Three days later, a tall man in a black cloak appeared at the village's edge. His aura was immense, yet there was a faint glint of mischief in his eyes. Villagers whispered that he looked like trouble—and Lin Xuan, with his usual luck, was right in the middle of it.
"I am Master Zhao," the man announced dramatically, hands clasped behind his back. "I have been observing you, Lin Xuan. That stone you found… it marks you as someone with the potential to ascend."
Lin Xuan squinted. "Ascend? Like… to heaven?"
Master Zhao's lips twitched in a very unconvincing smile. "No. Not… exactly heaven. More like… becoming ridiculously strong and occasionally terrifying everyone around you."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "That's… reassuring."
"Do not mock me," Master Zhao said, though his eyes betrayed amusement. "The road of cultivation is perilous. Rivals, beasts, dangerous herbs that will make your hair fall out… the list goes on. But if you truly wish to awaken your potential, you must train under me."
Lin Xuan hesitated. He had dreamed of being powerful, yes—but the reality of leaving his simple life and possibly getting eaten by a mountain tiger was… intimidating.
"Uh… do I get a manual or… a cheat code or something?" he asked, half-joking.
Master Zhao raised an eyebrow. "The only cheat code is suffering. Lots and lots of suffering. And maybe some injuries."
Lin Xuan gulped. But then the stone in his pocket glimmered softly. It seemed to nod. "Fine," he said, determination bubbling up. "I'll do it."
Master Zhao's smirk turned into a full grin. "Good. We leave at dawn. Pack lightly, but bring a strong stomach. You will need it."