The Azure Sky Continent was a land where the strong reigned supreme and the weak were trampled upon. Sect wars, heavenly geniuses, and divine inheritances dictated fate, while mortals struggled in the shadows of towering cultivators.
At the heart of this vast world stood the Shen Clan, a once-mighty family of cultivators now in decline. Once revered, they had fallen into mediocrity over the centuries.
And today was the awakening ceremony—the day when young disciples tested their aptitude for cultivation.
Among them stood Shen Tian, a thin, unassuming youth of sixteen. Unlike his fellow clan members who stood tall with pride, Shen Tian had long been the target of scorn.
Why?
Because he was born with crippled meridians—a condition that made cultivation impossible. No matter how much spiritual energy he absorbed, it would leak away, rendering him useless.
"Next!" The elder in charge of the ceremony called out.
One by one, the young disciples stepped forward, placing their hands on the Heavenly Awakening Stone to determine their talent.
—BOOM!
"The Heavenly Flame Constitution! A top-tier fire affinity!"
Gasps erupted as one of the youths displayed an incredible talent, causing elders to nod in approval.
Another stepped forward.
—WHOOSH!
"The Storm Dragon Physique! One of the rarest constitutions! This child is a genius!"
Excitement buzzed through the crowd as more prodigies emerged. Each new genius strengthened the clan's future.
And then…
"Shen Tian, step forward."
Silence.
The crowd whispered among themselves.
"Why is he even bothering?"
"A cripple like him shouldn't even be here."
"Just get it over with so we can move on."
Shen Tian clenched his fists but said nothing. He had to try, no matter what.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and placed his hand on the Awakening Stone.
The stone remained… completely dark.
Not a flicker of energy. Not even a weak response.
The silence was suffocating.
"Hmph. As expected, completely useless." The elder sneered, shaking his head. "Shen Tian, you have no talent for cultivation. From this day forth, you are banished from the Shen Clan."
The words struck like a thunderbolt.
Banishment?
The whispers in the crowd turned into laughter.
"Finally! The shame of our clan is being kicked out!"
"Hahaha, serves him right! A cripple has no place in the cultivation world."
"He should just become a servant or live as a farmer."
Shen Tian's heart pounded in his chest. He wanted to refute them. To prove them wrong. But… what could he say?
He was born crippled. And in this world, that meant he was nothing.
With trembling steps, he turned and walked away, the laughter of his clan ringing in his ears.
He had lost everything. His home. His future. His pride.
And yet…
As he wandered aimlessly into the night, the heavens seemed to weep with him. Dark clouds gathered, and thunder rumbled.
CRACK!
A bolt of golden lightning shot down from the sky, striking him directly in the chest!
His vision blurred, and his body collapsed.
But instead of pain, a strange warmth filled him.
Inside his soul, a mysterious golden rune began to glow.
And then, a voice echoed in his mind.
"You are the chosen one."
"The Eternal Dao Origin has awakened."
"Rise, Shen Tian, and walk the path of true transcendence."
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End of Chapter 1.