The trials of Earth had claimed countless participants, and for many, failure came swiftly. Those unprepared for the challenges of the System found themselves ejected from their zones, their dreams of power and ascension shattered. Yet, failure in the trials did not mean the end of their stories. For some, it was the beginning of something new.


    <hr>


    The Fallen Participants


    The System was ruthless in its impartiality. Those who failed to meet its standards were expelled from the trials, often injured, weakened, and demoralized. They returned to Earth changed—not just physically, but mentally. They had seen the System firsthand, tasted the potential of the wider universe, and glimpsed the dangers that lay beyond.


    However, the System left them with something: knowledge.


    <h4>1. Cultivation Techniques</h4>


    Though they had failed, the System had implanted basic cultivation techniques and breathing exercises into the minds of every participant. These techniques were crude compared to the refined methods used by advanced civilizations, but they were enough to spark the beginning of Earth’s cultivation era.


    <ul>


    <li>Basic Essence Breathing: A foundational technique that allowed practitioners to absorb the faint Essence now permeating Earth’s atmosphere.</li>


    <li>Body Tempering Stages: Techniques for strengthening the body, increasing endurance, and laying the groundwork for future growth.</li>


    <li>Elemental Affinities: For those who had briefly touched upon a Law in their trials, the techniques included rudimentary methods for channeling energy aligned with that element.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>2. Witnessing the Incoming Dangers</h4>


    The failed participants had seen more than just the trials—they had glimpsed the broader dangers lurking in the universe. Beasts from other worlds, chaotic energy storms, and hostile entities had been part of their challenges. These experiences gave them a sobering perspective on Earth’s vulnerability.


    <hr>


    A New Purpose


    Failure forged resolve in some and bitterness in others. Each individual responded to their return differently, but patterns began to emerge.


    <h4>The Solo Cultivators</h4>


    Some chose isolation, retreating to the wilderness to train alone. These individuals sought to master the techniques gifted by the System, honing their bodies and minds in preparation for the changes they knew were coming.


    <ul>


    <li>In the forests of Canada, a man built a hidden sanctuary, dedicating his life to perfecting the Essence Breathing technique.</li>


    <li>In the deserts of Australia, a woman trained relentlessly under the scorching sun, her focus unwavering as she tempered her body and spirit.</li>


    </ul>


    These solo cultivators were driven by fear, determination, or a desire for personal power. They would become the seeds of a new, solitary force in the changing world.


    <h4>The Founders of Schools</h4>


    Others recognized the need for structure and unity. They began to establish cultivation schools, sharing the techniques they had learned and gathering like-minded individuals.


    <ul>


    <li>Azure Wind Academy: Founded by a former participant with an affinity for wind-based techniques, the school focused on agility, movement, and precision.</li>


    <li>Stoneheart Sect: A rugged school in the mountains, emphasizing resilience and strength through earth-aligned cultivation methods.</li>


    <li>Crimson Ember Clan: A group dedicated to mastering fire-based techniques, their training emphasizing endurance and raw power.</li>


    </ul>


    These schools attracted those who had not participated in the trials but were eager to learn and prepare. Ordinary people with no experience in cultivation began to fill their ranks, forming the first generation of Earth’s cultivators.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    <h4>The Opportunists</h4>


    Not all who failed the trials sought noble paths. Some saw Earth’s integration as a chance to rise above others, using their newfound knowledge to amass power and wealth.


    <ul>


    <li>Mercenary Groups: Bands of former participants began offering their services as protectors or enforcers, leveraging their rudimentary cultivation skills.</li>


    <li>Criminal Enterprises: Others turned to less savory pursuits, exploiting their abilities to dominate local territories and expand their influence.</li>


    </ul>


    These opportunists were a growing problem, their actions destabilizing already fragile regions and drawing the attention of governments and civilians alike.


    <hr>


    The World Responds


    As the failed participants began to carve out their new roles, the world took notice. Governments, corporations, and ordinary citizens scrambled to understand the implications of what was happening.


    <h4>1. Governments Prepare</h4>


    Governments worldwide were divided in their responses. Some sought to regulate the growing number of cultivators, fearing the chaos they might unleash. Others saw them as an asset, a way to strengthen their nations against the changes that were becoming impossible to ignore.


    <ul>


    <li>Military Integration: Some countries began recruiting failed participants to train soldiers in cultivation techniques, creating specialized units capable of harnessing Essence.</li>


    <li>Research Initiatives: Scientists worked tirelessly to study the Essence and its effects, hoping to replicate its benefits without relying on the System.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>2. The Rise of Independent Communities</h4>


    In regions where governments were slow to act or overwhelmed by unrest, independent communities began to form. These groups often centered around cultivation schools or solo practitioners, offering protection and guidance to those seeking refuge from the chaos.


    <h4>3. The Growing Divide</h4>


    As the System’s integration continued, the divide between those with cultivation abilities and the rest of the population grew. Cultivators, even those with basic skills, began to rise in status, their abilities granting them advantages in a world increasingly shaped by Essence. This disparity led to resentment, fear, and, in some cases, open conflict.


    <hr>


    Shadows on the Horizon


    Unbeknownst to most, Earth’s integration was being watched. The rogue entities that had noticed the planet were growing bolder, their presence beginning to slip through the cracks in reality.


    <ul>


    <li>Essence Beasts: Creatures drawn to the ambient energy of Earth began to appear in isolated areas, testing the strength of its inhabitants.</li>


    <li>Dimensional Scouts: Beings from advanced civilizations sent covert operatives to observe Earth’s progression, their motives unclear.</li>


    </ul>


    The cultivators, failed participants or not, would soon find themselves on the frontlines of a battle far larger than they could comprehend.


    <hr>


    The Participants’ Paths Continue


    As the failed participants prepared for the changing world, those still in the trials—Kei, Mia, Elias, Sofia, Ahmed, and others—pressed forward, unaware of how their actions would ripple outward. Earth was no longer the world it had been. It was becoming something new, something dangerous. And its future rested on the shoulders of those who had been chosen.