t was silent beneath the moonlight, broken only by the gentle rustling of wind and the steady beat of Tang San's breath. He sat cross-legged atop a moss-covered rock, his body wrapped in faint blue light. His Xuan Tian Record circulated slowly and steadily—not surging forward violently, but drawing in Spirit Energy at a pace far steadier than before. It had become his nightly ritual after returning from Grandmaster's arranged battles with low-tier spirit beasts.
Ever since his talent had slowly begun to increase, Tang San had noticed subtle yet important changes in his cultivation. The black stone, now fully integrated into his dantian, no longer glowed or pulsed on its own. Instead, it seemed to quietly assist him—stabilizing his cultivation, filtering impurities from the Spirit Energy he absorbed, and suppressing any external aura from leaking out.
No one, not even Grandmaster, could sense that Tang San was cultivating something other than the surface-level "Mysterious Heaven Technique." Even the stone's aura had disappeared completely.
Yet the pressure in his heart grew heavier with each passing day.
Ever since that cloaked man—mysterious and powerful—had gifted him the black stone and vanished into obscurity, Tang San couldn't shake off the feeling that something was watching from beyond the skies. As if he was being prepared for something far greater... or far more dangerous.
But the man had vanished without a trace.
"I'll keep moving forward," Tang San whispered, opening his eyes. His gaze was calm, determined. "Whether he returns in ten years or fifty… I'll be ready."
The following morning, Tang San joined Grandmaster and Xiao Wu at the outskirts of Nuoding City. The modest forest here had become a daily training ground—where they would scout for low-tier spirit beasts and engage in controlled battles to hone their instincts.
Tang San had been improving, slowly but steadily. Though his soul power had not yet reached Rank 20, he had refined his control, his reaction speed, and most importantly, his combat mindset. Grandmaster called it "tempering in bloodless battle"—fighting without killing, but pushing yourself to the edge.
"Today's target," Grandmaster said, "is a Wind Shadow Fox. Only 900 years old. Fast and cunning, but not lethal."
He turned to Tang San, his stern expression softening slightly.
"You've done well so far, Tang San. But you have to start thinking beyond technique. Spirit beasts don't follow rules. They're wild, unpredictable. Only by pushing yourself into that chaos will you learn to stand at the top."
Tang San nodded. "I understand, Teacher."
The fox appeared half an hour later, sleek and swift, its silver fur glinting in the forest light. Unlike previous opponents, this one didn't charge immediately. It circled from a distance, watching them with wary golden eyes.
Tang San's heart pounded. He took a step forward.
"Let me handle this."
Grandmaster gave a single nod.
Tang San summoned his Blue Silver Grass and activated his first ring ability—Binding. Vines shot out toward the fox, but it dodged, vanishing like a breeze. Tang San's eyes narrowed. He had expected that.
He turned and spun, his vines lashing out in a wide arc, predicting the fox's movement. The beast appeared just where he anticipated—only to leap over his vines with inhuman grace.
"Too fast," Xiao Wu murmured.
But Tang San didn't panic. He lowered his body and activated his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. In a blur, he closed the distance, drawing the fox's attention for just a second. That second was all he needed.
He threw three hidden weapons—silver needles tipped with mild paralyzing poison, crafted carefully during the night. One struck the fox's flank.
It stumbled.
His vines snapped forward again—this time wrapping around the fox's legs and torso. He didn't tighten them. Instead, he used the restraint to pull the fox toward a prepared pit nearby, baited with herbs that dulled the senses.
The fox fell in, snarling.
Victory.
That night, Tang San sat in silence beside the fire Grandmaster had built. Xiao Wu had already fallen asleep beside the tent. Grandmaster stood by a tree, arms crossed, looking thoughtful.
"You're progressing faster than most," he said without turning. "Much faster."
Tang San didn't answer.
"I won't ask what secrets you hold," Grandmaster continued. "But you should know—talent alone doesn't guarantee survival. Those with great potential often attract great calamity."
"I understand," Tang San said softly. "That's why I must get stronger."
Grandmaster finally turned to look at him. "You've already surpassed the limits of a regular spirit master's body. When the time comes for your second ring, I suspect it will be far stronger than your first."
Tang San remained silent, but nodded slightly.
He knew. The black stone pulsed ever so faintly now, preparing to support him in absorbing a ring far beyond what most Rank 20s could handle.
In the skies far above, in the edge of a dimensional veil between realms, the cloaked man stood on an invisible platform of energy. His eyes stared into the mortal plane, veiled with layers of restriction and fate.
"So it begins…"
His voice was bitter.
He had to leave this realm—he was being called back to a higher plane. The rules here did not allow his existence for long. Not while fate hadn't collapsed yet.
"But in 25 years," he muttered, "I'll return."
He raised a hand toward the sky, a faint crackle of law brushing against his palm. "By then, Tang San… you must be strong enough to defy the prison. Otherwise, all this was pointless."
End of Chapter 11