Ripples In The World
Li Wei clenched his fists. He wasn't going to back down.
The Celestial Seal pulsed, and suddenly—
A new surge of knowledge flooded into his mind.
Cultivation Realms.
He had only barely stepped into Qi Refinement Realm, Third Stage, but there was still so much beyond him.
Qi Refinement Realm (1st - 9th Stage) → The foundation of cultivation. Strengthening the body and spirit.
Foundation Establishment Realm → The first true step toward power, solidifying one's Qi into something far more stable (1st - 9th Stage).
Core Formation Realm → (1st - 9th Stage) When a cultivator forms a Golden Core, marking them as a true master of Qi.
Nascent Soul Realm → (1st - 9th Stage) The creation of a soul fragment, a level where cultivators begin to defy mortality itself.
Spirit Ascension Realm and beyond…
Each realm was a gate, and each step forward a struggle against heaven itself.
But Li Wei wasn't just any cultivator.
He held the Celestial Seal.
And as the energy surged through his veins, he felt something change.
His cultivation jumped from Third Stage to Fourth.
Mo Shan's forbidden technique was nearly complete.
Li Wei exhaled.
This was it.
One final clash.
The air cracked as Mo Shan's forbidden technique reached its peak. The dark flames around him roared, forming spectral claws that extended outward like the grasp of a vengeful spirit. The ground beneath him turned black, corroded by the sheer intensity of his Qi.
"Shadow Devouring Abyss."
Mo Shan's voice rang like a death sentence. The black flames condensed into a gigantic spectral maw, opening wide as if to consume everything in its path. The sheer pressure sent shockwaves rippling through the air.
Jinhai's expression turned grim. "That's… not something you can block, kid."
Li Wei's hands tightened into fists. But deep inside, he wasn't afraid.
No—he felt ready.
The Celestial Seal pulsed, and the golden aura surrounding him flared brighter than ever, pushing back the encroaching darkness. A warmth spread through his body, igniting something deep within his soul.
The knowledge that had surfaced earlier now crystallized into understanding.
If Mo Shan's power was the abyss, then Li Wei's power… was the light that stood above all things.
He lifted his hands, channeling his Qi instinctively.
The air around him shimmered as a radiant golden formation appeared beneath his feet, its symbols shifting and expanding. The energy surged, not just within him, but from the world itself, drawn toward the Celestial Seal that now acted as a conduit.
"Heavenly Ascension Art: Radiant Lotus Seal!"
His voice echoed like thunder.
From the golden formation, a colossal lotus bloomed into existence, its petals made of pure celestial energy. Each one radiated an overwhelming divine power, opposing the abyssal maw that Mo Shan had summoned.
For the first time, Mo Shan's expression shifted.
"Impossible…"
BOOM!
The two attacks collided.
Golden light met devouring darkness—
The entire battlefield shook.
A shockwave ripped through the valley, sending cracks spreading across the mountainside. The sky above split, revealing streaks of light and shadow battling for dominance.
Jinhai was forced to retreat several steps, shielding himself from the energy storm. "Damn… This isn't a normal fight anymore."
Li Wei felt the force of his own attack pushing against him, his body trembling from the sheer power he had unleashed. But even as his muscles strained, the Celestial Seal within him refused to falter.
He had to hold on.
Mo Shan roared as he poured even more Qi into his technique, unwilling to be overwhelmed. "You are nothing but a child! You cannot—"
CRACK!
A single, deafening sound rang out.
The golden lotus, now fully unfurled, shattered through the abyssal maw.
Mo Shan's attack collapsed.
The recoil sent him flying backward, his robes tearing as he crashed into the valley walls. A massive crater formed where he landed, smoke rising from his battered form.
The battlefield fell into silence.
Li Wei gasped for air, his entire body aching, but he remained standing.
Jinhai whistled lowly. "Hah… That was something else."
He turned toward Mo Shan, whose body was trembling as he tried to push himself up. His once-overbearing aura had dimmed significantly.
But his eyes still burned with malice.
"This… isn't over," Mo Shan growled, his voice thick with hatred. His body flickered—
And the next moment, he vanished into the shadows.
Li Wei's breath was still heavy, his hands slightly shaking. But deep inside…
He had won.
For the first time, he had faced an opponent far beyond his level—
And survived.
He wasn't just a boy from a small village anymore.
He was a cultivator walking the path of legends.
And the world…
Was about to take notice.
The battlefield lay in ruins. Cracks lined the valley floor, scorched earth marking the place where light and darkness had clashed. The winds carried the faint scent of burnt Qi, lingering like the remnants of a divine battle.
Li Wei stood still, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. His body ached all over, but deep inside, a fire burned brighter than ever.
Jinhai strode forward, smiling. "Not bad, kid." He nudged a broken stone with his boot. "Though, next time, try not to blow up half the valley."
Li Wei chuckled weakly. "No promises."
Jinhai's eyes sharpened as he glanced at the spot where Mo Shan had disappeared. "That bastard is still alive. He won't let this go."
Li Wei nodded. He knew it too. Mo Shan wasn't the type to accept defeat. He would return. Stronger. Deadlier.
And next time…
Li Wei had to be ready.
---
Beyond the Valley
Far from Celestial Falls, in the heart of a grand sect, an old man's eyes snapped open.
He was seated within a temple of jade pillars, incense burning in the air. The momentary disturbance in the world's spiritual energy had not gone unnoticed.
A disciple in white robes knelt before him. "Grand Elder, the heavens trembled for a brief moment. Could it be—"
The old man stroked his beard, his deep eyes glinting with ancient wisdom. "Something… no, someone… has awakened a power that should not yet exist in this world."
The disciple hesitated. "Do you believe it is related to the Celestial Seal?"
The elder's gaze darkened.
"Find out," he commanded. "If the Celestial Seal has truly reemerged… then the balance of power in this world is about to change."