All Chapters of THE SECOND AWAKENING : Chapter 11
- Chapter 20
25 chapters
Chapter 7
The academy gates were massive—at least twenty feet tall, made of dark wood reinforced with iron. Hundreds of young people crowded the area in front of them, all waiting to register.I said goodbye to my guards, thanking them for their protection. They'd return to Azure Falls City and report to grandfather. I'd be on my own now.The crowd pushed forward slowly as registration proceeded. I used the time to observe my future classmates. Most were around my age, seventeen to twenty. They came from all over the kingdom, wearing robes in different family colors.Some looked confident and proud—probably children of powerful families. Others looked nervous—smaller family youth hoping to prove themselves. A few looked dangerous—the kind of people who'd kill without hesitation if given a reason.I spotted Mei Lin near the front of the crowd. She saw me and gave a small nod but didn't approach. We'd agreed to pretend we didn't know each other here. Safer that way."State your name and hometown!
chapter 12
"We will focus on three things: physical cultivation, weapon mastery, and energy manipulation. Each is equally important. Neglect one and you'll be weak. Master all three and you'll be unstoppable."He went on to explain the rules. No skipping classes. No fighting with students from other towers. No entering restricted areas. Violation of any rule would result in punishment or expulsion.When he finished, he looked directly at me."Chen Wei, stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed."Everyone filed out, glancing at me curiously. Jin Hao gave me an encouraging nod as he left.Once we were alone, Master Shen approached me."Show me your cultivation level. Don't try to hide it. I can sense when students lie about their strength."I hesitated. But he was my teacher now. I had to trust him at least somewhat.I released the hiding technique slightly, letting him sense I was in Peak Earth realm third stage.His eyes narrowed. "Interesting. You're stronger than your appearance suggests. And
chapter 13
Days blurred together as I settled into academy life.Wake at dawn. Run fifty laps. Weapon practice. Lectures. Personal cultivation. Sleep. Repeat.The routine was exhausting but effective. I could feel myself growing stronger each day. My body adapted to the training. My techniques became smoother. My understanding of cultivation deepened.But I never forgot why I was really here.Every evening, I studied the jade slip Mei Lin had given me, memorizing faces of suspected Four Pillars agents. Every night, I practiced the hiding technique from father's pendant, keeping my true cultivation level secret. And every spare moment, I searched for clues about the missing students and Magnus's plans.Two weeks after arriving, something changed.I was in the tower's library, researching cultivation methods, when I noticed a section of books that seemed out of place. They were covered in dust, clearly untouched for years. But when I examined them more closely, I saw finger marks in the dust—recen
Chapter 14
I explained my plan. It was risky, but it gave us a better chance than just walking into an obvious trap.Jin Hao grinned. "I like it. Risky, but clever."We took turns keeping watch through the night. Nothing disturbed us. The next morning, we continued north.By afternoon, we could see mountains rising ahead. Silver Falls Valley was nestled between two peaks, accessible only through a narrow pass."We're close," I said. "Remember the plan. Stay hidden until I signal."Jin Hao nodded and split off, circling around to approach the valley from a different angle. I continued forward alone.The valley entrance was marked by two large stones covered in moss. Beyond them, a path led down into a misty depression. I couldn't see the bottom from here.I checked my weapons one final time, then started down the path.The mist grew thicker as I descended. Soon I could barely see five feet ahead. The temperature dropped. Sounds became muffled.Perfect conditions for an ambush.I extended my spiri
chapter 14
"Your father, Chen Tianlong."I read the note three times, committing every word to memory. Then I burned it, watching the ashes scatter.Father was alive. Or at least, he'd been alive recently enough to know I'd come to the academy.Which meant he was out there somewhere, still fighting the Four Pillars, still searching for truth.And he needed me to complete the mission he'd started.I looked out my window at the Tower of Gods, rising against the night sky. Somewhere in there, Master Magnus was planning his ritual. A ritual that had been scheduled for this year—twenty-five years after the last one.A ritual that targeted students with high soul purity.Students exactly like me.One week until the competition began. One week to prepare for the most dangerous challenge I'd faced yet.I began cultivating immediately, pushing toward another breakthrough. I needed every advantage I could get.Because this time, failure wouldn't just mean embarrassment or injury.It would mean losing my s
chapter 16
"They're posting them now."We hurried to the announcement board. Students crowded around, checking their opponents.I found my name quickly. First round opponent: Zhao Kun.Of course. Of course it would be him.Zhao Kun was skilled—probably the best fighter among the younger Zhao family members. He'd reached Heavenly Spirit Realm second level and had years of combat training.This would be my hardest fight yet."Bad luck," Mei Lin said, seeing my opponent. "Zhao Kun won't hold back. He'll try to seriously injure you if he can.""I know. But I can't forfeit. I need to advance.""Then you'll need to reveal more of your real abilities. There's no way to beat him otherwise."She was right. I'd been hiding my true cultivation level and best techniques. But against Zhao Kun, I'd have to use them.The question was how much to reveal and how much to keep hidden.That night, I barely slept. I kept thinking about the fight, planning strategies, anticipating Zhao Kun's moves.Morning came too q
chapter 17
The spirit beast moved like liquid lightning, crossing the distance between us in a heartbeat.I barely dodged its first strike—claws that could rip through steel tearing the air where my head had been. I rolled and came up with my sword drawn, heart pounding.The beast circled me, snarling. Its eyes were intelligent, calculating. This wasn't some mindless animal. It was studying me, looking for weaknesses.I couldn't outrun it. Cats were built for speed. My only chance was fighting.It pounced again. I used the time-slowing technique, watching its movement pattern. It led with the right paw, leaving its left side exposed for a split second.That was my opening.As the beast's right claw swept toward me, I ducked under it and thrust my sword toward its exposed left ribs. The blade bit deep. The beast screamed and leaped away, blood dripping from the wound.But it wasn't done. If anything, injuring it made it angrier.It attacked more aggressively now, no longer cautious. Claws and fan
chapter 18
Of the twenty-one who returned, only sixteen had collected all their required herbs. The other five were eliminated for incomplete objectives.Sixteen students remained. The next test would cut that number to eight or fewer.We were given three days to rest and recover before the Wisdom Trial. I used that time to heal my injuries and continue cultivating. I was so close to breaking through to Heavenly Spirit Realm. Just a little more progress and I'd achieve it.On the second rest day, I finally felt the barrier crack. Energy surged through my body as I advanced from Peak Earth Realm to Heavenly Spirit Realm First Level.The difference was immediate and dramatic. I could sense energy more clearly. My techniques were stronger. My body felt lighter and more responsive.But I kept this advancement hidden too. As far as anyone could tell, I was still in Peak Earth Realm.The Wisdom Trial took place in the academy's oldest building—a stone structure that predated everything else. According
chapter 19
The Tower of Gods loomed before us, even more imposing up close.Its walls were smooth golden stone that seemed to absorb and reflect light simultaneously. Strange symbols covered every surface—some I recognized from ancient formations, others completely unknown. The energy radiating from the structure was immense, pressing down on us like a physical weight.Master Magnus stood at the entrance, waiting. Five academy teachers flanked him—there to observe, I assumed."Welcome to the final test," Magnus said. "Before we begin, understand what you're facing. The Soul Pressure Chamber was created by our academy's founder. It generates spiritual pressure that increases gradually, testing the strength and purity of your soul."He gestured toward the tower. "You'll enter one at a time. The pressure will start gentle and grow stronger. When you can no longer withstand it, you'll be ejected automatically. Your ranking depends on how long you lasted.""What happens if we can't handle it?" one of
chapter 20
I needed to warn grandfather. Immediately.I pulled out a communication talisman—an expensive item that let me send a message across long distances. I activated it and spoke carefully:"Grandfather, increase compound security immediately. I believe you may be targeted soon. Tell no one outside the family about this warning. Trust only Uncle Feng and Master Shen. I'm safe but in a delicate situation. Will explain more when I can."The talisman flashed, indicating the message had been sent and received. Hopefully, grandfather would take it seriously.Sleep didn't come easily that night. Too many worries, too many threats.But eventually, exhaustion won. I dreamed of towers and rituals and a darkness with my face.Morning arrived too soon.The five of us who'd passed—me, Jin Hao, Mei Lin, and the two students from other towers I didn't know well—gathered at the Tower of Gods entrance.Master Magnus greeted us personally."Welcome to your advanced training. For the next month, you are my