The early morning sun filtered through the tall pines surrounding the Sea of Stars Sect, casting golden streaks across the courtyard. Birds chirped faintly in the distance, and the usual sounds of distant cultivation practice had yet to begin. For most disciples, it was another morning of routine training, but for Li Shen, it was the first day of a journey unlike any other—a day that would test both patience and resolve.
He sat at the edge of the main courtyard, legs folded, eyes closed, hands resting lightly on his knees. The memory of yesterday's sparring against Jian Yu and the faint spark that had emerged in his Sea of Ocean consumed his thoughts. Though it had been subtle, almost imperceptible, it had ignited something deep within him.
It was real… it wasn't a fluke.
Li Shen opened his eyes, staring at his hands as though expecting them to shine. Nothing appeared. Only the pale sunlight reflecting off his black hair and the smooth stone tiles beneath him.
He clenched his fists, feeling the familiar ache of frustration and determination mix. I am not worthless. Not rootless. Not nothing.
The whispers of the sect still echoed faintly in his mind. "Trash… rootless… worthless." Those words, uttered by disciples like Jian Yu and Zhao Feng, had followed him like shadows. But now, instead of breaking him, they fueled something else—a simmering determination that refused to be extinguished.
If the world sees me as weak… I will show them power.
---
Li Shen rose and moved silently toward a secluded courtyard, hidden behind the main training grounds. It was a place few disciples ever visited, known only for meditation and solitary cultivation. The walls, draped in creeping ivy, and the faint scent of ancient incense made it feel like another world entirely.
He knelt on the cold stone floor and extended both hands, focusing inward. His Sea of Ocean—a space invisible to others—lay dormant, waiting. Li Shen concentrated, sending waves of qi deep into its hidden depths.
At first, there was nothing. No shimmer, no pulse, no spark. He felt the familiar sinking despair, the ghost of humiliation brushing against his resolve. But he forced himself to breathe, slow and deliberate, channeling memories of every late night he had spent training, every lesson from his mother, every moment he had dared to dream of becoming a mage, warrior, summoner, or alchemist.
Then, faintly, almost like a sigh, a flicker appeared. A single thread of energy pulsed along his left palm, imperceptible to the eye, yet undeniable.
Li Shen's eyes widened. He held his breath, afraid to break the fragile connection. The spark was tiny, fragile—a single star in the vast darkness—but it was there.
It's just the beginning… he thought. But it's something.
He tried again, this time focusing more deeply, coaxing the spark to respond to his intent. Slowly, the pulse grew stronger, resonating in sync with his heartbeat. Though it was not enough to summon a weapon or element, it was proof. Proof that his Sea of Ocean contained power, waiting to be unlocked layer by layer, as his father had sealed.
A shiver ran down his spine. A faint voice echoed in his mind, barely audible, like the whisper of a distant storm:
"You have only begun. There are layers yet to awaken… patience, perseverance, and strength shall guide you."
Li Shen's heart skipped. He did not recognize the voice—it was not his own, nor anyone he had ever met—but it carried an authority he could not ignore.
---
Li Shen began small. He focused on sensing the qi around him, testing its flow through his body, learning to feel even the faintest stirrings in his Sea of Ocean. Every breath, every heartbeat, every subtle movement became a lesson.
He extended his left hand again, letting the pulse guide him, and for the first time, he noticed a minor reflexive movement in his right hand—a twitch, almost instinctive, like the body knew a step before his conscious mind could act.
"Interesting…" Li Shen muttered under his breath. "So even when nothing shows, there is still… something."
Minutes passed, then hours. Sweat dripped down his brow, his muscles ached, but he persisted. The spark pulsed faintly with every attempt, growing imperceptibly stronger. Though he could not wield it yet, he felt a connection—a bond with the hidden layers of his sealed spirit root, a hint of the dragon core waiting deep within.
---
By late morning, other disciples began arriving at the courtyard for practice. Zhao Feng, always observant, noticed Li Shen in the secluded area and narrowed his violet eyes.
"What is he doing there?" Zhao Feng muttered to a nearby disciple. "Trying to hide again? Or is he plotting some pathetic trick?"
His gaze lingered, suspicion sharpening. He had sensed something unusual during the sparring yesterday—a reflex, a twitch of qi, a movement that defied his expectations of the so-called "rootless" Li Shen.
No matter… Zhao Feng thought, his smirk returning. I will surpass him. He will never rise beyond my shadow.
Yet, deep down, the seed of doubt had been planted. Even Zhao Feng, confident and proud, could not ignore the possibility that Li Shen harbored hidden potential.
Meanwhile, Mei Lin approached quietly, keeping her distance. She had watched Li Shen during the morning, sensing subtle movements that others could not. Her heart beat faster—not from fear, but from curiosity, and perhaps, a flicker of hope.
Could it be… he is not as weak as everyone thinks?
She hesitated, torn. If she intervened, she would risk Zhao Feng's wrath and the judgment of her peers. Yet she could not deny what she sensed: the boy who had been humiliated might truly have a spark of greatness.
---
Li Shen paused, letting his body rest for a moment, sweat dampening his robe. He flexed his hands, observing the faint, trembling pulse of energy flowing from his Sea of Ocean.
One spark… one small spark is all I have. But it is enough.
He thought of his mother again, her kind face etched in his memory. I promised… I will protect her. I will not be worthless. I will awaken every layer, every secret my father sealed. One day…
He clenched his fists tightly. One day, they will all see. Not just Zhao Feng, not just the sect, but everyone who has ever doubted me.
And in that moment, a faint shiver ran through his Sea of Ocean, as if the spark responded to his determination, growing slightly brighter.
---
The sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Li Shen rose to his feet, feeling the subtle warmth of the pulse in his hands, a reminder that power—though hidden—already lived within him.
From the main courtyard, Zhao Feng's gaze followed him. Mei Lin's eyes lingered as well. Whispers began to ripple again—not mocking this time, but curious.
This rootless boy… perhaps he is not so worthless after all.
Li Shen walked back toward the main grounds, silently, alone. Every step felt lighter than the last. The spark in his Sea of Ocean, fragile though it was, burned brighter with resolve.
The path ahead would be treacherous, filled with rivalry, doubt, and betrayal. Yet it was also the path to awakening, to greatness.
---
By midday, the courtyard of the Sea of Stars Sect had become a bustling arena of practice and social observation. Disciples sparred with varying degrees of skill, exchanging elements, weapons, and summons. The air thrummed with faint qi pulses, sparks of energy flickering from hands, weapons, and summoned beasts alike.
Li Shen returned from his secluded training area, stepping lightly onto the jade tiles. He felt the faint pulse of his Sea of Ocean stir beneath his feet—a reminder of the spark he had nurtured in secret. It was subtle, fragile, but undeniable.
---
Zhao Feng, violet-tiered and proud, was not about to let yesterday's incident fade from memory. The sharp edge of rivalry had already begun to grow.
"Li Shen," Zhao Feng called, his voice carrying across the courtyard. Heads turned; some chuckled, others watched in anticipation. "Since you seem to have some… hidden talent, why not show us? Let's spar."
A hush fell. The disciples had expected humiliation or retreat, yet Li Shen did not flinch. He stepped forward, posture calm, though his heart hammered in his chest.
"I will spar," he replied evenly, his voice steady despite the storm within.
The crowd gathered quickly, forming a wide circle around the two. Elder Wu's gaze drifted over, curious but silent.
---
Zhao Feng moved first, a flurry of violet qi coalescing into a blade-shaped weapon in his right hand. He attacked with precision, each strike designed to test, intimidate, and dominate.
Li Shen's body reacted instinctively. Without thinking, he sidestepped, ducked, and countered—not with brute force, but with agility and intuition. The subtle spark of his Sea of Ocean stirred, allowing him to predict Zhao Feng's movements with uncanny accuracy.
Gasps arose from the surrounding disciples. Few had seen a "rootless" boy move with such instinctual grace.
Zhao Feng's eyes narrowed. Impossible… he muttered under his breath. How can a rootless disciple respond so precisely?
Yet he pressed on, his strikes faster and more aggressive. Each clash between their energies sent small shockwaves across the courtyard, flickering the light from nearby lanterns.
---
From the sidelines, Mei Lin's heart beat erratically. She had remained silent, cautious, unsure of what to do. Zhao Feng's dominance had always been intimidating, and her peers expected loyalty to him.
Yet, seeing Li Shen move with such instinctual skill, a spark of hope ignited within her. Could the boy truly possess hidden strength? Could he rise above the humiliation of yesterday?
Her hands clenched into fists. She wanted to shout encouragement, to warn him of Zhao Feng's deceptive feints—but she dared not. Her silence, however, spoke volumes. She could not betray Zhao Feng openly, yet neither could she dismiss the possibility that Li Shen was extraordinary.
Her internal conflict mirrored the tension of the courtyard: admiration mixed with fear, loyalty mixed with hope.
---
As the sparring continued, Li Shen felt a stronger pulse in his Sea of Ocean. This time, it wasn't just a flicker—it resonated with his entire body. His left palm, moving instinctively, glowed faintly with a soft blue-violet hue, subtle but perceptible to those paying close attention.
A faint breeze stirred, as if the energy itself demanded acknowledgment. The spark responded to his intent, almost as if recognizing his determination.
The crowd murmured in astonishment. Whispers ran through the gathered disciples:
"Did you see that?"
"He… he's moving instinctively!"
"Rootless? Impossible…"
Even Zhao Feng faltered, a momentary hesitation in his stance. His pride pricked, replaced by a flicker of doubt. This boy… there is something within him I cannot yet gauge.
---
In a swift maneuver, Li Shen anticipated Zhao Feng's next strike, dodging and countering with a subtle wave of qi from his left hand. The force was minimal, not enough to injure, yet it disrupted Zhao Feng's rhythm, forcing him to stumble slightly.
The courtyard fell silent. All eyes turned toward Li Shen. The boy who had been mocked, ridiculed, and declared rootless was… different.
Elder Wu's sharp eyes gleamed with interest. "Intriguing," he murmured under his breath. "The layers sealed within his spirit… they stir far earlier than expected. This is rare indeed."
Zhao Feng's violet eyes blazed with fury. "You… you dare move like that?" he spat. "I will make you regret this!"
He launched a new flurry of attacks, faster and sharper, trying to overwhelm Li Shen. But the boy's instincts, coupled with the faint awakening of his hidden power, allowed him to respond with precision. Though he was not yet strong, he held his ground in ways no one had anticipated.
---
Disciples whispered and nudged one another, awe and skepticism mixing. Mei Lin's gaze remained fixed on Li Shen, her heart torn between fear for him and fascination at what she was witnessing.
Some disciples began to speculate, quietly. "Perhaps the orb missed something… perhaps he is not truly rootless…"
The phrase spread slowly, the first seeds of recognition taking root. Among the murmurs, a single thought repeated itself: He may have hidden potential… great potential.
Even Zhao Feng could not dismiss it. Pride battled with logic, and in the end, his competitive spirit flared stronger than his doubt. He would not let Li Shen surpass him—not now, not ever.
---
As the sparring ended, Li Shen stepped back, breathing heavily but feeling the faint, steady pulse of his Sea of Ocean. Something had shifted, however slightly—a response from the first layer of his sealed spirit root.
He could not yet see the intricate layers, nor did he understand their purpose fully. But the dragon's whisper, faint and echoing, returned:
"You have awakened more than you realize. The first layer stirs. Step by step, rise, and prepare for those who seek to claim what is yours."
Li Shen's chest tightened. He did not understand all the words, but he understood their meaning. The power within him was hidden, yes—but it was alive, responding to his resolve and determination.
I will not be humiliated again, he thought. I will awaken every layer. I will become the disciple my mother believes I am—and more. I will surpass them all.
---
As the crowd dispersed, Zhao Feng's gaze lingered on Li Shen, calculating and burning with competitive fire. Mei Lin's eyes were soft, conflicted, but undeniably attentive.
Li Shen walked alone toward the secluded courtyard once more, the soft pulse of qi guiding him. He was still at the beginning, still far from awakening, yet the spark of greatness had emerged.
The path ahead was long. Rivalries would deepen. Betrayals might come. But Li Shen's journey had truly begun, and nothing—not mockery, not despair, not even the entire sect—would stop him from reaching his hidden potential.
A faint blue-violet glow shimmered in his left palm—a spark that hinted at the first awakening of the layers within his sealed Sea of Ocean.
And in the distance, the murmurs began: "The rootless boy… perhaps he is not so worthless after all."