Wei Tian (2)

Wei Tian knelt before his grandfather, Wei Fang, in the dimly lit chamber that served as the heart of their family's legacy. 

The room was ancient, much like the temple itself, filled with the scent of aged parchment and incense that had long since faded. Scrolls and old tomes lined the wooden shelves on the walls, some barely holding together after centuries of neglect. 

Wei Fang sat cross-legged on a worn cushion, his sharp brown eyes scanning his grandson with quiet approval.

A single candle flickered on an old, rusted table between them, casting elongated shadows that danced across the stone floor. On the same table lay several ancient parchments, spread out with great care.

Wei Tian, his tattered red robe clinging to his powerful frame, lifted his chin slightly, a confident smile playing on his lips. "Grandfather, I've stabilized my cultivation at the Fourth Stage of Body Tempering. I'll be ready to guide our family whenever you give the command!" His voice carried both pride and determination.

Wei Fang chuckled, his deep laughter filling the chamber. "Heh… You're truly a blessing to our family, boy. This past week has been extraordinary. Even I have managed to break through. It's as if our ancestors are watching over us." He exhaled, his expression turning serious. "But we must not be hasty. That is not why I called you here."

Wei Tian arched an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Then, what is it?"

"These -" Wei Fang said with a solemn expression, his fingers gliding over the delicate pages. "Are some of the old techniques I was able to salvage from our archives." A flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes. "We've lost so much over the centuries, but these five remain intact. They may very well be the key to restoring our family's former glory."

Wei Tian reached out, handling the parchments with the utmost care, as if too much force would cause them to crumble. 

"Earth Wall Creation… Flame Sword… Flash Step…" He paused, his excitement growing. "They're all martial arts techniques!""

Wei Fang grinned, nodding. "Yes! And now, with Qi flowing through our veins once more, these techniques should be more than just forgotten myths—they should be possible. I want you to train them, Tian. Test their worth and master them."

"I will!" Wei Tian declared without hesitation.

Wei Fang's smile deepened, but before his grandson could leave, he called out, "Oh, and Tian—don't forget to teach your uncle and the others if these techniques truly work."

Wei Tian paused at the doorway and turned back, his expression resolute. "Don't worry. The stronger our family gets, the better." But then, his face grew serious, his tone heavier. "But, Grandfather…" 

"Hm?"

"I want to be the one to kill Linxing."

Wei Fang's brows furrowed slightly before he let out a tired sigh. "Ah… so Wei Xuafeng told you? That dumb kid…"

"He told Mei, and she told me," Wei Tian clarified, his voice even.

Wei Fang chuckled, shaking his head. "That boy really likes your sister… Poor fool." But seeing the unwavering determination in his grandson's gaze, his expression shifted. "Yes, yes… when the time comes, the kill will be yours."

"Wei Tian gave a small nod of gratitude. "Thanks." Without another word, he turned and left the chamber.

Wei Fang watched his grandson's retreating figure before muttering to himself, "Geez… he's just like his father."

*********

Wei Tian strode through the dimly lit corridors of the old temple, the air thick with the scent of burning incense and aged wood. 

The walls were lined with faded tapestries, depicting long-forgotten battles and the once-glorious history of their clan. Time had worn the once-grand stone floors smooth. The faint glow of lanterns flickered, casting long shadows that danced along the cracked walls, giving the temple an eerie yet sacred aura.

As he made his way through the labyrinthine halls, each turn led him deeper into the family's quarters. The whispers of disciples training in the distance mixed with the rhythmic sound of the wind outside, creating a strange yet familiar melody that he had known since childhood.

After a few twists and turns, he finally arrived at his destination.

Standing before a modest wooden door, he knocked it twice.

"Come in," came a soft, girlish voice from inside.

Wei Tian pushed the door open and stepped into the small chamber.

His sister's room was simple yet neat, a reflection of her personality. The space was small, barely enough for a single occupant, but it carried a certain warmth. A wooden bed with a white blanket rested against the far wall, beside a worn yet well-maintained desk stacked with a few ancient books. 

A single candle flickered atop the old table, its gentle light illuminating an old scroll Mei had been reading. 

Wei Mei sat on her bed, one leg folded beneath her, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her pale skin seemed almost luminous in the dim candlelight, and her black eyes, sharp and observant, locked onto her brother's the moment he entered.

As soon as she saw her brother enter, however, her expression shifted, and a rare smile graced her lips.

"Brother, what brings you here?" she asked, her voice gentle.

After their parents' deaths, even though they lived within the family estate, Wei Tian was the only person she truly considered close. He had always looked out for her—her protector, her guiding hand.

Wei Tian leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a light smirk playing on his lips. "Just making sure you haven't been slacking off in your cultivation."

Wei Mei's smile stiffened ever so slightly. She knew this conversation was inevitable. Her brother was obsessed with cultivation, while she found it dull beyond words. As a result, she was still lingering in the First Stage of Body Tempering.

"Ah…" A faint blush dusted her cheeks. "You know I'd rather spend my time painting or playing the flute."

Wei Tian let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his head. "I know, Mei… but the family needs to grow stronger as a whole." His tone grew serious. "I spoke with Grandfather. It seems that the people outside also got their hands on cultivation books. If we don't get stronger, we'll be hiding in this place forever."

Wei Mei lowered her gaze. "But…" she started, a hint of resistance in her voice.

"Sister." Wei Tian stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. His voice was firm, yet gentle. "I won't always be there to protect you. You need strength if you want to be free… isn't that what you've always wished for?"

She bit her lip, torn between her own desires and the reality of their situation. Finally, she let out a small sigh. "Yes, Brother… I understand."

"Don't be like that." Wei Tian chuckled, tilting her chin up slightly so she'd meet his gaze. "You know I love you."

Wei Mei tilted her head slightly. "Did Grandfather say anything else?"

"Oh, indeed." Wei Tian lifted the old parchments in his hand, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "He found a few ancient techniques and wants me to test them."

Mei's curiosity piqued, and she leaned closer. As she skimmed the titles on the parchment, she noticed the spark of desire in her brother's eyes. She knew how much this meant to him.

"That's amazing!" she said, a small grin forming. "You should test them as soon as possible. If they work, you can teach me too!"

Wei Tian chuckled. "Now that's the spirit." He rolled up the parchments carefully. "I'll be heading to the training ground then!"

As he turned to leave, Wei Mei watched him with a mix of admiration and unease. She understood his ambition, his drive—but she couldn't shake the feeling that their world was about to change forever.

After a few minutes of walking, he stepped into the training grounds—the heart of their family's martial heritage.

Unlike the enclosed corridors, this was one of the few open spaces within the temple, allowing the golden sunlight to bathe the area in warmth. The training ground was designed like an ancient courtyard, surrounded by towering stone columns that bore intricate carvings of legendary battles. 

A circular arena of packed earth lay at the center, marked by years of relentless combat. Wooden dummies, weapon racks, and stone targets lined the perimeter, their surfaces scarred from countless training sessions.

At this moment, the grounds were alive with activity. The family members practiced their swordsmanship, their blades flashing under the sun as they repeated basic forms. Others honed their mastery of various weapons: some wielding spears with fluid precision, others training with bows, nocking arrows with focus. 

Overseeing the training was a man who commanded attention without uttering a word.

He stood tall, his broad shoulders and powerful frame exuding authority. His facial features carried the strong resemblance of the Wei bloodline, though his expression was often harsher. In his forties, he looked every bit the battle-hardened warrior he was, his body tempered by decades of martial training. He wore a simple but sturdy black training robe, the sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms marked with old scars.

As soon as Wei Tian stepped onto the training grounds, the man's sharp gaze locked onto him. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he strode forward.

"Wei Tian." The man greeted, his deep voice carrying the weight of experience.

"Uncle!" Wei Tian bowed respectfully. Though he had surpassed his uncle in cultivation, he still held immense respect for him. After all, his uncle was a martial genius—one who had mastered every weapon he laid his hands on, be it sword, spear, or bow. Even without Qi, his combat skills were terrifying.

The older man folded his arms, his smirk deepening. "Have you finally come to give me a rematch?"

Wei Tian chuckled. "Ha! And risk losing my winning streak?"

The last time they fought, Wei Tian had won, but only because he had two small realm advantages. If he had fought purely with skill, without relying on cultivation, he knew he would have lost.

"I see." His uncle exhaled, feigning disappointment. "Then what brings you here?"

"I came to test a few techniques Grandfather found in our archives." Wei Tian replied, unfurling the aged parchments in his hands.

The martial master's eyes gleamed with interest. He extended a hand, gesturing for the parchments.

As his uncle scanned the ancient texts, his expression changed—his eyes flashing with something between admiration and greed. "Marvelous…" he muttered, gripping the parchments with renewed excitement.

"Right?!" Wei Tian grinned, sharing his enthusiasm.

His uncle exhaled sharply, his smirk returning. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's see if these techniques are worth the ink they were written with."

Wei Tian nodded. "I'll try the Earth Wall first. If it works, it'll be invaluable for our survivability."

His uncle moved to return the parchments, but Wei Tian raised a hand to stop him. "I've already memorized the contents. You should study them too, Uncle."

A glint of approval flickered in the older man's eyes as he held onto the parchments, flipping through them with a newfound eagerness. Meanwhile, Wei Tian strode towards the center of the training grounds.

The sounds of clashing weapons and drilling soldiers faded as one by one, the family members turned their attention to him. Conversations hushed. Even the youngest disciples stopped their practice to watch in anticipation. After all, Wei Tian was the strongest warrior in the family and they wanted to see what he was up to.

He stopped at the heart of the arena, standing upon the worn, cracked earth. Closing his eyes, he steadied his breath and focused inward.

[So, I must change the way my Qi flows from my dantian…]

He visualized it, guiding his internal energy as described in the ancient text. The technique demanded a shift, a redirection of power through his meridians, connecting him to the very ground beneath his feet.

Minutes passed. The once-eager crowd grew restless. Some whispered, others exchanged doubtful glances.

Just as murmurs of impatience began to stir...

Wei Tian moved.

His right foot slid forward in a controlled, deliberate motion, tracing a semi-circle across the ground. His Qi surged, flooding downward, merging with the earth itself.

A deep tremor rolled through the training grounds.

Boom!

A wall of solid earth erupted in front of him, jagged and uneven, yet firm. It stood at half his hip, sturdy enough to provide cover. Dust and loose soil settled around it as gasps filled the air.

"Wow!"

Disciples stepped closer, eyes wide with amazement. The younger ones whispered in awe, while the older warriors exchanged excited glances.

"It actually worked…" one of them muttered in disbelief.

The excited murmurs of his family faded into the background as he focused inward, replaying the sensation of channeling his Qi.

[Perhaps I need to release more Qi? Or maybe my movements were too rough, disrupting the flow?]

There was room for improvement. A lot of it. But that only fueled his determination.

Straightening, Wei Tian lifted his gaze to meet his uncle's.

Their eyes locked.

In that silent exchange, neither spoke—but both understood. The same fire burned within them, the same hunger to reclaim what had been lost.

The Wei Family was rising again.