The After Math

The dense forest was eerily silent. Only the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of insects remained after the intense battle.

Li Wei exhaled slowly, his heartbeat still pounding in his ears.

Jinhai studied him with an unreadable expression. "Kid, you've just sent a strong message to the world."

Li Wei frowned. "What do you mean?"

Jinhai smirked and looked up at the moonlit sky. "Those guys weren't just some random thugs. They were part of something bigger. And now that they've seen your power…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "You're on their radar."

Li Wei clenched his fists. "Let them come."

Jinhai chuckled. "Cocky already? Good. But if you really want to survive in this world, you need to understand something—power isn't just about talent. It's about control."

Li Wei glanced at his hands. He had felt the surge of Celestial Energy guiding him, responding to his will like never before.

But he knew Jinhai was right—his strength had grown too quickly. He needed to master it.

Jinhai stretched. "Alright, we should get moving. There's a village not too far from here. We'll rest there and figure out our next steps."

Li Wei nodded.

As dawn broke, Li Wei and Jinhai arrived at Silverleaf Village, a small settlement nestled in the valley.

Unlike the grand sects and bustling cities, this place was quiet, filled with simple farmers and traders.

The villagers gave them wary glances as they entered. Some whispered among themselves, while others hurried away.

Jinhai raised an eyebrow. "Looks like we're not welcome."

Li Wei noticed an old man sitting near a fruit stall, staring at him intently. The elder's gaze was piercing, as if he could see right through him.

Before Li Wei could say anything, the old man suddenly muttered, "The Heavenly Flame has awakened…"

Li Wei froze. "What did you say?"

The old man smiled knowingly. "You carry a power not seen in centuries. A power that many will seek… and fear."

Jinhai groaned. "Great. Another cryptic old man."

Li Wei ignored him. "Who are you?"

The old man tapped his cane. "Just an observer. But if you wish to understand your power, seek the Celestial Pavilion.

There, you will find answers… and dangers beyond imagination."

Jinhai frowned. "The Celestial Pavilion? That place is—"

Before he could finish, a commotion erupted near the village entrance.

A group of masked figures in dark robes marched in, their presence suffocating the air. The villagers scattered in fear.

One of them, a tall warrior with a crimson spear, pointed directly at Li Wei.

"You. Surrender now, or face annihilation."

Li Wei's eyes darkened.

Another battle.

It seems with this plenty enemies he won't rest.

The air grew tense as the masked figures advanced, their dark robes flowing like shadows.

Villagers cowered behind stalls and doors, their whispers filled with fear.

The man at the front, holding a crimson spear, locked eyes with Li Wei.

His presence alone carried immense pressure, an unmistakable aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Jinhai's smirk faded. "Tsk. That's no small fry."

Li Wei didn't move. He could feel the weight of the man's cultivation, but something inside him refused to yield.

The man spoke, his voice deep and authoritative. "You wield power that should not exist. The Celestial Seal has reawakened… and we cannot allow that."

Li Wei narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

The man smirked. "You are not yet worthy of knowing my name."

In an instant, he thrust his spear forward.

BOOM!

A shockwave tore through the ground, splitting the earth beneath them.

Villagers screamed and fled. Jinhai barely managed to step aside, eyes widening.

"Damn it, he's fast!"

Li Wei's instincts screamed. His body moved on its own.

Golden energy erupted around him. He flickered out of the spear's path, dodging by the narrowest margin.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Hoh? Your body is adapting already?"

Li Wei didn't respond. His blood burned, his Celestial Energy roaring to life.

For the first time, he felt it—his cultivation was still rising.

From Core Formation… to Peak Core Formation.

Jinhai noticed it too and cursed. "This kid… his growth rate is unnatural."

But the masked man merely smiled. "Good. Then I don't have to hold back."

With a single motion, he spun his spear, and the sky itself seemed to darken.

Li Wei exhaled.

This will be no joke.

The masked man vanished.

A second later—he was right in front of Li Wei.

CLANG!

Li Wei barely managed to block the spear with his forearm, golden energy clashing against blood-red Qi.

The impact sent shockwaves through his body.

The man's smirk widened. "Your body is already reinforcing itself? Good. Let's see how far it can go."

His attacks intensified.

Spears rained down like a storm. Li Wei dodged, countered, and struck back, but his opponent's experience was overwhelming.

A spear slash grazed his shoulder, drawing blood.

Jinhai clenched his fists, ready to step in. But he hesitated—this was Li Wei's fight.

Li Wei gritted his teeth. If I can't win this… I'm not worthy of this power.

Suddenly, his vision sharpened. Everything slowed.

His Celestial Energy shifted.

For the first time, he felt a deeper layer of power.

Not just strength—but control.

He inhaled.

And then—he attacked.

His palm struck forward, golden energy compressing into a single point.

"Celestial Impact!"

BOOM!

The explosion of energy sent the masked man skidding backward.

For the first time, his smirk disappeared.

"You…" he muttered. "You're already at this stage?"

Li Wei straightened. His injuries were healing rapidly. His body was evolving mid-battle.

He clenched his fists.

"Let's see if I'm worthy now."

The masked man steadied himself, his crimson spear humming with energy.

His gaze, once filled with arrogance, now carried a sliver of interest.

"You're growing faster than I expected," he admitted, tightening his grip. "But raw potential is meaningless without mastery."

Li Wei exhaled, golden energy swirling around him. His cultivation had surged mid-battle, pushing him beyond Core Formation.

He wasn't sure how, but his body felt lighter, stronger—like it was breaking through invisible limits.

Jinhai, watching from the sidelines, muttered, "This is insane. He's… evolving during combat?"

The masked man shifted his stance. A new aura engulfed him.

"Blood Requiem: Crimson Domain!"