Eternal Blood Stele

Xu Yan sat quietly in his room, the dim light from a single lantern casting shadows on the walls. The week had passed uneventfully, with his focus entirely on cultivation.

Using the momentum from his battles in the tournament and the high-quality Qi Refining Pills provided by the inner sect, Xu Yan broke through to the 5th stage of Qi Refining early in the week.

The breakthrough was expected, as he had already been at the peak of the 4th stage, and spent his time previously consolidating his cultivation. Now, his cultivation continued steadily, and by the end of the week, he reached the peak of the 5th stage, approaching the 6th stage. His shadow qi was denser and more refined than ever.

Satisfied with his progress, Xu Yan stood and stretched his body, rolling his shoulders to ease the stiffness from days of sitting still. He had made significant progress, but further gains would require more than isolation. It was time to step out and explore the inner sect.

As he stepped outside, the hum of conversation reached him. Groups of disciples were scattered around the paths, talking amongst themselves. Xu Yan walked past them, uninterested in small talk until a nearby conversation caught his attention.

"You've never heard of the Eternal Blood Stele?" one disciple asked in disbelief.

"No," the other replied, frowning. "What is it?"

"It's a stele left behind by the sect's founder," the first disciple explained. "They say if you can comprehend even a sliver of its intent, your cultivation can soar."

The second disciple raised a brow. "How do you approach it?"

"You don't, not easily," the first replied. "The stele radiates a powerful aura that suppresses anyone too weak. Most can't even stand close, let alone comprehend anything."

Xu Yan slowed his steps, the mention of the stele drawing his attention. He had heard of it before in passing but hadn't given it much thought. Now, hearing this, he felt a spark of curiosity. If it held potential for improvement, it was worth investigating.

Adjusting the sword at his waist, Xu Yan made his way toward the stele's location. The lively noise of the inner sect faded as he walked, replaced by a tense stillness. A faint pressure hung in the air, growing heavier with each step.

When he reached the courtyard, the Eternal Blood Stele stood tall at its center. Its dark surface was marked with faint glowing lines that pulsed faintly, almost like a heartbeat. The aura it radiated was oppressive, pressing down on the surroundings.

From a distance, a few disciples sat cross-legged, their faces tense with concentration. No one dared approach the stele itself, instead keeping a cautious distance from its overwhelming aura. Xu Yan stopped at the edge of the courtyard, his gaze fixed on the monument.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward. The pressure intensified immediately, each step heavier than the last. By the time he was several meters from the stele, the aura felt like a tangible force, weighing him down. His knees nearly buckled, but he gritted his teeth and held his ground.

The glowing lines on the stele seemed to pulse more brightly, and a sudden wave of energy surged toward Xu Yan. His vision blurred, and in the next moment, he was no longer standing in the courtyard.

...

Xu Yan was on a battlefield, the ground beneath him soaked in blood. The air was thick with the metallic scent of iron, and the cries of battle echoed around him. In his hand was a blood stained sword, its weight heavy but familiar.

Before him, enemies surged forward in endless waves. Their faces were twisted with rage and fear as they charged toward him. Xu Yan moved without thinking, his blade cutting through them with precision and force. Each strike brought down another enemy, their bodies falling to join the countless others that littered the ground.

This wasn't him. Xu Yan could feel it. He was seeing through the eyes of the stele's creator, reliving the battles that had left this slaughter intent behind. The sheer intensity of the killing intent pressed against his mind, threatening to consume him.

"Kill or be killed," a voice growled in his mind. The intent surged stronger, clawing at his thoughts. Xu Yan stumbled, his breath quickening as the pressure mounted.

"No," he muttered, his voice barely audible. He steadied himself, forcing his thoughts into focus. He wasn't the person in this vision, and he wouldn't let the slaughter intent control him.

Instead of resisting, Xu Yan let the intent flow through him. He observed it, analyzed it, and began to understand its essence. Slowly, he felt the weight lessen. The killing intent wasn't trying to destroy him—it was testing him. Xu Yan's thoughts sharpened, pushing back against the overwhelming force. He didn't need to inherit this slaughter intent. He would use it as a foundation to forge his own.

...

With that clarity, Xu Yan regained control. The battlefield began to dissolve, the cries of battle fading into silence. When his vision cleared, he was back in the courtyard.

Xu Yan exhaled deeply, his chest heaving as sweat clung to his brow. The oppressive aura of the stele still loomed, but it no longer felt as overwhelming. As he composed himself, a sudden surge of energy flowed through his body, and realization struck him—he had broken through to the 6th stage of Qi Refining.

The change didn't go unnoticed. Disciples nearby whispered among themselves. "Who is that? Did he comprehend something from the stele?"

Xu Yan ignored their murmurs, turning away from the stele and walking toward the courtyard's edge. He had grasped the beginnings of his own slaughter intent, but there was still a gap—a lack of real experience that he would need to fill through true battle.

From the shadows of the courtyard, an old man watched him leave, a faint smile on his face. "Looks like there's going to be a new dark horse in the inner sect," the man muttered to himself before disappearing into the shadows.