towards Mu Li.

"Sure. That's the best way to solve this. I won't go easy on you though. It doesn't matter that you're the Disciple of an elder. All my attacks will be aimed at killing you, so think carefully," Mu Li told Wu Tian.

"You should give it your all. I wouldn't want to kill someone who is weak," Wu Tian replied and without waiting for a response, he moved towards Mu Li as he attacked with his sword.

His target was Mu Li's chest but Mu Li intercepted the attack with his sword. Mu Li was stronger and had higher cultivation, but still, he was forced a step backward. Wu Tian on the other hand was forced back 2 steps.

Zi Zhenfeng also attacked the second strongest cultivator. 

"They left a kid for me? Are they serious? That feels like an insult, but oh well, the faster I kill you, the faster I can get back to killing them," The 3rd cultivator said as he glared at Xu Ming.

He pulled his blade out as he ran towards Xu Ming to attack, but before he could get near, he saw Xu Ming disappear from his vision. Xu Ming was so fast that the guy couldn't even see him moving.

The guy finally saw Xu Ming, but it was too late. Xu Ming's sword was already resting on his neck.

He started sweating as he said, "Don't..." 

But before he could finish his sentence, Xu Ming's sword moved. The guy's neck was cut off as his head fell down to the ground.

The others were still busy in their battle and they didn't see Xu Ming's battle otherwise they would have been shocked.

Xu Ming slowly walked forth and picked up the enlightening ball.

"I got the ball," Xu Ming let out loud as he informed Wu Tian and the others who were still in an intense battle.

"What? H-he killed Dan chu?" Mu Li was shocked and just as shocked was Wu Tian.

They both recovered their focus as they attacked the opponent and their battle continued. They knew that they didn't have the time to be distracted.

Mu Li's team was outnumbered and that's why he wished to finish the battle fast so that he could balance the numbers, but Wu Tian was proving to be a tough opponent. Despite having weaker cultivation, Wu Tian was giving an equal fight to him.

"Die for me!" Mu Li called out as he used his movement skill and created some distance between them.

"Starry Destruction!" He let out as he got into a sword stance. His sword started shining brightly as if he was a bright star.

He swung his sword and a bright white arc of light left his sword and advanced towards Wu Tian.

"Nirvana Slash," Wu Tian said as he also used his sword skill.

Wu Tian and Mu Li both crashed on the ground away from each other.

Both of them could feel their bodies being hurt but they both stood up as they again ran towards each other. Their swords clashed once more.

Xu Ming wondered if he should interfere, but he didn't as he could see that Wu Tian was giving it his all in this fight and he was enjoying it. Interfering in his fight would be something like insulting him and doubting his abilities.

He just stood back with the ball in his hand as he watched their battle.

Their battle continued for around 2 hours and both of them could feel as if they were running out of Qi.

It was 2 am in the morning and the trial was supposed to be over by 4 am. There were only 2 more hours left.

It was Mu Li's team that was more desperate at the moment as the ball was with Xu Ming.

"Mu Li! What are you doing?! Stop playing with him and hurry up! We don't have all night to get that ball," Mu Li's teammate said. He looked deeply concerned. He was still fighting Zi Zhenfeng and their battle was just as intense.

Zi Zhenfeng had a few blade wounds on his body and similarly, he had a few wounds on his body.

Just like that 2 more hours passed away. Even though Mu Li tried his best to be free of Wu Tian and get the ball back, he wasn't able to shake him off.

Ultimately, that heard a loud announcement.

"Everyone, the test is over! Stop fighting! The teams that still have the Enlightening Ball have won. Everyone needs to come back to the main hall. Those who are found to attack the teams with the balls after this moment shall be killed without any explanation," 

Wu Tian stopped the battle and Mu Li also stopped attacking.

"Congratulations on victory. I guess you guys did outperform us this time," Mu Li said to Wu Tian.

"Thank you, but it's all thanks to Xu Ming. If he hasn't gotten that ball, I don't believe we would have won," Wu Tian said as he looked at Xu Ming with praise in his eyes.

"Indeed. That boy is good. Despite being so young, he managed to take someone so strong down. If you guys hadn't attacked our team, both our teams would have been selected, but that's alright. It was a good battle," Mu Li said smilingly.

"Alright, Let's go back. There's no point in wasting time here anymore," Mu Li said casually as he started walking back.

After an hour, they all got back to the Martial Hall.

The In-Charge of the test, Silus, and his 2 friends were standing in the hall when Xu Ming and the others entered. They were the last ones to come back.

"Alright. You guys are the ones that are still alive. Let me announce the names of the ones that are selected to be inner sect disciples," Silus said.

There were only 120 people that were back in the hall which meant that 882 disciples that took part in the test had died. Even though the number of dead was large, Silus seemed as if he was surprised that so many had survived.

"The ones that are selected are Wu Tian, Zi Zhenfeng, Xu Ming, Ye Manli, Qu Min, Su Yao, Ru Zheng... and Po Liun. Come forward and take your provision badges," Silus called out 18 names as not all of the winning teams were intact.

The ones whose names were called out stepped forth and took the small coin-shaped badge that was lying on the table above the paper of the participants' names.

"The ones that aren't selected can leave now," Silus said. Mu Li and the other ones that failed the test left the hall and went back to the outer sect.

"Alright. From now on, you guys are the proud disciples of the inner sect so first of all, congratulations. Now back to the important things. You guys need to come to the Inner Sect Registration Hall with your provisional badges and there you will be given your real badges with your names on it," He further said.

"He is Xuan Yu. You will all see him in the Registration Hall. After you guys receive your badges, he will show you around the sect and tell you the rules that you must follow. If anyone is found to break those rules, he will be crippled," Silus told them as he pointed towards the guy that was standing behind him.

"Alright. Now you can leave as well. Be on time, tomorrow at 9 am in the Registration Hall," Silus said before he turned back and left the hall with the other 2 inner disciples.

Xu Ming couldn't help but stare at the badge. It was proof that he was a step closer to his objective of entering the core sect and taking back the necklace that had his mother.

"Hey, Xu Ming? Why are you in a daze? Let's go," Zi Zhenfeng called out Xu Ming as he saw him looking at the provisional badge.

Xu Ming glanced back at Zi Zhenfeng and nodded his head as he turned back and left with them.

They all walked back to the outer sect and separated as they entered their courtyards.

Xu Ming entered his room and fell down to his bed. It had been 7 days since he had a proper sleep so he instantly fell asleep on the bed.

He again found himself back in the dream of that dark place where he saw that little boy.