After being promoted to Core Disciples, Li Hao and his companions were summoned to the Inner Hall, where the elders announced a decisive change: from this day forward, rank would be contested through individual combat alone. Team formations, shared resources in battle, and coordinated tactics were all prohibited within the arena. Strength would be measured purely by personal mastery—skill, will, and control.
The decree rippled through the sect like thunder.
Wang Lei grinned, rolling his shoulders as if he had been waiting for this. Su Ling remained composed, though her eyes sharpened with focus. Lin Xue's smile was faint, calculating, as if she had already begun mapping outcomes. Li Hao simply nodded, accepting the rule without resistance.
"Climb as one," he said quietly, "but fight alone."
From that moment, their path split into four parallel ascents. The safety of teamwork was gone; in its place stood the unforgiving clarity of individual strength. The true trial of Azure Cloud Sect had finally begun.