Chapter 13: The Trial of Celestial Purity


    Beneath the grand Azure River Sect Hall, an ancient formation hummed with power. The Trial of Celestial Purity was about to begin.


    Tianming stood at its center, his expression calm. He knew this was Mu Qingfeng’s trap. If the sect’s elders declared his soul tainted, he would be expelled—or worse.


    But if they thought he would just sit back and accept their judgment, they had underestimated him.


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    Elder Yan raised his hand. The formation’s light flared, golden threads weaving through the air, forming an ethereal mirror.


    "Li Tianming," Elder Yan’s voice echoed, "the Mirror of Celestial Purity will reflect the truth of your soul. If you have committed evil, the mirror will reveal it."


    Mu Qingfeng smirked. He had bribed one of the formation elders. The mirror would be biased against Tianming.


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    But Tianming merely smiled. He had his own plans.


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    As Tianming stepped forward, the mirror’s surface rippled.


    For a moment, nothing happened. The disciples watching grew restless.


    Then—images formed.


    First, a scene of Tianming fighting the assassins sent after him. Blood stained the ground. Gasps rang through the crowd.


    Mu Qingfeng’s smirk widened. "There! Proof of his violence!"


    But then—the images shifted.


    A new vision formed: Mu Qingfeng speaking in secret with the assassins.


    The audience froze. The very mirror meant to condemn Tianming was revealing Mu Qingfeng’s treachery!


    Mu Qingfeng’s face went pale.


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    Elder Yan’s expression darkened. "Mu Qingfeng, do you deny this?"


    Mu Qingfeng gritted his teeth. "It—it’s a lie! The mirror must be broken!"


    Tianming chuckled. "Funny. You seemed to trust the mirror a moment ago."


    Jiang Chen, standing at the side, smirked. "Looks like the heavens have their own sense of humor."


    The disciples whispered. Doubt turned toward Mu Qingfeng.


    --


    Mu Qingfeng clenched his fists. He had lost control of the situation. He needed to act now.


    Boom!


    A sudden explosion shook the hall. A black-robed figure burst through the ceiling, masked and wreathed in demonic energy.


    Tianming’s eyes narrowed. "Demonic cultivators?"


    The intruder lunged for the mirror. If it was destroyed, all evidence against Mu Qingfeng would be lost.


    Tianming moved first. He wouldn’t let the truth be erased.


    Sword light flashed. Battle erupted.


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    Next Chapter Preview: Chapter 14 – The Battle in the Sect Hall


    The truth has been exposed, but Mu Qingfeng won’t surrender quietly. With demonic forces interfering, chaos erupts within the Azure River Sect. Can Tianming survive the storm—or will this be the moment his enemies finally crush him?


    He was not just a survivor.


    He was the Sovereign of the Celestial Ascent.


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