Chapter 5: Descent into the Forbidden Valley
Under the vast, star-lit sky of the Long Clan's mountains, Long Tian stood motionless, his Fate Eyes flickering with golden light.
A thin golden fate thread pulsed before him, stretching into the distance—leading toward the forbidden valley, a place untouched for centuries.
His earlier vision had shown him two things:
1. A beast egg, resting in the depths of the valley.
2. An ancient book, containing knowledge of a mysterious Tenth Realm that only monstrous geniuses could reach.
The golden thread was flickering, its glow weakening.
'If I don't act now… this opportunity will vanish.'
Without hesitation, Long Tian descended from the mountain peak, heading into the unknown.
---
The forbidden valley was a place spoken of only in whispers.
Legends told of disciples who had entered, never to return. The elders of the Long Clan had forbidden entry, but the reason had been lost to time.
As soon as Long Tian stepped across its threshold, a strange pressure fell upon him.
The air was thick with an ancient, oppressive aura, and the very ground pulsed with lingering energy, as if some great battle had once been fought here.
Yet, instead of fear, excitement surged through him.
This was the perfect place to grow stronger.
---
Long Tian activated his Fate Eyes, scanning the valley for hidden treasures.
Immediately, three golden fate threads appeared, guiding him to small patches of rare herbs growing deep within the valley.
In a secluded clearing, he found them:
Nine-Star Crimson Lotus – A fiery red flower that boosts cultivation speed, making breakthroughs twice as efficient.
Moonshadow Vine – A rare herb that, can enhance the strength of one's martial soul.
Draconic Essence Grass – An herb rich in dragon Qi, perfect for strengthening his Azure Dragon Martial Soul.
Carefully, Long Tian harvested each herb, storing them in his spatial ring.
'Even if I find nothing else… this trip is already worth it.'
But the golden thread still pulsed, leading him deeper into the valley.
Something far greater awaited.
---
As Long Tian continued forward, he reached a massive stone gate, partially buried under layers of vines and rubble.
The carvings on the gate were ancient—older than the Long Clan itself.
Just as he stepped closer—
ROOOOAR!
A deafening roar shook the valley.
From the shadows of the ruins, a monstrous spirit beast emerged.
It was unlike any beast Long Tian had ever seen.
Fifteen feet tall, its body covered in obsidian-black scales.
Four crimson eyes, burning with intelligence and bloodlust.
Clawed wings, crackling with lightning.
A Shadow Thunder Wyvern—a beast that had lived for hundreds of years, radiating the power of a half-step Ninth Realm cultivator.
The wyvern's eyes locked onto Long Tian.
Then, in a voice thick with killing intent, it spoke.
"You are not worthy to pass."
Lightning surged around its body, the air humming with power.
Long Tian's eyes narrowed.
'This… won't be easy.'
---
The wyvern struck first.
A bolt of black lightning crackled from its maw, tearing through the air.
BOOM!
Long Tian dodged, but the sheer force shattered the ground where he had stood.
The wyvern's tail swept toward him like a whip of destruction.
SWOOSH!
Long Tian barely evaded, countering with a palm strike infused with Azure Dragon Qi.
BOOM!
The impact shook the air, but the wyvern's scales remained intact.
'Too strong. I need more power.'
Dragon Body Reinforcement—Activate!
Golden dragon scales flickered across his skin as his strength and durability surged.
He charged forward, fists glowing with dragon Qi.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each strike sent shockwaves rippling through the valley.
But the wyvern was relentless.
Its wings flared, summoning a raging thunderstorm, black clouds crackling with energy.
Then—
"Heaven-Sundering Thunder!"
A massive pillar of lightning descended from the sky, crashing into Long Tian with apocalyptic force.
BOOOOM!
The valley trembled.
Dust and debris filled the air.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then—
A faint golden glow flickered within the dust cloud.
Long Tian emerged, his dragon scales cracked but unbroken.
A slow smirk played on his lips.
"Not bad."
The wyvern's eyes widened.
Long Tian vanished, moving faster than the beast could react.
His Fate Eyes saw everything.
A single weak point, exposed between the wyvern's ribs.
Gathering all his remaining Qi, Long Tian launched forward—
"Azure Dragon's Wrath!"
A colossal dragon-shaped wave of energy erupted from his palm, striking the wyvern's weak spot.
CRACK!
The wyvern howled as its core shattered, its massive body crashing to the ground.
It was over.
Long Tian stood over the fallen beast, his chest rising and falling with exhaustion.
He had won.
---
His body ached, his Qi reserves nearly depleted.
But he had planned for this.
Long Tian pulled out the three rare herbs, crushing them into a fine powder before swallowing them.
Immediately, a wave of pure energy surged through his body.
The Nine-Star Crimson Lotus refined his Qi, making breakthroughs twice as efficient.
The Moonshadow Vine strengthened his Azure Dragon Martial Soul, stabilizing his foundation.
The Draconic Essence Grass infused his blood with dragon energy, reinforcing his body.
Long Tian closed his eyes, letting the energy circulate through his meridians.
Then—
BOOM!
A surge of golden light burst from his body as he advanced to Qi Condensation Ninth Stage.
---
As his breakthrough stabilized, Long Tian turned his attention to the ruins.
Inside, he found:
A Beast Egg – Resting upon an altar of golden stone, pulsing with a strange warmth. The offspring of the Shadow Thunder Wyvern.
An Ancient Book – Placed beside the egg, its pages filled with cryptic characters.
Long Tian's gaze sharpened as he read the book's title.
"Beyond Mortality: The Path to the Tenth Realm."
His heart pounded.
'The Tenth Realm… the legendary stage that only a handful of geniuses in history have ever reached.'
This wasn't just an opportunity.
It was destiny.
---
Long Tian slowly opened his eyes, his entire being feeling lighter, yet infinitely stronger.
Now he started reflecting on What opportunities he had obtained today.
He had obtained rare herbs to fuel his growth.
He had battled and slain a legendary beast, proving his strength.
He had found a rare beast egg, which would soon hatch into a powerful companion.
And most importantly—he had discovered the method to the Tenth Realm.
The golden fate thread had led him here for a reason.
And this was only the beginning.
Long Tian smiled.
"The world has no idea what's coming."
---
End of Chapter 5