Inside the central hall of the Heaven Defying Academy, the three new students stood silently, observing the vast space before them. Pillars of crystal-like jade rose to the ceiling, pulsing with ancient energy. Floating lanterns spun slowly in the air, illuminating detailed murals that stretched across the walls.
Each mural depicted a stage of cultivation.
One mural showed a mortal touching the stars.
Another depicted a figure splitting a planet with a single finger.
And at the end, a cloaked silhouette stood with the universe itself circling in his palm—the Dao Ancestor.
Rika, Yuvan, and Bala were speechless. Ashwin stood near them, still in awe himself despite being here for a few days.
The white-robed elder appeared at the front of the hall.
"My name is Elder Han," he said calmly. "I am but a caretaker of this place. You stand now not in a sect or a temple—but in the heart of an idea, the Heaven Defying Academy."
He waved his hand, and a large scroll unfurled in mid-air, glowing with celestial light.
"This is our cultivation system."
The scroll displayed five towering words in ancient script:
Mortal FoundationQi Root AwakeningSoul CondensationOrigin DaoHeaven Defiance Realm
Yuvan raised his hand. "Is this different from the usual cultivation stages?"
Elder Han smiled. "Yes. In the outside world, cultivation follows the path of Body Refinement, Qi Gathering, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and so on. But here… we walk a different path. One that leads not just to power—but to transcendence."
He gestured toward the scroll again.
1. Mortal Foundation – Cleansing the body, mind, and soul. Stabilizing the inner world.2. Qi Root Awakening – Establishing one's personalized Qi Root based on affinity and fate.3. Soul Condensation – Manifesting one's Dao Seed and forging the Soul Flame.4. Origin Dao – Creating a personal Dao Domain. Laws begin to bend in your presence.5. Heaven Defiance Realm – Surpassing the limits of the world. Challenging Heaven itself.
"There are realms beyond," Elder Han added, "but they are for future discussion. For now, you must focus on the path before you."
Ashwin raised his hand sheepishly. "Elder, um… I just ate an apple, and I think I'm in the second realm now?"
Elder Han raised an eyebrow. "Indeed. Your potential is strange… very strange. The apple you consumed wasn't ordinary. It was the Fruit of Minor Genesis—crafted by the Dao Ancestor himself."
The three new students turned to Ashwin, eyes wide.
"You ate a divine fruit?" Bala asked, mouth open.
"I thought it was just… food," Ashwin muttered, feeling a little faint.
Elder Han laughed softly. "You are fated."
He then turned serious. "The academy will now scan your roots and align your starting paths."
He clapped once. A glowing formation emerged beneath each of the three students.
Rika's formation burst into crimson flame.
"Firebody Constitution. Perfect for martial paths. You will become a war goddess if you survive the trials."
Yuvan's formation showed a spiral of ink and wind.
"A Scholar's Mind and Dao of Perception. A once-in-a-thousand-years soul talent."
Bala's formation was… chaotic. Thunder clashed with shadow. Fire danced with ice.
"...A battle maniac with a chaotic bloodline. Dangerous. But full of potential."
Elder Han nodded. "Each of you will be assigned a cultivation scroll and your first mission: awaken your personalized Qi Root within seven days. The academy itself will guide you. Everything here is alive… connected to the Dao Ancestor."
As the formation faded, the great scroll rolled back into the void.
Elder Han's gaze sharpened. "This is not a place for idlers. Train. Fight. Survive. Excel. For only those who walk the Heaven Defying Path… can stand at the peak of all existence."
Outside the academy, storm clouds began to stir.
Heaven… was watching.