Zhu Sun's chamber loomed vast and imposing, its towering pilrs carved with ancient runes that pulsed with barely contained energy. Shadows danced along the walls as flickers of light surged through the carvings, casting an eerie, shifting glow. At the heart of the room, Zhu Sun sat upon an elevated throne, his deep purple robes adorned with intricate golden patterns that seemed to shimmer with a life of their own.

  "So," his voice resonated through the chamber like rolling thunder, "two more summoned ones." His eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, bore into Xu Wang and Li Wang. "But something is different about you two. Your auras... they're pure. Untainted."

  Li Wang stood close to Xu Wang, the joy of graduation day a distant memory, repced by cold, creeping fear. Yet her voice was steady. "Please, we don't understand what's happening. One moment we were leaving school, and then—"

  "Silence!" A guard smmed his energy spear against the ground, sending arcs of crackling qi racing across the floor. "You address the great Zhu Sun, leader of the Sun Cn!"

  Zhu Sun raised his hand, and the guard fell back at once, his head bowed. "Peace, Feng. They are newly summoned. They know not our ways." He rose from his throne, movements fluid and graceful, exuding authority. "You have been brought to the Realm of Celestial Cultivation by forces beyond your comprehension. Like many before you, you are now part of the great game."

  "Game?" Xu Wang’s fists clenched, his body trembling with anger. "Our lives aren't some game for your entertainment!"

  A smile, cold and enigmatic, pyed on Zhu Sun’s lips. "Brave words from one who cannot even channel qi." With a mere gesture, an invisible force surged through the room, pushing the teenagers back a step. "But you are correct – this is no mere game. It is a trial of destiny itself."

  He descended the steps of his throne, each footfall echoing through the chamber. "Typically, summoned ones are sent to the outer sectors, left to survive on their own as they struggle to harness qi. But you two..." His eyes narrowed, gleaming with intrigue. "Your souls resonate differently. Perhaps..."

  Li Wang took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "What do you want from us?"

  "Want?" Zhu Sun's ughter was both mesmerizing and chilling. "I offer you opportunity. The Sun Cn is one of the Five Great Cns. Under our guidance, you could become more than mere aura users. You could learn the true art of qi cultivation."

  A shimmering screen materialized in the air, covered in symbols and statistics that shifted constantly:

  [Xu Wang]Status: Newly SummonedCultivation: NonePotential: ???

  [Li Wang]Status: Newly SummonedCultivation: NonePotential: ???

  Zhu Sun’s eyes flicked over the data. "Interesting. Even our most advanced analysis cannot gauge your potential. This could mean you are worthless..." His gaze sharpened. "Or that you possess power beyond our understanding."

  With a cp of his hands, two servants entered, each carrying an ornate box. They opened them to reveal crystals glowing with a soft, pulsating light.

  "These are Qi Resonance Crystals. They will help awaken your cultivation potential – if you have any." Zhu Sun’s gaze bore into them. "This is your first trial. Choose."

  Xu Wang stepped forward, jaw set, determination burning in his eyes. His hand hovered over one of the crystals before he gripped it firmly. The crystal fred with brilliant red light, and a surge of energy coursed through his body. Knowledge, ancient and overwhelming, flooded his mind.

  [Xu Wang]Status: InitiateCultivation: Ajna Qi Path UnlockedPotential: Calcuting...

  Zhu Sun nodded approvingly. "The path of physical enhancement – strength and resilience. A common beginning, but a solid foundation."

  Li Wang approached the second crystal, her hand trembling slightly. She braced herself and touched it. Instantly, the crystal shattered, fragments swirling around her before vanishing into her skin.

  [Li Wang]Status: Anomaly DetectedCultivation: Unknown PathPotential: Error... Error... Error...

  Zhu Sun's composed demeanor faltered, his eyes widening. "Impossible..." His voice, usually so controlled, wavered. "In all my centuries, I have never seen a crystal react this way."

  The guards tensed, weapons at the ready, but Zhu Sun lifted his hand. "No. This is not a threat... this is an opportunity." He turned to his servants. "Prepare the training grounds. These two will begin cultivation immediately."

  "My lord," one guard hesitated, "the girl's reading—"

  "Is exactly why they must be trained." Zhu Sun’s voice held a dangerous excitement. "Something is stirring in the celestial realms. These two may be more valuable than we imagined."

  He turned to Xu Wang and Li Wang. "You have three months to prove yourselves worthy of the Sun Cn’s teachings. If you show promise, you may earn a pce among our disciples. If not..." His eyes darkened. "You will be sent to the outer sectors, like all the others."

  Xu Wang’s jaw tightened. "And if we refuse?"

  Zhu Sun’s ughter echoed through the chamber, sharp and cold. "Refuse? Look around you, boy. In this world, power is everything. Without training, you are less than nothing. The beasts that roam these nds would devour you before you could even scream."

  He waved his hand, and the chamber’s walls became transparent, revealing a breathtaking panorama. Floating mountains drifted amidst clouds of qi, enormous creatures soared majestically across the sky, and below, vast training grounds sprawled out where disciples cshed in battles that defied all natural ws.

  "This is your reality now," Zhu Sun decred, his voice echoing with finality. "Embrace it, or perish."

  Li Wang’s fingers found Xu Wang’s, her grip firm despite the terror in her eyes. Their world was gone, their lives turned upside down, but they still had each other.

  She raised her head, meeting Zhu Sun’s gaze. "We accept your trial."

  A flicker of satisfaction crossed Zhu Sun’s face. "Good." He turned to his guards. "Escort them to the junior disciples' quarters. Their training begins at dawn."

  As they were led away, Zhu Sun watched them with a calcuting look. Once they were gone, he produced a shimmering communication talisman, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

  "Contact the other cn leaders. Tell them..." His eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Tell them the prophecy of the Dual Spirits may be coming true. The celestial game has changed."

  The talisman glowed, his message carried to distant nds, as the sun outside dipped beneath the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson.

  Xu Wang and Li Wang's journey had only just begun. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and opportunity alike. But destiny was already in motion, and the Realm of Celestial Cultivation would never be the same again.

  To be continued...