A month and a half had passed since Tian Shen had ventured into the Southern Mist Valley Mountain Range. After his conversation with the elder, he had absorbed the beast core of the Scarlet-Furred Wolf. The process had nearly torn his meridians apart, yet his willpower prevailed — and when the storm of energy finally subsided, his cultivation had soared to the late stage of Qi Awakening.
Since then, Tian Shen spent his days consolidating his foundation, attending lectures, and tempering his control over the chaotic flow that sometimes stirred faintly within him.
The morning sun rose above Azure Cloud Sect, spilling golden light across its jade rooftops and layered peaks. Mist clung to the mountains like a divine veil, and from afar, the sect resembled a kingdom in the clouds.
Disciples bustled across the courtyards, the air filled with the rhythm of sword chants and the hum of spiritual energy. Yet, amidst the usual commotion, one name whispered through the crowds — carrying tones of awe, envy, and disbelief.
"Have you heard? Tian Shen from the Inner Core Division…"
"Of course! The one who awakened eight elemental affinities during the ceremony?"
"Yes! They say even the elders were stunned. Fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, wood, metal, and space! Only chaos was missing."
"Hmph, missing? More like the heavens didn't dare to give him another!"
Laughter followed, though none could hide the trace of respect — or fear — behind their smiles. "Didn't he defeat a mid–Qi Awakening beast in the Southern Mist Valley?"
"That's right! Alone. Elder Mu Fan himself confirmed it! The beast core was pure and untainted — even inner disciples struggle against those!"
Such words echoed everywhere Tian Shen went. His name had become a legend in whispers — the prodigy of Azure Cloud Sect.
Inside the Inner Mission Hall, the air was solemn. Rows of inner disciples stood in orderly silence beneath towering stone pillars, each bearing the silver-blue insignia of the sect's pride.
At the front stood Tian Shen.
He had grown into a figure that drew attention without effort — tall and lean, with a quiet, composed strength. His black hair was tied neatly with a silver cord, a few loose strands brushing his forehead. His eyes, dark as still water, carried a depth that made even confident peers hesitate to meet his gaze for too long.
Though his cultivation matched many around him, there was a subtle weight in his aura — refined yet vast, calm yet fathomless — like the ocean beneath a still sky.
Yet beneath that calm, Tian Shen sometimes felt a pulse — faint, ancient, and incomprehensible — stirring deep within his soul, as though something was quietly waiting for him to awaken it.
Elder Mu Fan entered the hall, his long robe drifting like mist. The disciples bowed instantly.
"Disciples," the elder's voice resounded, firm yet steady, "a new expedition has been authorized by the Sect Master. Reports have surfaced of an ancient cave unearthed in the Ironspine Mountains — once the seclusion ground of a cultivator who stood one step away from immortality."
The entire hall fell silent. Even among the inner core disciples, the mention of a near-immortal stirred reverence.
"Your mission," Elder Mu Fan continued, "is to explore the cave, recover any surviving relics, texts, or cultivation materials, and return them safely to the Sect. Remember — no greed, no recklessness. The Ironspine range is alive with spirit beasts and unstable formations."
He raised his hand, and four jade tokens floated before him.
"This mission will be carried out by four of our finest Inner Core disciples: Tian Shen, Mei Ling, Hao Feng, and Liang Rui."
The hall rippled with murmurs as the chosen names echoed.
Mei Ling, the crimson-haired prodigy of the Fire Pavilion, stepped forward first. Her hair shimmered like burning silk, and her gaze burned with fierce intelligence. At the Peak of Qi Awakening Realm, she was a dual cultivator of fire and wood who specialized in offensive spell arts — said to have burned through a steel puppet in three breaths during the inner trials.
Hao Feng followed — broad-shouldered and bronze-skinned, each step steady as stone. A cultivator of the Earth and Metal paths, he had reached the Late Qi Awakening Realm, and his physical strength was legendary. His fists, some joked, were tougher than spiritual artifacts.
Then came Liang Rui, pale and composed, with hair like flowing silver. Spirit runes faintly glimmered in his eyes. A mid-stage Qi Awakening array specialist, he was a scholar-warrior — brilliant, methodical, and unnervingly calm. It was rumored he once deciphered a sixth-grade array formation blindfolded.
And finally, Tian Shen, whose presence seemed to draw the world into quiet balance. Though his cultivation matched Hao Feng's, his aura carried a weight that transcended mere rank — as if he stood between realms unseen.
"You will depart tomorrow at dawn," Elder Mu Fan instructed. "The Ironspine Mountains are treacherous. Even the Empire's military avoids the region. Proceed with caution — and remember, cooperation is the key to survival."
He turned his gaze to Tian Shen, his tone softening.
"Tian Shen, your name carries weight — but reputation means little before the unknown. Trust your instincts. They have served you well so far."
Tian Shen bowed deeply. "Yes, Elder."
That evening, the four gathered on the eastern cliff to finalize their preparations. The sun dipped low, painting the horizon in fire and gold.
Hao Feng grinned as he fastened his spirit hammer. "Finally, a mission worthy of the core division. Let's hope there's something in that cave strong enough to make this interesting."
Mei Ling crossed her arms, a faint lotus flame flickering around her. "You're always eager for a fight. Try not to smash the relics before we find them."
Liang Rui, crouched nearby, traced patterns over a jade plate. "Neither of you understands subtlety. If you trigger an ancient seal, not even your flames or fists will save us."
Tian Shen smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'll keep you both alive."
Mei Ling arched a brow. "Confident, aren't you?"
"Not confident," Tian Shen replied, gazing toward the distant Ironspine range. "Just prepared."
The world seemed to still for a moment — the wind fading, pine scent thick in the air.
Beyond the horizon, the Ironspine Mountains loomed, veiled in shadow and legend.
None of them knew that the cave they sought was not merely a relic of history but a slumbering echo of power that even the heavens had long forgotten.