Breaking Chains

The firelight flickered against the imposing figure of the Crimson Ridge Wolf. Its crimson fur shimmered like molten metal, the light catching on its muscular frame. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural brilliance, a blend of malice and primal intelligence. Each growl sent ripples through the air, a chilling reminder of the beast's raw power.

Li Jue tightened his grip on the Shadowfang Dagger. The blade felt alive in his hand, pulsating faintly as if sharing his rising determination. He knew the wolf wasn't an ordinary opponent—this was a Tier-One Spirit Beast, a creature tempered by the natural energies of the world. Even the weakest of such beasts could obliterate an ordinary human.

"Remember, boy," Ming Xian's voice drifted from the shadows. "This is no sparring match. A single mistake, and you'll lose more than the fight. But if you win… its core will grant you unimaginable power."

Li Jue didn't reply. His focus was solely on the wolf, which had begun circling him, its claws carving deep furrows into the earth with each step.

The wolf lunged.

It was fast—faster than Li Jue anticipated. The beast closed the distance in an instant, its jaws snapping shut where his throat had been a moment ago. Li Jue had rolled to the side just in time, the Shadowfang Dagger slashing outward in a desperate counter.

The blade connected with the wolf's flank, but instead of cutting through flesh, it scraped against its iron-like fur, leaving only a shallow mark. The wolf growled, spinning on its haunches, and swiped at him with a massive claw.

Li Jue ducked, the attack narrowly missing his head. Dirt and debris flew as the claw struck the ground, leaving deep gashes in the earth.

"So, the iron fur is as tough as they say," Li Jue muttered, stepping back to regain his footing.

"Of course it is," Ming Xian called out, his tone amused. "But that dagger of yours isn't just a decoration. Use its power. The Shadowfang feeds on your stamina, but it will grant you speed and sharpness to match the beast. If you hesitate, you're as good as dead."

Li Jue grimaced. He could already feel the weapon draining his energy, each pulse of its power sapping his strength. But he had no choice.

The wolf lunged again, this time aiming for his legs. Li Jue sidestepped, activating the Shadowfang's ability. The world seemed to blur for a moment, his movements accelerating unnaturally. He brought the dagger down in a precise arc, aiming for the wolf's exposed neck.

The blade bit deeper this time, drawing blood—a dark, viscous liquid that hissed as it hit the ground. The wolf howled in pain, retreating a few paces before glaring at him with renewed fury.

"Not enough," Li Jue muttered, breathing heavily. His stamina was already waning, the dagger's toll heavier than he'd expected.

The wolf didn't give him time to recover. It charged again, its movements more erratic, its anger fueling its speed. Claws slashed, teeth snapped, and Li Jue found himself forced on the defensive, each dodge growing more desperate.

A misstep.

The wolf's paw struck his side, sending him flying. He crashed into the ground, pain exploding through his ribs. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stand, blood dripping from a gash on his arm.

"You're slowing down," Ming Xian observed, his tone unhelpfully neutral. "That dagger is a double-edged sword. If you don't end this soon, the wolf will tear you apart."

Li Jue wiped the blood from his mouth, his mind racing. The Shadowfang's power wasn't enough to pierce the wolf's defenses outright, and his stamina wouldn't last much longer. He needed a plan.

The wolf lunged again, but this time, Li Jue didn't dodge. Instead, he dropped low, sliding beneath the beast's belly. As he passed under it, he slashed upward, aiming for a weak point—the softer fur of its underside.

The dagger tore through flesh, and the wolf let out a deafening roar, stumbling as blood poured from the wound. Li Jue rolled to his feet, his chest heaving.

"Got you," he whispered.

But the wolf wasn't done. Despite its injury, it turned to face him, its eyes blazing with rage. Energy began to gather around it, the air crackling with power.

"Watch out!" Ming Xian shouted. "It's using a bloodline technique!"

The wolf howled, and a wave of crimson energy exploded outward. The ground around it cracked, and the force of the blast sent Li Jue skidding back. He barely managed to stay on his feet, his body screaming in protest.

When the dust cleared, the wolf stood taller, its fur glowing faintly. The wound on its belly had closed slightly, and its aura was even more oppressive than before.

"It's stronger now," Ming Xian said, his voice grim. "If you want to win, you'll need to take a risk."

Li Jue gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The Shadowfang was his only hope, but its energy drain was too severe for a prolonged fight. He needed to end this in one decisive strike.

As the wolf charged, Li Jue steadied his breathing, focusing entirely on the dagger. He could feel its power, dark and consuming, waiting to be unleashed.

"Just once," he whispered to himself. "Just one more time."

When the wolf was mere inches away, Li Jue activated the Shadowfang's ability once more. Time seemed to slow as he darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the wolf's jaws. In the same motion, he channeled every ounce of his remaining strength into the dagger, driving it into the wolf's side with all his might.

The blade pierced through its iron fur, sinking deep into its flesh. Li Jue twisted the weapon, releasing the Shadowfang's full power. A surge of dark energy erupted from the blade, tearing through the wolf's body.

The beast let out one final, anguished howl before collapsing to the ground, its body limp.

Li Jue staggered back, barely able to remain standing. The dagger fell from his hand, its glow fading.

"You did it," Ming Xian said, stepping into the clearing. He crouched beside the wolf's corpse, extracting a small, glowing orb from its chest—the beast core. "Not bad, boy. You've earned this."

Li Jue collapsed to his knees, his breathing ragged. "I… I won."

---

Li Jue sat cross-legged by the campfire, his breathing steadying as the warmth of the flames seeped into his aching body. The battle with the Crimson Ridge Wolf had left him drained, both physically and mentally. Yet, despite his exhaustion, a small, undeniable flame of pride burned within him. He had survived. Not through luck or divine intervention, but through his own wits and determination.

Ming Xian crouched nearby, examining the crimson core he had extracted from the beast. The glow of the core illuminated his weathered face, and for a moment, Li Jue thought he saw a hint of satisfaction in the old man's eyes.

"You've passed the trial," Ming Xian finally said, his voice low. "Barely."

Li Jue's gaze shifted to the elder. "Barely? That wolf was strong enough to level a village. I think I deserve more than 'barely.'"

Ming Xian chuckled, the sound dry and humorless. "Strength isn't just about winning a fight. It's about efficiency, precision, and knowing your limits. You wasted too much energy, hesitated when you should've acted, and relied too heavily on luck. In a real battle, those flaws would've gotten you killed."

Li Jue's jaw tightened. He wanted to argue, to defend himself, but deep down, he knew Ming Xian was right. His movements had been clumsy, his decisions reckless. He had survived, yes, but survival alone wasn't enough in the world of cultivation.

"What's next, then?" Li Jue asked, forcing himself to remain calm. "Another trial? Another beast to fight?"

Ming Xian shook his head. "No. The next step is more important than any battle. You need to make a choice."

"A choice?" Li Jue frowned. "What kind of choice?"

Ming Xian rose to his feet, his silhouette towering over the flickering flames. "You've seen the world's cruelty. You've tasted its unfairness. The question now is: what will you do with that knowledge? Will you continue to wander, clinging to the scraps of power you can scavenge? Or will you forge a new path, one that defies the heavens themselves?"

Li Jue stared at the fire, his mind racing. "What are you saying?"

"I'm offering to teach you," Ming Xian said simply. "To guide you on a path few have dared to tread. But this path isn't for the faint-hearted. It requires sacrifice, ruthlessness, and the willingness to abandon everything you thought you knew."

Li Jue's fists clenched. "Why me? You said it yourself—I'm flawed. Rootless. Weak."

"Because you're rootless," Ming Xian replied, his voice sharp. "Do you know what that means? It means you have no ties, no restrictions, no boundaries. The cultivation world loves to talk about potential, but true potential comes from breaking free of the system. You're free to carve your own destiny, unshackled by the chains that bind others."

Li Jue hesitated, his thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and curiosity. Ming Xian's words resonated with him, but they also terrified him. Could he truly abandon everything—the rules, the traditions, the very foundations of cultivation?

"And if I refuse?" Li Jue asked cautiously.

"Then you'll remain as you are," Ming Xian said bluntly. "A weak, rootless boy wandering a world that will crush you the moment you falter. It's your choice."

The fire crackled between them, the silence heavy with unspoken tension. Li Jue's mind flashed back to the village, to the ridicule and scorn he had endured. He thought of the children laughing as they displayed their spiritual roots, the elders dismissing him as worthless, the nights spent alone under the dying willow tree.

Finally, he spoke. "If I accept… what does that make me?"

Ming Xian's lips curled into a faint smile. "It makes you my disciple."

Li Jue's heart skipped a beat. Disciple. The word carried weight, a promise of guidance and knowledge. But it also carried responsibility—and danger.

"And what does that make you?" Li Jue asked, his voice steady.

"Your master," Ming Xian said simply. "Your guide, your teacher, and, if necessary, your executioner. If you follow me, you follow my rules. Disobedience will not be tolerated. Do you understand?"

Li Jue nodded slowly. "I understand."

"Good," Ming Xian said. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small, weathered scroll. "Then let this serve as the first lesson."

Li Jue took the scroll hesitantly, unrolling it to reveal intricate diagrams and ancient characters. The symbols seemed to shift and writhe, as if alive, their meaning just out of reach.

"What is this?" Li Jue asked, his brow furrowing.

"A forbidden technique," Ming Xian said. "The foundation of your new path. It's called Void Devourer Art. With it, you'll learn to absorb the energy of others, using their strength to fuel your own. It's dangerous, controversial, and, if mastered, unstoppable."

Li Jue's hands trembled slightly as he studied the scroll. The Void Devourer Art was unlike anything he had ever seen. It defied the principles of cultivation he had been taught, challenging the very laws of the world.

"Why teach me something like this?" Li Jue asked, his voice low.

"Because the world has already turned its back on you," Ming Xian said. "And if you want to survive, you need to turn your back on the world."

Li Jue closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He had come this far, faced death, and emerged stronger. There was no turning back now.

"I accept," he said finally, his voice firm. "Teach me."

Ming Xian's smile widened, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Good. Then your training begins now."

---

Ming Xian wasted no time. He led Li Jue to a secluded clearing, the moonlight casting long shadows across the forest floor. The air was thick with tension, every rustle of leaves and crack of twigs amplified by the silence.

"Sit," Ming Xian commanded, gesturing to a flat stone in the center of the clearing.

Li Jue obeyed, crossing his legs and placing the Void Devourer scroll in front of him.

"The Void Devourer Art is not a technique you can simply learn," Ming Xian said, pacing slowly. "It's a philosophy, a way of life. To master it, you must first understand the nature of energy itself."

Li Jue frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Energy is not something that belongs to you or me," Ming Xian explained. "It's a force that flows through all living things, connecting us to the heavens and the earth. The Void Devourer Art allows you to break that connection, severing others from their energy and making it your own."

"Is that… even possible?" Li Jue asked, doubt creeping into his voice.

"Possible?" Ming Xian scoffed. "Boy, the only reason you doubt is because you've been conditioned to believe in limits. But limits are illusions. The moment you accept that, you'll begin to see the truth."

Li Jue nodded slowly, his mind racing. He had spent his entire life feeling powerless, bound by the limits of his rootless existence. But now, for the first time, he saw a glimmer of hope—a chance to break free from those chains.

"Close your eyes," Ming Xian instructed. "Focus on your breathing. Feel the energy around you—the life force that permeates the air, the earth, the trees."

Li Jue obeyed, his breaths slowing as he extended his senses. At first, he felt nothing but the cool night air. But gradually, he became aware of a faint, pulsing rhythm, like the heartbeat of the world itself.

"Good," Ming Xian said, his voice softer now. "Now, imagine that energy flowing toward you, like a river feeding into the ocean. Draw it in, but do not let it overwhelm you. You must guide it, control it, and make it yours."

Li Jue concentrated, envisioning the energy as Ming Xian described. He felt a faint tug in his chest, a strange, almost intoxicating sensation. The energy was subtle at first, like a gentle breeze, but it grew stronger with each passing moment.

"Focus," Ming Xian urged. "Do not let it slip away."

Li Jue gritted his teeth, his hands trembling as he struggled to maintain control. The energy was wild and chaotic, resisting his attempts to tame it. But he refused to give up, pouring every ounce of willpower into the task.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the energy settled, flowing into him like a steady stream. Li Jue's eyes snapped open, a flicker of dark light gleaming within them.

Ming Xian smiled faintly. "Welcome to the first step of the Void Devourer Art."

Li Jue stared at his hands, feeling a new strength coursing through him. This was power—raw, untamed, and unlike anything he had ever known.

And it was only the beginning.