Demon's Fate

Javial sat on the edge of his bed, his thoughts swirling in a tempest of uncertainty and fear. The room around him was dimly lit, the only source of light being the faint glow from a candle on the bedside table. His gaze wandered to the window, where the first light of dawn slowly crept across the sky. Today was the day—the final chance for him to awaken his Celestial Vein, the key to his cultivation, his future, and his very survival in this harsh world.

He clenched his fists, his mind racing as he reflected on the power structure of this world, a world where strength was everything. Murim, a land ruled by the strong, where the weak either perished or lived in constant struggle. Strength, however, wasn't just physical. It was rooted in cultivation, the process of refining one's body, mind, and soul to ascend through realms of power.

In this world, there were seven realms of cultivation, each one harder to reach than the last. Each realm was divided into seven stages. The journey from one stage to the next was not only grueling but perilous.

The seven realms were as follows:

1st.Scholar

2nd.Soldier

3rd.Warrior

4th.Commander

5th.General

6th.King

7th.Emperor

Each realm's seven stages began at Stage 1, and after reaching Stage 7, a cultivator could break through to the next realm. Javial knew that it was an almost impossible journey, one that many never completed. But today, he wasn't thinking about those far-off realms. Today was about survival—his last chance to awaken his Celestial Vein and prove he wasn't destined to become a failure.

To begin cultivation, one had to awaken a Celestial Vein, a mysterious and powerful energy vein that ran through a cultivator's body. The Celestial Veins were ranked into five ranks based on their potential. However, there were millions of types of Celestial Veins, each one unique and with varying attributes.

The five ranks of Celestial Veins were:

1st.Inferior Vein

2nd.Low-Class Vein

3rd.Mid-Class Vein

4th.High-Class Vein

5th.Supreme Vein

A person could only awaken their Celestial Vein between the ages of 2 and 14. Once past 14, it was virtually impossible to awaken one, and failure meant certain death. Javial was 14—today was his last chance. The fear of failure gnawed at him, but it was a fear he couldn't avoid. It was a cold, relentless truth.

The thought of failing was unbearable. If a student failed to awaken their Celestial Vein before the age of 12, they would be executed. The sect was unforgiving. However, by some grace, the sect had extended his deadline by two more years, giving him this final chance. If he failed today, he would not only die but be used as a cultivation resource—his blood essence harvested to fuel the sect's cruel cultivation methods.

The weight of this truth hung heavily over Javial, but there was no way out. He had to face it, whether he was ready or not.

The knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He stood up quickly, wiping the cold sweat from his brow, and made his way to the door. With a creak, he swung it open to reveal the boy standing on the other side.

It was Kang Shuan, his only true friend in this life.

Kang Shuan, unlike Javial, was a genius. While Javial had barely scraped by in his cultivation, Kang Shuan had awakened his Celestial Vein at the age of six. He had become an exceptional cultivator, earning his place as Rank 4 in the Outer Gate of the sect. In a mere eight years, he had achieved what most could only dream of in a lifetime. His potential was unmatched, and his future seemed as bright as the sun.

Kang Shuan's eyes narrowed as he saw Javial's distant, almost defeated expression. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by an edge of irritation, tinged with worry.

"Javial," Kang Shuan began, his voice sharp, "do you even know what day it is?" His words were laced with urgency.

Javial blinked in confusion. "What day?" He had been so consumed by his thoughts that he had forgotten.

Kang Shuan's face darkened, a frown tugging at his lips. "It's your last chance to awaken your Celestial Vein! If you fail today..." His words trailed off, but the implication was clear. "Do you not understand? If you fail, they'll execute you, Javial. And it's not just a quick death—they'll use your blood essence to fuel the sect's cultivation."

Javial's stomach twisted into knots at the thought of it. He had heard rumors of how the sect would harvest the blood of failed students, using their essence to strengthen their cultivators. It was a barbaric and cruel practice that made his skin crawl. But there was more at stake here than just his death—there was the terror of becoming a mere cultivation resource.

Kang Shuan took a deep breath, trying to suppress his frustration. "The sect has a strict rule. If someone fails to awaken their vein by the age of 12, they're executed. They've given you two extra years because I requested it, but this is it. If you fail again... there's no more mercy."

Javial clenched his fists, his mind racing. There was no more time. He had to do this. He couldn't fail.

Kang Shuan's eyes softened for a moment. "You know the rules of our sect. The sect is divided into three gates—the Outer Gate, the Inner Gate, and the Supreme Gate. The Outer Gate is for the rank-and-file members, those still working their way up the ladder. The Inner Gate is for the elites, those who have proven themselves and earned their place. And then there's the Supreme Gate—the place for the elders and the most powerful cultivators in the sect."

"The Outer Gate is where I am, Rank 4, but the real power lies in the Supreme Gate. That's where the elders, the true masters of the sect, reside. They're the ones who control everything. But, Javial," he said, his voice lowering, "if you fail, you'll never even get close to the Inner Gate, let alone the Supreme Gate."

Javial nodded, feeling a surge of determination course through him. He couldn't fail. Not today. Not ever again.

"Okay, let's go," he said, his voice firm. Kang Shuan gave him a last, concerned look before nodding. Together, they stepped out of the room, heading toward the courtyard where Javial would face his fate.

The morning air was heavy with anticipation as the group of students filed into the arena, a large open space where the most important event of the year was about to take place: the Celestial Vein Awakening Ceremony. The entire Outer Gate Sect had gathered, and today, they would witness the birth of new potential cultivators. It was a day of hope for many and a day of dread for those like Javial, who had long since passed the age of 12 without awakening their vein.

As they walked toward the grand stone stage that stood at the center of the arena, whispers floated through the air. Students gathered in small clusters, their voices low but carrying with an undertone of cruelty.

"Did you hear? Javial still hasn't awakened his Celestial Vein," one student whispered, casting a sidelong glance toward him. "He's already 14. At his age, failure is a death sentence."

"Yeah," another student murmured, her voice filled with pity. "I heard they gave him two extra years because Kang Shuan begged for him. But if he fails today…" Her voice trailed off, the implication clear.

A third voice chimed in, filled with scorn. "That kid should have been executed years ago. Why keep him around? What good is he? The only thing he does is waste resources."

The whispers grew louder, filled with judgment and disdain, directed solely at Javial. The pressure from their cruel words weighed on his shoulders, but his gaze remained fixed ahead, as if he could block it all out. Still, their words stung. He knew the reality all too well—failure meant death.

But just as the whispers reached a peak, a sharp, commanding presence suddenly made itself known.

Kang Shuan, his closest friend and the one who had fought for his life, stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculating. He had been standing silently by Javial's side, his aura barely contained. But now, he couldn't ignore it any longer.

With a swift motion, he released a fraction of his aura—a burst of power that crackled through the air. The students around them stiffened, immediately falling silent. The once idle chatter died down, replaced by nervous glances. Some of the more experienced students instinctively stepped back, their faces pale.

Kang Shuan's aura was not just powerful; it was terrifying. It surged like a storm, wild and uncontrollable, sending ripples of pressure throughout the arena. Those who felt it trembled, knowing that this boy had the potential to crush them all with a single thought. The power of his Celestial Vein, awakened at the age of six, was unmatched in this sect.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and in that moment, no one dared to speak. Even the elders, though far away in the Supreme Gate, could sense the shift in the atmosphere. Kang Shuan was not just a Rank 4 Outer Gate disciple; he was a prodigy with the aura of a future powerhouse.

As the tension settled, the group moved toward the Celestial Awakening Stone in the center of the arena. It was an imposing structure, a large stone pedestal etched with ancient symbols that pulsed with a faint, ethereal glow. This stone was said to be capable of measuring the potential of a cultivator's Celestial Vein.

One by one, the students approached the stone to awaken their Celestial Veins, each placing their hand upon it to see what they were capable of.

The first student, a young girl, placed her palm against the stone. There was a flash of light as the stone reacted to her touch, and a soft hum resonated through the air. Her veins pulsed with power, and the stone glowed softly before dimming. She had awakened a Low-Class Celestial Vein, a solid start, but not extraordinary. The crowd murmured their approval, and she stepped back, her expression a mix of pride and relief.

One by one, the other students followed suit. Most of them awakened either Inferior or Low-Class Veins—nothing special, but acceptable for the Outer Gate. The murmurs grew as the students watched, hoping for someone to stand out.

Then, Junmo, a newly arrived elite student, stepped forward. He was only nine years old, yet his talent was undeniable. Junmo was known for his arrogance, his talent, and his cruelty. His reputation had already spread through the sect like wildfire, but today, he would prove himself even further.

Junmo's steps were slow, deliberate, as if he were savoring the attention of the crowd. With a swift motion, he extended his hand toward the Celestial Awakening Stone. The moment his palm touched the stone, the entire arena seemed to hold its breath.

A surge of brilliant light erupted from the stone. The light was so intense that it blinded those watching, forcing them to shield their eyes. The stone hummed violently, and the air seemed to crackle with energy. When the light finally faded, the stone's glow remained strong, indicating the awakening of a High-Class Celestial Vein.It's Mid-Grade Vein

A murmur of awe swept through the crowd. Junmo's achievement was extraordinary—he had awakened a vein that was far beyond most of the other students. It was the kind of talent that could propel him to the Inner Gate in no time. But it was also a display of his superiority, meant to crush the spirits of those weaker than him, like Javial.

As Junmo stepped away from the stone, he shot a look toward Javial, his expression filled with disdain. He made a subtle hand gesture, one that only Javial would understand—the signal that today would be Javial's last day as a cultivator. Junmo's smirk deepened as he turned away, reveling in the humiliation he had just dealt.

Javial's blood boiled. Anger surged within him like a wildfire. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He couldn't stand it anymore. Junmo—that arrogant little bastard—was nothing more than a bully. Javial swore to himself that if he awakened his Celestial Vein today, he would make Junmo regret this moment. He would make him pay for every insult, every gesture of superiority.

And then, it was his turn.

The elite elders called out his name, breaking him from his thoughts. "Javial," their voices rang out through the arena.

Javial took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He stepped forward, ignoring the gazes of the students around him. Their eyes were filled with pity, mockery, and curiosity. He could feel their judgment pressing down on him, but he refused to let it break him.

He reached the stone. As soon as his palm made contact, a wave of pressure immediately flooded the arena. The stone beneath his hand seemed to pulse with an energy of its own, immense and overwhelming. The crowd gasped, feeling the energy emanate from Javial like a tidal wave.

The stone vibrated, shaking in response to the immense force pressing into it. A deep hum filled the air, growing louder and louder, until it reached a pitch that made the ground tremble beneath their feet. The pressure that Javial felt was unlike anything he had experienced before—it felt as though the weight of the entire world had descended upon him. But with it came the taste of power, the promise of something greater.

Javial's eyes narrowed, his mind focused. Today would be the day. He would awaken his Celestial Vein and Rewrite his fate....