The soft golden light of dusk began to fade across the Lightning Dragon City, painting the sky in crimson hues. Within the sprawling estate of the Singhania Family, Ishan's day of cultivation had ended, but his curiosity had just begun. The faint murmurs he overheard from two young warriors still echoed in his mind — the Cloud-Piercing Sect and the grand celebration of its leader's birthday.
The name itself made his gaze sharpen.
The Cloud-Piercing Sect wasn't just any trading group. It was a colossal commercial force spread across the entire Marcrum Empire, its influence reaching every major Martial Academy. Even though its headquarters lay here in Lightning Dragon City, its roots extended to every corner of the empire.For the powerful and ambitious, receiving an invitation to the Sect's events was not mere prestige — it was opportunity incarnate.
Four years ago, the Sect's master had retired from the imperial capital, returning to his homeland to oversee his business from afar. Since then, his daughter — a woman of rare intellect and commanding grace — had taken charge of the operations, expanding the Sect's reach to unprecedented heights. This year's celebration was being held at her request, a festival of grandeur the city hadn't seen in decades.
Rumors whispered through every tea house and marketplace:"At this birthday banquet, the Master intends to choose a suitor for his daughter — someone worthy of inheriting the Sect's legacy."
Dozens of academies, noble families, and powerful factions had received invitations. Even the Singhania Family was among them. But that invitation never reached everyone — it was intercepted by Rajveer, the cunning uncle of Ishan, who had other plans entirely.
He wanted his son Rajesh to join a prestigious academy, one with strong backers and a direct path to influence. With such a connection, Rajveer could strengthen his hold over the family, perhaps even take full control in time.
When Ishan pieced this together, a cold yet amused smile crossed his lips. "So that's your game, Uncle," he thought. "Then I'll simply rewrite the rules."
With that quiet determination, he made his way to the Martial Arts Hall — a sanctuary of knowledge that only the Young Master of the family could freely enter.
The Martial Arts Hall
The building stood like a temple of power — a three-storied monument of stone and spirit. Its architecture was a breathtaking fusion of ancient Chinese and Indian artistry: curved crimson roofs carved with dragon motifs, lotus pillars etched with golden runes, and hanging lanterns that glowed faintly with spirit fire. The front gate bore an obsidian plaque engraved with gleaming silver letters:
"Martial Arts Hall."
The air here felt heavy, not with dust but with legacy — the whispers of generations of warriors who had honed their skills within these very walls. Inside, towering shelves stretched toward the ceiling, filled with scrolls and leather-bound tomes. The faint fragrance of ink, parchment, and incense created an atmosphere both scholarly and sacred.
There were few visitors. Most warriors were already deep in personal training for upcoming tournaments. But for Ishan, this silence was perfect — a realm of clarity and focus.
He stepped forward, unaware that from the shadows beyond the courtyard, a few figures were observing him.When they saw him enter the hall, one shadow silently turned and vanished into the distance.
Meanwhile — In Rajveer's Manor
Rajveer paced anxiously across the marble floor, hands clasped behind his back. "What is he doing in the Martial Hall now? Learning new techniques will take him weeks! He's wasting precious time."
Rajesh smirked from his seat, exuding the arrogance of a young predator."Father, you worry too much. He's just trying to prove he isn't a coward — but in the life-and-death duel, I'll crush that illusion. I won't even give him the chance to breathe."
Rajveer frowned but said nothing. "Still… be careful," he muttered, but Rajesh waved it off."Forget it, Father. Focus on preparing the gift for Uncle Rama Raju's celebration. Leave this to me."
Both their gazes drifted toward Ranbir, who sat silently in the corner, still humiliated after the morning's debacle.Seeing him, Rajveer's patience snapped. "Look at yourself — look at your brother! Who told you to go there in the first place? You've brought disgrace to our name! Five days of confinement — reflect on your stupidity!"
Ranbir lowered his head in shame as Rajveer stormed off. But deep inside, the web of family conflict was tightening — and Ishan was right at its center.
Back at the Martial Hall
Inside the grand library, the scent of old knowledge filled the air.Rows of ancient books glimmered faintly under spirit lamps — some so old their pages were sealed with energy runes to prevent decay. A single old man moved slowly between the aisles, his robes gray yet spotless. He was dusting the shelves with deliberate grace.
Ishan's sharp eyes caught a flicker of hidden power in his aura — calm, deep, immeasurable.He bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder."
The old man merely nodded, smiling faintly, and continued his work.
Ishan's gaze moved to the nearest shelf labeled "Physical Level Studies."He reached for a thick, leather-bound tome — its cover etched with silver patterns of flowing energy — and opened it.
Inside were detailed records of energy types, their medicinal interactions, and lists of rare herbs and elemental stones that enhanced a warrior's physique.He realized that this was a catalog — a compilation of everything the Singhania warriors had discovered across generations.
Yet, to Ishan, it was basic knowledge. His master from Earth had already taught him far beyond this level.
Still, he continued. The next book caught his attention immediately.It described something most cultivators had forgotten — the hidden stages beyond the ninth of the Physical Level.
While most believed the Physical Level had nine stages, this text revealed thirteen — with the final stage unlocking the body's resonance with Primordial Energy, or Brahmic Force — the purest, most powerful essence of nature.
Anyone reaching that stage would glimpse the laws of the Domain Realm, stepping closer to transcending mortal limits.
Even Ishan's master had never mentioned this. His eyes gleamed — this was new knowledge.
The text also mentioned special constitutions — rare physical structures that allowed warriors to skip levels entirely, beginning directly from the Vital Core Level. Such individuals were destined for greatness.
Ishan absorbed every word, memorizing it with the clarity of a scholar and the hunger of a conqueror.
He then turned to a book about the five senses and their connection to Vital Energy.According to the text, the Physical Level's cultivation didn't allow direct manipulation of Pranic Energy, but it strengthened the senses, preparing the body to sense and guide it in future levels.
It even described the Brahma-hour cultivation technique — the same dawn-time meditation Ishan practiced daily.He couldn't help but smile. "So this world shares its roots with the ancient truths of Earth," he thought.
He continued reading deep into the evening, finishing all the foundational texts.Finally, he began studying Martial Techniques — those that shaped body and battle.
He read of energy points — forty-two nodes across the human body, each controlling specific types of power release. Six of them were in the hands, governing impact and speed.When used in unison, these could multiply a warrior's strength several times over.
Ishan practiced each point carefully, committing them to muscle memory. His movements grew sharper, his strikes more precise, his control immaculate.
He then turned to another technique — one teaching balance and aerial movement. With it, a warrior could leap two or even three times in midair, gliding short distances without using energy.
While most dismissed such skills as primitive, Ishan knew better."These are the roots of all martial perfection," he murmured.
By sunset, he had read every scroll, practiced every stance, and even created two new techniques of his own.
The first he named "Claw of the Hawk."Using the six force points in the hands, it unleashed a devastating strike — fast, precise, and feral, like a hawk descending on prey.
The second was a meditative technique, refining the senses to perceive Vital Energy more keenly — a foundation for future breakthroughs.
Just then, a cheerful voice broke his focus.
"Enough studying, mister scholar! Father's calling you for dinner," said Sara, smiling mischievously at the door.
Ishan smiled back, closing the final tome. "Alright, lead the way."
As they left, the old librarian paused, watching their silhouettes disappear beyond the golden lamplight.A faint, knowing smile crossed his wrinkled face as he whispered to himself:
"Such talent… It's been a long, long time since I've seen a child with eyes like his."
And under the fading glow of the Martial Hall, the air itself seemed to hum with unseen power —for the heavens had begun to take notice.