StormHeaven Sect – Zeravon's Room, Early Morning
The first rays of sunlight touched the mountain peaks as Zeravon's eyes slowly opened.
His body still ached — memories of the fight in the jungle flashing in his mind like sparks in darkness.
He gently touched his wrist, where burn marks were still visible.
But even in the pain, there was a strange calm...
A reminder: "I'm alive… learning… and one day, this pain will be someone else's."
---
On the table beside him lay the official StormHeaven Sect disciple uniform:
Midnight-blue robe, silver embroidery that traced like a storm.
Inner layer: gray, tightly woven spirit-cloth undershirt — practical yet ceremonial.
Zeravon wore the robe and stepped out, walking toward the Sect Library — his next goal.
---
StormHeaven Library — The Three-Floor Sanctum
The library was ancient. A tall divine structure standing on spiritual pillars.
Carved above the gate:
> "Only those who understand their limits, may rise beyond them."
As he entered, an overwhelming spiritual pressure washed over him.
Like the building itself was a living being.
A white-bearded elder sat cross-legged inside with closed eyes.
He opened them slightly and asked in a calm voice:
> "Name?"
> "Zeravon. Disciple of Elder Jinyao Mei."
The elder gauged his cultivation level and nodded coldly.
> "You may only enter the Third Floor.
Second Floor is reserved for high-background or Core Foundation cultivators.
First Floor? Only the Sect Leader — and even they, not for long."
Zeravon didn't argue. He bowed and ascended the steps.
---
The Third Floor – Choosing His Technique
Ancient scrolls and jade slips lined the walls — each humming with silent intent.
Some called to him, others rejected him outright.
He skimmed through many:
Attack techniques
Defensive barriers
Movement arts
But none resonated…
Until he noticed a dusty jade slip in the far corner.
> "Voidtrace Phantom Step"
A rare movement technique — not focused on speed, but unpredictability.
It created an illusion: a time-delayed shadow trail that misled opponents into attacking the wrong version of you.
As he held the slip, the library elder downstairs paused for a brief second.
> "Strange… that boy's spiritual current is... unstable? Or is it just my imagination..."
---
Across the Forest — Lian Tianyu's Suspicion
Around 500 meters away, another cultivator was traveling through the trees.
His robe bore the Dome of Heaven Sect's insignia — a high-tier elite sect.
He suddenly stopped… placing a hand on his chest.
> "My Astral Core…?"
The glow was irregular — out of sync.
> "Who… what is resonating with me?"
Despite extending his spiritual sense, he couldn't detect any strong fluctuations.
One of his followers asked, "Young Master, something wrong?"
> "...Nothing. Let's return to the sect," he said, still unsure.
---
Secret Spot Behind Training Grounds
Back in StormHeaven, Zeravon went behind the library to a private place — his hidden training spot.
He sat down and began studying Voidtrace Phantom Step.
It looked simple… but was dangerous to execute.
> One wrong breath, and your spiritual veins could rupture.
He tried once — and failed.
> Crack!
His left shoulder strained painfully.
> "Sh*t…"
But he didn't stop.
Second try — breath in, hold, silent Qi flow…
> "I can feel it… I'm becoming the shadow..."
When he moved, the ground showed two shadows — one real, one delayed.
At that moment, his Astral Core glowed faintly…
A new Qi flow opened in his body. He stood up, calm but excited.
> "I'll master this… soon."
Suddenly, a sect disciple came running.
> "Zeravon! Elder Jinyao Mei is calling you. Immediately!"
---
Elder Jinyao Mei's Offer
Inside the Pavilion, Elder Jinyao Mei looked serious yet composed.
> "Zeravon, I'm giving you this special Tower Token.
Inside that tower, one week inside will be just one day outside.
It's a rare cultivation space I earned through past contributions."
> "Soon, a Competition will take place. The winner will get a rare Unknown Box..
But be warned… this competition won't be clean.
There will be spies. There will be killers."
> "I'm also sending you with some secret techniques —
they can only be understood inside the Tower, and each floor has a trial of its own."
> "Train well. Be ready tomorrow."
Zeravon took the token silently, understanding the weight behind the words.
---
That Same Evening – On His Way Home…
Zeravon was walking through the forest edge near his house.
The air was cool… but inside him, a strange pressure boiled.
Suddenly — a figure appeared.
> "So you're Zeravon…"
It was Lian Xiaorun — the one from earlier.
Without warning, Lian attacked.
A powerful Qi-Infused Low Sweep Kick shot forward.
Zeravon dodged, but a nearby tree split in half.
> "Enough," Zeravon muttered, eyes glowing faintly.
He activated:
✦ "Astral Flow Disruption"
A wave hit Lian's meridians — freezing him momentarily.
> "W-What the hell?!"
Zeravon struck with his elbow, knocking him back.
But Lian countered — using Palm Crush Pulse, grazing Zeravon's shoulder and pushing him back.
Blood dripped from Zeravon's lips.
He wiped it.
> "Fine then."
He released:
✦ "Core Pulse Drive"
A shockwave burst from his Astral Core — launching Lian into the air.
Lian smashed to the ground — dazed, bleeding.
> "Y-You… were hiding this power all along…"
Lian passed out.
Zeravon breathed heavily.
He touched his injured shoulder… and walked away.
The jungle went silent.
No witnesses. No proof.
Only droplets of blood among crushed leaves.
---
Cliffside — That Night
That night, Zeravon stood alone on a cliff overlooking StormHeaven Sect.
He looked up.
There was no shooting star…
But he whispered:
> "I came as a shadow…
But one day, I'll become the light —
So blinding, no one will ignore me."
The stars didn't answer.
But his Astral Core sparked softly.
A beginning had begun.
---
To Be Continued...