Chapter 11: The Path of Power

As the first rays of dawn touched the mist-covered courtyards of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Lan sat cross-legged on a stone platform. His breathing was steady, his mind calm, but his body ached from the battles of the past days.

He could still feel the lingering heat from the assassin's Dao fire attack.

A month ago, a fight like that would have killed him instantly.

But now?

Now he had crushed them.

Still, he wasn't satisfied.

The gap between him and the true powerhouses of the world was far too wide.

If he wanted to survive, if he wanted to win, he had to keep pushing forward.

His eyes flickered as he examined his current power level.

Dao Cultivation Status

Rank: Silver Rank (Mid-Tier)Dao Volume: 670Martial Skills: None learned yet.Physical Body Strength: Stronger than ordinary Silver Rank cultivators due to unknown energy absorption.Battle Experience: Growing rapidly.

"Still not enough…" Xiao Lan muttered.

He needed to reach Gold Rank as soon as possible.

At Gold Rank, cultivators could begin practicing true Martial Skills, unleashing devastating attacks that could shatter boulders and tear through armor with ease.

That level of power…

Was something he desperately needed.

But advancing from Silver Rank to Gold Rank was no easy feat.

A normal cultivator would take years of dedicated training.

He didn't have years.

He needed something faster.

Xiao Lan took a deep breath, his mind reaching inward.

There was something inside him.

A mystery.

Ever since his rebirth, he had felt a strange presence lurking within his body—an ancient energy that didn't belong to this world.

It wasn't Dao energy.

It was something else.

Something… older.

Whenever he fought, it would stir, helping him instinctively react and absorb energy faster than normal.

Could he harness it?

Could he control it?

Xiao Lan closed his eyes and focused.

Slowly, his breathing slowed, his heartbeat softened, and his consciousness sank deeper into himself—

And then—

Boom!

A vision exploded in his mind.

A black void.

A celestial figure, wreathed in shadows.

It loomed over him, its presence overwhelming, its voice a whisper that echoed across eternity—

"You are not ready."

Xiao Lan's eyes snapped open.

His entire body shook, drenched in sweat.

What… was that?

Xiao Lan didn't waste time.

If he wanted answers, he needed knowledge.

And there was only one place that contained forbidden knowledge within the Xiao Clan—

The Sealed Archives.

Located in the deepest part of the Xiao Clan's library, the Sealed Archives contained ancient scrolls and texts deemed too dangerous for normal disciples.

Only elders and direct descendants were allowed access.

But rules?

Xiao Lan had never been one to follow rules.

That night, under the cover of darkness, he moved through the shadows, making his way toward the library.

The guards? Easily avoided.

The seals? Too weak to stop him.

With a single push, he slipped inside.

The air was thick with dust, the scent of ancient parchment filling his lungs.

Rows upon rows of scrolls and tomes lined the dark wooden shelves.

He scanned the room, looking for something—anything—that could explain what was happening to him.

Then—

His eyes landed on a single ancient scroll, hidden behind layers of protective talismans.

The title was faintly visible beneath the dust—

"The Lost Paths of Forbidden Dao."

Xiao Lan's heart pounded.

This… could be what he needed.

Without hesitation, he reached forward and took it.

Xiao Lan unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the ancient symbols written across the fragile paper.

As he read, his breath hitched.

The scroll spoke of ancient beings, forgotten by time.

Entities that wielded power beyond mortal comprehension.

And at the bottom, a phrase that made his blood run cold—

"The True Dao does not belong to mortals alone."

"There are other paths—paths that defy the heavens themselves."

"And those who walk these paths… shall be hunted."

Xiao Lan's fingers tightened on the scroll.

What… does this mean?

Before he could think further—

"Who's there?"

A sharp voice pierced the silence.

Xiao Lan's heart jumped.

He turned to see—

A figure standing at the entrance of the Sealed Archives.

A girl.

She wore dark robes, her piercing silver eyes locked onto him with suspicion.

Xiao Lan tensed.

He knew who she was.

Xiao Qing.

The granddaughter of the Great Elder.

And one of the strongest prodigies of the younger generation.

If she raised the alarm—

He was done for.

For a long moment, the two stared at each other.

Then—

Xiao Qing's eyes flickered to the scroll in his hand.

"You're not supposed to be here," she said calmly.

Xiao Lan exhaled slowly, already preparing an excuse—

But then, to his surprise—

Xiao Qing smirked.

"Neither am I."

Xiao Lan froze.

Wait.

Was she… sneaking in too?

She stepped forward, arms crossed. "I don't know what you're looking for, but if you're searching for forbidden techniques…"

Her silver eyes gleamed.

"You and I might have more in common than you think."

Xiao Lan's lips curled into a smirk.

Interesting.

Very interesting.