The days following Lin Xuanyi’s encounter in the ancient ruins passed in a blur of introspection and rigorous training. The orb, now a constant presence within him, pulsed with a faint glow that echoed the heartbeat of a celestial giant. Each night, Lin meditated beneath the canopy of stars, seeking communion with the primordial essence that had chosen him as …

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the mist-shrouded valleys of the Misty Cloud Sect. Lin Xuanyi, still reeling from the cryptic message he had received at the Lotus Pond, wandered farther than usual from the main disciples’ quarters. He felt drawn inexplicably towards an area seldom visited by the sect—a dense thicket that concealed the …

In the tranquil valleys of the Misty Cloud Sect, where the morning mist hung like a veil over ancient pine trees, Lin Xuanyi began his day like any other disciple. Clad in simple robes of azure blue, he made his way to the training grounds with a sense of quiet determination that belied his unassuming appearance. At sixteen, Lin was …