In Early Morning
High Above in sky was painted gold as a Razor Golden Eagle sliced through the clouds at terrifying speed. Standing on its broad back was a young man who looked no more than eighteen. His long black hair streamed behind him, tied with a silver ring that glimmered as it fluttered in the rushing wind. A blue robe trimmed with white wrapped around his tall frame, and on the left side of his chest, the emblem of the Great Bound Sect shone proudly.
This young man was Zhuo Riyan, a outer disciple of the Great Bound Sect of the Long Continent.
Today, his smile was so bright it could split mountains. Anyone who saw him could tell something incredibly good had happened.
Looking down at the enormous eagle beneath his feet, he chuckled lightly.
"Xiao Xiao, after today… you can finally upgrade your stars."
His voice was soft, but excitement trembled within it. He crouched, placing a hand on the eagle's feathers as he explained, more to himself than the beast.
"The stars of a beast are determined the moment it hatches from its egg. The more stars it has, the greater its potential—and that usually never changes. But…" He paused and took out a small stone from his spritual ring.
The stone was transparent brown, glowing faintly with earthy energy. Inside it, suspended like a heart, was another darker brown stone.
"There are rare treasures that can break that rule," he continued. "Celestial Stones—stones of the same source as the beast. Xiao Xiao is an Earth Source beast… and this stone is Earth Source too."
Celestial Stones were unimaginably rare. Many cultivators lived their whole lives without ever seeing one, let alone owning it.
Zhuo Riyan smiled, slipping the stone back into his spiritual ring. "Xiao Xiao, faster!"
The Razor Golden Eagle let out a sharp cry in response, its wings beating powerfully as it accelerated even more.
After some time, they approached a small mountain peak where Zhuo Riyan had arranged a meeting. Nestled in the center of the peak was a modest wooden house. Mist drifted lazily around the edges, and the scenery stretched endlessly in every direction—quiet, peaceful, untouched.
Xiao Xiao began its descent, wings folding as it landed gracefully before the wooden house.
Before Zhuo Riyan could even jump down, the door burst open and two figures rushed out.
On the left was a young woman around Zhuo Riyan's age, dressed in the same blue robes. Her long hair was slightly messy, sweat rolling down her cheeks. She was Ao Shen—Zhuo Riyan's girlfriend, and a fellow disciple.
Beside her stood Kin Dou, also their age, also wearing the Great Bound Sect uniform. He supported himself with one hand on the doorframe, breathing heavily.
Both of them were drenched in sweat, chests rising and falling rapidly, as if they had just finished intense training—or perhaps gotten into some shit they barely survived.
Ao Shen blinked at Zhuo Riyan and asked, half-exhausted, half-annoyed, "Riyan… what the hell took you so long?"
Zhuo Riyan jumped down from Xiao Xiao with a soft thud, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"I… I'm sorry, Shen'er. But look—I'm back safely," he said as he walked toward Ao Shen, smiling like a fool in love.
Kin Dou wiped the sweat from his forehead.
This bastard came faster than expected… we were about to get caught.
A shiver ran down his spine, half fear, half relief.
Just as Zhuo Riyan reached them, he stopped mid-step. His eyes landed on Kin Dou standing beside Ao Shen.
"Brother Kin Dou? You're here? But… I haven't told you about this place."
Both Ao Shen and Kin Dou stiffened. Their expressions tightened for a split second—barely noticeable.
Ao Shen quickly stepped forward, linking her arm with Zhuo Riyan's and flashing a bright, nervous smile.
"Ah, Riyan… I told him about the place. Are you angry?" Her smile was sweet, but her fingers trembled ever so slightly.
Kin Dou chimed in, forcing a casual tone, "It doesn't matter anyway. I just arrived. By the way… did you find that thing you were looking for?"
At that, Zhuo Riyan's gloomy suspicion evaporated. His eyes lit up instantly. With excitement bubbling in his voice, he pulled the Celestial Stone out of his spiritual ring and held it up proudly.
"Of course I found it! Look!"
The stone glimmered in his palm, earthy brown light swirling inside it like a heart beating slowly.
Ao Shen and Kin Dou's eyes widened, excitement flashing across their faces. After confirming it was real, Ao Shen shot a quick glance at Kin Dou.
Kin Dou caught it immediately. His lips curled into a small, dark smile.
Ao Shen turned back to Zhuo Riyan and pointed toward the wooden house. "Riyan, let's go inside. It's so hot out here."
He nodded happily and walked toward the house, completely unaware.
As he passed Ao Shen, she allowed herself a twisted, satisfied smile.
Kin Dou mirrored it, stepping to the side to give Zhuo Riyan a clear path.
Zhuo Riyan stepped through the doorway.
And then—
He froze.
The Celestial Stone slipped from his hand, clattering onto the wooden floor.
His entire body went rigid as two cold daggers sank into him—one stabbing directly into his dantian, shattering it… and the other slicing through his beast veins like a merciless scissor.
A breathless gasp escaped him. His face drained of color.
He didn't understand.
He couldn't understand.
His girlfriend—Ao Shen—had betrayed him.
Before he could even turn to look at them, Kin Dou slammed a vicious kick into his back.
Zhuo Riyan staggered forward, tearing himself free from the embedded blades before collapsing beside the Celestial Stone. Blood poured from him like water, splashing across the wooden floor, soaking it until the entire entrance was stained red.
Kin Dou flicked his dagger, scattering crimson droplets.
"Hey, hey… we can't kill him. If he dies, we'll be in deep shit. Let him live," he said with a cruel grin.
Ao Shen approached slowly, without a hint of remorse. Her shadow fell over Zhuo Riyan's trembling body as she bent down toward the Celestial Stone.