Morning arrived.
But Starfall City no longer felt the same.
The streets remained crowded, yet the atmosphere had changed completely.
Everywhere Kael walked—
People stared.
Whispered.
Watched.
⸻
The events of the previous night had spread throughout the city.
An unknown young cultivator had fought the Hollow Hunters.
The Void Lord had personally appeared.
The Saintess of Azure Star Sanctuary had intervened.
And somehow—
The center of it all was a young man named Kael.
⸻
Inside a quiet courtyard provided by Azure Star Sanctuary, Kael sat beneath a massive silver-leafed tree.
The battle wounds across his chest had mostly healed.
His breathing was calm.
His eyes closed.
⸻
The Origin Core rotated steadily.
Ever since receiving the First Legacy, the Core felt different.
More complete.
More alive.
⸻
Fragments of Origin Art continued surfacing within his mind.
Ancient combat methods.
Ancient philosophies.
Ancient truths.
⸻
One sentence appeared repeatedly.
⸻
Origin is not power.
Origin is understanding.
⸻
Kael slowly opened his eyes.
⸻
Footsteps approached.
⸻
Lyra entered the courtyard.
This time she wore formal Azure Star robes.
Silver and blue patterns flowed across the fabric.
The insignia of the Sanctuary gleamed upon her shoulder.
⸻
Now that Kael knew her true identity—
He finally understood why everyone treated her differently.
⸻
Saintess.
⸻
One of the future leaders of an entire Sanctuary.
⸻
Lyra sat across from him.
⸻
"You've become famous."
⸻
Kael sighed.
⸻
"I noticed."
⸻
Lyra almost smiled.
⸻
"Most people spend decades trying to build a reputation."
⸻
"You did it in one night."
⸻
Kael shook his head.
⸻
"Not the kind of fame I wanted."
⸻
"Perhaps."
⸻
Lyra's expression became serious.
⸻
"But fame is no longer the problem."
⸻
Kael immediately understood.
⸻
"Void."
⸻
Lyra nodded.
⸻
"Void."
⸻
Silence settled briefly.
⸻
Then Lyra produced a scroll.
⸻
"The Northern Convergence officially begins in three months."
⸻
She handed it to him.
⸻
"The strongest young cultivators from the North have already begun arriving."
⸻
Kael opened the scroll.
Names filled the page.
Dozens of them.
⸻
The recognized geniuses of the North.
⸻
The strongest generation of their era.
⸻
Lyra pointed toward several names.
⸻
"Watch these carefully."
⸻
Northern Rising Stars
• Aric Stormblade — Celestial Sword Sect
• Selene Frostheart — Frozen Moon Palace
• Darius Blackstone — Titan Mountain Clan
• Ren Ashveil — Crimson Phoenix Hall
• Mira Starborn — Azure Star Sanctuary
⸻
Kael studied the list.
⸻
Each name carried an overwhelming reputation.
⸻
And all of them would participate in the Convergence.
⸻
Suddenly—
A servant entered hurriedly.
⸻
"Saintess!"
⸻
Lyra looked up.
⸻
"What happened?"
⸻
The servant swallowed nervously.
⸻
"Someone has arrived."
⸻
His expression became strange.
⸻
"And he specifically requested Kael."
⸻
Kael frowned.
⸻
"Who?"
⸻
The servant hesitated.
⸻
Then answered.
⸻
"Aric Stormblade."
⸻
Silence.
⸻
Even Lyra raised an eyebrow.
⸻
One of the most famous young geniuses in the North.
⸻
Already here.
⸻
And asking for Kael.
⸻
Outside the Sanctuary—
A crowd had already gathered.
⸻
Standing in the center was a young man wearing white robes.
A sword rested casually across his shoulder.
Long silver hair.
Sharp blue eyes.
Confident posture.
⸻
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
⸻
"That's Aric Stormblade."
⸻
"The Sword Prodigy."
⸻
"Ranked third among the younger generation."
⸻
"Why is he here?"
⸻
Aric ignored everyone.
His gaze remained fixed on the Sanctuary gate.
⸻
Waiting.
⸻
Several moments later—
Kael walked out.
⸻
The crowd instantly became silent.
⸻
The two young cultivators faced each other.
⸻
Aric studied Kael carefully.
⸻
Then smiled.
⸻
"So you're Kael."
⸻
Kael nodded.
⸻
"And you're Aric."
⸻
Aric laughed.
⸻
"Good."
⸻
He pointed toward the city arena.
⸻
"I want to fight you."
⸻
The crowd exploded.
⸻
A challenge.
⸻
One of the strongest geniuses in the North had openly challenged Kael.
⸻
Kael remained calm.
⸻
"Why?"
⸻
Aric's smile widened.
⸻
"Because everyone keeps talking about you."
⸻
His sword aura leaked slightly.
The surrounding air trembled.
⸻
"And I want to know if the stories are true."
⸻
The atmosphere became electric.
⸻
Around them—
Thousands watched.
⸻
Inside the crowd—
A hidden figure observed silently.
⸻
Black robes.
Violet eyes.
⸻
A Void spy.
⸻
The figure smiled faintly.
⸻
The Convergence had not even begun.
⸻
Yet the pieces were already moving.
⸻
Far away.
Deep beneath the world.
⸻
The Void Lord slowly opened his eyes.
⸻
A massive ancient seal stood before him.
Covered in Origin symbols.
⸻
A seal connected to the Ancient Star Vault.
⸻
His smile widened.
⸻
"Three months."
⸻
The darkness around him stirred.
⸻
"Three months until the prison opens."
⸻
And somewhere inside the Vault—
Something ancient awakened.
⸻
Host: Kael Veyron
Realm:
Origin Awakening Stage 2
Abilities:
• Origin Sense
• Origin Flash
• Origin Pulse
• Origin Perception
• Origin Resonance
• Origin Step
Equipment:
• Ring of the First Pulse
• Azure Star Token
Titles:
• Origin Bearer
• First Legacy Successor
Current Objective:
• Prepare for the Northern Convergence
• Learn more about the Ancient Star Vault
• Respond to Aric Stormblade's challenge