Chapter 8:Path of Flame and Sky

Chapter 8: Paths of Flame and Sky

A week passed in quiet urgency.

The village elders, though secretive, understood the meaning behind Chen Yu's warning eyes and Wei's silence. Something old had stirred—and they would not be caught unprepared. And so, under Instructor Wei's command, the youth of Qinghe Village began a training regimen that far surpassed anything before.

Chen Yu stood at the cliffside training field before dawn each morning, staff in hand. Lin Yue sparred with blades of real steel now, her movements sharp as mountain wind. Beside her, Zhang Fei—the cheerful son of a merchant—learned to wield flames through basic spiritual resonance, surprising even himself.

The youngest, Monk Shi, a quiet boy adopted by the village temple, meditated daily under the waterfall. His control of inner breath, Qi, had reached a tranquil depth that many older cultivators envied.

Chen Yu trained with all of them.

But he trained alone even harder.

At night, when the others slept, he practiced the stances from his past life—movements etched in blood and flame, carried from another world. His system guided him, whispering corrections and reminding him of forgotten power.

> [Legacy Combat Style: Dragon's Echo – Stage 1 Activated]

You have reclaimed the first Form: Soaring Fang.

Effect: Strength +5%, Agility +7% during initial strike phase.

On the final day of training, Instructor Wei called them to the gathering square beneath the old pine.

"You're no longer just village youths," he said, voice heavy with pride and sadness. "Each of you stands ready to walk your path."

Behind him stood three envoys—representatives from distant sects.

One wore green and gold robes, with a phoenix crest: Verdant Sky Sect, known for their swift swordplay and sky-step arts.

Another wore flowing blue, calm and serene: Azure Lotus Temple, famous for spiritual refinement and healing arts.

The last stood in black and red, flame embroidered into his sleeves: Crimson Flame Hall, a battle sect known for ruthless combat and fiery discipline.

"You may choose only one," Wei said. "This is not just about cultivation. This is about who you will become."

Lin Yue stepped forward first.

"I choose Verdant Sky," she said with no hesitation, her blade already singing.

Zhang Fei laughed nervously but bowed to the Crimson Flame envoy. "I want to be strong enough to protect the ones I love."

Monk Shi bowed silently to the Azure Lotus envoy, as if his soul had already been there.

Then all eyes turned to Chen Yu.

He looked up toward the mountains—toward the skies he once ruled.

"I choose…"

He paused, then smiled faintly. "None of them."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even Wei's brow lifted.

"I will forge my own path. But I'll walk beside my friends, wherever they go."

> [System Alert: Unique Path Chosen – Sovereign's Ascent]

Legacy Integration now unhindered by external faction bias.

New Questline Unlocked: "The Sovereign Rises"

The decision was made.

The road ahead would split.

But their destinies… were just beginning.