With a mere flick of pressure, the chain snapped. A burst of black light exploded, flooding the cave like an ominous storm. The black box flew open, revealing an ancient scroll shrouded in a swirling, malevolent aura.
The air hissed, the ground trembled violently, and even the forest beyond the cave seemed to shiver in response. Birds scattered in panicked flocks, while distant roars of wild beasts echoed like warning bells.
Tian Yu's hand closed around the scroll, his eyes glinting with ruthless satisfaction.
"With this… the first step to reclaim my throne has begun."
He slipped the scroll into his tattered robes and turned. But suddenly, faint yet deliberate footsteps echoed from the cave's entrance. Not animal, but human—deliberate, cautious.
A cold, cynical smile spread across his lips.
"Looks like someone's eager to meet death tonight."
The steps grew louder, resonating down the narrow corridor of the cave. The faint clink of metal betrayed weapons in hand. Tian Yu's posture was calm, composed, the black scroll pulsing with a dim, ominous light beneath his clothes.
"How dare they trespass into the demon's lair," he murmured, his voice low, nearly merging with the icy mist curling through the cave.
Five figures stepped from the shadows. Gray robes bore the insignia of a minor sect names long forgotten. Their youthful faces were taut with tension, yet greed burned in their eyes as they stared at the vibrating altar.
"Hurry! The energy was just released!" one whispered, his voice quivering with ambition. "If we claim it, our sect will rise!"
But when their eyes fell upon the frail looking figure before the altar, they froze. Tian Yu's black hair was disheveled, his robes ragged, his skin pale as a corpse but something in his aura made them recoil.
"Who… are you?" one demanded, voice attempting firmness.
Tian Yu smiled faintly, a smile that didn't reach his piercing eyes.
"A beggar… faster than you."
The sect disciples exchanged nervous glances. Three stepped forward, swords drawn. A shaky spiritual aura clung to the blades, crude but deadly.
Tian Yu remained motionless, tilting his head slightly. His gaze pierced, searing through them. Two of the three faltered, hesitation flashing in their eyes, before forcing themselves to advance.
Then, like smoke curling through moonlight, Tian Yu moved. Shadows on the cave walls warped and shivered, then he vanished leaving only ripples in the mist behind.
"Wh—?!" one screamed.
A thin, ghostly hand shot out, gripping a wrist. A sharp crack echoed. A scream tore through the cave, swallowed by stone walls. In a fluid, inhuman motion, Tian Yu twisted, hurling the disciple against the jagged rock. The body crumpled, unconscious before hitting the ground.
The remaining disciples lunged, swords slicing the air. But to Tian Yu, every strike was sluggish, clumsy, riddled with openings. Like smoke, he weaved through attacks, fingertips brushing precise vital points enough to paralyze, not kill.
Seconds later, three disciples lay incapacitated on the cold stone floor. Only two remained, faces drained of color, bodies trembling uncontrollably.
They attempted retreat, but Tian Yu stepped forward first, his voice icy, devoid of emotion.
"Leave. Tell your master… there are forces in this world that must never be touched."
The two froze, uncertain whether to trust the warning of a beggar. But Tian Yu's gaze dark, fathomless, resolute compelled them to turn and flee at top speed.
Silence reclaimed the cave. Tian Yu's eyes scanned the unconscious forms, a thin exhale escaping him.
"Ants will always remain ants. I don't have time to crush them all."
He glanced down at the black scroll clutched against his chest, then stepped out into the night. The mist welcomed him like a cloak, and in the distance, the forest rumbled sensing the awakening of something long buried, long feared.
The night in the forest grew denser, mist curling around the towering tree trunks like thin curtains. Tian Yu walked lightly, casually, as if he were on a leisurely stroll rather than watching his opponents. His eyes were sharp, yet a playful smirk always lingered at the corner of his lips. He could sense them the Dragon Sect students still trailing behind, hesitant, but too curious to retreat.
"Still trying to catch up? Really? Don't tell me… this is your running practice," Tian Yu teased, his voice soft yet full of mockery, as if laughing at someone struggling too hard. His gaze pierced through the shadows, making them swallow nervously.
The two students quickened their pace, swords gripped tightly, faces tense. Tian Yu nodded slightly, leaning to the side, his shadow splitting among the trees. In a blink, he appeared on the other side of the river, grinning mischievously, causing one student to jump back in surprise.
"Oh, your sword is shaking… adorable. Don't worry, I'm just watching… for now," he whispered, playful but cutting. He didn't strike he simply enjoyed their fear, observing each expression as panic flickered across their faces.
He stopped at the edge of the winding river, moonlight reflecting faintly on the water's surface, forming a thin shimmering veil. The black scroll remained snug against his chest. Tian Yu bent casually, letting a few drops of water touch the scroll as he whispered a subtle incantation. The sealed energy didn't flash or spark but strengthened the scroll's core, resonating subtly with the surrounding environment earth, water, mist, and trees.
"Every movement… every breath… must be perfect," he whispered, his fingers dancing through the air, creating a rhythm between the river, the scroll, and the mist. His grin widened. "But I doubt you could ever imitate this… it would be too funny if you tried."
From a distance, the students began to sense something strange. The ground trembled faintly beneath them, trees swayed as if touched by an invisible wind. They saw nothing, yet the unease was real.
Tian Yu chuckled softly. "Ah, this is far more fun than formal training… just look at them panic, it's hilarious." He knew this wasn't just about physical combat subtle manipulation of the environment allowed him to control their fear without lifting a hand.
"Enough playing… time for… a little lesson," he murmured casually, each word radiating tension. The forest seemed to hold its breath.
With a light, effortless motion, Tian Yu bent a branch. A sharp crack echoed. The student at the front flinched, swinging his sword wildly, movements uncontrolled as sudden tension surged through him. Tian Yu pressed the tip of his finger to the ground. Instantly, the student's body froze; muscles stiffened, and the sword slipped from his grasp.
"Oops… your sword fell. Don't tell me you're giving up already," Tian Yu teased, shaking his head lightly, the mischievous smirk still playing on his lips. Meanwhile, he had already vanished from their sight, appearing on the other side of the river, moving with relaxed precision. Every step flowed naturally, though all his power remained sealed. He was a true master of the void calm, deadly, and always one step ahead.
The mist thickened, and the sounds of the forest grew sharper: the gurgle of the river, rustling leaves, snapping twigs. Everything moved in rhythm with Tian Yu. The students were now fully aware of their helplessness bodies tense, breaths ragged, hearts pounding.
Tian Yu chuckled again, slightly louder this time. "Ah… you all look so panicked. Absolutely entertaining." He remained relaxed, taking no rush to strike. Manipulating shadows and the environment was far more enjoyable than wielding a sword.
The night forest bore witness to Tian Yu's playful smirk the master who conquered fear with sarcasm, teasing, and a single fingertip. Tian Yu, the sealed master of the void, relished every moment, as if to say: "Learn or be scared, it's up to you. I'm just here for fun."