Chapter 13: A New Path to Power
Chapter 13: A New Path to Power
The night stretched on, silent and undisturbed. Xiao Chen sat cross-legged in the center of his dimly lit room, his golden eyes shimmering like twin stars in the darkness.
Excitement burned in his veins.
He had just undergone an earth-shattering transformation—awakened a Peak Heaven-Rank Martial Spirit—and broken through to the Peak of the Martial Soul Realm.
Yet—
His mind refused to rest. A surging desire to explore his newfound power filled him. Slowly, his attention turned to the Heavenly Martial Scripture. As he meditated, his mind delved deeper into its mysteries. The dim candlelight flickered in sync with his heartbeat, as if the very air was resonating with his thoughts.
Then—a spark of divine inspiration struck him.
"The Laws of Yin and Yang..." he whispered, golden eyes gleaming with newfound understanding. Although it was only the first level of Yin-Yang laws — The law of Light and Darkness. It was still a good start! He had comprehended the Laws of Yin and Yang!
A subtle pulse of energy surged from within. Around him, the candle flames trembled, their glow caught in an unseen force. His newly awakened Yin-Yang Dragon Martial Spirit released an ancient resonance, subtly guiding him forward.
In that moment, he grasped it—the Heavenly Martial Scripture wasn't just a cultivation manual. It was a gateway into the very essence of the Yin-Yang Laws—the balance that governed existence itself.
His mind turned to the Heaven Refining Art. Memories of its principles surfaced: absorb spiritual iQ, refine elemental energy, harmonize all forces—essence, iQ, even the soul.
The contrast was profound.
Where the Heavenly Martial Scripture honed the soul, shaped yin-yang comprehension, and unveiled martial spirit evolution, the Heaven Refining Art forged mastery over all external energies.
Yet together—
The realization sent a thrill through him.
By fusing them, he could not only refine elemental forces but guide them through the profound yin-yang balance. Where once the elements were chaos, Yin and Yang would now govern them. Through this fusion, he could develop multiple affinities, bend the elements to his will, and elevate his combat prowess to unparalleled heights.
A soft hum filled the air, reality itself seeming to respond.
With steady breath, Xiao Chen raised his right hand. A formless ripple of power spread outward. Darkness gathered in his left hand—a swirling black mist like the depths of a void. Light surged in his right—a warm golden radiance glowing softly. The two forces hovered, fiercely resisting one another.
His golden eyes narrowed.
"Intertwine."
The opposing forces trembled. Light and darkness warred, refusing to merge. But the subtle workings of the Heaven Refining Art kicked in, refining and balancing the chaos. Slowly, painstakingly, he forced harmony.
Moments stretched. Sweat beaded his brow.
Then—success.
The two forces fused, forming a rotating sphere in his palm—a miniature embodiment of the Yin-Yang Dao. Light and darkness no longer fought, but flowed seamlessly within.
His breath caught.
"This… This is true power. The power of Laws!"
A new path had opened before him—a road no one else had walked. A path that belonged to him alone.
---
The first light of dawn seeped through the window, illuminating the quiet room.
Xiao Chen stirred awake, his body drenched in sweat. A faint, earthy scent of impurities clung to him—a byproduct of last night's breakthrough.
He frowned slightly. In his excitement, he had forgotten to expel the toxins completely.
By now, his True Dragon Awakening had regressed. He appeared ordinary again—but everything had changed.
Sitting up, he stretched, marveling at the newfound strength coursing through him. His muscles felt denser, his body refined to perfection. Glancing down, he noticed his skin smooth and lustrous like fine jade. Even his hair, longer and more supple, flowed past his shoulders like strands of silk.
Without delay, he made his way to the bathhouse.
The moment he submerged himself into the crystal-clear water, a refreshing wave surged through him. The grime and impurities washed away, revealing skin as flawless as polished jade. Water glistened over his sculpted frame; his long black hair cascaded down his back like silk.
His reflection stared back—sharp brows, straight and imposing. Deep black eyes, calm yet unfathomable, like endless abysses.
Drying off, he dressed in a sleek black robe embroidered with subtle silver patterns. The fabric clung perfectly, complementing his aura of quiet dominance.
Stepping out of the bathhouse, the morning sun greeted him. Golden rays reflected in his dark pupils, giving them a mysterious, ethereal depth. A gentle breeze tousled his long hair, making it dance like flowing ink.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.
Just as he was about to leave, a female servant appeared, her head bowed low.
"The Patriarch requests your presence in the Family Hall," she said, tone respectful but lacking warmth. She was slim and graceful, clad in a simple servant's dress, but her delicate features held a hint of concealed arrogance.
Inwardly, she sneered.
"Why me? Summoning this trash... what a waste."
Though only sixteen, she was already at the Martial Adept Realm. In a Grade One influence, she could have been a prized inner court disciple.
"And to think this so-called young master awakened a low-grade Mortal Rank Martial Spirit... Even I surpassed him!"
Her disdain was well-hidden, her face calm—but to Xiao Chen, it was laughably clear.
His perception, soul force, and awareness transcended normal limits. Such petty emotions could never escape his senses.
Yet—
He couldn't be bothered.
His gaze remained indifferent, like a god gazing down on an ant. Without a word, he walked past her, his steps steady, his presence unfathomable.
The servant trembled.
For reasons she couldn't explain, an oppressive pressure suffocated her. Though she mocked him in her heart, her body felt the truth—the so-called 'trash' was different.
A shiver ran down her spine as she hurried after him, unaware she had just witnessed the rebirth of a dragon.
---
Xiao Chen strode through the Xiao Family Estate, his expression calm yet imposing. Each step exuded unshakable confidence, making those around him instinctively lower their gazes.
He was no longer the same Xiao Chen.
Behind him, the female servant followed cautiously, biting her lip. The closer she walked, the more suffocated she felt, as if shadowed by a mountain.
They passed through the estate's open courtyards where disciples and servants gathered. Laughter and chatter filled the air—until they saw him.
Silence fell like a heavy shroud.
Eyes turned. Surprise and confusion filled their faces.
"Isn't that the trash young master?" someone whispered.
"Where's he going?" another asked.
But slowly, unease crept in.
"There's… something different about him."
"His presence... it feels intimidating."
"No way! He's just trash!"
Among them, Xiao Boyan, one of the nine geniuses on the Xiao family, he had awaken a rare High-Grade Spirit Rank Insect-type Martial Spirit at the recent Martial Spirit Awakening Ceremony. He had his pride however he was also a coward, a boot licker always clinging to Xiao Han. He simply sneered.
"Hmph. Trash is still trash. No matter how amazing his aura seems, he's finished!"
"Exactly!" another echoed.
"He awakened a trash Martial Spirit. No matter what airs he puts on, he's doomed in martial arts."
Their mocking tones rang out, but under the laughter, unease grew. Something felt... wrong.
Xiao Chen heard every word. With his sharpened senses, their whispers were as clear as if shouted.
Yet—
He sneered.
A cold smirk tugged at his lips. With a soft snort, he ignored them all.
"Let's go," he said quietly to the female servant.
Though calm, his tone carried an undeniable weight. The servant flinched and hurried forward, afraid to linger near him.
But Xiao Chen?
His mind had already moved on.
"Soon, these so-called geniuses... these frogs at the bottom of the well... will understand how blind they truly are."