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[Kaliyun Village – Morning Departure]
Kael stood before the old shrine tree, its bark scorched black from the lightning strike. Slung across his shoulder was a worn satchel — dried herbs, a half-used inkbrush, and a hand-copied scroll of Qi circulation diagrams Old Bai forced upon him.
“I know I can’t stop you,” Bai grumbled, “but at least let me see you off.”
Kael gave him a rare, genuine smile. “You’ve already done more than most ever would.”
“Hmph.” The old man handed him a gourd. “Spirit-clearing tea. Keeps the mind grounded.”
Kael accepted it, bowing in deep thanks.
As he walked toward the village’s eastern trail, the whispers began — murmurs of curiosity, admiration, doubt.
“Didn’t he fail his Awakening test twice?”
“He’s only Level 9…”
“Still trying to join a sect?”
“Why does the air around him feel… heavier?”
Kael ignored them. Every step away from the village felt like a flame burning a bridge behind him — comforting and terrifying all at once.
---
[The Azure Path – Forested Mountain Road]
The journey to the White Embers Sect was not far in distance but separated by spiritual elevation — literally. The sect was built upon Ember Rise Mountain, said to contain veins of Heavenly Charcoal and Ashglass Quartz, minerals attuned to the element of Fire.
Only those who reached a minimum resonance threshold in their Qi could even set foot on the slope. Others… were scorched by invisible flames.
Kael’s violet eyes occasionally flickered. Not with power — but with… echo.
Birds fell silent as he passed.
Branches shifted unnaturally.
The Black Lotus mark still lingered faintly on the back of his hand — visible only under moonlight.
---
[White Embers Sect – Grand Courtyard, Later That Day]
The massive plaza brimmed with aspiring cultivators. Thousands gathered — from remote borderlands, inner provinces, and noble clans alike. Some floated in mid-air, standing on flying swords or spirit beasts. Others wore embroidered sect robes with sigil-threaded collars.
Kael stood alone near the edge — hair wind-tossed, robes dusty, no clan insignia on his chest.
“Low realm. No affinity. Who let this outsider in?”
“He's not even Level 10. Shouldn’t he be collecting herbs back in his village?”
“Wait… what’s with those eyes?”
Before Kael could speak, a deep gong echoed — nine reverberations.
A white-robed elder with fire-shaped brows appeared atop a sky platform. His voice, magnified by spiritual resonance, echoed through the mountain:
> “I am Elder Ruoyan of White Embers. Today, we awaken more than potential — we awaken fate.”
The crowd knelt. Even Kael.
[The Ceremony Begins – The Flamewheel Crucible]
One by one, participants stepped into the Flamewheel Crucible — a radiant circle inscribed with runes of ember and ash. The moment they entered, a glyph blazed beneath their feet, revealing their spirit affinity, innate potential, and bloodline resonance.
> “Fire root, Mid-grade.”
“Metal affinity, Dual Elemental Veins.”
“Azure Cloud Physique. High Heaven Grade!”
Cheers erupted. Banners unfurled.
Then it was Kael’s turn.
Whispers hushed. Anticipation and mockery collided in silence.
He stepped in.
Nothing happened.
Five seconds. Ten. Twenty.
The elders frowned.
“No resonance? Not even a flicker of elemental Qi?”
“Another False Root?”
“Or worse… a void?”
Then—
The crucible exploded in a silent pulse of dark violet light.
The runes didn’t ignite.
They twisted.
The array cracked, forming a spiral that devoured its own fire.
Kael stood unmoved — eyes glowing faintly violet, but calm.
The Elder’s face turned pale. He muttered a forbidden word under his breath:
> “Voidroot…”
And then—
> [Status Window Updated]
> Cultivation Realm:
– Realm Category: 1st – Mortal Path
– Major Realm: Ember Vein Realm
– Minor Realm: Kindling Root [97%]
– Segment: Peak
– Level: 10
> Anomaly Alert:
– Black Lotus Seal Reactivated
– ??? Resonance: Detected
– Time Lock: Active
– Affinity: ??? (Suppressed)
A surge of violet flame danced in Kael’s palm for an instant — cold, elegant, ancient.
The flame disappeared before anyone could confirm it.
---
[Sect Council – That Night]
Inside a hidden hall above the ceremonial plateau, three elders argued behind closed formation barriers.
> “His affinity is suppressed. That energy— I’ve only seen it once before, in the ruins of the Flickering Eternity Sect.”
“Impossible. That sect was erased millennia ago.”
“I felt it. That strange ‘seal’ on his soul. Something ancient sleeps inside him.”
> “He must not leave the mountain without surveillance.”
> “Let him stay. Observe… and let fate unfold.”
---
[Kael’s Room – That Night]
Kael sat cross-legged, staring at the ceiling.
The dreams returned — clearer now.
A soft voice whispered through the fog:
> “Kael… we are waiting… don’t forget us…”
He turned to look at the mirror near his bed.
For a split second, reflected behind him…
…were three women and a young girl — vague, smiling sadly. One wore golden armor. Another held a fan identical to his. One had a violet phoenix mark on her brow. The youngest clung to his robe.
> “Don’t let them take it from you.”
Kael awoke — but the mark on his hand glowed.
The Black Lotus was awakening.
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