Chapter 2: Silent Wraith's Shadow

As Yao Zhen finished his narration, Lan Rou had a shocked expression on her face. She could not believe what she was hearing. It was just another normal night. But the news she heard was anything but normal. A child with unknown origins was her son, Yi Zhen. Though she was happy on the surface, as she understood that her son was destined for greatness, there was great sorrow hidden deep within her smile. Her helplessness. She and her husband could not think of any way to break the seal on his forehead.

As Lan Rou pondered in deep thought, Yao Zhen noticed the sudden change in her facial expressions. He understood her. He knew what her mind was going through. Sitting at the edge of the balcony, Lan Rou stared at the moonlight, melancholy etched on her face. Yao Zhen approached her gently. The greatest cultivator of Shadow Cliff City, the strongest fighter in the mortal realms, was now the most caring husband in the world. He touched her shoulder from behind, and as she turned around and rested her head on his chest, he said, "Rou'er, do not fret over this. Let nature take its course. All we can give him is a strong familial background and endless love."

At the same time, Xiao Wei was focused on something else. His keen eyes had caught onto something that others might have ignored. "He is the true one." What did it mean?

Xiao Wei was always like this. Although his cultivation was one minor layer below Yao Zhen, at Nascent Soul 8th layer, his observatory skills were so sharp that they not only made him the Zhen family's advisor but also their military strategist. Many of the battles Yao Zhen won were due to Xiao Wei's military tactics.

Xiao Wei hailed from Celestial River Stream, a power that equaled Azure Rift State. Though the cultivators of Celestial River Stream did not possess techniques as powerful as those of Azure Rift State, they were geniuses in spirit array formations. Xiao Wei was one such expert. His mastery over arrays was unrivaled, not only in Tianxuan Kingdom but across the entire Xuanwu Continent. As he pondered on this cryptic phrase, a carrier pigeon, one of the best breeds in the continent, landed before him with a letter tied to its leg. As he read the letter, his face gradually changed from a frown to deep seriousness. His expression showed great alarm. Yao Zhen was quick to notice and approached him.

"What's wrong?" Yao Zhen asked.

With a stammer in his words, Xiao Wei replied, "The Silent Wraiths have been spotted in Celestial River Stream. I must go."

The Silent Wraiths, a notorious gang of criminals, evil cultivators, and ruthless murderers, were feared across the entire Xuanwu Continent. They pillaged, slaughtered, and destroyed everything in their path, indulging in the depths of depravity. Their greed and bloodlust knew no bounds. Countless cultivators had tried to eliminate them, but their elusive nature allowed them to escape every time. Commoners were terrified even by the mere mention of their name. It was no wonder that Xiao Wei looked so tense after receiving the news.

He retrieved an array plate of his own making—a one-of-a-kind artifact he called the "All-Purpose Array Plate." Forming intricate hand seals, he infused his Qi into the plate. Yao Zhen, though not as skilled in array formations, could recognize the movements of his dearest friend, the man who had fought alongside him in life-and-death situations. The array plate transformed into a shuttle, a wind-riding artifact capable of traversing vast distances at extreme speeds.

Xiao Wei chuckled lightly. "You know who I'm up against. Even I'm not sure if I'll win or not. But if I lose, do not come for me. Stay here and alert the Lord of the State." He knew Yao Zhen would want to follow him into this dangerous battle, so he left these final words to ensure Shadow Cliff City was protected.

Yao Zhen was at a loss for words. He could not even bring himself to refuse. He was torn. Should he disobey Xiao Wei and follow him? Or should he respect his decision and wait? As he struggled with this dilemma, he clenched his fists in frustration. The responsibility of his family, the city, and his people weighed heavily on him. Finally, as Xiao Wei disappeared into the distance, Yao Zhen called forth his elite spy unit—the Shadow Unit. Comprising twenty Soul Transformation 1st level experts, stronger than Yao Zhen himself, he dispatched nine of them to follow Xiao Wei from the shadows.

The night passed, and daylight arrived. Yi Zhen was training at the outer courtyard as usual, but an unsettling feeling gnawed at him. Questions plagued his young heart. Though exceptionally perceptive for his age, displaying wisdom beyond his nine years, one question tormented him without end...

"Why? Why can't I cultivate like Father?" The thought weighed on him. No matter how hard he trained, no matter how much effort he put into sensing Qi, it always eluded him. His father, Yao Zhen, was the mightiest cultivator in Shadow Cliff City, yet he—his own son—could not even take the first step into cultivation.

Far in the distance, Yao Zhen watched his son's struggle. He had long known that Yi Zhen was different, but seeing the burning determination in his eyes stirred a deep emotion within him. The boy wanted to be strong, to protect his family, to stand as an equal to his father.

Yao Zhen sighed softly before stepping forward. His first step was normal, but the moment his foot touched the ground again—he vanished.

Yi Zhen's sharp eyes widened in shock. He scanned the courtyard, anticipating where his father would reappear. Then—just for a split second—he noticed something. A subtle distortion in the air, a delicate tremor in the space where his father had moved. It was almost imperceptible, like ripples on the surface of a still lake.

Yi Zhen's instincts kicked in. He swiftly turned, taking a step in that direction—and as Yao Zhen reappeared, he was stunned to find Yi Zhen standing right before him.

"You—" Yao Zhen narrowed his eyes. "Did you just... predict my movement?"

Yi Zhen blinked, excitement bubbling in his voice. "Father, what was that? How did you move so fast?"

Yao Zhen hesitated for a moment before smiling proudly. "That was our family's most difficult Qi Gong technique, Phantom Void Steps (虚影无踪步, Xū Yǐng Wú Zōng Bù). It allows one to step through the void like a phantom, vanishing from sight and leaving only an afterimage. It takes decades to master—"

Before he could finish, Yi Zhen suddenly shifted his stance. His body leaned forward, his breath steadied, and then—he moved.

A faint ripple in the air. A ghostly shadow.

Yao Zhen's eyes widened in shock.

Impossible!

Yi Zhen had just imitated the Phantom Void Steps after seeing it only once. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would take years to grasp its essence. Yet his son, a boy who could not even cultivate, had just replicated the movement instinctively.

"Did I do it?" Yi Zhen grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Yao Zhen felt a chill run down his spine. This wasn't normal talent—this was something else. Something terrifying.

The flickering lanterns cast warm shadows across the Zhen family courtyard as the evening breeze carried the scent of incense and roasted herbs. Zhen Yao sat cross-legged on a wooden mat, his posture steady, exuding the presence of an experienced cultivator. Across from him, Yi Zhen mimicked his stance, his small frame tense with anticipation.

Xiao Wei stood nearby, his eyes darting between them, as if watching a delicate ritual unfold.

"Cultivation is not merely about strength," Zhen Yao began, his voice calm yet firm. "It is a journey of body, mind, and soul. The Mortal Realms are the foundation, and each stage builds upon the last."

Yi Zhen listened intently, nodding as Yao Zhen outlined the realms

Yi Zhen listened attentively as Yao Zhen began explaining.

The Path of Cultivation

"There are ten realms in the Mortal Cultivation Path," Yao Zhen began. "Each step is a transformation, separating the strong from the weak."

Mortal Realms (凡境, Fán Jìng) – The Foundation Stage

"This is where all cultivators begin."

Qi Tempering (淬气, Cuì Qì) – Strengthening the body and absorbing Qi. Before one can wield Qi, the body must adapt to its presence.

Qi Refinement (炼气, Liàn Qì) – Early combat ability. Qi begins flowing internally, allowing cultivators to use simple techniques.

Foundation Establishment (筑基, Zhù Jī) – The first true step into cultivation. Qi solidifies, forming a stable foundation for future growth.

Yi Zhen nodded eagerly, already trying to memorize each stage.

Higher Mortal Realms

Core Formation (结丹, Jié Dān) – The cultivator forms a golden core within their body, greatly enhancing their strength.

Nascent Soul (元婴, Yuán Yīng) – A cultivator's soul condenses into a miniature infant form inside their core. This marks the start of true power.

Yi Zhen's eyes widened. "Father, you're at the Nascent Soul 9th stage, right?"

Yao Zhen chuckled. "Indeed. But there are even higher realms."

Soul Transformation (化神, Huà Shén) – Divine consciousness expands. Cultivators at this level can sense and influence Qi across great distances.

Void Rebirth (空劫, Kōng Jié) – The final step before breaking mortal limits. One's soul undergoes a tribulation, refining itself into a higher existence.

Immortal Ascension (登仙, Dēng Xiān) – The transition from mortal to immortal. The cultivator sheds their mortal essence, preparing to ascend beyond the mortal world.

Yao Zhen's voice deepened.

Earthly Immortal (地仙, Dì Xiān) – The final mortal realm. At this stage, one undergoes the World Baptism, a natural trial from the heavens. If one passes, they ascend to the power to control an entire planet making them at the pinnacle of the world

Yi Zhen clenched his fists. His heart burned with determination.

The world itself resists those who try to defy mortality," Yao Zhen continued. "One must endure trials, pain, and hardships to ascend. There are no shortcuts."

"I want to cultivate," he whispered. "I want to reach the Nascent Soul stage, the Soul Transformation stage... No, I want to become an Earthly Immortal!"

Yi Zhen furrowed his brows, his small hands curling into fists. "Then... how do I start?"

Yao Zhen smiled, sensing the fire in the boy's heart. "Close your eyes. Breathe in, slowly. Sense the energy around you."

The courtyard grew silent. The rustling leaves and distant chirps of night creatures faded as Yi Zhen followed the instructions. He reached out with his senses, not entirely sure what he was supposed to feel.

But nothing happened.

The air remained still. No warmth surged through his body. No faint ripple of Qi swirled into his dantian. The world remained indifferent, as if rejecting his attempts entirely.

Yi Zhen's brows knitted together in frustration. He clenched his hands, trying again. Still, nothing. It was as if he were grasping at an invisible force that refused to acknowledge his existence.

Yao Zhen's expression remained calm, but a flicker of concern passed through his eyes. "Not everyone succeeds on their first try," he said smoothly. "It takes time to develop a connection with Qi."

But deep inside, he knew something was wrong.

Xiao Wei took a step forward, her fingers clenched at the fabric of her sleeves. She glanced at Yao Zhen, silently urging him to say more, but he only shook his head.

Yi Zhen opened his eyes, disappointment flickering across his face. "I don't feel anything. I thought I did it, but... nothing changed."

Yao Zhen forced a reassuring smile. "Don't be discouraged. Some take longer than others. We will try again another day."

But in the depths of his mind, unease festered. There were whispers among ancient sects, legends of those who were unable to cultivate in the conventional sense—individuals who were not ordinary, for better or worse.

As Yi Zhen lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, a strange sensation stirred deep within him. It was not Qi. It was something else—something ancient, something sealed. A whisper echoed faintly in his mind, though he could not grasp its meaning.

Meanwhile, in the darkest alleys of Shadowcliff City, a hooded figure stepped into the moonlight, his eyes glinting with eerie intelligence.

"So, he has finally surfaced," the man muttered.

The Silent Wraiths had already begun their hunt.

Far away, in a realm beyond mortal comprehension, a wisp of a soul watched over Yi Zhen, its presence lingering just beyond the veil of his consciousness. It did not intervene. Not yet. But the time would come when the seal in his mind would break, and the path of destiny would unfold.

Yao Zhen made up his mind—he would investigate his son's strange condition.

But before he could say anything, a cold wind blew across the courtyard. A dark, foreboding feeling spread through the air.

Far away, a war had erupted.

Black Crane City – The Vanishing Battlefield

The once-thriving Black Crane City (黑鹤城, Hēihè Chéng) had been reduced to a desolate wasteland, its towering structures crumbling under the weight of destruction. The streets, once filled with merchants and cultivators, were now stained with blood, littered with the remains of those who had fought in a desperate struggle. Silent Wraiths (寂鬼, Jì Guǐ), infamous for their merciless slaughter and eerie techniques, had launched an all-out assault against the city's cultivators, pushing them to the brink of annihilation.

Even though both sides had suffered immense losses, the Silent Wraiths moved forward without hesitation, showing no concern for their fallen comrades. They were like specters, unfeeling and relentless, their only goal to eradicate all resistance and claim whatever secrets the city held.

Among the defenders was Xiao Wei (萧伟, Xiāo Wěi)—but he was no ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator. A man with a past buried under countless lifetimes, he had once stood at the peak of power, only to be reduced to obscurity. His presence in Black Crane City was no coincidence; he was searching for something.

Yet even his strength could not prevent what happened next.

The Ghost Veil Technique – The Sudden Disappearance

As Xiao Wei and nine other cultivators continued their battle, a strange and unnatural darkness began to descend upon them. The air trembled, a faint whispering sound echoing across the battlefield—a chant, neither human nor ghostly, seeping into their minds.

Then—it happened.

A thick, shadowy mist expanded out of nowhere, twisting like phantoms weaving a net. The Ghost Veil Technique (幽帷术, Yōuwéi Shù) had been unleashed.

Before anyone could react, the battlefield shattered like a broken illusion. The sky darkened, the land cracked, and the nine cultivators found themselves suddenly alone.

"Xiao Wei!" One of them shouted.

But he was gone.

Vanished.

The Interrogation – Zhong Ling's Fury

Far from the battlefield, within a hidden cave veiled in darkness, Xiao Wei was forced onto his knees. His body, though battered, still radiated an unyielding defiance. Chains of dark Qi coiled around his limbs, restricting his movements.

Before him stood Zhong Ling (钟陵, Zhōng Líng)—one of the Silent Wraith Commanders, a Soul Transformation 1st Stage expert. His aura was suffocating, yet his face twisted with barely restrained fury.

He grabbed Xiao Wei by the hair, yanking his head back, forcing him to meet his gaze.

"You bastard... how dare a mere Nascent Soul insect injure me?!" Zhong Ling's voice was filled with venomous rage.

Indeed, during the battle, Xiao Wei had wounded him gravely—an impossible feat for someone at his level. The wound on Zhong Ling's chest still bled dark energy, a sign that it wasn't just an ordinary injury.

Something about Xiao Wei wasn't normal.

And Zhong Ling wanted to know what.

The Secret Xiao Wei Possesses

Despite the searing pain, Xiao Wei chuckled, his voice hoarse yet calm.

"What's the matter, Commander Zhong? Afraid of a mere 'insect'?" His smirk was enough to make Zhong Ling's rage boil over.

Zhong Ling struck him across the face, the impact sending blood splattering onto the cold stone floor. Yet, Xiao Wei's eyes never wavered.

"You think your arrogance will save you?" Zhong Ling growled. "You possess something... knowledge that my superiors desperately seek. And I will rip it from you—piece by piece."

Zhong Ling's hand pressed against Xiao Wei's forehead, his Qi forming a dark sigil—a technique meant to forcibly extract memories.

But then—

The sigil cracked.

An invisible force erupted from Xiao Wei's consciousness, shattering Zhong Ling's technique instantly.

Zhong Ling staggered back, his face twisting in disbelief.

"...What... what was that?!"

Xiao Wei lifted his head slightly, a small, knowing smile forming.

"You think you can break into my mind so easily?" His voice carried an ancient weight, as if it belonged to someone who had lived far longer than he appeared.

Zhong Ling froze.

Xiao Wei's aura shifted.

For a moment—just a brief moment—his presence felt immeasurable, like a dormant force hidden beneath layers of disguise. It was only a flicker, but it was enough to make Zhong Ling take an involuntary step back.

"Who... what are you?" Zhong Ling whispered, his voice shaking.

Xiao Wei only smiled, his eyes dark with mystery.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"