The morning air in the small valley was cool and damp. Dew dripped from the bamboo leaves, creating a gentle, soothing rhythm.
Amidst the thin mist, a young man stood by the riverbank, gazing at his reflection in the water.
He was thin, his skin slightly pale, and his black hair tousled by the morning breeze.
But what was most striking were his eyes — golden brown, as if harboring a light that had yet to awaken.
His name was Lian Solis, an orphan from the impoverished village of Yunshui.
He was a nobody — just a child who had failed to cultivate in a world where power dictates everything.
"No spiritual roots, no future," the village elder had said three years ago.
"Better to help in the fields than dream of becoming a cultivator."
But every morning, Lian still sat there.
She watched the sun rise behind the mountains, as if waiting for something.
"I don't know why…" she murmured softly, "...every time I see the sun, my chest feels warm."
The wind blew gently, carrying the scent of wet earth.
Small birds fluttered about, and the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds.
Lian's eyes glinted for a moment, but no one saw it.
---
That day, as usual, Lian walked to the small market in the village.
There, she helped Ling Yue, the white-haired girl who ran her family's herb stall.
She was known for being cold, but Lian knew—she always set aside a bun for her.
"Lian, you're late again."
"Sorry, the sun was too beautiful to leave," Lian replied with a smile.
Ling Yue snorted, but her cheeks flushed slightly.
"You always have strange excuses."
With a chuckle, Lian began to help organize things.
He didn't know that beneath his frail body, boundless energy lay dormant.
---
That night, a strange storm swept across Yunshui.
The black sky was split by flashes of gold, and thunder echoed from behind the mountains.
The villagers panicked—but Lian emerged from his house, staring up at the sky with a strange feeling in his chest.
A bright light flashed, and for some reason, the sun rose in the night sky.
A giant fireball, emitting a soft glow, hung in the dark sky.
And in an instant, the entire world seemed to fall silent.
Lian fell to his knees, clutching his chest.
From his body, a golden light emerged, burning gently beneath his skin.
> "W-what happened…?"
A strange voice echoed in his mind—deep, authoritative, and warm like morning light.
> "You've finally woken up, Solarion."
"Sleep long enough, haven't you?"
Lian froze. He didn't recognize the voice, but the words felt… familiar.
Suddenly, a wave of heat exploded from his chest. The ground around him cracked, the river boiled, and the night wind vanished.
> "Solarion…? Who is that?"
"It's… you."
The sky exploded with a flash of light.
The entire Yunshui Valley was illuminated by a pure golden aura, and in the center stood Lian Solis—his body shining like the first star born.
His hair waved in the storm of light, and his eyes now reflected the fire of the sun.
But he didn't scream. He wasn't afraid.
He simply stared at his trembling hands… and then smiled slightly.
> "So… this is the meaning of the warmth I've always felt."
The light then subsided. His body returned to normal, but something had changed.
Within his dantian, a small golden core formed—spinning slowly, like a living miniature sun.
---
The next morning, Ling Yue found Lian asleep in front of her house, his hair a mess, but his face serene.
She shook his shoulder gently.
> "Hey… are you okay? You disappeared last night."
Lian opened his eyes, and those golden ones transfixed her.
"I… feel like I've just been reborn," he replied softly.
Ling Yue frowned, but before she could ask, Lian stood and looked up at the sky.
The morning sun shone brightly, and this time… its rays seemed to bow to her.
---
> "Starting today," Lian whispered with a smile,
"I will prove to the world… that even the smallest light can warm the sky."
And in the distance, the sun's orb trembled subtly—as if responding to his promise.
---
🌄 To Be Continued...
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The next chapter (Chapter 2: Light in the Ice Sect)