Breakthrough
Under the dim moonlight, Makoto walked along the uneven cobblestone paths of Blue Wave City's Black Market. The air was heavy with the scent of exotic herbs and incense, mingled with the faint metallic tang of blood. Vendors lined the streets, their whispers and shouts competing for attention as they advertised rare treasures and secret techniques.
Makoto's steps were unhurried, his golden eyes scanning the stalls for a particular herb-Twilight Jadeleaf, a key ingredient for stabilizing his impending core formation. His semi-core stage cultivation radiated faintly, keeping the more unsavory figures at bay.
As he passed a particularly shady alley, a raspy voice called out, "Young master, care for a look? I have something special... information worth its weight in gold!"
Makoto turned, his gaze falling on an old man seated on a low wooden stool. His clothes were tattered, his face wrinkled like dried parchment, but his eyes gleamed with cunning. Beside him, a worn scroll rested on a small table.
"What kind of information?" Makoto asked, his tone calm but laced with a hint of curiosity.
The old man grinned, revealing yellowed teeth. "Ah, the kind that every ambitious cultivator would kill to know. The rankings of the Top Ten Prodigies of the Han Dynasty!"
Makoto frowned slightly. "The Top Ten Prodigies? Never heard of them."
The old man chuckled. "Of course, you wouldn't. It's not common knowledge, lad. But for someone of your caliber, it could be invaluable. Know your competition, eh?"
Makoto's interest piqued. If this list truly existed, it was strange that neither the former owner of his body nor the Azure Sun Sect had ever mentioned it. Still, his expression remained neutral. "How much?"
The old man rubbed his hands together. "Fifty spirit stones."
Makoto scoffed. "For a scroll that may be nothing more than fabricated rumors? Ten spirit stones."
"Ten?" The old man feigned outrage. "This isn't some worthless gossip! This is the culmination of years of observation and intelligence gathering. Forty spirit stones, and that's cutting me own throat."
"Fifteen," Makoto countered, his tone steady. "Take it or leave it."
The old man grumbled, his eyes darting around as if searching for other buyers. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. Fifteen spirit stones. But mark my words, young master, this information is worth every shard."
Makoto handed over the spirit stones, taking the scroll with an air of indifference. Yet, as he unfurled it under the flickering light of a nearby lantern, his interest deepened. The names and descriptions were detailed, each entry accompanied by a brief account of their abilities.
---
The Top Ten Prodigies of the Han Dynasty
1. ???
Realm: Unknown (Rumored to be beyond Nascent Soul)
Details: Known only as the Secluded Disciple, their name and sect affiliation remain a mystery. Said to be trained by a master whose cultivation surpasses the Nascent Soul realm, this individual is an enigma, shrouded in myths. Some claim they possess a Void Element Core, allowing them to manipulate space itself.
2. First Prince, Han Long
Realm: Nascent Soul (Early Stage)
Details: Possessor of the Golden Radiance Constitution, granting unparalleled affinity with light and fire elements. Han Long's techniques are devastating, capable of overwhelming opponents with sheer destructive force.
3. Second Prince, Han Yi
Realm: Nascent Soul (Early Stage)
Details: Known for his Frostshadow Dual Core, a rare mutation that fuses ice and darkness elements. Han Yi is a tactical genius, excelling in suppression and counterattacks.
4. City Lord's Eldest Son, Feng Zhen
Realm: Peak Core Formation
Details: Holder of the Thundering Stone Constitution, Feng Zhen wields thunder and earth elements with devastating power. His defensive techniques are said to be impenetrable.
5. Kael, Azure Sun Sect
Realm: Peak Core Formation
Details: Known for his Frozen Inferno's Gambit, a unique mutated core that blends fire and ice elements. His techniques are unpredictable, switching between extreme heat and freezing cold with devastating effect.
6. Shi Wei, Shi Clan
Realm: Peak Core Formation
Details: Possesses the Mountain Titan Constitution, enhancing his strength and endurance to monstrous levels. Shi Wei's techniques focus on overwhelming his opponents with brute force.
7. Lin Mei, Crimson Sea Sect
Realm: Peak Core Formation
Details: Known for her Crimson Lotus Core, which grants her control over destructive crimson flames. Her fiery attacks are as relentless as they are deadly.
8. Mei Hua, Emerald Blossom Sect
Realm: High Core Formation
Details: Holder of the Verdant Spring Constitution, allowing her to channel life energy into both healing and devastating attacks. Mei Hua is a versatile fighter, capable of switching between offense and support roles.
9. Jiang Feng, Heavenly Cloud Sect
Realm: High Core Formation
Details: Known for his Stormbreaker Core, a rare mutation that combines wind and lightning elements. Jiang Feng is renowned for his incredible speed and precision in battle.
10. Yan Rui, Starfire Sect
Realm: High Core Formation
Details: Possesses the Celestial Flame Constitution, granting him control over starfire, an ethereal flame said to rival heavenly tribulations in intensity.
Makoto rolled the scroll back up, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Interesting. So these are the so-called prodigies."
The list confirmed his suspicions-this world, despite its imperfections, had no shortage of talent. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement. These "prodigies," with their special constitutions and mutated cores, would tremble if they knew the true power of the ancient techniques he wielded.
Stuffing the scroll into his robe, Makoto turned back toward the Azure Sun Sect's quarters. The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows over the market. The competition tomorrow would be... interesting.
For now, he had preparations to complete. His core formation was within reach, and he intended to seize it with both hands.
He had been scouring the market for hours, questioning vendors and analyzing their wares with sharp precision. The herb wasn't just rare; it was coveted, its value far surpassing mere spirit stones.
Finally, an elderly vendor caught his eye. The man's booth was modest, tucked into a shadowy corner, but the faint emerald glow emanating from a sealed jade box betrayed the presence of something extraordinary.
"Twilight Jadeleaf?" Makoto asked, his voice calm yet commanding.
The vendor's eyes narrowed. "Indeed, young master. But it's not for just anyone. This treasure is rare and costly."
"How much?" Makoto asked, already preparing to negotiate.
The old man named an absurd price. Makoto's lips twitched into a faint smile as he began to haggle, his words sharp and calculated, each argument grounded in ancient logic. The exchange lasted several minutes, with the vendor growing visibly frustrated, but Makoto's persistence and wit finally won out.
With the herb in hand, Makoto turned to leave, his instincts screaming a warning as a dark shadow passed over the market.
Makoto's sharp senses caught the faint sound of steel unsheathing and boots hitting the ground in unison. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword as a group of ten cultivators stepped out of the shadows, surrounding him.
At their center stood a towering man with a dark, oppressive aura. His qi rippled through the air, marking him as a cultivator in the Fourth Stage of the Core Formation Realm. The rest of the group ranged from the First to Third Stages, their sneers filled with malice.
"Makoto," the leader growled, his voice deep and menacing. "Feng Liang sends his regards. You should have bowed earlier today."
Makoto's golden eyes narrowed as he observed the group. They were stronger than he expected, but a faint smirk touched his lips. "Feng Liang should've come himself if he wanted me dead."
"Kill him!" the leader roared, his subordinates charging forward with bloodlust in their eyes.
Makoto sidestepped the first attacker, his movements fluid and precise. His hand shot out, striking the man's chest with a burst of qi that shattered his ribs. Blood sprayed through the air as the man crumpled to the ground.
Another guard swung a halberd, its edge glowing with fiery energy. Makoto ducked under the strike and countered with an open-palm technique, Void Collapse, which sent a shockwave through the man's body, rupturing his organs.
The remaining guards hesitated for a moment, but their leader barked, "What are you waiting for? Kill him!"
Makoto's smirk deepened as he unleashed his next move. His hand traced an ancient symbol in the air, summoning a storm of spectral blades. The Phantom Blade Array whirled around him, slashing through the guards like a tempest of death. Limbs were severed, and screams filled the night as blood splattered across the cobblestones.
One guard, a cultivator in the Third Stage, managed to block the blades with a glowing shield. He charged at Makoto, unleashing a powerful qi wave. Makoto met the attack head-on, his hand glowing with golden light as he activated Celestial Pulse Strike, an ancient technique that shattered the man's defenses and pierced through his chest.
The leader, now enraged, stepped forward. His qi surged, forming a vortex of dark energy around him. "You're strong for someone at the Semi-Core Formation Realm," he admitted. "But this is the end."
Makoto's eyes gleamed with cold determination. "You've made a grave mistake coming here tonight."
The leader attacked first, his blade cutting through the air with a deafening roar. Makoto dodged, countering with a series of rapid strikes from Heaven's Shadow Steps, his movements so fast they left afterimages.
The leader growled in frustration, releasing a devastating qi explosion that obliterated the ground around them. Makoto was unfazed, his golden aura shielding him from the blast.
"Let me show you the difference between borrowed strength and true power," Makoto said, his voice like ice. He clasped his hands together, summoning an ancient technique lost to time-Primordial Flame Lotus.
A massive lotus flower composed of golden flames materialized above him, its petals radiating an overwhelming heat. The leader's eyes widened in terror as the lotus descended, engulfing him in an inferno. His screams were short-lived as his body disintegrated into ash.
Makoto stood amidst the carnage, his robes splattered with blood. The faint smell of charred flesh and iron lingered in the air, and the cobblestone street beneath him was stained crimson. His sharp eyes scanned the shadows for any stragglers, his instincts on high alert. The Twilight Jadeleaf tucked safely in his robe pulsed faintly, as if resonating with his qi.
A faint shift in the air behind him triggered his heightened senses. Without hesitation, Makoto spun around, his hand igniting with golden flames as he deflected a dagger aimed at his neck. A cloaked figure darted back into the shadows, their speed remarkable.
"Another one?" Makoto muttered, his voice laced with irritation.
The figure didn't respond. Instead, a shrill whistle echoed, and three more assassins emerged, their cultivation hovering around the early stages of Core Formation.
Makoto's gaze hardened. He couldn't afford to linger. The commotion would attract more attention, and the herb in his possession was far too important to risk losing. With a sharp exhale, he shifted into Heaven's Shadow Steps, his figure blurring as he sped down the narrow streets of the Black Market.
The assassins pursued, their movements swift and coordinated, but Makoto's mastery of ancient techniques allowed him to weave through the alleys with ease. His footfalls were silent, his presence fleeting, like a ghost vanishing into the night.
The chase led to the outskirts of Blue Wave City, where the dense forest loomed. Makoto darted into the trees, his golden aura suppressed to avoid detection. The assassins hesitated briefly at the forest's edge before entering, their killing intent sharp.
Makoto halted in a secluded glade, the moonlight filtering through the canopy casting an ethereal glow. He turned to face his pursuers, his expression calm but deadly.
"This is where your hunt ends," he declared, his voice resonating with an ancient authority.
The assassins charged, their blades glinting under the moonlight. Makoto raised his hand, summoning a barrier of golden light that deflected their attacks effortlessly. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed Void Collapse, sending a ripple of destructive energy that tore through the ground and threw the assassins off balance.
One by one, they fell under Makoto's relentless assault. His movements were precise, his strikes fatal. The last assassin barely had time to scream before Makoto's Celestial Pulse Strike pierced through his chest, leaving a gaping wound.
Breathing heavily, Makoto glanced around the glade. The corpses of the assassins lay scattered, their blood soaking into the earth. Satisfied that no one else was following, he sat cross-legged in the center of the clearing, retrieving the Twilight Jadeleaf from his robe.
The herb emitted a soft, green glow, its essence brimming with potent life energy. Makoto crushed the leaf between his fingers, releasing its vital qi, which surged into his body like a river of warmth. He guided the energy through his meridians, using his ancient techniques to refine and absorb it.
The process was excruciating. His semi-core trembled violently, cracks forming along its surface as it began to collapse. Makoto gritted his teeth, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he endured the pain. His golden eyes glowed faintly, his will unwavering.
With a resounding crack, the semi-core shattered, releasing a torrent of energy that engulfed his body. The fragments reformed, condensing into a new core-a Primordial Celestial Core, its surface shimmering with runes of ancient power. The surrounding air trembled, the sheer pressure of his breakthrough causing the nearby trees to sway violently.
The ground beneath him cracked, and the moonlight above seemed to intensify, as if the heavens themselves acknowledged his ascension. His aura surged, expanding far beyond what any Core Formation cultivator should possess.
The energy released from Makoto's breakthrough spread like a ripple, reaching the outskirts of Blue Wave City. Cultivators in the area paused, their faces paling as they felt the overwhelming pressure. Many turned toward the forest, their eyes filled with confusion and awe.
"What... what kind of breakthrough is this?" one murmured, his voice trembling.
"Is someone ascending to the Nascent Soul Realm?" another speculated, though the sheer magnitude of the energy suggested something even greater.
Despite the commotion, no one dared venture into the forest. The oppressive aura emanating from the glade was enough to deter even the bravest.
When Makoto opened his eyes, they gleamed with a divine light. His body felt lighter, yet brimming with power, as if he had been reborn. He stood, his gaze sweeping over the destruction he had wrought during his breakthrough.
The clearing was a mess-the ground scorched, the air thick with residual energy. Yet, he remained calm, his expression unreadable. He had achieved his goal, and his strength was now leagues beyond what it had been.
As he stepped out of the glade, he suppressed his aura completely, leaving no trace of his presence. The world would soon learn of his rise, but for now, he would remain in the shadows, biding his time.
"This is only the beginning," he murmured, disappearing into the forest
Makoto stood amidst the carnage, his robes splattered with blood. The bodies of the guards lay scattered around him, their lifeless eyes staring into the void. He took a deep breath, his golden eyes returning to their calm state.
The Twilight Jadeleaf was still secure in his robe. With his enemies defeated, he could now focus on his breakthrough.
Makoto retreated to a secluded area outside the city, where the moonlight bathed the forest in silver light. He sat cross-legged, the herb in hand, and began to cultivate.
The energy within him surged as his semi-core shattered, reforming into the Primordial Celestial Core, a supreme creation that pulsed with unmatched power. The air around him trembled as he stabilized his breakthrough, his aura expanding far beyond what any Core Formation cultivator could achieve.
When he opened his eyes, they gleamed with a divine light. Makoto rose, his expression unreadable as he turned back toward Blue Wave City.
" Feng Liang , just you wait" he muttered under his breath,with a cold light in his eyes that will sends shivers into the heart of many..