Chapter 4 - Chapter Four – Secrets Beneath the Mountain

The Celestial Tiger Sect's training grounds lay nestled in a serene valley, surrounded by towering pines that whispered ancient secrets with every gust of wind. Days of intense training had tempered Nie Yong's body and mind, but it was here, amid the quiet solitude, that the true challenge awaited—not from battle, but from revelation.On a morning shrouded in mist, Tian Xin approached Nie Yong with a heavy expression, her usual sternness softened by a trace of concern."There is… a place you must see," she said, voice low. "Beyond the valley lies a cavern hidden beneath Martial Peak itself. The sect elders guard its entrance fiercely, for within it lies the Black Book — a relic containing forbidden knowledge and the history of countless generations of cultivators."Nie Yong's curiosity sparked. The promise of knowledge was as alluring as any power. "Why show me this?"Tian Xin hesitated. "Because your path is not ordinary, Nie Yong. The Black Book may hold the answers you seek—about Lilith, about the corruption that shadows your power, and about the trials that may shape your destiny."The journey to the cavern was arduous. The path twisted through dense undergrowth and jagged rocks, where the air grew thick with spiritual pressure. Nie Yong's steps were wary, each breath measured against the rising weight in his chest—the same silent dread Lilith's warnings had awakened within him.As they neared the cavern, an eerie calm settled. The entrance yawned like a maw carved by ancient hands, its black stone shimmering faintly with inscriptions that glowed under Nie Yong's gaze."This is where the past lives, and the future is forged," Tian Xin murmured.Inside, the cavern walls seemed alive with shifting shadows, and a low hum resonated through the air. At the center rested the Black Book, an ancient tome bound in midnight leather, its surface pulsing faintly with dark energy.Nie Yong reached out tentatively, the system interface flaring as his fingers grazed the cover. Symbols danced before his eyes—cultivation stages, forgotten arts, secrets of balance between creation and destruction.As he studied the book, a sudden vision overwhelmed him—the rise and fall of countless cultivators, battles waged in the name of power, and the emergence of beings like Lilith.A whisper echoed through the vision: "Balance is the key. Without it, ambition devours the soul."Nie Yong staggered, clutching the book. The weight of knowledge was heavy, but it brought clarity. Lilith's corruption was no mere curse—it was a fragment of a cosmic force, a test of his will and essence."This book isn't just history," he said slowly. "It's a map—a guide through the darkness."Exiting the cavern, Nie Yong found Tian Xin waiting with quiet patience."You must decide now," she said. "Will you seek only strength, risking the corruption, or will you chase balance, mastering not just power but your own fate?"Nie Yong's eyes flickered with determination. "I will master it all. For Ryota. For those who believed in me."Returning to the sect, Nie Yong shared what he learned with Lian Hua and the others. Bonds forged in battle now deepened with shared purpose. The path ahead was daunting, filled with shadows and light intertwined—only through unity and resolve could they hope to rise.