Chapter 1: Chapter 1 - A Cold Dawn
The world was still as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, casting long shadows across the frost-covered peaks of the Celestial Abyss.
The peaks, ancient and towering, seemed to pierce the heavens themselves, their jagged edges reaching out as if to grasp the very stars. Here, in this realm of eternal winter, where the air was thin and the earth was barren, the silence was profound, broken only by the occasional gust of wind that swept through the mountains, carrying with it the scent of ice and the whisper of forgotten secrets.
High above the mortal world, where the sky seemed closer to the earth and the boundaries between realms were thin, Xuanyuan Tian stood alone.
Clad in robes of deep black, the color of the abyss itself, Tian's presence was as cold as the air that swirled around him. He was tall and imposing, his broad shoulders and muscular frame evident even beneath the heavy layers of his robes. His hair, long and as black as the night, was tied back in a simple yet elegant topknot, a single strand hanging loose to frame his angular face.
His skin was pale, almost unnaturally so, as if it had never been touched by the warmth of the sun. But it was his eyes that were most striking—piercing silver, like shards of ice, reflecting no warmth, only the endless void that lay within his heart.
Tian's expression was one of cold detachment, his sharp features set in a mask of indifference. He had long since abandoned the need for emotion, for in this world, weakness was a luxury he could not afford.
The path he had chosen was one of absolute power, and there was no room for hesitation or doubt. As the young master of the Xuanyuan Clan, an ancient and feared family with a lineage that traced back to the primordial chaos, Tian carried the weight of a thousand generations on his shoulders.
But to him, that weight was nothing more than a reminder of his destiny—a destiny he would carve out with his own hands.
The cold wind howled around him, but Tian paid it no mind. His gaze remained fixed on the rising sun, its light gradually pushing back the darkness that had enveloped the world.
The Celestial Abyss was a place of harsh beauty, where life was a constant struggle against the elements. But it was also a place of power, where the very air was thick with Qi, the energy that sustained all life and fueled the cultivation of those strong enough to wield it.
Behind Tian, a figure knelt, her head bowed in deference. Li Xue, the female assassin who had pledged her life to him, was the only one allowed to stand so close.
She was a striking figure, slender but strong, her body honed to perfection through years of rigorous training. Her hair, long and silky, was as black as Tian's, but it was tied in a high ponytail that flowed down her back like a river of midnight. Her skin was fair, with a hint of rosiness that contrasted with the cold surroundings.
But like Tian, it was her eyes that drew the most attention—dark and sharp, like polished obsidian, they held a quiet intensity that spoke of both danger and loyalty.
Li Xue's face was partially obscured by a black mask that covered the lower half of her face, leaving only her eyes and the faint outline of her delicate nose visible.
The mask was a symbol of her role, a constant reminder of the life she had chosen—a life of shadows and silence, where her blade spoke louder than any words could. Her clothing was form-fitting, designed for agility and speed, yet it offered no less protection.
The dark fabric clung to her lithe form, accentuating her curves while allowing her to move with the grace of a predator. At her side, a slender sword hung from her belt, its hilt wrapped in black leather, the blade concealed within a scabbard as dark as the abyss itself.
"You summoned me, young master," Li Xue said, her voice barely more than a whisper, yet it carried in the stillness of the morning. Her tone was measured, devoid of any emotion that might betray her thoughts. She kept her head lowered, not out of fear, but out of respect for the man she had sworn to follow.
"I did," Tian replied, his tone equally devoid of inflection. His voice was deep and smooth, like the rumble of distant thunder. "We leave today."
Li Xue raised her head slightly, her dark eyes meeting Tian's for a brief moment before she looked away. Tian was not one to speak lightly; when he declared that it was time to leave, it meant that their journey—one that had been long in preparation—was finally beginning. "Where shall we go, young master?" she asked, her voice steady.
Tian's gaze remained on the horizon, where the sun now hovered just above the mountains, its light spilling over the world like blood. "To the Eastern Realms. There are secrets buried there, and I intend to uncover them."
The Eastern Realms—a vast and mysterious land, known for its ancient sects, hidden treasures, and the countless dangers that lurked within its borders.
It was a place where even the strongest cultivators tread carefully, for the Eastern Realms were said to be the birthplace of many legends, and the final resting place of many more.
Tian's interest in the Eastern Realms was not idle curiosity; it was driven by a purpose that he had kept hidden even from his most loyal followers.
Li Xue nodded, understanding that no further explanation was needed. She rose gracefully to her feet, her movements as fluid as water, and stepped back to allow Tian to lead the way.
Her loyalty to him was absolute, forged in the fires of a past that neither of them spoke of, but which had bound them together in an unbreakable bond.
Without another word, Tian turned and began to descend the mountain. The path was treacherous, a narrow ledge carved into the side of the mountain, with a sheer drop on one side that led to the abyss below. The wind howled around them, carrying with it the promise of a journey fraught with danger and discovery.
But Tian moved with the confidence of one who had walked this path a thousand times, his steps sure and unhesitating.
As they made their way down the treacherous path, Li Xue followed closely behind, her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.
The Celestial Abyss was a place of many dangers, not just from the harsh environment, but from the creatures that dwelled within its depths—beasts of ice and shadow, born from the ancient energies that permeated the land. But Li Xue was not afraid; she had faced death many times in the past, and she knew that as long as she remained by Tian's side, there was nothing in this world that could harm her.
For Tian, this was only the beginning. The world was vast, and its mysteries were endless. But with the blood of the Xuanyuan Clan flowing through his veins and the cold, unyielding determination in his heart, he knew that nothing would stand in his way.
He was destined to rise, to become a Sovereign in a world where power was the only truth. And as he took his first step toward that destiny, the heavens themselves seemed to tremble, as if acknowledging the arrival of a force that could not be denied.
As they descended further into the abyss, the landscape began to change. The frozen peaks gave way to dark, foreboding forests, where the trees were twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like the claws of some ancient beast.
The air grew thicker, heavy with the scent of decay and the whispers of spirits long departed. It was a land of death, where the souls of the fallen lingered, trapped between this world and the next.
Tian moved through the forest with purpose, his steps light but deliberate. He could feel the eyes of the spirits upon him, watching, waiting. But they did not dare approach, for they sensed the power that radiated from him, a power that far surpassed anything they had known in life. They could only watch in silence as he passed, a ghostly procession of shadows that faded into the mist as quickly as they appeared.
Li Xue remained close, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword. She, too, could feel the presence of the spirits, but she paid them no mind. Her focus was entirely on Tian, her every sense attuned to his movements.
She had followed him through countless battles, through the most dangerous of lands, and she knew that this journey would be no different. Whatever dangers lay ahead, she would face them without hesitation.
As they emerged from the forest, the landscape opened up into a vast, desolate plain. The ground was cracked and dry, the earth scorched as if by some great fire.
In the distance, the ruins of an ancient city loomed, its crumbling walls and broken towers a testament to the passage of time. This was a place forgotten by the world, a place where the echoes of the past still lingered, and where the secrets of a bygone era lay buried beneath the dust.
Tian paused at the edge of the plain, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the ruins. This was not their destination, but it was a place of interest nonetheless.
The city had once been a thriving center of cultivation, home to a powerful sect that had been destroyed in a cataclysmic battle centuries ago. Now, it was nothing more than a graveyard, a monument to the folly of those who had sought to defy the natural order.
"There is power here," Tian said, more to himself than to Li Xue. His voice was low, contemplative, as if he were speaking to the spirits of the dead that still haunted the ruins. "Power that has been forgotten, but not lost."
Li Xue said nothing, but she could sense it too—the faint, lingering traces of Qi that still permeated the air, remnants of the battles that had once raged here. It was a power that had long since faded, but it was still there, waiting to be claimed by those who were strong enough to take it.
Tian turned to Li Xue, his expression unreadable. "We will rest here for a time," he said. "There are things I wish to learn from this place."
Li Xue nodded in understanding. She knew that when Tian spoke of learning, it was not in the conventional sense. He did not seek knowledge for its own sake, but for the power it could bring him. The ruins of the city were a treasure trove of ancient secrets, and Tian intended to unearth them.
They made their way toward the city, the ground crunching beneath their feet as they crossed the barren plain. The air grew colder as they approached, the temperature dropping rapidly as they entered the shadow of the ruined walls.
The city was silent, save for the faint rustling of the wind as it passed through the crumbling structures. It was as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
The entrance to the city was marked by a massive gate, its once-grand archway now cracked and weathered by time. The symbols etched into the stone were barely visible, worn away by the centuries, but Tian could still make out the faint traces of the sect's insignia—a dragon coiled around a lotus flower, a symbol of both power and purity.
The dragon's eyes seemed to glint with a malevolent intelligence, as if aware of the presence of intruders.
Tian and Li Xue passed through the gate without hesitation, their steps echoing in the empty streets. The city was a maze of narrow alleys and towering buildings, their facades crumbling and overgrown with thick vines.
Here and there, remnants of the sect's former glory could still be seen—statues of long-forgotten deities, broken and half-buried in the dirt; banners that once proudly displayed the sect's colors, now tattered and faded.
The deeper they ventured into the city, the stronger the sense of foreboding became. The air was thick with the weight of history, the ghosts of the past lingering just out of sight.
But Tian was undeterred. He had come here for a reason, and he would not leave until he had uncovered the secrets that lay hidden within the city's heart.
They finally came to a stop in front of what had once been the sect's grand temple. The building was vast, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that depicted scenes of battle and triumph.
The doors, massive and made of dark wood, were still intact, though they bore the scars of countless conflicts. Tian pushed them open with a single, powerful motion, the doors creaking ominously as they swung inward.
Inside, the temple was eerily quiet. The hall was vast, its high ceiling supported by towering pillars that were carved with the likenesses of ancient gods.
The floor was covered in a thick layer of dust, undisturbed for centuries. At the far end of the hall stood a massive altar, its surface covered in strange symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light.
Tian approached the altar, his steps slow and deliberate. He could feel the power emanating from it, a pulse of energy that resonated with his own.
This was the source of the city's lingering Qi, the heart of the sect's power. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cold stone, and the symbols on the altar flared to life, their light brightening to a blinding intensity.
Li Xue instinctively reached for her sword, her body tensing as she prepared for whatever might come. But Tian remained calm, his expression unchanged as the light enveloped him.
He could feel the power surging through him, ancient and potent, filling every fiber of his being. It was a power that had been lost to the world for centuries, a power that had once made this sect one of the most feared in the Eastern Realms.
As the light faded, the symbols on the altar dimmed and then went dark, leaving the temple in silence once more. But something had changed—Tian could feel it in the air, a subtle shift in the balance of power. He had awakened something within the temple, something that had been dormant for centuries.
Li Xue stepped forward, her eyes scanning the hall for any signs of danger. "What was that, young master?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of curiosity.
Tian turned to her, his silver eyes gleaming in the dim light. "A fragment of what was once great," he said, his tone contemplative. "But even a fragment of such power is enough to change the course of fate."
He looked around the temple, his gaze lingering on the dark corners where the light had not reached. "This city holds many secrets, and this is only the beginning. We will stay here for a time, explore the ruins, and uncover what remains of the sect's knowledge."
Li Xue nodded, her expression resolute. "I will guard the perimeter, young master," she said, turning to leave the temple. But before she could take a step, Tian spoke again.
"Li Xue," he said, his voice softer than before. She stopped and turned to face him, her dark eyes meeting his.
"There is something else here," he continued, his tone thoughtful. "Something ancient, something that predates even the sect that once ruled this city. I can feel its presence, buried deep within the earth. It is a power that has slumbered for far too long."
Li Xue's gaze sharpened, her instincts as an assassin kicking in. "Do you want me to investigate, young master?" she asked, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
Tian shook his head. "No. Not yet. Whatever it is, it is not something to be disturbed lightly. For now, focus on securing the area. I need time to study the altar and learn what I can from it."
Li Xue bowed her head in acknowledgment. "As you wish, young master."
She turned and left the temple, her footsteps barely making a sound as she moved through the ancient city. Tian watched her go, his expression unreadable.
She was loyal, perhaps to a fault, but it was that loyalty that made her invaluable to him. In this world, trust was a rare commodity, and Tian had learned long ago that those who offered it freely were often the ones who suffered the most.
Tian turned back to the altar, his mind already racing with possibilities. The power he had felt was unlike anything he had encountered before—ancient, yes, but also raw and untamed. It was a power that could reshape the world, if only he could learn to control it.
He placed his hand on the altar once more, feeling the cool stone beneath his fingers. The symbols had gone dark, but he knew that the power was still there, waiting to be tapped into. He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy that lay dormant within the stone, letting it flow through him.
As he delved deeper into the power, he began to see visions—flashes of the past, glimpses of a world long forgotten. He saw the sect in its prime, its members training in the courtyard, their Qi flowing like rivers of light.
He saw battles fought in the name of honor and glory, the sect's warriors clashing with enemies from across the realms. And he saw the city's downfall, the moment when everything had come crashing down in a storm of fire and blood.
But there was something else, something that lay beneath the surface of these visions. A presence, dark and ancient, watching from the shadows. It was a power older than the sect, older than the city itself. A power that had been sealed away for centuries, waiting for someone strong enough to awaken it.
Tian's eyes snapped open, his breath coming in short gasps. The visions faded, leaving him alone in the silent temple. But the presence he had felt was still there, lurking just beneath the surface, waiting for its chance to break free.
He stepped back from the altar, his mind racing with the implications of what he had seen. This city, this ruined temple, was more than just a remnant of a forgotten sect. It was a key, a gateway to something far greater. And if he could unlock its secrets, he would gain a power unlike anything the world had ever seen.
But he knew that such power came with a price. The presence he had felt was not benevolent—it was a force of destruction, a chaos that had been contained for centuries. If he were to unleash it, there would be no turning back.
Tian took a deep breath, calming his racing thoughts. He had come too far to be deterred by fear or doubt. The path he had chosen was one of power, and he would walk it to its end, no matter what the cost.
As he left the temple, the sun had risen higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the city. Li Xue was waiting for him outside, her expression unreadable as always.
"Is everything in order?" Tian asked, his voice calm and controlled.
"Yes, young master," Li Xue replied. "The area is secure. There are no signs of any other presence."
Tian nodded, satisfied. "Good. We will stay here for a time."
Li Xue bowed her head in acknowledgment, her hand never straying far from her sword. "As you command, young master."
They stood there for a moment, the silence between them comfortable, as the cold wind swept through the ancient city.
The ruins around them seemed to watch with unseen eyes, the weight of history pressing down upon them. But Tian was undaunted. He had chosen this path, and he would see it through to the end.
With a final glance at the temple, Tian turned and began to walk away, Li Xue following close behind. The journey ahead would be long and perilous, but Tian was ready. He had faced countless challenges before, and he knew that this would be no different.
As they left the city behind, the sun finally broke free from the mountains, its light spilling across the land like a flood of molten gold. The world was vast, filled with endless possibilities and untold dangers. But for Tian, it was all part of his destiny.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone