Morning light seeped through the cracks of the ancient cave and showed a silent, solemn air inside. On the opposite stone wall, the luminous lines of an enormous formation engraved by Jun Tian reflected a great web of golden and silver runes softly quivering as if breathing.
In the center, Jun Tian sat cross-legged. Before him, an identical silhouette took shape—translucent at first, then dense and alive. The spiritual flow between them pulsed like a shared heart.
The condensed spiritual energy swirled in the air, taking the form of ethereal currents that connected the main body to the new spiritual body.
Yue Lian, in his floating spiritual form, observed silently. The silvery light of his presence calmed the air, but his eyes held a serious glint.
"A soul-splitting technique is something that even Soul Realm cultivators rarely master," he commented softly. "The slightest mistake, and part of your consciousness would be devoured by the void."
Jun Tian kept his eyes closed, his tone firm and calm.
"I've already understood the structure of the technique. I only lack one point of stability... the seal between the souls."
Yue Lian raised his hand, and a petal of light floated to the center of the formation.
"Use this. It's a part of my spiritual essence. It won't interfere with your soul, but it will stabilize the energy flow between both consciousnesses."
Jun Tian nodded slightly. When the petal entered the formation, all the runes lit up at the same time.
A low sound—like distant thunder—reverberated through the ruins.
The energy of the place reacted.
Rivers of spiritual light rose from the ground, circling Jun Tian and the figure before him. The divided soul condensed, gaining form, flesh, and presence. Its eyes slowly opened—identical to Jun Tian's, but without the same restrained brilliance.
They reflected a deep calm, cold as ice.
"So you are... me." Jun Tian opened his eyes, looking at the copy before him.
Tian Ling smiled slightly. His voice sounded calm, but there was a cutting serenity in his tone.
"I am what you cannot show the world. The blade that moves in the shadows."
Yue Lian observed the scene, her expression a mixture of astonishment and admiration.
"Incredible... the connection between your souls is perfect. Even at such low cultivation levels, you managed to divide and stabilize your essence. This is... impossible without an absurd affinity with the Soul Dao."
Jun Tian took a deep breath.
"Nothing is impossible if there is a need." — He extended his hand, and a jade ring floated to Tian Ling. — This ring carries a modified rune. Whatever is placed on it will be sent directly to me.
— What if I get hurt? — asked Tian Ling.
— I will feel the pain — replied Jun Tian calmly. — We are one.
The clone examined the ring, then placed it on his finger. For an instant, there was a flicker in the spiritual flow between them—a bridge of light uniting their consciousness.
Jun Tian looked up towards the top of the cave, where an invisible barrier separated them from the outside world.
"There is a concealing matrix laid over this entire area; even if one from the Transformation Realm were to pass through, they would not be able to find me."
He paused. "But you, Tian Ling.must leave."
Yue Lian stared at him curiously and asked, "Are you going to let him wander alone?"
"The clone is an extension of my Dao." Jun Tian looked at her. "While he gathers resources, I will refine the ancient formations and raise my foundation. The link between us will maintain the balance."
Tian Ling lowered his head a little, a reserved smile appearing on his lips.
"Understood. Hunting, exploring, and surviving. what you can't do here, I will do out there."
Jun Tian waved his hand, and the spiritual barrier gave way partly. A beam of golden light cut through the mists of the forbidden zone.
The air outside was thick and wild. Distant roars echoed through the mountains, and the spiritual pressure of demonic beasts caused the ground to vibrate.
Tian Ling took the first step forward. His body disappeared in the mist, while the spiritual link between the two didn't loosen a bit, beating with a harmonious cadence.
Jun Tian closed his eyes and felt the presence of his other "self" fade away.
In his body, spiritual Qi circulated smoothly and evenly between the two consciousnesses. The feeling was strange-as if there was another heart beating inside of his soul.
Yue Lian approached, her soft voice breaking the silence.
"It's a risk, but also a perfect gamble. This technique could become one of your greatest weapons... or your greatest burden."
Jun Tian slowly opened his eyes, and the golden glow in his pupils seemed to reflect the entire valley.
"I gambled my life in the past and lost everything. This time, I won't lose anything."
Yue Lian observed him for a moment, then looked away at the hazy sky above.
"The connection between you two is so pure that..." She paused briefly, thoughtful. "I felt a slight vibration when the energy stabilized. As if something... out there had responded."
Jun Tian frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing concrete," she replied. "Just a distant feeling, like the echo of an ancient presence that touched your spirit. Perhaps the awakening of this technique has drawn the attention of something that has been sleeping for a long time."
Jun Tian went silent for a while, taking in those words.
The mist of the valley was stirred once more. The ancient runes shimmered softly beneath his feet, reflecting his aura.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Then let it awaken. Whatever it is… I will face it."
Outside, Tian Ling moved forward into the forbidden zone. Each step he took caused the mist to quiver, and the hidden beasts watched him from afar, their hearts ill at ease.
In the clone's eyes, the same cold glint flickered, the reflection of their joint destinies.
From within the cave, Jun Tian whispered:
"The path ahead will be trodden in two bodies... but one heart."
The cave's runes responded with a luminous pulse—as if the domain itself recognized the birth of a new will.
The echo of the clone, Tian Ling, had departed into the world.
And Jun Tian, in the silence of the ruins, began his next transformation.