The Path to Strength and a Rift Between Worlds

Luo Zheng's Departure from the White Tiger Clan

As the morning sun cast golden rays over the White Tiger Clan's grand courtyard, Luo Zheng stood near the gates, his sword resting on his back. His time here had been valuable—he had honed his skills and earned a powerful technique—but it was time to move forward. The journey to strength was a lonely road, and he could not remain in one place for too long.

Before leaving, he visited the elder who had handed him the fighting techniques.

"You have potential, boy," the elder said, looking at Luo Zheng with a thoughtful gaze. "But remember, power is not just about technique—it's about will. If you wish to truly master what you have learned here, refine it in real battle."

Luo Zheng bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your guidance, elder."

With that, he turned and walked out of the White Tiger Clan, leaving behind the towering gates and heading toward the vast world beyond. His first priority was reaching the Marrow Stage of Body Refinement, and for that, he needed high-quality pills and an undisturbed place to cultivate.

Buying the Pill

In a bustling market town far from the White Tiger Clan, Luo Zheng moved through the crowded streets, his sharp eyes scanning the stalls filled with herbs, weapons, and pills. His goal was a high-grade marrow-refining pill, something that would accelerate his breakthrough.

Stopping at a well-known alchemy shop, he entered and was immediately greeted by the strong scent of medicinal herbs. Behind the counter, an elderly alchemist glanced up.

"Young man, what are you looking for?"

"I need a high-quality Marrow Refinement Pill," Luo Zheng said.

The alchemist raised an eyebrow. "That's an expensive pill, not something just anyone can afford."

Luo Zheng took out a bag filled with soul coins—the reward from his recent battles and beast core sales. The alchemist's eyes gleamed as he inspected the coins, nodding in satisfaction.

Very well, I have one of the best." He reached into a wooden box and retrieved a small jade bottle. Inside was a golden pill, radiating a faint medicinal aroma. "This should be more than enough to push you through the bottleneck."

Luo Zheng nodded, paid for the pill, and left without wasting any time.

Finding the Perfect Cultivation Spot

Luo Zheng traveled deep into a mountain range, seeking a secluded location. He knew that during a breakthrough, any disturbance could lead to severe consequences.

After hours of searching, he found an ideal place—a cave hidden behind a waterfall. The roaring water would mask his presence, and the cave itself was deep enough to offer protection.

Inside, he sat cross-legged, placed the pill in his palm, and took a deep breath.

"Now, it's time."

With that, he swallowed the pill.

Meanwhile, in Another World…

A dense, dark forest stretched endlessly beneath a blood-red sky. The trees swayed eerily, and the air carried the scent of something unnatural. In the midst of this eerie land, a shadowed figure sprinted through the trees, his breathing ragged. His body bore deep wounds, fresh blood trailing behind him.

Behind him, moving with impossible speed, was a young man—his expression was calm but his eyes carried an intense sharpness. His steps were light, as if he were gliding rather than running.

"You won't escape," the young man's voice was cold, carrying a certainty that sent a chill through the wounded figure.

The black shadow gritted his teeth. He had underestimated this boy. Even injured, he had hoped to flee, but this pursuit had lasted longer than expected.

The young man flicked his fingers—a terrifying force shot forward, slicing through the trees and narrowly missing the black shadow. The attack left a deep mark on the ground, proving its deadly potential.

"Tch." The shadow figure cursed. He had no choice but to fight.

The Clash

The shadow figure spun, unleashing a dark energy that surged like a wave. The young man met the attack head-on, countering with his own radiant energy.

The two figures collided mid-air, their energies clashing violently. Shockwaves rippled through the forest, uprooting trees and sending debris flying in all directions.

The battle was brief, yet intense—blades of energy cut through the air, fists struck with earth-shattering force, and the very ground trembled beneath their power.

But neither could overpower the other.

The young man narrowed his eyes. He had hoped to subdue his opponent quickly, but the black shadow, despite his injuries, was still a formidable foe.

Just as the shadow figure prepared to retreat once more, something unexpected happened

The Space Crack

A deep, unnatural rumbling echoed through the forest. The air itself twisted as an ominous energy surged. Suddenly, right in the midst of their battle, a massive space crack tore open in the sky.

A dark void appeared, pulling in everything around it. Trees, rocks, even the very air seemed to be sucked into the swirling abyss.

The black shadow's eyes widened in horror.

"No… this is—"

Before he could react, the force dragged him forward.

The young man, realizing the danger, tried to leap away, but the gravitational force was too strong.

The void expanded, consuming everything. The shadow figure was the first to be pulled in, his form vanishing into the darkness.

The young man gritted his teeth, channeling his energy to resist the pull. He stretched his hand toward the nearest tree, but the force was relentless.

Despite his immense strength, he was also pulled into the abyss.

The last thing he saw was an endless darkness swallowing the world around him.

Then—everything went silent.

Back to Luo Zheng's Breakthrough

In the cave, Luo Zheng's body burned with overwhelming heat. The pill's effects were working, sending waves of energy through his marrow. His bones vibrated, the impurities within them burning away.

He clenched his fists, feeling a tremendous power surging through his body. His blood flowed like molten metal, refining itself to a higher level.

Hours passed.

Then days.

Luo Zheng's breathing became rhythmic. He felt his bones hardening, strengthening beyond their previous limits. The Marrow Stage was near.

On the tenth day, Luo Zheng's body suddenly shook.

A massive surge of energy burst from within him. His skin glowed faintly as his entire body underwent a transformation. The final shackles of the Body Refinement Layer broke—

Luo Zheng had stepped into the Marrow Stage!

He slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a long breath. He clenched his fist, feeling the immense power coursing through him. His speed, strength, and durability had all increased drastically.

But he wasn't done yet.

Now that he had successfully broken through, it was time to master the White Tiger Clan's fighting techniques.

Luo Zheng stood up, his sword gleaming under the dim cave light.

Outside, the wind howled. His journey was far from over.

But for now, he had taken another step toward greatness.

A Forgotten Place—A Boy Alone in the Dark

Far from the lands Luo Zheng knew, in a place where time itself seemed to stand still, a young boy sat alone. His surroundings were shrouded in mist, an ancient ruin stretching out in every direction. Crumbled statues of unknown figures lay scattered across the ground, and towering walls bore inscriptions in an unknown language.

The boy, who looked no older than eight years old, had silver hair and deep golden eyes—a striking combination that made him appear almost otherworldly. His clothes were tattered, and his small frame carried an air of exhaustion.

He held a small, shattered jade pendant in his hand, staring at it with a lost expression.

"…Soon," he whispered to himself.

His voice echoed strangely in the silent ruins, as if the place itself was listening.

The air trembled, and suddenly, one of the inscriptions on the wall lit up, glowing with an eerie blue light.

The boy's expression darkened.

"They are coming again…" he muttered.

From the shadows, dark figures emerged—faceless beings with hollow eyes, shifting and twisting like living shadows.

The boy clenched his fist around the jade pendant, his golden eyes glowing faintly.

Come, then."

With those words, the battle began.

Luo Zheng stood at the edge of the secluded valley where he had just broken through to the Marrow Stage of the Body Refinement Layer. His body pulsed with newfound energy, his bones hardened, his muscles refined, and his senses sharpened. He clenched his fists, feeling the immense strength coursing through his veins.

But he knew that simply reaching the Marrow Stage wasn't enough. He needed to grow stronger—far stronger—if he was ever to survive in this brutal world. The Sky Realm Level was his next goal, and he couldn't waste time.

With that in mind, Luo Zheng left the hidden cultivation spot and made his way back toward the nearby city.

As he entered the bustling city once more, he noticed a strange excitement in the air. Merchants and warriors alike were talking in hushed voices, and groups of cultivators were hurriedly gathering supplies. Luo Zheng stopped near a small crowd, listening carefully.

"Did you hear? A treasure has appeared on Black Sand Mountain!"

"Yes! They say it holds immense power, enough to change someone's fate overnight!"

"But the Black Sand Mountain is dangerous… Demonic beasts lurk there, and even high-level cultivators fear venturing too deep!"

Luo Zheng's eyes flickered with determination. A treasure that could change one's fate overnight? If it was truly that powerful, then he had to get it.

He approached an elderly man who seemed to have more information. "Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me more about this treasure on Black Sand Mountain?"

The old man eyed Luo Zheng, noticing his youthful appearance. "You're just a boy," he said with a sigh. "That place isn't for the weak. Even experienced warriors hesitate before stepping foot on that cursed mountain."

Luo Zheng remained firm. "I still want to know

The old man stroked his beard and finally spoke. "It is said that an ancient relic has surfaced there, something from an era long forgotten. No one knows exactly what it is, but many powerful figures have already set off to claim it. You'd best stay away, young one."

Luo Zheng nodded, thanked the man, and left. He had made up his mind. If this treasure could help him reach the Sky Realm Level, he had to take the risk.

The Road to Black Sand Mountain

Luo Zheng asked around for directions, gathering enough information about the path to Black Sand Mountain. It was a long and treacherous journey, through dense forests, steep cliffs, and regions filled with deadly beasts. It would take him several days to reach his destination.

With his sword strapped to his back, he set out on his journey.

The first few days of travel were relatively smooth. He passed through winding paths and crossed rivers, stopping occasionally to hunt for food and rest. But as he ventured deeper into the wilderness, the dangers became more apparent.

Dangers Along the Way

On the fourth day, while traversing through a dark, misty forest, Luo Zheng suddenly halted. The air around him felt wrong—too silent.

Then, from the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged.

A Shadow Wolf!

The beast was lean and fast, its dark fur blending with the environment. Luo Zheng gripped his sword tightly. The wolf lunged at him, its claws aiming for his throat. He dodged, rolling to the side, and slashed with precision.

The wolf yelped as blood sprayed from its side, but instead of retreating, it grew fiercer. It circled him, searching for an opening. Luo Zheng narrowed his eyes, waiting for the perfect moment.

Then, in a swift movement, the wolf pounced again—but this time, Luo Zheng was ready. He ducked low, slid beneath its attack, and thrust his sword upward. The blade pierced through its chest.

The wolf let out a final cry before collapsing.

Breathing heavily, Luo Zheng wiped his sword clean and continued forward. This was only the beginning.

Approaching the Mountain

After another few days of travel, he finally arrived near Black Sand Mountain. From a distance, he could see its towering black peaks, covered in a strange, eerie fog. Lightning occasionally crackled in the sky above it, as if warning intruders to stay away.

But what caught his attention the most was the number of people gathered near the base of the mountain. Warriors, mercenaries, and even high-ranking cultivators had all come in search of the rumored treasure.

Luo Zheng knew this wouldn't be easy.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

A Hidden Secret

Meanwhile, far away from Black Sand Mountain, in an unknown location, a young boy sat cross-legged in a dimly lit chamber.

He was incredibly young, no older than ten years old, yet his aura was terrifyingly powerful. The air around him trembled as an ancient force seemed to swirl within his small body. His eyes remained closed, deep in meditation.

Before him lay an old, tattered scroll, filled with strange symbols that radiated an ominous energy.

Then, suddenly, the boy's eyes snapped open. They glowed with an unnatural light.

"So… the time has come."

Without another word, he stood up and vanished into the darkness.

What was his connection to Black Sand Mountain? And what role would he play in the events to come?

Luo Zheng had no idea, but soon, their fates would intertwine in ways no one could have predicted.