The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM
Chapter 97: A Storm Among the Stars

Chapter 97: A Storm Among the Stars

The floating plaza of jade and starlight fell into a tense silence after Chen Yu’s defiant words. Around him, his companions stood shoulder to shoulder: Hui’s crimson eyes gleamed with mischief; Roman’s holy aura radiated silent support; Gu Chaewon’s cool gaze betrayed quiet admiration; Vornark’s tail swayed with feline anticipation; Ling Ling watched the elders with icy detachment; Azrael’s massive form loomed like a living fortress; and Nyzelia’s silver hair rippled in the astral wind, eyes sharp as daggers.

Above, the elders of the Celestial Sky Sect and surrounding powers sat on floating thrones arranged in a grand circle. Light from drifting auroras reflected off their ornate robes, each elder bearing the insignia of their sect: the roaring lion of the Thunder God Hall, the frozen lotus of the Frozen Cloud Sect, the blazing sun of the Solar Flame Pavilion, and more—each representing ancient forces vying for supremacy.

A palpable ripple of shock spread among the spectators: never had newcomers spoken with such audacity at the threshold of the upper realm. Many elders bristled, others leaned forward, intrigued. Some eyes glowed with murderous intent, others sparkled with admiration.

Elder Mingtian of the Thunder God Hall rose first, his armor crackling with arcs of golden lightning. His voice boomed like a summer storm. "Human! You presume to set conditions in the land of the immortals? You dare to treat our offers as trifles?"

Before Chen Yu could reply, Elder Xuehua of the Frozen Cloud Sect lifted a delicate hand, snowflakes dancing around her pale fingers. "Calm yourself, Mingtian," she said, her voice soft as falling snow but cold enough to freeze blood. "The boy’s defiance shows spine. Perhaps it is what we need to shake the stagnant halls of the sects."

A third elder rose: a tall man with hair like flickering embers, his eyes twin stars of molten gold. "Our sects have grown complacent," he said, voice carrying across the platform. "If he and his companions can back their words with strength, why not consider them equals rather than mere recruits?"

Roars of approval and hisses of dissent erupted among the watching elders and disciples who had come to spectate. Many disciples hovered at the plaza’s edges on floating discs, pointing and whispering as illusions replayed Chen Yu’s team’s performance in the Trial of Recognition.

Meanwhile, Chen Yu’s gaze swept the floating court. "Strength alone should not dictate respect," he said firmly, voice echoing into the star-filled sky. "Unity, purpose, and loyalty must matter too. If your sects cannot offer us these, we will build our own."

Hui’s laughter cut through the tension like a blade. "He speaks truth! If all you offer is empty tradition and rigid hierarchy, why should we bend the knee?"

Roman slammed his holy sword into the ground with a metallic clang that reverberated across the plaza. "We seek a place where we can grow stronger together, not one that seeks to divide us by race or origin."

Nyzelia stepped forward, her voice like the ring of silver bells. "Make no mistake. We respect strength. But we will not sell ourselves cheaply to those who would pit us against each other."

For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then Elder Longwu of the Solar Flame Pavilion stood, flames dancing along his bronze armor. He laughed, the sound rumbling like an erupting volcano. "I like them! Let us test their resolve. If they can survive the Astral Beast Gauntlet, I will personally sponsor them into the Celestial Sky Sect."

Gasps swept the crowd. The Astral Beast Gauntlet was a legendary trial: a labyrinth of floating islands swarming with beasts that even seasoned sect disciples feared.

Elder Xuehua’s eyes glittered like frozen stars. "Agreed," she said coolly. "But know this, boy: survive or perish, the Gauntlet will show whether your bold words have any worth."

Elder Mingtian scowled but nodded sharply. "Then it is settled. The Astral Beast Gauntlet will open at dawn."

Chen Yu’s eyes gleamed with fierce resolve. "We will face your challenge. And when we stand victorious, we will earn our place—on our terms."

That Night: A Gathering of Allies

As the elders dispersed in heated discussion, Chen Yu’s team retreated to a secluded floating garden of silver grass and glowing crystal trees, assigned to them as guests of the sect. Starlight filtered down from swirling auroras overhead.

The companions sat in a circle around a shimmering campfire conjured by Ling Ling. Gu Chaewon handed out dried meat she had prepared in the anomaly zone, while Vornark purred contentedly, tail flicking.

Hui lounged on a branch overhead, arms behind her head. "Well, Chen, you sure know how to stir up the hornet’s nest," she teased, red eyes flashing.

Nyzelia snorted softly. "He’s right, though. They’d sooner have torn us apart or bought us piece by piece. This way, they have to respect us."

Roman’s usually stoic face softened with a rare smile. "We stand as one. That alone gives us strength these sects will never understand."

Azrael’s deep voice rumbled like distant thunder. "And tomorrow, we will show them."

Ling Ling, eyes shadowed under her hood, looked up at Chen Yu. "How do we prepare for the Gauntlet?"

Chen Yu stared into the crackling blue fire. "We rest now. Tomorrow, we move as one—each of you must trust your instincts and each other. There will be no room for hesitation."

He looked at each of them in turn, seeing not just companions but family. "Whatever the Gauntlet throws at us, we will rise above it. Together."

The Next Morning: The Astral Beast Gauntlet

At dawn, the floating islands of the Astral Beast Gauntlet shimmered into existence, appearing in a swirling storm of cosmic light. Dozens of floating landmasses, each a unique ecosystem, stretched across the sky. Some islands were wreathed in flames, others covered in ice or forests of razor-sharp crystals.

From platforms surrounding the Gauntlet, thousands of sect disciples and elders gathered to witness the challenge. Projections of the Gauntlet floated in the air, magnifying every detail for the audience.

A booming voice echoed across the floating arenas: "Chen Yu and his companions—step forward. The Astral Beast Gauntlet awaits."

They stepped onto the starting platform, weapons ready, mana surging.

Suddenly, the air split with a deafening roar. A wyvern of pure starlight descended from above, eyes burning with cosmic fire. With a single flap of its wings, it summoned storms of meteor-like flames across the starting island.

Roman leapt forward, shield raised, deflecting falling meteors with radiant barriers. Hui blurred around the wyvern, claws slashing brilliant arcs. Azrael’s fists slammed into the beast, each punch a shockwave of dark energy.

Vornark transformed mid-leap, white fur exploding outward as he tackled the wyvern’s flank, fangs tearing at shimmering scales. Gu Chaewon weaved between them, casting waves of healing and holy buffs.

Ling Ling’s shadows slithered around the wyvern’s wings, binding them with chains of dark energy. Nyzelia called down spears of ice, piercing glowing scales.

Chen Yu soared above the wyvern, blade glowing with swirling void and starlight. With a roar, he plunged down, slicing through the creature’s neck in a shower of cosmic sparks.

The wyvern’s corpse crashed into the island, shattering it. The team leapt together to the next floating island as the audience gasped.

The projection above displayed their every move: a coordinated dance of destruction and grace. Even the most skeptical elders leaned forward, eyes wide.

A Rising Storm of Challenges

On the second island, packs of astral wolves lunged from crystal forests. Hui and Vornark moved like shadows and lightning, tearing through the beasts with feral precision.

The third island erupted with rivers of molten gold. Nyzelia’s ice bridges carried them safely as Ling Ling summoned undead crocodiles to drag fire spirits into the lava.

The fourth island was a storm-wracked plain of floating monoliths. Cyclonic winds howled, tearing trees from their roots. Azrael punched through tornadoes, while Gu Chaewon created holy barriers to protect the team from flying debris.

Again and again, the team’s synergy shattered every obstacle, every monstrous challenge.

Elder Longwu watched with a fiery grin. "They’re unstoppable," he murmured.

Elder Xuehua’s eyes sparkled. "They move as one. I have never seen such unity."

Elder Mingtian crossed his arms, scowling. "They have yet to reach the final islands."

The Final Island

They landed on the last island, a black spire rising from swirling mists. Lightning arced across it, and from the storm emerged the final guardian: a titan clad in living starlight, its footsteps shattering stone.

Chen Yu’s eyes blazed. "Together—one last time!"

The titan swung a fist large enough to flatten a mountain. Roman and Azrael braced it, holding it back with a roar. Vornark leapt onto the titan’s shoulder, claws carving deep gashes.

Hui darted around, slashing tendons in its legs, while Ling Ling’s shadows bound its arms. Nyzelia summoned a hail of frozen meteors, smashing its crown.

Gu Chaewon poured her remaining mana into a final blessing, light radiating across the team.

Chen Yu gathered all his strength, void and starlight converging around his blade. He launched himself skyward, a comet of black and silver light, and pierced the titan’s heart.

The titan let out a final bellow, then exploded in a burst of cosmic light that rained down like stars. The team landed together on the trembling island.

After the Storm

As silence fell, the ethereal voice echoed once more. "The Astral Beast Gauntlet is conquered. Chen Yu and his companions—step forward."

Bridges of light appeared, leading to a grand floating palace where sect elders stood waiting.

Chen Yu turned to his team. "No matter what comes next—we rise as one."

Together, they stepped into the light, as thousands of watching disciples erupted in awe and disbelief.