The air above the Cloud Vein Sect arena shimmered faintly with the heat of battle.
Round after round passed.
Cries of exertion. Clashes of Qi. Exploding techniques. Disciples fell and rose, bruised but proud. Each name shouted by the jade pillar marked another step toward recognition.
And yet — Zeravon stood still, unnoticed.
He hadn't been called again. After his first match — the intentional loss — no one cared to see more.
Not yet.
---
**Inner Disciple Observation Deck**
Three inner disciples watched from a floating platform above the arena, robes embroidered with the Cloud Vein insignia.
> "That Zeravon guy… didn't even fight."
> "Some say he didn't *need* to."
> "No," said the third, sharper in tone. "I think he's broken."
Instructor Wei stood nearby, listening but saying nothing.
His arms were crossed, but his mind was locked on one thing:
> *"Why didn't he strike back…?"*
---
**In the Arena – Match 12**
"Lu Jin vs. Hong Yao!"
Zeravon looked up.
Hong Yao — one of the disciples who had once offered him food.
A friend.
Lu Jin — a heavy-handed disciple with fast fists and a bad attitude.
The match began.
Hong Yao tried his best, but it was clear — Lu Jin had trained harder, fought rougher, and didn't believe in holding back. Within moments, Hong was flat on the ground, coughing blood.
Zeravon's fists clenched unconsciously.
> *"Why am I just standing here?"*
> *"Because… I have nothing to offer."*
---
**Later – Training Grounds**
After the day's matches, disciples returned to their quarters or to rest under the trees.
Zeravon sat alone again.
Footsteps approached.
It was *Ren Lian*, another friendly face — not a close friend, but someone who treated him kindly.
She knelt beside him and handed him a small herbal pouch.
> "For the soreness," she said gently.
He looked at her, surprised. "I didn't fight."
She smiled faintly. "Sometimes losing is harder than fighting."
She stood to leave.
Before she could walk away, Zeravon asked, "Why do you help me?"
She paused.
> "Because you look like someone… who's trying to remember how to stand."
And then she left.
---
**That Night – Zeravon's Quarters**
He stared at the pouch in his hand.
He had no bruises.
No injuries.
But his chest ached.
Not from battle. From **uselessness**.
> *"I couldn't even protect Hong."*
> *"I can't even protect myself."*
He lay down.
No dreams came.
Only silence.
---
**Far Away – Somewhere in the Threads of Reality**
The golden scroll pulsed again.
Cracks deepened.
But not with power.
With **sorrow**.
A voice echoed:
> *"He still refuses to rise."*
> *"Because even now… he doesn't know he fell."*
---
**Back in the Cloud Vein Sect – A Storm Approaches**
In the distance, beyond the outer mountains, black clouds began to gather unnaturally.
None noticed.
Not yet.
But soon… the winds would shift.
And fate would bring **her**.
The girl from the Upper Realm.
The one with the hidden identity.
**Yueyin**.
She was coming.
And with her arrival…
**Zeravon's path would finally begin.**
---