The morning sun crept over the peaks of Dawnshadow Mountain, spilling warm light across the Supreme Void Sect. Mist curled lazily around the waterfall, and the fresh scent of pine drifted through the air.
For the first time since its creation, the sect felt… alive.
Nathan stepped into the courtyard with steady footsteps, Lumen perched comfortably on his shoulder. The fox's tail swayed from side to side, its silver fur catching the sunlight like a tiny lantern.
Ash was already awake—barely—but alive. He wobbled on his feet like someone who had just fought a war with meditation and lost horribly.
Cyril stood sharp as ever near the training arena, performing slow warm-up motions with perfect control.
Lia was adjusting her hair, but her eyes sparkled—a clear sign that she had succeeded in her first night of training.
Nathan nodded approvingly.
Today was important.
Today was the beginning.
"Disciples," he said, voice crisp, "assemble."
Ash sprinted over instantly—more like stumbled.
Cyril approached calmly.
Lia walked with soft steps.
All three stood before him.
Nathan folded his arms behind his back.
"Today," he said, "you will learn the basics of combat."
Ash's jaw dropped.
"Already?! But Master—I only learned how to sit still yesterday!"
Nathan nodded.
"That's exactly why you must learn."
Ash looked betrayed.
Nathan continued, ignoring his silent suffering.
"There is danger on this mountain. Yesterday's tremor was not random."
The disciples stiffened.
Lia bit her lip.
"Master… do you think it's a beast?"
"Most likely," Nathan replied.
Cyril's eyes sharpened like drawn blades.
"Then we will prepare."
Ash gulped.
"O-of course! Preparation is good. Preparation is important. Preparation keeps you alive—"
He paused.
"—usually."
Nathan allowed himself a faint smirk.
"Relax, Ash. You're not fighting anything today."
Ash released a sigh of pure, melodramatic relief.
"Y-you scared me, Master."
Nathan ignored him again.
He pointed to the training arena.
"Combat arena. Now."
The disciples walked onto the circular stone arena.
The ring was simple but sturdy, surrounded by natural rock borders. Sunlight painted warm patches across the tiles.
Nathan stood at the center.
"First lesson," he said. "Stance."
He spread his feet shoulder-width apart, lowering his center of gravity slightly.
"Your stance is your foundation. Without a strong stance, you will collapse the moment an enemy pushes you."
Ash copied him immediately.
Well—he tried.
His legs shook like bamboo in a hurricane.
Cyril's stance was too rigid.
Lia's was graceful but unstable.
Nathan stepped behind Ash first.
"Ash."
"Yes, Master!"
"Relax your knees. You are not attempting to lift the entire mountain."
Ash sighed with relief and adjusted his knees.
Nathan moved to Cyril.
"Cyril, you are too stiff. Power must flow smoothly. You are not a statue—move with intent."
Cyril lowered his shoulders slightly, finding a balance.
Finally, Nathan stood before Lia.
"Lia."
She straightened.
"You have a natural stance. Elegant, but soft."
He tapped her lightly at the shoulder.
"Widen your feet."
She obeyed, and her posture immediately strengthened.
Nathan nodded.
"Good."
He walked back to the center.
"Now. Movement."
Nathan slid one foot forward, then backward, a small controlled shift.
"You must move without losing balance. Slow. Deliberate. Silent."
Ash tried to imitate him.
He tripped over his own foot and almost fell face-first.
Nathan sighed internally.
Lumen chirped judgmentally.
Cyril's movement was sharp but too linear.
Lia's was graceful but lacked precision.
Nathan demonstrated again.
"You cannot simply copy a movement. You must feel it."
He tapped his own chest.
"Combat starts from here. Your center. Your intent."
Cyril nodded deeply.
Ash squinted, as if intent could be seen.
Lia watched carefully.
As the disciples practiced, Nathan felt a soft chime in his mind.
*DING*
[Disciples Training Status Updated:
— Ash: Balance remains unstable. Mental focus inconsistent.
— Cyril: Rapid improvement detected. Strong potential for blade arts.
— Lia: Balanced and steady. Suitable for soft-style movement techniques.]
[Recommendation:
Assign temporary weapon drills after stance mastery.]
Nathan smirked slightly.
He watched Ash fall again.
Cyril advanced three steps too rigidly.
Lia nearly slipped on dew.
Yes. Temporary weapon drills will definitely be needed.
Nathan clapped once.
"Stop."
They froze.
He pointed at Cyril and Ash.
"Cyril. Ash. You two will spar lightly."
Ash turned pale instantly.
"L-lightly? Cyril tries to kill flies with the intensity of a demon—how is he going to spar lightly?!"
Cyril tilted his head.
"I can go easy."
Ash clapped his hands together.
"Please go easy. Very easy. Like—pillow easy."
Nathan stepped aside.
"Begin."
Ash raised his hands awkwardly.
Cyril advanced slowly, studying him.
Ash screamed and swung wildly.
Cyril dodged without effort.
Nathan shook his head.
"Stop."
Cyril halted mid-step.
Ash froze like a statue while still screaming.
Nathan pointed at Ash's feet.
"Ash. Your legs move first. Your fists follow. You're reversing the order."
Ash blinked.
"Huh…? But my fists are faster!"
"Your fists," Nathan said patiently, "are faster because your legs panic."
Ash nodded like he understood completely.
He did not.
Nathan turned to Cyril.
"You are watching his movement, not his intention. Observe his shoulders, not his fists."
Cyril bowed slightly.
"Yes, Master."
Nathan stepped back.
"Again."
This time it went slightly better—only slightly.
Ash still panicked.
Cyril still analyzed too deeply.
But they were improving.
Even if only a little.
Nathan gestured for Lia.
"Your turn."
Lia stepped into the arena, composed and steady.
"You will spar with me," Nathan said.
Her eyes widened.
"M-Master, I—"
"It is only to test your rhythm. Nothing more."
Lumen sat on a nearby stone, tail swishing eagerly as if watching a show.
Nathan took a simple stance—nothing threatening.
"Try to touch me."
Lia hesitated, then stepped forward gracefully and struck lightly.
Nathan shifted his weight, dodging with elegant ease.
Lia tried again.
Nathan turned gently, avoiding her without lifting a finger.
She began to grow flustered, her strikes losing precision.
Nathan lifted a hand.
"Stop."
She froze.
"Lia. You are graceful, but your movements rely too much on your arms."
She blushed.
"I—I know."
Nathan stepped behind her.
"Strength comes from your waist. Not your hands."
He gently guided her stance, positioning her hips and feet.
Lia felt the difference instantly.
"Oh…"
Nathan nodded approvingly.
"Again."
This time, Lia's movement carried force.
Her strike approached Nathan's shoulder with surprising precision—
—but he tapped her wrist lightly, redirecting it effortlessly.
Lia gasped softly.
Nathan smiled.
"Better."
Training continued for the next two hours.
Sweat formed on Cyril's brow.
Lia's breathing grew steady and controlled.
Ash collapsed to the floor several times, but stood up each time with stubborn grit.
Finally, Nathan clapped once.
"Enough. Rest."
Ash fell face-first.
Cyril sat cross-legged, silent.
Lia wiped her forehead with her sleeve.
Nathan looked toward the forest.
The wind shifted.
Leaves rustled—not from breeze—
but from something moving.
Silently.
Powerfully.
Lumen's ears shot upward.
Nathan's eyes narrowed.
A shadow shifted between the trees—
larger than before.
Closer.
Cyril stood immediately.
Ash clung to Lia.
Lia stepped back instinctively.
Nathan remained calm.
The system spoke:
*DING*
[Warning:
Beast presence approaching.]
[Distance: 900 meters]
[Strength Estimate: Mortal Beast – Stage 2]
[Host Action Recommended:
Remain alert. Keep disciples behind barrier.]
Nathan exhaled slowly.
"Disciples."
They straightened.
"You will not step outside the barrier. Understood?"
"Yes, Master!"
Ash's voice cracked.
Nathan stepped toward the boundary, Lumen on his shoulder, silver fur raised.
Leaves rustled again.
The beast paused—
then its presence backed away, disappearing into the deeper woods.
The mountain grew quiet once more.
Nathan turned to his disciples.
"That," he said calmly, "is why you train."
Ash swallowed.
"I think… I need another two hours of meditation."
Cyril nodded gravely.
"We are not ready."
Lia looked toward the forest, determined.
"Master… we will work harder."
Nathan stood tall, gaze sharp.
"Good. Because tomorrow, we begin the next stage—Qi combat foundations."
They bowed deeply.
"Yes, Master!"
Nathan looked toward the forest once more.
Whatever prowled within Dawnshadow Mountain…
it had noticed them.
And it would return.