Chapter 1: 01| Stars Chosen
Li Mei had always known she was different.
The whispers followed her wherever she went, lingering in the cool night air like the mist that clung to the mountains surrounding her village. The villagers called her *cursed*—an orphan with strange, glowing marks on her skin that appeared under the moonlight. She tried to ignore them, focusing instead on the comforting warmth of the old village elder's home, where she had lived since she could remember.
Tonight, however, was different. Tonight, the sky was clear, revealing a tapestry of stars that seemed to pulse with energy. The village elder, Old Man Shen, had told her to stay inside, warning of strange omens and celestial phenomena. But Li Mei couldn't resist the pull of the night sky.
She stood on the edge of the village, her bare feet sinking into the cold, damp earth as she looked up. The stars were brighter than she had ever seen them, and her heart pounded in her chest as she felt an inexplicable connection to the twinkling lights above. Her hand absently touched the faint markings on her arm, the lines and curves that resembled constellations, and she felt a strange warmth spreading from the marks, as if the stars themselves were calling to her.
A sudden gust of wind whipped through the village, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth. Li Mei's long, black hair billowed around her face as she narrowed her eyes, focusing on a single point in the sky. One star, brighter than all the others, seemed to be descending from the heavens, growing larger and more radiant with each passing second.
The villagers began to stir, stepping out of their homes and casting wary glances at the sky. They mumbled to one another in hushed tones, their fear evident in the way they clutched their talismans and muttered prayers to the Celestial Court.
But Li Mei wasn't afraid. She couldn't be. The star—no, the celestial light—was calling to her, filling her with a strange, exhilarating energy. Her breath quickened as the light descended further, illuminating the entire village in a soft, ethereal glow.
"What is it?" she whispered to herself, taking a step forward. She could feel the energy vibrating through her veins, could feel the connection between her and the celestial light growing stronger. It was as if the stars had chosen her for something, something beyond her understanding.
"Li Mei, get back inside!" Old Man Shen's voice cut through the stillness, urgent and laced with fear. The old man hobbled towards her, his cane sinking into the earth with each step. His wrinkled face was pale, and his eyes were wide with terror as he reached out to grab her arm.
But before he could pull her away, the celestial light descended completely, touching down just outside the village. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the villagers gasped, retreating in fear. Li Mei could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she watched, entranced by the sight.
The light was blinding, yet it didn't hurt her eyes. It shimmered and pulsed, growing and contracting like a living, breathing thing. And then, slowly, it began to take shape.
A figure emerged from the light, tall and imposing, draped in flowing robes that seemed to shimmer like the night sky. His long, silver hair flowed down his back, and his eyes—deep, black, and endless—locked onto Li Mei's with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat.
"Who… who are you?" Li Mei managed to whisper, unable to tear her gaze away from the man who stood before her. The air around him seemed to hum with power, a power that felt both familiar and overwhelming.
The man did not immediately answer. Instead, he stepped closer, his movements graceful and fluid, as if he were floating rather than walking. The villagers cowered, some falling to their knees in prayer, but Li Mei stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.
When the man finally spoke, his voice was deep and resonant, filled with authority. "I am Elder Tian of the Celestial Mountain Sect," he said, his gaze never leaving Li Mei's. "And you, child, are marked by the stars."
Li Mei's breath hitched. The Celestial Mountain Sect was a name she had only heard in passing, whispered in awe and fear by travelers who spoke of the sect's immense power and its connection to the celestial realms. But why would someone like him come to their remote village? And why did he speak to her as if she were someone important?
"I… I don't understand," she stammered, her heart racing. "Why are you here?"
Elder Tian's eyes softened slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. "You are not like the others," he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate within her very soul. "The stars have chosen you, Li Mei. You possess a power that is rare, even among the most gifted of cultivators. A power that must be nurtured and honed."
Li Mei's mind raced, struggling to comprehend what he was saying. Power? The stars? She had always known there was something different about her, something that set her apart from the others, but she had never imagined it could be something like this.
"The Celestial Convergence," Elder Tian continued, his gaze unwavering. "It occurs once every thousand years, marking the birth of those who are destined for greatness—or destruction. You, Li Mei, were born under the light of the Convergence. The markings on your skin are the proof."
Li Mei looked down at her arm, at the faint constellations that had always been a part of her. The villagers had called them cursed, but now, hearing Elder Tian's words, she felt a flicker of hope, a small spark of something she had never dared to feel before—destiny.
"But… what does it mean?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What am I supposed to do?"
Elder Tian studied her for a moment, as if weighing her worth. "It means that you are meant for something greater than this village, Li Mei," he said. "You are meant to walk the path of the stars, to cultivate the power within you. But it is a path fraught with danger, with enemies who will seek to destroy you before you can fulfill your destiny."
Li Mei's heart pounded in her chest, the weight of his words settling over her like a heavy mantle. The idea of leaving the village, of embarking on a journey she could barely comprehend, was terrifying. But there was something else—something deep within her that responded to the call of the stars, something that urged her to take the first step.
"I… I want to learn," she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "I want to know who I really am."
Elder Tian nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Then come with me, Li Mei. Come to the Celestial Mountain Sect, and I will teach you the ways of the stars."
The decision was made in an instant, and yet it felt as if it had been destined all along. Li Mei glanced back at Old Man Shen, who watched her with sad eyes but gave a nod of approval.
"Go, child," he said softly. "Your path lies beyond this village. Follow it, and may the stars guide you."
As they walked together towards the celestial light, the villagers' whispers faded into the night, replaced by the hum of the stars above.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone