"Brother Cliff, are you okay?"
Cliff Jensen turned at the sound of Quinn's voice. The younger boy walked over carefully, eyes full of concern. The other three disciples kept their distance, hesitating.
"I'm fine," Cliff replied with a calm smile.
Life on Dragonspire Mountain was far simpler than the chaos of the outside world. Cliff appreciated that. The disciples here, especially those training in the True Martial Hall, were genuinely kind.
Even after Elder Caden scolded him in front of everyone, none of the others gloated. On the contrary, they were concerned—even worried.
Cliff hadn't missed how deeply Elder Caden cared, either.
Caden had offered to use his own energy, for ten years, to cleanse Cliff's inner force. A sacrifice that would damage Caden's own cultivation permanently. It was a remarkable gesture.
"The Master must've misunderstood something," Quinn whispered. "The way you handle both Lunar Infinity and Solar Infinity… it's amazing. I can barely understand one!"
Cliff smiled again.
He chatted briefly with the younger disciples before returning to his training. In truth, with his Heaven-Defying Comprehension, his mind never stopped learning. Every passing moment offered new insights.
Right now, he sat before the First Grandmaster's stone wall, reviewing insights carved there centuries ago.
"Incredible…" he murmured. "Even Solar energy can be shaped like that?"
As he studied, he mentally ranked the past thirty-six Celestial Masters of Dragonspire. Three tiers had emerged in his mind.
At the top stood the First Celestial Master—a legend. His mastery of Solar Infinity was so deep that all later generations paled in comparison.
The second tier included the 2nd, 3rd, 15th, and 28th Celestial Masters—each had achieved remarkable depth in either Lunar or Solar paths.
The third tier… well, they were still powerful. Even the weakest among them had ascended beyond the Phenomenon Realm and could shake the world. But compared to the top two tiers, they were simply average.
"My goal isn't just to match them," Cliff thought. "I want to surpass them all."
Just then, a presence approached from the hall entrance.
"Brother Shanfeng," called a voice. (That was his alias here.)
A middle-aged priest entered quickly, robes fluttering. "Someone is here to see you."
Cliff followed him outside, where Elder Evergreen waited.
Cliff smiled as he bowed. "Uncle Evergreen."
This old Taoist had found him as a baby—starving and abandoned. Without him, Cliff wouldn't have survived. That kind of debt wasn't easily forgotten.
"I heard Caden gave you quite the scolding," Evergreen said, his voice casual but kind.
Cliff nodded, "I didn't live up to his expectations."
"You're being modest," Evergreen said, chuckling. Then he grew more serious. "I was sent to talk you out of this."
Cliff didn't speak.
"But I won't," the elder continued.
Cliff blinked, surprised.
"As long as you live with peace in your heart, that's what matters," Evergreen said gently. "Your father said the same. When your mother was pregnant, I wrote and asked him what he hoped for in his child."
"I expected he'd say—'A mighty warrior,' or 'Successor to the Zhang Fortress.'"
"But no. He wrote, 'I just want my child to be happy.'"
Evergreen looked off toward the mountain horizon. "The Heavenly Masters before us were invincible. But invincibility means nothing if it costs your soul."
"History won't remember peace," he added with a quiet sigh. "But who cares about posthumous titles if you're not alive to see them?"
He gave Cliff one final look. "I only hope you never regret your path."
Then he turned and left.
Cliff stood still, eyes thoughtful. Of all people, he hadn't expected Evergreen to understand.
But he did.
And now, Cliff had more motivation than ever.
He returned to the stone walls, reading deeper into the thoughts of old Celestial Masters. His comprehension sharpened. The fusion of Solar and Lunar energy was progressing rapidly.
By his current estimates, within ten years, he could push both Lunar Infinity and Solar Infinity beyond even the Phenomenon Realm.
Then, a familiar figure appeared silently behind him.
"Uncle Ping," Cliff greeted warmly.
The old priest in tattered robes gave a tired smile. "You're doing something none of the Celestial Masters ever dared."
"Even the third Celestial Master failed when he tried to balance Solar and Lunar energies. And he tried only after ascending to Heavenly Master."
"But you?" Ping gave a short laugh. "You're doing it now."
Cliff remained quiet.
"But have you thought ahead?" Ping asked.
"You may manage both paths up to the Phenomenon Realm—but if you attempt to transform your inner power, and yin and yang reject each other… you'll die."
Cliff didn't hesitate.
"I've already thought about it."
"I believe the reason for rejection lies in imbalance," he continued. "The third Celestial Master tried to layer one energy over another."
"But I am building both from the ground up—merging them into something new. A single, unified force."
There was silence.
"You're insane," Ping said at last.
"You're talking about merging fire and water—two things that annihilate each other. Even the First Celestial Master never attempted that."
"No one dares. And no one ever will."
Ping took a step back, shaking his head in disbelief.
"This is something not even the ancients tried. And you think future generations can?"
Cliff stood still, eyes glowing with clarity.
Ping opened his mouth again… then closed it. Finally, he turned and walked away, muttering:
"The ancients didn't dare, and future generations cannot."
But Cliff Jensen stayed where he was, looking out from the mountain summit.
He whispered to the wind, "Then I'll be the one who dares."
"What the
ancients feared, I will conquer."
(End of Chapter)
------
Visit our Patreon for more:
patreon.com/Samurai492