Xauyan could not unleash the true power of Zhenmo. No matter how hard he tried. Seeking answers, he left the mountains and traveled to find a surviving elder.
Left with no guidance, Xauyan set out to find the Ancient Demonic Valley. For days, he searched through remote lands, ruined temples, and overgrown paths, but the valley was nowhere to be found.
One evening, as the sky darkened to red, he came across an old man sweeping the path with a worn broom. The figure looked fragile, hunched and silent.
Xauyan walked past him without a word.
But then, the old man spoke behind him:
"Go east. Find the ancient black stone. It is written in blood—I, the one who ruled immortals."
Xauyan froze and turned quickly but the old man had vanished.
No sign. No sound. Nothing.
Though confused, Xauyan felt a strange pull, as if something had awakened inside him. The name "black stone" echoed in his mind. It was no ordinary message.
Without looking back, he turned east and continued his journey. Whatever lay ahead, it was the only path left.
Xauyan was traveling east when he stopped to rest on a mountain peak. From there, he saw a stunning view flocks of birds flying across the sky, sunlight breaking through clouds, and a rainbow stretching over the mountains.
Then came a deep crashing sound — trees breaking, earth shaking.
"What was that?" Xauyan muttered, standing up and moving toward the noise.
Down below, two giant monsters were fighting. One had the head of a lion with sharp horns, massive wings and the scaly body of a dragon. The other had the head of a serpent and a strange mix of ox and lion for its body, thick with muscle.
The lion-headed beast roared and blasted thunder from its mouth. The serpent responded with a swirling ring of energy. Their attacks clashed, shaking the forest. A chunk of the lion-beast's shell flew through the air and landed near Xauyan with a heavy thud.
The beasts crashed through the forest, still fighting and vanished into the distance.
Xauyan approached the fallen piece dark, warm, pulsing faintly.
He picked it up. "No idea what this is," he said, turning it in his hands. "But something tells me I'm not supposed to leave it behind."
He tucked it into his pocket and continued down the mountain, still heading east.
Xauyan stopped at a small village shop. As he stepped inside, the owner welcomed him warmly.
"You've chosen the best shop in town," the owner said with pride. "You can have the finest meal here."
At that moment, a small girl in torn clothes tugged at Xauyan's sleeve and softly asked for a meal. The owner scowled and chased her away.
"Let her be," Xauyan said gently.
But as he reached into his robe, he realized—he didn't have a single coin.
He turned to the owner and asked, "I don't have any money, but... can I trade this?"
He pulled out a shiny shard of shell—one he had picked up.
The owner scoffed at first. "This has no value... but for your sympathy, I'll trade you and the girl a meal for it."
A woman sitting nearby had been watching the whole exchange. She stood up and walked over.
"I'll pay for the meals. For both of you," she said kindly.
Xauyan looked at her with quiet gratitude. "Thank you," he said. The little girl smiled, her eyes bright. "Thank you, big sister."
The three of them sat at the same table. Xauyan turned to the woman. "May I know your name?"
She smiled. "My name is Lin Ruyin."
The little girl added with pride, "My name's Mei'er!"
Ruyin's eyes were fixed on the shell piece. "Where did you get that?"
Xauyan didn't tell the full story. "I picked it up on the way," he said simply.
"You're lucky," Ruyin said. "It's rare. You can forge it into a weapon—it can pierce almost anything. My grandfather once had one, so I recognized it immediately. He used to say it was part of an ancient spirit..."
Mei'er quietly slipped away after finishing her meal.As they watched Mei'er walk away, Ruyin called out softly,
"Where are you going, little one?"
But Mei'er didn't look back.
She just kept walking, her small feet padding quietly down the road.
Maybe she thought the meal had already cost too much.
Or maybe... she had learned that kindness always comes with a price.
Ruyin turned to him. "What brings you to this side of the land?"
"I'm heading east," Xauyan replied.
She paused. "I'm going there too. To the Heaven's Summit Cultivator School. I heard it's where all the great cultivators go to make their name."
Xauyan only smiled. He didn't say anything—because his reason for traveling east was the complete opposite.
After finishing his meal, he stood up. "Thank you again."
Ruyin followed him out. "Xauyan... can we go together?"
He looked at her.
"It's safer that way," she added. "I've heard there are bandits on the road... and they show no mercy, especially to lone travelers."
"I'm not going to Heaven's Summit School," he said plainly.
"Then... where are you headed?" she asked, hesitant.
Xauyan studied her for a moment. She seemed sincere, kind. So he told her.
"I'm looking for the Ancient Rock Written in Blood. I heard rumors..."
Her eyes widened. "I've heard about that too. My grandfather once said it was hidden somewhere inside Heaven's Summit."
Xauyan frowned.
Why would a rock tied to demonic essence be inside a righteous sect's school? he thought. I've traveled all this way believing it was connected to the darkness ... yet now, it lies in the very heart of the heavens?
He clenched his fist. Heaven took all that was mine... but I need to know the truth behind that rock—and the man I met on the path.
He nodded slowly. "Then we travel together."
They journeyed for days. One morning, the sound of hooves and loud shouting echoed through the woods.
"Hya! Shoosh! Stop right there!"
They were surrounded by a group of rough-looking men—low-level cultivators, judging by their aura.
Xauyan remained quiet, calm.
But when one of them reached out to grab Ruyin's arm, something snapped.
In a flash, Xauyan grabbed the man and punched him. The man flew meters away, crashing into a tree and crumpling.
Everything went still.
The bandits froze. That was their leader.
Ruyin instinctively held onto Xauyan's hand, eyes wide with fear. Xauyan didn't say anything—but his silent presence told her she was safe.
The bandits stepped aside. No one dared speak. They simply watched as the pair passed through.
After they were gone, one of them whispered, "W-who was that man...?"
Another muttered, "That presence... I couldn't breathe for a second..."
As they walked on, Xauyan asked, "You're not even a cultivator. Why are you going to that heaven summits?"
Ruyin hesitated. Then she said honestly, "I know I'm not strong... but I want to become
stronger. So I can protect someone who means everything to me."
Xauyan didn't reply.
Because that sentence struck a deep chord within him.