Beneath the veil of falling petals, the valley exhaled a breath of timeless silence.Chen Fi stood by the koi pond, a still figure in robes of pale ash and cloud-grey. The reflection in the water shimmered with every ripple, as if the heavens themselves dared not capture his face too clearly. A cup of warm tea rested in his hand, its steam curling upward like the memory of a forgotten dragon’s breath.Nearby, a boy sat cross-legged on a flat stone, mimicking Chen Fi’s stillness. But while his posture was composed, his eyes betrayed him—too wide, too restless. He was young, yet far from naive. He had seen enough of the cultivation world to know how it turned on its own.“Master,” the boy finally asked, “why do you let them stir?”Chen Fi did not answer at once. He watched the wind move across the pond, watched a dragonfly dart across the surface without leaving a trace. Even silence, in this valley, carried meaning.“Because a storm will always pass,” Chen Fi said. “But if you strike t

The heavens rippled with subtle tension as Chen Fi descended back to the earth, leaving behind the overwhelming presence of the lotus court. His feet barely touched the ground, yet the world felt quieter, as if even the winds hesitated to move.The valley, once so alive with the rustle of cherry blossoms, now stood still. The koi in the pond, too, had ceased their play, their bodies motionless in the clear water. The boy stood at the edge of the pond, the lotus petal still cradled in his hand."Master," the boy murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “Is it time?”Chen Fi walked toward him, his movements slow, deliberate, like a man who had made peace with the weight of his choices. He reached down, gently taking the petal from the boy’s hand and watching it shimmer briefly before it faded into the earth."No," Chen Fi said softly, his eyes on the horizon. "The time is never fixed. But the world has begun to move in ways we cannot ignore."The boy furrowed his brow. "And the Thron

Wei Zixin’s bones ached, but his spirit surged.Morning light crept across the valley as Chen Fi stood at the edge of the training platform, watching Zixin with calm detachment. The boy knelt in deep meditation, his body wrapped in faint golden runes—each inscribed by Chen Fi’s hand the night before.“Today, you form your Foundation,” Chen Fi said. “And you will do it while moving.”Zixin opened his eyes. “I thought Foundation Building required solitude—quiet meditation.”Chen Fi shook his head slightly. “For mortals, yes. But your bloodline isn’t mortal.”He raised a hand. The earth trembled. The training field split into tiers, forming five wide steps—each one radiating intense spiritual pressure.“These are the Ember Steps,” Chen Fi said. “Each one weighs on the soul and tears at the meridians. Only those with awakened potential can walk all five.”Zixin stood slowly, sweat already on his brow. “And if I can’t?”“Then you stay on the first step for a year. Or die trying.”Zixin too

Wei Zixin stood at the edge of the Windspire Plateau, a cliff so high it pierced the lower clouds. Beneath him, wind roared like a beast denied freedom. His chest rose and fell with anticipation.Chen Fi stood beside him, silent as always."You felt it," Chen Fi said. "Your body is no longer earthbound. Cultivation flows in your limbs. It's time to fly."Zixin nodded. After mastering Voidpiercer, his cultivation had surged. He now stood firmly at Mid Foundation Establishment Realm, his spirit core beginning to take shape."But first," Chen Fi added, "you must survive the Sky Trial."---The wind split open. A spiral of storm clouds formed overhead. Lightning crackled.From within the dark sky, three winged beasts descended—Skyrazor Vultures, each at the Peak Foundation Establishment Realm. Their feathers shimmered like obsidian blades.The lead vulture dove, talons glowing with condensed wind qi. Zixin leapt into the air, barely dodging as the cliff exploded behind him. He drew his sw

A thunderclap split the sky.Wei Zixin stood at the mouth of Blood Oath Valley. His robes, once clean, were stained with sweat, dirt, and dried blood. His aura burned like fire—refined, sharpened, focused.Peak Foundation Establishment Realm. One step away from Core Formation.Behind him, Chen Fi hovered above the valley floor, calm as ever, his hands hidden within his sleeves.“This place will test everything you’ve learned,” Chen Fi said. “Within lies a sealed battlefield. Those who died in hatred left behind echoes. Fight them. Break them. Or be consumed.”Zixin nodded. “I understand.”Chen Fi’s gaze lingered. “I’ve placed a time array. One hour inside equals one day outside. If you die in there, you die for real.”---The valley roared as Zixin stepped through the barrier. Shadows lunged at him—the first specter was a spear-wielding warrior, Early Core Formation Realm, eyes red with bloodlust.Zixin activated Shadowless Steps. His form vanished, then reappeared with a thrust of hi