The wind carried the scent of ash and dust.
An Bo Tiankong's palms ached. His muscles trembled, still adjusting to the flow of energy he had forced through himself yesterday. The arena was silent, but he knew the calm was temporary.
Something was coming.
The old man's warning echoed in his mind: "Even a Level 1 cultivator can stir ancient forces. But the world is watching."
Tiankong exhaled slowly. He had to be ready.
The Disturbance
A low rumble shook the ground. Not from the ruins themselves, but from beneath them.
Cracks widened along the stone. Dust spiraled upward.
Tiankong's hair glimmered faintly, pink strands flickering as the faint aura leak from his Early Stage cultivation pushed outward involuntarily. Level 1, Body Tempering Stage—Mid Sub-stage.
It's too early… he thought, tension coiling in his chest.
From one of the deeper cracks emerged a small, twisted figure. Shadowed skin, glowing red eyes, claws dragging against stone. A Void Spawn, an offspring of the demons that had ravaged villages centuries ago.
Its aura was weak but sharp. Level 2, Spirit Channel Stage—Early Sub-stage.
Tiankong blinked. He could sense the sub-stage. The creature had just barely surpassed him in cultivation.
This is the first real test.
Engagement Begins
The spawn hissed and lunged. Its claws tore at the air, not aiming for a specific target, but radiating intent.
Tiankong reacted instinctively. He shifted energy to his legs, preparing for Shadow Drift, his movement technique.
Technique Level: Early Tier
Effect: Removes the user from perception for a split second, allowing repositioning or evasion.
The Void Spawn's claw struck empty air. Dust erupted where it would have landed.
Tiankong rolled behind a shattered pillar. His heartbeat thudded.
That was too close…
He rose, focusing his aura into his fists. Pink energy shimmered faintly.
Pulse Strike.
The energy condensed, a sharp strike aimed at the approaching spawn.
The creature's red eyes widened as the impact hit. Even Level 2 Early Sub-stage, it staggered, caught off-guard by a Level 1 Early Stage human's controlled technique.
Power isn't just about level… Tiankong realized. It's about control.
Power Scaling Demonstrated
The spawn recovered, claws extended. Its aura flared slightly, shaking loose more dust. Tiankong sensed the differences clearly now:
Early Stage – Early Sub-stage: aura flickers, barely affects surroundings
Early Stage – Mid Sub-stage: aura pushes debris, minor tremors
Early Stage – Late Sub-stage: environment reacts noticeably
Early Stage – Peak Sub-stage: minor environmental damage, nearby weaker cultivators feel the pulse
The spawn tried to strike again. Tiankong adjusted, pushing Mid Sub-stage energy through Shadow Drift.
He vanished, then reappeared behind the creature. Pulse Strike followed, breaking a chunk of stone beneath it.
The spawn screamed, staggering backward, aura faltering.
Tiankong's chest burned, energy surging, pulse rapid. Even small movements now required conscious control.
If I push harder… I could hurt myself.
Unexpected Outcome
The ground beneath the spawn cracked. A faint ripple—different from Tiankong's energy—rose.
It was the seal again. Reacting. Watching. Responding.
It's aware of the fight… he thought. It's learning.
The creature hissed, aura flickering weakly, then lunged again.
Tiankong centered himself. Small circles of energy around his fists, Pink strands glowing faintly. He was ready to counter.
This was the first trial the world had given him. Not by instruction. Not by choice.
By circumstance.
First Victory
He struck. Pulse Strike followed by a calculated kick. The spawn screamed. Its aura shattered, not destroyed—but dispersed enough to force retreat.
It vanished into the shadows, leaving scorched marks on the arena floor.
Tiankong dropped to one knee, chest heaving. Sweat ran down his forehead.
Level 1, Early Stage… he thought, trembling. And I survived against Level 2 Early Sub-stage.
The old man's voice echoed behind him. "Well done. You understand now. Control, not raw energy, makes a difference. Even at your realm, you can influence creatures above your level if you master your aura."
Tiankong nodded, trying to steady his breathing. His pink hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
This… this is only the beginning.
The ruins were quiet again.
But he knew it wouldn't last.
Far above, shadows shifted. Ancient eyes narrowed, calculating. The stirrings of centuries had noticed this child.
And the first trial was only a warning.