A month had passed since the Elemental Testing Ceremony — the day the heavens themselves seemed to pause and watch.
The whispers about Tian Shen had not stopped since.
In the Azure Cloud Sect, rumors traveled faster than wind.
Some called him the rebirth of a celestial, others whispered he had offended the heavens by touching what should remain sealed. But no matter the gossip, one truth could not be denied — Tian Shen was a genius unlike any other.
Inside a quiet courtyard on the sect's eastern peak, Tian Shen sat cross-legged beneath an ancient pine. Wisps of spiritual energy flowed around him, gathering into faint spirals that entered his body through his pores. His breathing was calm, his focus unshaken.
The faint hum of energy grew sharper — boom!
A low ripple spread through the courtyard as his aura stabilized. The barrier between realms inside his dantian trembled briefly, then expanded like the surface of water under rain. "Qi Awakening Realm, early stage," Tian Shen whispered, exhaling slowly.
His eyes flickered open, reflecting the faint glow of his inner Qi. Though his progress was slower than the rumors suggested, every step he took was firm and stable. His cultivation didn't just rise — it deepened.
He stood, dusting off his robes, his expression calm yet thoughtful. "I need to strengthen my foundation before the tournament," he murmured.
Two months from now, the Core Disciple Tournament would be held — a grand event where the Azure Cloud Sect's rising stars clashed for glory, resources, and the right to enter the inner halls.
Winning wasn't just a matter of pride; it was a chance to step into the higher world of cultivation, where the true geniuses of the continent gathered.
However, Tian Shen had another problem. His cultivation required rare herbs to stabilize the chaotic fluctuations within his body. The monthly contribution points given to new disciples were far from enough.
The only way to earn more was through sect missions.
That afternoon, Tian Shen walked down the long marble steps of the Mission Pavilion. Disciples moved in and out, each holding jade slips describing tasks ranging from escort missions to beast hunts.
Rows of mission tablets glowed faintly with spiritual inscriptions. A disciple behind the counter noticed him and straightened immediately — his eyes flickered with curiosity and a touch of awe.
"Senior Brother Tian Shen," he greeted. "Looking for a task?" Tian Shen nodded lightly. "Something simple. I need herbs that grow near the Southern Mist Valley — preferably those that can temper the meridians."
The disciple hesitated. "Southern Mist Valley? That place has been unstable lately. Strange beasts have been appearing… even a few outer disciples failed to return."
Tian Shen's gaze didn't waver. "Then it should be worth more contribution points."
He picked the jade slip from the wall, spiritual energy sealing his name to the mission. "Two months until the tournament," he thought, his eyes reflecting the faint crimson of the setting sun.
"If I can't face danger now, how will I face the heavens later?"
The wind shifted, carrying with it a faint echo — a voice only he could hear. "Who controls Chaos… controls everything."
A faint smile crossed Tian Shen's lips as he looked toward the distant peaks shrouded in mist. "Then let's begin." And with that, Tian Shen stepped off the mountain path, the first steps toward his destiny echoing softly behind him.