NTR: Choice Based System

Ye Yang returned and began pondering about the entire situation.

This was his third life, and he was still trapped in this world, uncertain whether he could overcome this trial.

After returning, he resumed his cultivation, recognizing that a confrontation was unavoidable. A few days later, a thunderous roar erupted from outside, shaking the entire Alchemy Tower.

Ye Yang, deeply immersed in his cultivation, remained oblivious to the battle unfolding outside.

The Chief Alchemist was locked in a fierce struggle with the leader of the Assassin group from the Valley of Death.

The rhythmic hum of Ye Yang's cultivation was shattered by a frantic knock on his door.

"Ye Yang! Ye Yang!" A young alchemist, his face pale with fear, burst in. "The Tower! It's under attack! The Chief Alchemist is fighting some… some monster!"

Ye Yang's eyes snapped open, a flicker of concern crossing his face. He immediately rose, his mind racing. "Monster? What kind of monster?"

"I don't know! But it's strong! Very strong! Situation is not looking good for Chief Alchemist!" The young alchemist stammered, his voice trembling.

Ye Yang wasted no time. He grabbed his sword, a glint of steel flashing in the dim light of his room. "Lead the way!"

The journey to the main hall was a blur of urgency. The air outside was thick with the scent of blood and the acrid tang of burnt herbs.

The sound of clashing steel and pained cries echoed through the air. As they neared the hall, Ye Yang could see the carnage – fallen alchemists, broken equipment, and a trail of destruction.

In the centre of the chaos stood a figure cloaked in black. His movements were swift and lethal, each strike a blur of motion.

The Chief Alchemist, his face contorted in pain, fought back valiantly, but the black-clad figure was simply too powerful.

"Chief Alchemist!" Ye Yang roared, charging into the fray. His sword, a blur of silver, found its mark, slicing through the air.

The black-clad figure turned, his eyes gleaming with a cold, predatory light. "So, the little alchemist finally awakens."

The battle intensified. Ye Yang and the Chief Alchemist fought with a desperate ferocity, but the black-clad figure was a whirlwind of death.

He moved with an unnatural grace, his strikes precise and deadly. The Chief Alchemist, his strength waning, finally succumbed to a devastating blow, collapsing to the ground with a sickening thud.

Rage surged through Ye Yang. He unleashed a flurry of attacks, his sword a whirlwind of steel. He managed to inflict a deep wound on the black-clad figure, but it only seemed to enrage him further.

In a desperate move, Ye Yang attempted to disarm his opponent, but the black-clad figure anticipated his move, his dagger slicing through Ye Yang's arm.

The pain was excruciating, but Ye Yang refused to yield. He fought on, driven by a desperate will to survive. However, the black-clad figure was relentless. He pressed the attack, his movements growing more ferocious.

Finally, with a sickening thud, the black-clad figure's dagger found its mark, plunging deep into Ye Yang's heart.

Ye Yang's vision blurred, his body going limp. He managed to muster one final effort, plunging his sword into the black-clad figure's abdomen.

Both men collapsed, their lifeblood staining the ground. Ye Yang felt his life slipping away, the world fading to black.

He awoke with a start, his eyes fluttering open. He found himself surrounded by a circle of elderly figures. He recognized them, the elders of the Immortal sect, his main trial, the trial of patience.

"I failed?" he croaked, his voice weak.

One of the elders, a woman with eyes that held the wisdom of centuries, smiled gently. "In my eyes, you have passed the test."

Ye Yang felt a wave of confusion wash over him. "What? How did I pass that? It was a clear failure?"

The woman's smile deepened. "The trial of the mortal plane. You have faced death, experienced loss, and learned the value of perseverance. These are valuable lessons, child."

Ye Yang's mind raced. He remembered the battle, his first life in which he married the woman but she used him and cheated on him, and in the next life, he chose cultivation instead of marrying and became a disciple of the fire demon but still died by the hands of his own master.

In the third life, he decided to learn from his previous mistakes and cultivate while leaving the past behind, but then new problems arose, and he died once again, failing the trial.

The woman's smile faded. "Failure is a part of the journey, child. It is from our failures that we learn and grow."

"You have shown courage, determination, and a will to survive against impossible odds. These are qualities that will serve you well in your path to immortality."

The elders looked at Ye Yang as he was pondering about the whole situation, then got up and bowed, "Thank you, senior, for your guidance."

They were all watching his performance. One of the elders, with fiery eyes, spoke, "We have seen your performance, and we are glad that someone like you is going to join our Immortal sect."

"Even after enduring so much in your three lives, you didn't choose to be evil and remained on the path of righteousness. We are happy, very happy."

The elder in the middle declared, "You don't have to go through any more trials. You have earned yourself enough."

Elder spoke, "Ye Yang, you have shown remarkable resilience. I grant you direct entry into the Inner Sect."

Ye Yang bowing, "Thank you, Elder. I will not disappoint."

Elder Smiled called someone, "Good. Yi Shin, you will guide Ye Yang within the sect. Assist him in retrieving his batch, gifts, and clothing. Make him feel welcome."

Yi Shin Stepping forward. "Yes, Elder. Consider it done." (He turns to Ye Yang) "Welcome to the Inner Sect, Ye Yang. I'm Yi Shin, an in-name disciple. Let me show you around."

Ye Yang, "Thank you, Yi Shin. I appreciate it."

The wind whipped through Ye Yang's hair as he clung to the back of Yi Shin's flying sword.

Below them, the landscape stretched out like a vibrant tapestry, a kaleidoscope of emerald green forests, silver rivers, and snow-capped peaks. Yi Shin, a young man with a carefree grin and eyes that sparkled with mischief, pointed towards a colossal mountain range that pierced the clouds.

"That's where we're headed, the Immortal Sect," Yi Shin announced, his voice amplified by the wind. "It's said that the mountain itself is imbued with spiritual energy, making it an ideal place for cultivation."

Ye Yang, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, nodded slowly. "So, I'll be an 'in-name' disciple initially?"

Yi Shin chuckled. "That's how it usually goes. The sect has millions of disciples, you know. Most of them spend years, even decades, as in-name disciples, hoping to be chosen by an Elder or a Hall Master. It's a tough competition, but don't worry, you seem like a promising one."

He winked. "Besides, being an in-name disciple isn't all that bad. You'll have access to basic cultivation resources, training grounds, and even participate in some sect missions."

Ye Yang, however, couldn't shake off the unease that lingered within him. He had faced death, experienced unimaginable loss, and finally, after three arduous lifetimes, he had seemingly passed and failed the trial.

the thought of another competition, another struggle, filled him with a strange sense of dread.

As they soared higher, the mountain range loomed larger, its peaks shrouded in an ethereal mist. Yi Shin, noticing the apprehension on Ye Yang's face, patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry too much. Focus on your cultivation, prove your worth, and you'll surely rise through the ranks. And who knows," he added with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "maybe you'll even be chosen by the legendary Sword Saint himself!"

The mention of the Sword Saint, a revered figure in the Immortal world, did little to ease Ye Yang's anxiety though he don't know who he is.

As they neared the summit, the mist parted, revealing a breathtaking sight. A magnificent city, carved into the mountainside, emerged from the clouds.

Towering structures, shimmering with an iridescent glow, pierced the sky. Lush gardens cascaded down the mountain slopes, and waterfalls plunged into crystal-clear pools.

Yi Shin landed the sword gracefully on a wide, jade-paved platform. "Welcome to the Immortal Sect, Ye Yang," he declared, a wide grin splitting his face. "Now, let's get you settled in."

Ye Yang, still awestruck by the grandeur of the scene, followed Yi Shin through the bustling city.

Disciples in colourful robes hurried past, their conversations a vibrant tapestry of different accents and dialects.

He felt a strange sense of detachment, as if he was observing this bustling world from a distance.

Yi Shin led him to a sprawling complex of buildings, where he was assigned a modest but comfortable room.

He was given a set of robes, a jade token, and a small pouch containing a month's worth of basic cultivation resources.

"Here's your initial allocation," Yi Shin said, handing him the pouch. "You can exchange this for more resources at the sect's supply depot. And remember, every month, you'll receive a new allocation based on your performance."

Ye Yang, still processing the information, nodded numbly.

He felt overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the Immortal Sect and the complexities of its hierarchy. He was a fish out of water, a lone wanderer in a vast and unfamiliar ocean.

Later that evening, as he sat meditating in his room, the echoes of Yi Shin's words reverberated through his mind: "Focus on your cultivation, prove your worth."