Everyone called this place the Sealed Land.
It was said that the spirits here were too wild, making it unfit for anyone to live.
Even so, it was a perfect ground for cultivation—its vast, breathtaking landscape became the very reason why a great sect chose to anchor its roots here.
Its name was Tenm—a special province in the continent of Eryndor.
Its governance was complex, almost like a small nation. A governor ruled with several ministers under his command.
Life in Tenm varied greatly; some towns and villages thrived in prosperity… but not this one.
---
"Shura! What is this mess!? You've ruined half my garden!"
A middle-aged man shouted, his face red with fury. The entire field looked as if it had been torn apart.
"I—I'm sorry, Uncle Xing. I did my best, but… they would've killed me if I stopped them," Shura bowed deeply, guilt filling his mind.
*Grab!*
Xing seized Shura by the collar. He almost threw a punch, but after seeing the bruises covering the boy's face, he held back.
"Damn it… those filthy bandits again. They've been causing trouble all over town lately. I just hope the Renyuan Guards finally do something about them."
Xing pushed Shura aside and barked, "Get back to work!"
When Xing left, Shura began cleaning the wrecked garden. The afternoon sun blazed overhead, making the air heavy and suffocating.
---
Two hours passed. The field was now quiet; Shura was the only one left.
The garden bordered the forest, so the chirping of birds and distant calls of beasts could always be heard.
The wind softened, brushing through Shura's messy hair as he sat on a fallen log.
He pulled out a small pouch and took out a single pearl—its emerald glow pulsed faintly, mysterious runes carved across its surface.
It was his parents' last keepsake before they vanished. He didn't know its use, only that they told him to guard it with his life.
He sighed. Thinking about it too long only made his head ache.
So he decided to train.
---
"Alright… it's been a month since I reached the Mortal Vein stage. The herbs should be ready by now."
Shura retrieved a small, worn cauldron—an heirloom from his family.
The surrounding spiritus began to gather.
His body absorbed and refined it into Qi.
To fully open one's veins, a cultivator needed vast and steady Qi.
Shura had already opened six of his spiritual veins—one step away from reaching the next realm: Purification Vein.
The cauldron started to emit the sweet scent of herbs.
Shura removed the finished pill and swallowed it whole.
As he focused on his breathing technique, dark sweat oozed from his pores—a sign that the purification was working.
"Huuff…"
*Thud! Thud!*
*Whoosh!*
*Thud!*
*Whoosh! Whoosh!*
With every movement, excess Qi burst from his body—his steps cracked the ground beneath him, and his hand swings stirred the air like invisible strikes.
Heeheehee…
Shura continued his training, unaware that the sun had already sunk low.
From the edge of the forest, a pair of crimson eyes glimmered in the dark.
Heeheehee…
A small insect crept out of the shadows, fluttering silently until it landed beneath Shura's sleeve.
Heeheehee… finally… this little game can begin.