Cold wind swept through the stone courtyard of the Heavenly Cloud Sect.
Hundreds of young hopefuls stood in line, their eyes filled with dreams of power.
To become a cultivator meant escaping the life of a mortal.
It meant flying across the heavens, controlling the elements, and living for hundreds of years.
But not everyone was chosen.
At the end of the line stood Li Wei.
His clothes were simple and dusty from travel. Unlike the wealthy young masters around him, he carried no servants or family members.
Only determination.
Two weeks earlier, he had left his mountain village with a single goal.
To enter the Heavenly Cloud Sect.
An elder sat beside a glowing crystal sphere used to test spiritual roots.
"Next."
A boy stepped forward confidently and placed his hand on the crystal.
The sphere erupted with golden light.
"Metal spiritual root. High grade," the elder announced.
The crowd gasped.
A disciple quickly led the boy inside the sect gates.
Li Wei watched silently.
His turn came closer.
One by one, the crystal determined everyone's fate.
Some were accepted.
Many were rejected.
Finally the elder looked at Li Wei.
"You. Come forward."
Li Wei stepped forward slowly and placed his palm on the crystal sphere.
The courtyard fell silent.
Everyone stared at the crystal.
Nothing happened.
The light inside the sphere faded completely.
The elder frowned.
"No spiritual root."
Laughter spread through the crowd.
"A useless mortal."
"Another dreamer."
The elder waved his sleeve impatiently.
"Leave."
For a moment, Li Wei said nothing.
Then he bowed politely and walked away.
But deep inside his chest, something refused to accept defeat.
He did not know it yet.
But his fate was about to change in a way no cultivator had ever experienced.