The next morning, Hirun strolled through the quiet streets near the city's edge. His mind hummed with possibilities. The system had already highlighted Kael Arvan as the highest-priority candidate, and Hirun couldn't resist a bit of fun.
"Let's see if fate is as interesting as the system says," he murmured.
Ahead, a boy with sharp eyes and messy black hair was practicing chess… alone. The board was littered with pawns and knights, some pieces slightly cracked. Yet the boy's movements were precise, his strategy clear. Hirun's eyes gleamed.
"Bingo," he whispered.
He approached casually. "Hey there, mind if I join?"
The boy looked up, startled. "Who… who are you?"
Hirun grinned, flashing a dazzling smile. "Just a traveler… interested in your game. Mind if I play?"
Kael hesitated. There was something strange about this man. A faint glow in his aura, the subtle command in his posture… it wasn't fear, exactly. More like curiosity tugging at the edges of his mind.
"Sure," Kael said cautiously, moving a pawn.
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Chess as a Test
Hirun sat opposite him. The moment he touched a piece, the board seemed to vibrate subtly, as if acknowledging his presence. He didn't just move pawns—he sensed the battlefield, anticipating Kael's thoughts before the boy even considered them.
Kael's brow furrowed. "How…?"
Hirun smirked. "Relax. Think of it as… Dao training. Strategy is more than logic—it's perception, timing, and heart."
Kael tilted his head, skeptical, but intrigued. The game began. Every move Hirun made seemed effortless, yet every move Kael countered tested him to the edge.
"Not bad," Hirun thought, impressed despite himself. "You've got potential. But potential alone isn't mastery."
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Awakening Fated Energy
After several moves, Hirun tapped the board lightly. The chessboard glowed faintly, and Kael felt a rush of warmth and energy surge through him.
"What… what's happening?" Kael stammered, nearly falling back.
Hirun laughed softly. "Relax. That's just a hint of your Dao potential awakening. You're… fated, Kael. Destined to walk a path you haven't even imagined yet."
The system confirmed silently in Hirun's mind: Candidate fated. High compatibility with Dao of Strategy. Probability of greatness: 93%.
Kael's eyes widened as he felt a new awareness opening inside him. Chess pieces moved not just on the board, but in his mind. Patterns, probabilities, and potential outcomes bloomed like constellations.
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The First Lesson
Hirun leaned back, arms behind his head, smiling lazily. "Rule one, disciple: Don't just see the world—you predict it. Don't just fight your enemies—you understand them before they even move. That's the Dao of Strategy."
Kael nodded, still trying to process the surge of energy. "You… you make it sound so easy."
"That's because it is," Hirun said, standing up. He flicked his fingers, and the chessboard dissolved into a small cloud of golden light. "The Dao is easy if you're willing to see it… and painful if you ignore it. But you? I think you're going to enjoy the pain."
Kael blinked, confused—but oddly exhilarated. Something about this man made him feel… alive in a way he hadn't before.
Hirun grinned. "Good. First lesson complete. Now… let's see how you handle music."
Kael's eyebrows shot up. "Music?"
Hirun shrugged casually. "Chess trains your mind. Music trains your soul. And your soul, Kael, is just as important as your strategy. Come on—follow me."
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A Teacher Unlike Any Other
As they walked toward the city's abandoned concert hall, Hirun thought quietly:
This is only the beginning. Three disciples to guide, countless Daos to master, and infinite worlds to explore. Fun isn't optional—it's mandatory.
And with that, the first spark of a legend was lit—the Heavenly Immortal and his first disciple, beginning a path that would shake the heavens, alter timelines, and challenge even fate itself.
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💥 End of Chapter 3