The first lesson

"You are late, You must wake up early from now on."

Master Yan Zhaoxuan's voice was calm but firm. He stood near the training ground, his long robe dancing gently with the wind. His silver hair shone under the morning sun. He was looking handsome, yeah i won't deny that.

I rubbed my sleepy eyes with my hand. "But it's still dark, Master…"

"Training begins at dawn," he said, turning away. "Follow me."

I sighed but quickly ran after him. It had only been one night since I moved into his palace, but everything already felt different.

I was now his personal disciple. The first one he had ever taken after many centuries

It was strange. The other elders did not look happy about his decision, but they could not question him. Even now, I felt some of the disciples watching me with cold eyes. They did not like me, not a bit.

But I don't even have time to think about that. Master suddenly stopped walking.

"Today, you will start by learning swordsmanship," he said, giving me a wooden sword.

I held it awkwardly. It was actually heavier than I expected.

"Swing it."

I took a deep breath and lifted the sword. My arms shaked a little, but I swung it down as best as I could.

Too slow. Too weak.

Master frowned.

"Again," he said.

I swung again.

"Again."

I kept swinging till my arms started becoming tired. Sweat started dripping down my forehead, but I didn't stop. I have to

Master watched me silently.

Then, suddenly, he moved.

In the blink of an eye, his own sword appeared in his right hand. It was beautiful, glowing with a faint light. He pointed it at me.

"Attack me."

I hesitated. "Master, I.. "

"Come," he ordered.

I paused for a moment, took a deep breath and ran towards him, i swung my sword at him

But..

Before I could even blink, his sword touched my shoulder.

I froze.

"If I was an enemy, you would already be dead," he said.

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath

"You lack strength," he continued.

"But more than that, you lack focus. You are thinking too much."

Thinking too much?

Master's gaze was sharp. "When you hold a sword, do not hesitate. A single moment of doubt can cost you your life."

I nodded quickly. "I will try harder."

He watched me for a long time, then finally said, "Again."

And so, training continued.

I couldn't feel my arms anymore after several hours of practice, But I didn't complain.

He suddenly raised his hand, and a small ball of yellow light appeared.

"Do you know what this is?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"This is energy," he explained. "All cultivators use energy to fight and heal. But each person's energy is different."

He closed his wrist, and the light faded. "Now, close your eyes."

I obeyed.

"Feel the energy inside you," he said. "It is there, even if you do not know how to use it yet."

I tried.

At first, I felt nothing. Just silence.

But then..

Suddenly i felt something in my chest, a small warmth, It was faint, but it was there. Can't deny it

I gasped, my eyes widely open. "I felt something!"

Master nodded. "Good. Now, focus on it. Make it stronger."

I closed my eyes again, concentrating. The warmth grew.

And then..

A sudden burst of yellow light shot from my hands!

I was very shocked as I stumbled backwards. The energy swirled around me before fading away.

The training ground was silent.

Master's eyes narrowed.

I froze . "Did I… do something wrong?"

He didn't answer immediately. Then, he turned away. "Enough for today."

I frowned. Why did he look so serious?

Something wasn't right. It was obvious

That evening, I walked through the sect's halls, lost in thought.

Master was hiding something. I was sure of it.

But what?

As I turned a corner, I suddenly heard voices.

"She does not belong here," one disciple whispered.

"Exactly," another said. "Why would the Sect Leader take her as his disciple? It doesn't make sense."

I stopped, my heart sinking.

They were talking about me.

"She's dangerous," someone else added. "Did you see what happened with the Life Stone? The elders are just pretending everything is normal, but we all know it's not."

Dangerous?

I clenched my fists.

I wasn't dangerous. Was I?

I didn't want to hear more, so I walked away quickly.

But their words stayed with me.

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I kept thinking about the energy I released earlier. It felt powerful. Too powerful.

Master knew something about it.

I needed answers.

I quietly stepped out of my room. I didn't want to make any noise, so I went straight to his study room. The palace was dark and silent, yeah it's just like i expected, a big palace where just two people stay

I knocked on his door, taking a deep breath and eagerly waited for his response

"Enter."

I pushed the door open. Master was sitting close to the open window, reading a scroll. He didn't look surprised to see me.

"What is it?" he asked.

I hesitated. "Master… what am I?"

His eyes was filled with something i could not even decipher

"What do you mean?"

I stepped closer. "The Life Stone broke when I touched it. My energy is strange. The other disciples think I don't belong here."

Master didn't speak for a moment.

Then, he sighed.

"You are different," he admitted. "That is true."

I held my breath.

"But it is not a bad thing," he continued. "It only means you have potential beyond what they can understand."

Potential?

"But what if they are right?" I asked quietly. "What if I am dangerous?"

Master's gaze softened just a little. "Then it is my duty to guide you."

Something in his voice sent a big feeling of relief down my slime, it made my chest feel warm.

For the first time, I felt… safe.

I nodded slowly. "I understand, Master."

He nodded as well. "Go rest. Tomorrow will be another long day."

I bowed and left the room, my heart feeling lighter.

Master didn't say everything.

But I knew one thing for sure.

I was not alone.

And whatever secrets were hidden… I would uncover them in due time.