Inside the Zhuo Sect's main court, elders sat in neat rows, the atmosphere heavy with concern.
"Master," one elder said respectfully, cupping his fists, "this is the right time to focus on the Junior Master's cosmic energy cultivation. He will decide the future of the Zhuo Sect."
The Sect Master stroked his chin, eyes narrowed in thought. After a moment, he nodded.
"You're right," he said firmly. "Our sect's financial condition is declining, and our cultivators are growing weaker. If this continues, the Zhuo Sect will fall behind."
His gaze sharpened.
"We need to create a new powerful era."
Meanwhile—far, far away from responsibility—
A boy sprinted through the marketplace, hopping from one shop to another, knocking over baskets, scattering goods, and laughing like his life depended on it.
"YAN ZHUO—!"
Suddenly, a woman grabbed him by the collar mid-run.
"This is where the fun ends," she snapped, dragging him backward. Her voice was sharp enough to cut steel.
Yan Zhuo sighed deeply, already defeated.
"…Okay."
As she pulled him toward the sect mansion, she muttered, "You are always causing trouble."
Yan Zhuo shrugged. "That's a talent."
Not long after, Yan Zhuo stood before the Zhuo Sect Master, hands in his pockets, chin lifted stubbornly.
"Why did you call me here, Dad?" he asked, pouting aggressively.
The Sect Master stood from his throne and walked toward him, towering over the boy.
"You are fourteen years old now," he said seriously. "It's time for you to begin cultivation."
Yan Zhuo rolled his eyes. "I don't want to become a cultivator."
The Master crossed his arms. "I'm not asking, kid."
He turned slightly. "Maids—prepare him for the cultivation school."
Without another glance, he returned to his throne.
Yan Zhuo stared after him. "…That was rude."
Later, Yan Zhuo arrived at the cultivation school, eyes sparkling as he looked around.
"Whoa… there are so many kids here," he said happily.
A female teacher approached and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"You're Yan Zhuo, the Sect Master's son, right?" she asked warmly.
Yan Zhuo nodded proudly. "Yep. That's me."
She smiled and guided him inside. "Thanks to your father, this sect finally has a cultivation school."
Yan Zhuo grinned. "It's our honor. Also, it'll help our future cultivators grow strong."
(He said it very seriously—for someone who had caused three market incidents that morning.)
The teacher stopped in front of a massive library.
"For today, you'll stay here," she said. "Read about cosmic energy. Your real lessons begin tomorrow."
Then she left.
Yan Zhuo stepped inside, eyes widening at the endless shelves.
"So many books…" he muttered.
As he wandered, something caught his eye—a small box hidden under a shelf.
"What's this?" he whispered.
He knelt down and tugged at it.
"It's… so… heavy—!"
After struggling like his life depended on it, he finally dragged it out.
Panting, he opened it.
"…A book?"
He sighed in disappointment—until he opened it.
A sudden gust of wind burst through the window. Pages flipped wildly before stopping on a massive dragon illustration, filling the page.
"A monster?" Yan Zhuo muttered.
He read the description aloud.
"The ruler of the entire Divine Sea of the Cosmos… sovereign over immortality itself."
His eyes widened.
Something slipped from the pages—a dark, ancient ring.
"An old ring?" He picked it up, examined it carefully… then casually slid it onto his finger.
At that moment—
Footsteps.
Panicking, Yan Zhuo shoved the book back into the box and kicked it with all his strength under the shelf.
Just as the teacher entered.
She smiled. "You're studying diligently, Junior Master."
Yan Zhuo stiffened. "…You scared me."
She chuckled. "You were too focused on cosmic energy."
He nodded quickly and returned a book to the shelf.
"So… can I go now?"
"But school time isn't over," she said gently.
Yan Zhuo smiled brightly. "I'll come early tomorrow. I already read enough today."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Don't be late."
Yan Zhuo practically teleported out.
Outside, he stared at the ring.
"…This thing is kinda cool."
That night, Yan Zhuo placed the ring on the table beside the page he had torn from the book.
"Let's see if you actually do something," he said.
He rubbed the purple crystal.
Nothing.
"…Useless."
He tossed the ring onto the page.
The crystal suddenly glowed.
Yan Zhuo froze. "…It's glowing."
A massive dragon soul erupted from the ring, filling the room with purple flames.
"A MONSTER—!"
The dragon's eyes locked onto him.
"I am no monster," it said in a deep, overwhelming voice.
"I am the ruler of the Cosmic Sea. My name is Astra Omnion."
Yan Zhuo swallowed hard. "Y-Yeah… that was me."
Astra leaned closer, observing him.
"You summoned my soul… yet I sense no cosmic energy within you."
Yan Zhuo scratched his head awkwardly.
"I'm not a cultivator. I'm only fourteen."
Astra paused.
"…Interesting."
"If you wish," Astra continued, "I can guide you and make you the second strongest being in this entire verse."
Yan Zhuo's eyes lit up. "Second? Why not first?"
Astra's expression turned serious.
"Because the strongest being exists beyond the omniverse itself."
Yan Zhuo whistled. "That's insane."
Astra nodded. "So—do we have a deal? You grow stronger, and you help me recover my body."
Yan Zhuo thought for a moment.
"…Deal."
Astra snapped his fingers. Scrolls filled the air.
"Study these."
Yan Zhuo stared. "…My night is ruined."
Astra flicked his forehead.
"Learning is power."
Yan Zhuo sighed and sat down, opening a scroll.
"…I hate power."
Astra walked in a slow circle around him, his gaze calm and unreadable as it looked down at Yan Zhuo.
"You're doing well," he said.
Snap.
With a flick of his fingers, several ancient scrolls appeared in midair and gently fell into Yan Zhuo's hands.
Yan Zhuo rolled his eyes and opened one of them, scanning the text.
"These scrolls… they're about cosmic energy," he said, looking up.
Astra nodded.
"Cosmic energy exists within every being. Those who can control it—refine it, enhance it—stand at the peak of all existence."
Yan Zhuo's eyes lit up with interest.
"So… can I do anything with cosmic energy?" he asked.
Astra looked down at him, his voice calm yet heavy with meaning.
"Yes. But remember this—cosmic energy is also destructive. When it loses balance, it collapses across universes, giving birth to demons and divine monsters… beings of terrifying power."
Yan Zhuo nodded slowly. He looked back at the scrolls and began reading with renewed focus.
"One day," he said with excitement burning in his eyes,
"I'll become the strongest."