The Invincible Sect Leader

As the ancient stone gates creaked open, a cold wind rushed past Chan Li, carrying with it the scent of dust and time. Beyond the entrance, a vast underground hall stretched into the darkness. The air was thick with spiritual energy, but it was unstable, as if the remnants of a powerful formation still lingered.

Chan Li stepped inside.

The ruins were not abandoned.

The walls were lined with intricate carvings diagrams of formations, strange symbols, and forgotten texts. The deeper he went, the more he realized that this was no ordinary ruin.

This was the sanctuary of a grandmaster, a cultivator who had once stood at the peak of formation arts.

"If I can decipher these, my understanding of formations will surpass even the elders of the greatest sects."

But knowledge was never left unguarded.

As he reached the center of the hall, the runes on the walls glowed, and the floor trembled.

Suddenly, a massive array activated.

Boom!

A golden barrier of light surrounded him, and illusory figures emerged spectral warriors made of pure energy, each radiating the strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

A trial.

The ancient master had left behind a test for any who dared to claim his legacy.

Chan Li's expression remained calm.

He welcomed the challenge.

The first warrior lunged at him with a sword wreathed in energy. Chan Li dodged with precision, his movements smooth and controlled. The second warrior followed instantly, thrusting a spear toward his chest.

"This formation creates warriors based on the attack patterns of past masters. If I can break the pattern… I can break the formation."

Instead of retreating, Chan Li stepped forward.

With a flick of his fingers, he traced a rune in the air a counter-formation.

The moment the third warrior swung his blade, the energy within the formation shifted.

The spectral warriors froze.

Then, in a blink, they shattered into light.

The golden barrier flickered… and then collapsed.

Silence returned to the hall.

A moment later, the air trembled once more, and in the center of the ruins, a jade scroll floated into the air.

Chan Li reached out and grasped it. As he unfurled the scroll, words carved in divine script appeared before his eyes:

"To the one who has broken my trial, you are worthy. This is my greatest creation the Heavenly Star Formation. Use it well."

Chan Li's lips curled into a rare smile.

He had done it.

With this knowledge, he would lay the foundations for something greater than any sect in existence.

The first step toward building the Heavenly Mystical Sect had begun.