Whispers beneath thrones
The wind in the upper skies of the Eastern Holy Realm carried more than dust—it carried news.
Rumors.
Tales.
Whispers.
Of a nameless youth who, beneath the cloak of night, fought Commander Aenya to a standstill.
---
Council of Elders – Storm Brewing
Within a mountain-sized fortress belonging to the Obsidian Chain Army, the same elders Aenya reported to had gathered again—but this time, they weren't alone. Representatives from four major powers were also present.
The Seven-Faced Prince of Sura,
The Grand Scholar of Frostvale,
A jade-robed emissary of the Holy Saint Sect,
And a shadowed figure wearing the insignia of the Moon-Eater Clan.
Aenya knelt in the center of the room, her mask now removed, revealing sharp, defined features and a single scar across her cheek. Despite her injury, her voice remained steady.
> "I've cross-referenced the duel techniques with every major sect. No match. He's not from any known noble bloodline. His swordplay was… instinctual. Wild. Unrefined—but devastating."
The room fell into silence.
Until the Grand Scholar of Frostvale finally muttered,
> "You're telling me that a boy unknown to every major power in this realm fought you, Commander Aenya—our second-ranked Core Vein cultivator—and injured you?"
Aenya nodded once.
> "And he didn't even use his full spirit arsenal."
---
The Royal Courts Begin to Stir
In the southern kingdom of Dyras, a king stood on his balcony, his white beard flowing as he listened to his advisor.
> "A boy. Fought Aenya. No name. No clan. No banner."
> "Hm…" the king murmured. "A cultivator who refuses allegiance? A man like that could be a sword or a storm. Find him."
In the north, the ruling queen of the Glacial Dominion looked down at a map of sect territories.
> "He's hiding somewhere in the sect belts… a boy with Vulcan-forged blades," she whispered.
"What does that mean for us?"
> "War," her general answered. "Eventually."
Even the Emperor of the Four Flames Dynasty, a man one step from Throne Manifestation, raised his brows at the news.
> "A beast hunter who fights like a demon. Injured Aenya?"
"Get me his name. If he doesn't join me… bury him before someone else uses him against me."
---
Back at the Holy Saint Sect
Ash sat quietly under a waterfall within the inner sect training grounds. He had just completed refining Varnok, his newly acquired Blood Wolf spirit. The crimson energy pulsed through his meridians, sharpening his senses and increasing his reflexes.
Shen Mu sat beside him, chuckling softly.
> "You're famous, you know."
> "What?" Ash asked without opening his eyes.
> "Word of your little duel has reached kingdoms. They don't know your name yet… but they've already started searching."
Ash exhaled sharply.
> "Tch. Can't even punch someone in the dark without triggering a manhunt…"
> "That woman was Aenya," Shen Mu muttered.
Ash froze.
> "She's second only to throne bearers in her army. And you… managed to injure her."
Ash opened his eyes.
> "You knew who she was?"
> "Not until she reported. Spirits talk, boy. Especially Vulcan. He recognized her weapon."
Ash stood up, letting water drip off his skin, gaze sharpening.
> "So now what?"
> "Now you wait," Shen Mu said. "And prepare. Because soon, someone's going to offer you a deal. Or a leash."
---
Meanwhile – At Yan Zhi's Manor
Yan Qing's grandmother, Yan Zhi, read the same report twice.
She was silent for a long time before calling her butler.
> "I need confirmation. Is it true?"
> "Yes, Lady Yan Zhi. The one who fought Aenya… was Ash."
The parchment crumbled in her grip.
> "Then the boy is more dangerous than I thought."
---
Meanwhile – Princess Rin's Thoughts
Rin sat in the library of the Holy Saint Sect, staring at a scroll depicting famous commanders of this age.
Her eyes stopped on Aenya.
Then she recalled the man who had walked through the jungle and destroyed a Tier 3 beast like it was child's play. His name whispered across her thoughts.
> Ash…
She stood up.
She didn't need to outwit Yan Zhi.
She just needed to reach the man the world was beginning to chase.
> "If I can't own him… I'll stand beside him."
---
In a Tavern, a Whisper
At a tavern on the edge of the sect-controlled lands, a bounty hunter leaned in.
> "You heard? The Ghost Forger who sells those blades in the black market… might be the same guy who fought Commander Aenya."
> "Bullshit."
> "I'm serious. Vulcan blades. Core Vein Formation. Mystery identity."
> "If that's true…" the bounty hunter said slowly, "…then whoever catches him first will be able to name their price."
---