The sun had not yet reached its peak, yet the Supreme Void Sect was alive with the anticipation of something new. Today marked the disciples' first true step toward battle—not just stances, not just Qi sensing, but weapons in motion.
Nathan stood in the courtyard, Lumen perched on his shoulder, scanning the mountain with wary silver eyes. The fox hadn't relaxed since the beast's appearance the previous day. Something out there unsettled it.
And if Lumen felt uneasy… that meant trouble.
Nathan looked toward the disciples.
Ash twirled his crescent staff—
accidentally smacking himself in the shin—
then tried to pretend nothing happened.
Cyril stood poised with his wooden sword, refined and rigid, like a young soldier awaiting command.
Lia held her spear with natural grace, though a faint nervousness lingered in her fingertips.
Nathan stepped into the arena.
"Today," he said, "we begin your true weapon training. Yesterday's session was only to familiarize yourselves with your blades and staves. Now, you will learn to use them."
Ash gulped loudly.
Cyril nodded without hesitation.
Lia inhaled softly, steadying herself.
"And remember," Nathan added, eyes narrowing, "the beast that appeared yesterday will not be the last. Dawnshadow Mountain has taken notice of us."
A cold silence swept the arena.
Ash trembled.
"Master… why does the mountain hate us…?"
"It does not hate us," Nathan replied. "It simply tests newcomers."
"That's worse," Ash whispered.
Nathan ignored him.
"Positions."
The disciples stepped onto the stone tiles.
Nathan began with Cyril.
"Your sword is an extension of who you are," Nathan said. "Precise. Disciplined. Direct."
He adjusted Cyril's grip slightly.
"Your movements must reflect that."
Cyril swung, clean and controlled.
Nathan nodded.
"Good. But loosen your wrist at the end."
He demonstrated with a short flick of his own training sword—
an arc so smooth it cut the air like silk.
Cyril mimicked it again. This time, his blade whispered through the air with more fluidity.
Nathan stepped back.
"Continue."
Next, he turned to Lia.
Her spear gleamed in the sunlight, its wooden tip polished and sharp.
"Spear cultivators rely on flexibility and precision," Nathan explained. "A misplaced thrust can cost your life. Balance your weight."
He touched her elbow lightly.
"Relax your shoulders. Your focus is here."
Lia nodded and corrected her posture.
When she thrust again, her spear glided like a dragonfly skimming water.
Nathan smiled faintly.
"A good start."
Then came Ash.
Ash gripped the staff like he was afraid it might explode.
Which, given his talent, was possible.
Nathan narrowed his eyes.
"Ash."
"Yes, Master?"
"Your staff is not a stick you swing randomly."
"I know, Master! It's a… weapon of discipline and balance, right?"
"No. It's what prevents you from killing yourself with sharp things."
Ash pouted.
But Nathan demonstrated the trick.
He spun the staff once—fluid, simple, smooth—
and handed it back.
"Try that."
Ash tried.
He spun the staff.
But Halfway through, he panicked.
The staff flew out of his hands, nearly hitting Cyril.
Cyril sidestepped like a bored cat.
Ash froze.
"Master… the staff is possessed."
"It's your hands that are possessed," Nathan replied.
Lia stifled laughter.
Ash retrieved the staff and bowed in apology to Cyril, who accepted silently.
Nathan sighed.
"At least your enthusiasm is consistent."
As the disciples continued their drills, Nathan withdrew several steps, observing their forms with a calculating eye.
Cyril's precision sharpened.
Lia's grace grew stronger.
Ash's… chaos began to resemble something functional.
Lumen chirped, impressed.
The system's voice echoed in Nathan's mind:
*DING*
[Disciples' Progress Updated.]
[Cyril: Movement efficiency increased. Coordination improving rapidly.]
[Lia: Steady spear form. Internal Qi flow stabilizing.]
[Ash: Unpredictable movement… strangely effective. Potential rising.]
[Recommendation:
Introduce light sparring in the next session.]
Nathan considered the idea.
Yes… sparring would accelerate their growth.
But before he could respond mentally—
Another notification appeared.
*DING*
[New Quest Available.]
[QUEST: Strengthen the Supreme Void Sect.]
[Requirements:
— Ensure all disciples reach Qi Initiation Stage within 2 months.
— Expand sect territory.
— Repel the approaching beast threat.]
[Rewards:
— Authority Level +1
— Sect Defensive Formation: 'Silent Moon Barrier'
— Resource Package (Medium)]
[Failure:
— Sect visibility increases, attracting stronger beasts.]
Nathan's eyes narrowed slightly.
The system rarely issued quests without reason.
And the beast threat was rising faster than expected.
He glanced toward the treeline.
Wind shifted.
Trees rustled.
A presence lingered there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Nathan rejoined the disciples.
"Stop."
They froze.
"It's time to test your Qi flow with your weapons."
Ash whimpered.
Cyril nodded.
Lia steadied her grip.
Nathan demonstrated a simple movement—
a Qi-guided motion without fully releasing a Qi strike.
It caused the air to tremble softly.
"This is not a Qi attack," he clarified. "It is Qi support—your weapon moves sharper, smoother, and stronger."
He stepped back.
"Your turn."
Cyril went first.
He swung the sword.
The air stirred faintly.
Nathan smiled.
"You've begun channeling Qi. Good."
Lia thrust her spear next.
A soft ripple followed.
"Well done."
Ash stepped forward, trembling.
He swung his staff with all his might—
—nearly lost his grip—
But somehow regained it—
and somehow produced a faint ripple of air despite complete chaos.
Nathan stared.
Ash stared back.
"Master… did I do it?"
"…Yes," Nathan said reluctantly. "By accident."
Ash raised his fists to the sky.
"Success by accident is still success!"
Lia giggled.
Even Cyril cracked a smile.
Nathan shook his head.
"Again."
They practiced until sweat glistened on their skin and their breathing grew heavy but steady.
Just when Nathan was about to dismiss them, Lumen suddenly growled.
Low.
Gruttal.
Sharp.
The fox leapt onto Nathan's shoulder, fur standing, gaze fixed on the forest.
Nathan's expression hardened.
"Again?" Cyril muttered.
Ash froze.
Lia's grip on her spear tightened.
The system confirmed Lumen's instinct:
*DING*
[Alert:
Beast signature detected.]
[Distance: 350 meters]
[Rank: Mortal Beast – Stage 2]
[Behavior: Aggitated / Seeking Qi source]
Nathan stepped forward.
The beast's presence was stronger than yesterday.
More aggressive.
More… impatient.
The forest rustled violently.
A shadow moved.
Ash whispered, voice cracking, "Master… please tell me that's the wind…"
Nathan shook his head.
"That is not the wind."
A low growl echoed.
Closer.
Clearer.
Hungrier.
Nathan extended his arm protectively.
"Step back. Behind me."
The disciples obeyed immediately.
The beast did not enter the barrier.
But it approached closer than ever, sniffing, pacing, scraping its claws against the invisible wall.
Nathan met its gaze, expression cold.
"You want a challenge, don't you?"
The beast growled deeper.
Lumen hissed, sparks of silver Qi flickering in its fur.
For a tense moment, man and beast measured each other through the invisible barrier—
hunter and prey changing roles with each breath.
Finally, the beast backed away.
Not fleeing.
Not afraid.
But biding its time.
The forest swallowed it again.
Ash collapsed.
"Master… I don't want to brag, but I almost died."
"You were not in danger," Nathan said.
"I almost died emotionally!"
Nathan ignored him.
Cyril stepped forward, expression grim.
"Master. This is the third time. They're getting closer."
"Yes," Nathan said simply.
Lia swallowed nervously.
"What should we do?"
Nathan looked at all three disciples—
their sweat, their exhaustion, their determination.
"We get stronger."
He placed his hand on the wooden sword at his waist.
"And quickly. Because the beasts are testing us."
He turned toward the deeper mountain, eyes narrowing.
"And soon… something stronger will come."
Lumen growled in agreement.
Nathan inhaled quietly.
The system quest pulsed in his mind.
Strengthen the sect.
Train the disciples.
Prepare for war.
The path was set.
The Supreme Void Sect had no choice but to rise.