The next day felt different.
No one had forgotten what happened the night before. The three disciples were still there, but their presence had changed. With their cultivation sealed, they were no longer a threat.
Because of that, the Divine Sword Sect trusted Isshin more than before.
At this point, it was almost certain he would be chosen.
A few days passed.
Then it began.
Everyone gathered at the center of the ruined temple deep in the jungle.
It wasn't just one group anymore.
Around forty cultivators stood there, all for the same reason.
Three sects.
Divine Sword Sect.
Ninefold Path.
Wudang.
The moment the Divine Sword Sect saw the Wudang members, the atmosphere shifted. Their elder's aura tightened for a brief moment, but he held it back.
Starting a fight here would only make things worse.
By now, it was obvious.
Isshin was the main candidate.
There was an unspoken rule everyone followed.
Elders didn't interfere.
Only disciples could fight for the chance.
That meant two opponents.
One from Ninefold Path.
One from Wudang.
The moment they stepped forward, the Wudang disciple moved first.
He attacked the Ninefold Path disciple immediately.
The strike was blocked, but it was clear they knew each other.
They focused on each other.
That was enough.
Isshin moved.
While they fought, he climbed.
The structure was unstable, but he didn't slow down. He reached higher as the fight below got louder.
By the time the other two noticed, it was already late.
They followed.
Both moved quickly, reaching the top almost at the same time.
Then something changed.
A shadow passed over them.
The wyvern landed in front of Isshin.
Its presence alone was enough to stop them.
Its eyes locked onto the two disciples.
The crowd below reacted immediately.
"Is that allowed?" one of the Wudang elders shouted.
No one answered.
There was nothing they could do.
The wyvern wasn't part of any sect.
The two disciples still tried.
They attacked together.
The wyvern responded with a single burst of qi.
It was enough.
They were pushed back instantly.
They couldn't get closer.
Then the sky shifted.
Clouds gathered.
Lightning formed above the temple.
The first strike came down.
It hit Isshin directly.
For a normal cultivator, that would have been the end.
Isshin didn't resist it.
He guided it.
His qi aligned with it naturally.
Thunder met thunder.
The second strike came.
Then the third.
Each one stronger than the last.
He stayed still, controlling the flow instead of fighting it.
When it ended, the change was clear.
He had broken through.
Nascent Soul Realm.
Fifth stage.
No one spoke for a moment.
It wasn't just the breakthrough.
It was how he did it.
No struggle.
No loss of control.
Just calm.
The result was already decided.
The other sects didn't push it further.
Even the Divine Sword Sect held back their anger toward Wudang.
For now, it didn't matter.
After that, the elders gave the next order.
They would dig beneath the temple.
There were still things hidden below.
Isshin frowned slightly. "You didn't mention that."
Raijin replied, "The lightning was the only thing worth taking. The rest won't help you."
Isshin accepted that.
He turned to the elder.
"I'll join your sect."
That was enough to change the mood instantly.
Then he continued.
"But not now. I have something to deal with first. I'll return later."
The elder frowned. "Wait—"
Too late.
Isshin moved.
A streak of lightning, and he was gone.
The elder didn't chase.
There was no point.
He watched the direction Isshin left, then sighed.
"…What am I supposed to tell the sect leader now?"