Ling Yu's life was nothing more than a wreck. In a world where strong cultivators were valued, he was just a fifteen-year-old boy who had lost everything. A few days earlier, a ferocious spirit beast had swept through his village, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Of everything that remained, only ashes and the burnt memories of his parents, who had sacrificed their lives to protect him.

The morning after the tragedy, while sifting through the burnt stones in search of anything to remind him of his parents, Ling Yu stumbled upon something strange. It wasn't an ordinary stone; it was half a book made of shiny black stone, engraved with symbols the likes of which he had never seen before. The other half was missing. This was all that remained of his family home.

Chapter Twelve: Destruction Before Construction


For nights, Ling Yue spent an internal struggle between rejecting that woman's offer and living as a weak outer disciple, or accepting it and taking a step into the unknown.


But with each passing day, he realized the truth: the sect was not a safe place. The eyes of powerful disciples, the conflicts of noble families, and even the elders who concealed their intentions… all of them were like a sea that swallowed up the weak.


One still night, when the book drew him back into its dark space, he found her waiting for him as usual.


This time, she smiled quietly, as if she knew the decision before he even spoke it.


He said in a hesitant but firm voice, "I have no choice… I accept you as my Master."


She laughed briefly, but this time it wasn't mocking, more like a vague relief:


"Finally… I have chosen the path from which there is no return."


 Then she stepped forward, her eyes shining as if they were revealing all his secrets:


"Then listen carefully, my disciple. Everything I've built so far… opening the lines, establishing the foundation… it's all just nonsense."


Ling Yu's heart froze, almost unable to believe what he was hearing.


"Yes. The cultivation methods followed by the sect are only faint shadows of the truth. They slightly strengthen the body and open energy paths… but they distort the spiritual foundation, making it impossible to reach the higher peaks. If you continue on this path, you'll never reach beyond the First Gate."


She drew closer until her voice whispered deep within his mind:


"If you want to walk with me, you must start cultivating from the beginning. You will destroy everything you've built and re-establish your body and soul in my way. Only in this way… can you tread the true path of the Sages."


 His entire body trembled. He stood in amazement, his voice trembling. "Re… transplant?! But why…?!"


She smiled mysteriously, but didn't answer.


Instead, she simply stared into his eyes for a long time, as if silently judging his soul.


Then the space around him began to fade, leaving his heart suspended between fear and hope, uncertainty gnawing at him.


Chapter 13 - Destruction Before construction