Atop Amber Hill, Chuck sat cross-legged, his form bathed in the eerie glow of gathering storm clouds.


    The wind howled, carrying with it the oppressive weight of an impending tribtion.


    The air crackled with anticipation, a symphony of raw power waiting to be unleashed.


    For an unknown amount of time, Chuck remained still, a statue amidst the brewing tempest.


    Then, from within his depths, a spectral figure rose, shimmering into existence above his head.


    It was his nascent spirit, the embodiment of his years of dedicated cultivation – his Competent Force.


    Breaking through to the Basic Mastery Realm at the Competent Force level was no simple feat.


    It was a trial by fire, a test of both body and spirit against the unyielding fury of the heavens.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Not only would Chuck face the legendary Heavenly Thunder Tribtion, but his very essence, his Competent Force, would also be judged.


    This was the Trial of the Nascent Spirit.


    The heavens would unleash their wrath in the form of a Thunder Beast, its power directly proportional to the strength of the nascent spirit it sought to test.


    If the nascent spirit was weak, if the techniques it was founded upon were wed, then utter annihtion awaited.


    Few artifacts in existence could withstand the sheer destructive power of the Nascent Spirit Thunder Tribtion.


    As the storm clouds churned, a figure materialized within their depths.


    An elderly man, d in luxurious robes, his bearing radiating an air of authority – a seasoned yer in the game of courtly intrigue.


    He observed the spectral form of Chuck''s nascent spirit, a knowing smile ying on his lips as the tribtion coalesced into a fearsome phantom of lightning.


    "Congrattions, Fellow Daoist Chuck, on reaching the cusp of the Basic Mastery Realm," the neer boomed, his voice echoing across the mountaintop.


    "To achieve such a feat, hailing from the humble Azure Cloud, marks you as a true rising star."


    Chuck''s brow furrowed at the sight of the neer.


    It was Den, an official from the Imperial Court, a member of Grand Advisor Lance''s faction.


    Den had attempted to recruit Chuck years ago back in Cloudview County.


    But back then, Chuck was still a disciple of the Arcane Society, his master still alive, and he had politely declined the offer.


    Even after Chuck''s arrival in the Imperial Domain, Den hadn''t given up on recruiting him.


    Now, on the verge of his Basic Mastery tribtion, Chuck found himself once again under Lance''s watchful eye.


    Forgoing pleasantries, Chuck cut to the chase.


    "My Basic Mastery tribtion is about tomence, Sir Den. I''d appreciate it if you would be brief."


    "Hahaha, ever straightforward, Fellow Daoist Chuck," Den chuckled, stroking his beard.


    "Very well, I''ll get straight to the point. Grand Advisor Lance has always held you in high regard. He oftenments that your origins from the chaotic and impoverished Azure Cloud have hindered your true potential. Upon learning of your impending tribtion, he has tasked me with delivering a treasure that will aid you in oveing this ordeal."


    Despite Den''s amiable demeanor, Chuck remained wary, his gaze fixed intently on the official.


    Undeterred, Den continued, "All that is required is your pledge to serve Grand Advisor Lance once you ascend to the Basic Mastery Realm. Ovee this tribtion with our aid, and a glorious path to immortality awaits you."


    Chuck scoffed at the offer of power and wealth.


    "I appreciate the gesture, Sir Den, but I must decline."


    Den''s expression darkened.


    He was well aware of Grand Advisor Lance''s interest in Chuck, an interest that bordered on envy.


    He hadn''t anticipated such a blunt refusal.


    "Fellow Daoist Chuck," he warned, his voice hardening, "I urge you to reconsider. Without external assistance, this tribtion will not be easy to ovee. As I understand it, you''ve made no preparations for this moment."


    Den''s gaze swept across the deste mountaintop, a sneer twisting his lips.


    "Furthermore, your involvement with the ckwoods has earned you some powerful enemies. Even if you survive this tribtion, you''ll be left vulnerable to their retaliation."


    "Pledge your allegiance to Grand Advisor Lance, and I guarantee your safety. A single word from me, and your troubles will vanish."


    "Otherwise..." Den let the threat hang heavy in the air, his patience wearing thin after Chuck''s repeated rejections.


    Chuck, however, remained unfazed by the veiled threat.


    Instead, a different emotion flickered across his face – rm.


    "Lance knows about the Celestial Hand?!"


    "Hahaha!" Den burst intoughter.


    "My dear Chuck, do you truly believe anything escapes Grand Advisor Lance''s notice? He knows far more than you realize."


    Noticing Chuck''s unease, Den softened his tone.


    "Your dealings with the ckwoods have not gone unnoticed, Fellow Daoist Chuck. You''re alive today because Grand Advisor Lance has seen fit to lend a helping hand on asion. A wise man knows when to seize an opportunity. Why waste your talents? Only Grand Advisor Lance knows your true strength, a strength that could ce you among the top five on the Pinnacle Apprentice Ranking."


    "Believe me, joining Grand Advisor Lance''s ranks will bring you unimaginable benefits. Ask yourself, what have the ckwoods given you in return for your loyalty? They cannot help you withstand this tribtion, nor can they protect you from your enemies. A path to greatness lies before you..."


    Den''s words were cut short as his expression shifted from persuasive to wary.


    A figure shot up from the foot of Amber Hill,nding on the summit with a resounding thud that sent dust and debris flying.


    As the dust settled, Den''s eyes narrowed.


    He recognized the neer.


    It was Donna ckwood.


    Donna nced at Den, her brow furrowing as she sensed his peak Competent Force Realm cultivation.


    She couldn''t fathom how her master had crossed paths with such an unsightly old geezer, but she pushed the thought aside for the moment.


    With a bright smile, she tossed a storage ring to her master.


    "Master, look what I brought you!"


    "Hmm?" Chuck caught the ring, his eyes widening in surprise as he examined its contents.


    He looked at Donna, confusion etched on his face.


    "Donna, what is all this?"


    "Oh, this?" Donna grinned, striking a yful pose.


    "You might have caught us off guard with your sudden breakthrough, but luckily for you, you have an amazing disciple who wouldn''t dream of forgetting her dear master. Consider this a little care package from the family to help you conquer your Competent Force tribtion."


    Den frowned, observing the pride in Donna''s stance and the flicker of astonishment in Chuck''s eyes.


    He could tell that the contents of the storage ring were valuable to Chuck, but he couldn''t bring himself to believe that the ckwoods possessed anything truly useful.


    His skepticism vanished a momentter, reced by a jolt of disbelief. Continue reading on empire


    Chuck emptied the storage ring, and the air around them thrummed with potent energy.


    Sixth-grade pills, sixth-grade psychic medicines, even sixth-grade psychic artifacts and formation disks tumbled out, along with two exquisite soul-protecting ability weapons!


    Every single item was specifically designed to protect and restore a nascent spirit during the throes of a tribtion.


    "How... how is this possible?" Den stammered, hisposure shaken.


    "Where did you get so many pills and medicines?"