StormHeaven Sect — Nighttime, Rooftop
That falling star from earlier was no longer visible, even if one searched the whole sky.
But its light still flickered in Zeravon's eyes.
He raised his hand toward the heavens, as if trying to grasp something.
> "Will I… ever reach that far?"
"Those who ascend to the heavens… have they ever fallen back to the ground?"
There was a chill in the air, but inside Zeravon, a strange heat stirred —
as if something deep within him had been awakened...
a spark that could turn into fire.
Dawn wasn't far away.
---
Next Morning – Sect Training Ground
The training grounds were unusually busy today.
Disciples stood in groups — today marked the beginning of formal basic cultivation training.
Zeravon stretched lightly, though his muscles already felt alert.
Last night's meditation had awakened something new inside him.
He looked around — many had formed their cliques.
Some looked confident, others were still standing awkwardly apart… like him.
Ren Kairon wasn't present.
Most of the senior disciples were also absent — they already knew the basics.
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed across the training ground:
> "Line up! Elder Lan Fei will arrive shortly!"
> Elder Lan Fei — Instructor of Combat and Inner Cultivation
Rank: One of the Five Core Teaching Elders of the Cloud Vein Sect
Cultivation Realm: Mystic Core Formation – Beginning Stage
Zeravon quickly found his place. He felt slightly anxious —
he hadn't really spoken to anyone yet.
---
Moments later, a tall, sharp-eyed cultivator entered the ground.
A steady pressure radiated from him, enough to quiet everyone in an instant.
> "I am Elder Lan Fei. From today, your training begins — body, spirit, and will."
His voice was neither too kind nor too harsh — but each word carried discipline.
> "First rule — there's no place here for the weak.
If you think you're protected, you're in the wrong sect."
Zeravon watched closely.
The elder's gaze felt as though it could see through every disciple's soul.
> "Today's training is simple — Reflex Test."
He pulled out a glowing spiritual orb. It hovered mid-air as he explained:
> "This orb will move around you at random.
Touch it if you can — each miss is a minus point."
---
Reflex Test Begins
One by one, disciples stepped forward.
Some did well. Others were average.
When Zeravon's turn came, eyes turned toward him.
> "Let's see what this 'hidden talent' can do."
Zeravon ignored the murmurs. His focus narrowed to the orb.
It began to flash in random directions.
He missed the first try. Then the second.
Third — a weak touch.
Final score: 2 out of 10.
> "Hmm… below average," said Elder Lan Fei calmly.
Zeravon lowered his head — no excuses, no emotion.
---
Disciples React
Then, a confident (and slightly arrogant) disciple named Lian Xiaorun stepped forward.
> "Elder, can we spar with the weaker ones?
Might help their self-awareness grow."
Lan Fei raised a brow, "Permission granted."
Xiaorun turned to Zeravon, grinning:
> "Zeravon, ready? Just a friendly match… with a learning opportunity."
Zeravon nodded quietly.
---
Sparring Ground – Zeravon vs. Lian Xiaorun
The crowd gathered, forming a circle around the two.
> "Let's see what this guy's made of," someone whispered.
Xiaorun took his stance with a smirk.
> "Don't worry. I'll go easy. Just a reality check."
Zeravon silently shifted into the Flowing Root Form —
a basic stance he saw last night in a scroll.
He hadn't practiced it… but his body moved instinctively.
---
Fight Begins
Xiaorun launched a Qi-Infused Low Sweep Kick —
wind pressure forming around his leg.
Zeravon dodged using Shoulder Shift Evade —
a slick move where the upper body tilts without breaking stance.
> "Not bad…" Xiaorun thought.
Next — Palm Crush Pulse, a mid-tier Qi-infused palm strike.
The hit landed directly on Zeravon's chest —
the shock made his ribs tremble.
He stumbled back, but caught balance using one hand.
---
Zeravon's Reflex Awakens
Suddenly, a memory flashed —
his Astral Core pulsed, and an old form surfaced in his mind:
> "Flickering Branch Counter" — a defensive stance mimicking the sway of branches in wind.
As Xiaorun came in with an elbow strike,
Zeravon twisted his body at the exact angle to avoid the full impact.
> "Did he just dodge that?"
---
Annoyed, Xiaorun infused Thunder Qi into his fingers:
Thunder Snap Jab — a burst strike that shocks nerves on impact.
Zeravon couldn't identify it in time —
he tried to block, but the Qi burst burned his wrist.
> Ssshhh... smoke curled from his hand. His face paled — but he stayed on his feet.
Then came Xiaorun's final move — Twin Fang Step,
a dual-leg Qi burst meant to shatter a defender's stance.
Zeravon didn't react this time.
He closed his eyes.
> "I may fall… but I won't run."
"Hit me all you want. I'll remember."
Xiaorun leapt forward…
Before impact, Elder Lan Fei's Binding Qi Wave rippled —
freezing the air between them.
> "Enough."
---
Zeravon Falls… But Doesn't Break
Zeravon sank to the ground, breath heavy…
but his eyes held no defeat.
Xiaorun smirked:
> "The weak never become strong. They just dream."
Zeravon said nothing.
When everyone left, he touched the scorched soil with his hands.
He looked at his burned wrist, whispering:
> "One day… these hands will reach your face… with no mercy."
And then that dream voice echoed again:
> "You are not yourself… yet everything begins with you."
Zeravon closed his eyes.
> "I'll prove it… to myself… and to all of them. I'm not less than anyone."
---
Later That Day – Zeravon's Residence
Back home, Zeravon treated his wounds when Xian Hu rushed in.
> "Zeravon! Are you alright? I heard you fought Ruvo Chen and got badly hurt!"
Zeravon replied calmly, "I'm fine… it wasn't that serious."
Xian Hu quickly pulled out a healing pill and handed it over.
> "Take this — it'll speed up the healing. I have to run now. We'll talk later!"
> "Alright, take care, Senior Brother," Zeravon nodded.
After that, he didn't rest — he sat cross-legged and began meditating.
His Astral Core glowed brighter now.
But his face showed no glow — only one word:
> "Stronger."
Urgency filled his breath.
Deep inside his dantian, a faint spark flickered —
energy was shifting… something new forming.
His hand glowed with a fiery pattern —
but he opened his eyes.
> "No… not yet. I need to master the basics first."
---
Evening – Jungle Perimeter
Zeravon entered the nearby jungle, thinking:
> "There are Essence Beasts here from Tier 1 to Tier 5…
their Qi levels can be unpredictable."
He moved quietly for hours.
Suddenly — thick fog… and a smell of burnt leaves.
> Grrrrhhh…
Ahead stood a Flame-Tusk Boar,
its tusks leaking fire, red-orange steam rising off its body.
> "Tier 2, Middle Stage Essence Beast," Zeravon estimated.
---
Beast Fight Begins
Zeravon took stance — the same Flowing Root Form.
The boar charged — tusks glowing with fiery Qi.
Zeravon used Step Echo Evade —
a double-shadow footwork to mislead the opponent.
---
Counterattack
Zeravon countered with Palm Needle Strike —
a sharp Qi-pointed attack aimed at nerve spots.
The beast staggered —
then roared and released its ability:
> "Tusk Flame Burst"
Twin fireballs exploded toward Zeravon,
scorching the jungle floor.
Zeravon rolled — his robe burned on one side. His arm was lightly seared.
> "Damn… if I don't act now, this'll be the end."
He closed his eyes — that black sky flashed again. That voice...
> "You are not yourself… but everything begins with you."
His Astral Core flared — a sudden spike of power!
> "Let me… survive!"
He slammed his hand into the ground —
a shockwave rippled out.
It was the raw form of Astral Step Base Surge — uncontrolled, but powerful.
For the first time, the beast backed away.
Zeravon seized the moment —
a spinning leap into a Whirlwind Rising Knee,
slamming under the boar's neck.
The beast crashed to the ground — writhing, but defeated.
Zeravon collapsed too… whispering:
> "I… survived…"
He retrieved the beast's spirit core — a glowing orange crystal.
> "If I didn't have my Astral Core… I'd be dead by now.
But I still don't understand what this core truly is.
I need to ask Elder Jinyao Mei about it…"
He looked up at the sky, eyes burning with resolve:
> "You call me weak today…
But someday, I will tear open the sky."
> "And on that day…
you'll all kneel and watch me rise."
---
To Be Continued…
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