Quantum Immortal

Wuji awoke before dawn, the pale light of the morning sun barely filtering through the thin paper windows of his small inn room. The quiet murmur of the city had not yet begun, and for a moment, the world seemed still. Today was the day he had been waiting for—the day of the Sect Exams.

His heart raced with anticipation, but his expression remained calm as he climbed out of bed and headed toward the small washbasin in the corner of the room. The water was cold, but he didn't mind. The crispness of it against his skin sharpened his senses, helping him focus on the task ahead. The exams would be grueling, and his journey to enter a sect would truly begin here. This was his chance to secure a path toward cultivating his own strength, a way to unlock his potential in this world of martial prowess and Qi cultivation.

After washing, Wuji dressed in a simple, plain black robe. There was no need for extravagance today; he wanted to blend in, to focus on the challenge ahead without drawing unnecessary attention. He tied his long black hair back with a simple ribbon, ensuring it wouldn't get in the way during the day's trials. His sword, a plain but sturdy weapon, hung at his side, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. He stood in front of a small mirror, adjusting his robe one last time before retrieving his exam token from a wooden chest beside the bed.

The token was made of dark metal, inscribed with a number and the emblem of the arena, and had been given to him after he registered for the exams several weeks ago. It was a simple thing, but holding it in his hand felt like grasping the first rung of a long and treacherous ladder. With a final deep breath, Wuji slipped the token into his robe and headed out the door.

The streets of Silverbrook City were already bustling with activity despite the early hours. People from all walks of life were preparing for the day's events, but most notable were the countless young men and women making their way toward the northern gate of the city. They, like Wuji, were candidates for the sect exams, all eager to prove themselves worthy of entering one of the Top 50 sects in the dynasty.

Wuji kept his head down and his mind focused as he moved through the crowd. His thoughts were consumed with what lay ahead, the trials he would face, and the strength he would need to display. The journey to the exam site was 50 li north of the city—a distance easily covered by the caravans that had been arranged to transport the participants. As he neared the gathering point, he could already see several caravans waiting, each filled with candidates in similar plain robes, some nervous, others excited.

He approached one of the caravans and climbed aboard, taking a seat near the back. There were already several candidates seated around him, all of them chatting quietly amongst themselves, but Wuji wasn't in the mood for conversation. He kept his gaze fixed on the horizon, his mind entirely consumed by the looming exams. The road ahead was not just a literal path but a symbolic one—one that would determine his future.

The caravan jolted into motion, and Wuji felt a slight tremor of excitement run through him. He knew that this was the first real test of his resolve, the first step on a journey that would eventually lead to answers about his reincarnation, the cultivation world, and the forces at play in the Golden Lotus Dynasty. But for now, he had to focus on the present—the exams would require all of his concentration and ability.

As the caravan rolled along, the other candidates around him continued to talk quietly, sharing stories of their preparation, their ambitions, and their hopes for the future. Some spoke of specific sects they hoped to join, others boasted of their family backgrounds, trying to impress their fellow travelers. Wuji remained silent, his mind far removed from their idle chatter. He wasn't here to make friends or allies; he was here to prove himself.

After half an hour of travel, the caravan came to a stop. The driver's voice rang out, signaling that they had arrived at the exam site. Wuji stood up along with the other candidates, filing out of the caravan and stepping onto the rough dirt road. Before them stood the Exam Arena, a massive structure that seemed to dominate the landscape. It was made of jet-black stone, towering over the surrounding countryside like a fortress.

The size of the arena was astonishing—it was easily large enough to hold half a million people, and Wuji couldn't help but feel a twinge of awe as he gazed up at its towering walls. There were three gates leading into the arena, each one wide enough to allow hundreds of people to enter at once. The sheer scale of the event was overwhelming, a reminder of just how many candidates were vying for a spot in the top sects.

Wuji joined the throng of candidates making their way toward the gates, his exam token clutched tightly in his hand. As he entered the arena, the vast space within opened up before him. The ground was paved with the same black stone as the walls, and the stage at the corner of the arena loomed high above them, nearly 30 meters tall. The stage was where the sect elders would sit and judge the candidates.

Despite the size of the arena, it was already filled with people. Thousands of candidates milled about, their faces a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. There were also dozens of sect disciples scattered throughout the crowd, each one wearing the distinct robes of their respective sects as they maintained order and ensured the candidates followed the rules. Wuji noted that even among the disciples, there was a clear hierarchy—some were clearly more experienced, their cultivation levels much higher than the others.

Wuji found a quiet corner near the edge of the arena and settled in to wait. There was still time before the exams began, and he used the opportunity to observe the other candidates. Some of them were clearly from wealthy families, their clothes and demeanor indicating their privileged upbringing. Others looked more like commoners, their robes worn and simple, but their eyes burning with determination.

An hour passed as more and more candidates arrived, until the arena was nearly full. Wuji estimated that there were at least 300,000 to 400,000 candidates present, all of them hoping to earn a place in one of the top sects. It was an overwhelming number, but Wuji felt no fear or anxiety. Instead, he felt a growing sense of resolve. He had not come this far to be intimidated by numbers.

Suddenly, a ripple of excitement passed through the crowd as a group of figures appeared on the central stage. The sect elders had arrived. There were 50 of them in total, each one representing one of the top 50 sects in the dynasty. They were seated in a precise arrangement, with 10 chairs in the middle for the elders of the top 10 sects, and 20 chairs on either side for the elders of the remaining sects.

The atmosphere in the arena shifted as the elders took their seats. Their presence commanded respect and awe—these were some of the most powerful cultivators in the dynasty, and their very existence was a testament to the heights that cultivation could reach.

At the center of the group, seated in the most prestigious position, was the elder from the Azure Cloud Sect, the most prestigious and powerful sect in the Golden Lotus Dynasty. His robes were a deep, shimmering blue, and his presence seemed to radiate an aura of authority and strength. His eyes swept across the arena, taking in the countless candidates below with a calm and measured gaze.

The elder from the Azure Cloud Sect stood, his voice ringing out across the arena. "The Sect Exams will now begin."

His words were met with a hush of anticipation as the crowd of candidates fell silent. Wuji felt his heart quicken, his focus narrowing as he prepared himself for what was to come.

Without another word, the elder raised his hand, and a faint hum began to fill the air. A formation lit up around the arena, intricate lines of glowing light spreading across the ground like a spider's web. The candidates stood in awe as the formation came to life, its power palpable in the air.