Chapter 5: Awakening of Fate

Far from the secluded valley where Li Tian cultivated in silence, the world continued to turn. Back at his childhood home, the village bustled with life as his family persevered in his absence. Though his departure had left them with uncertainty, they had not succumbed to despair. Instead, they had grown stronger, driven by the belief that Li Tian would one day return.

His younger brother, Li Jun, had taken on greater responsibility, stepping up to support their mother and siblings. The village elders had noticed his maturity and began teaching him the ways of the land. Though he lacked the ability to cultivate, he possessed a sharp mind and a resilient spirit—qualities that ensured the survival of the Li family.

But while the village remained a place of simplicity and struggle, the outside world moved toward grander destinies. And among those who felt its pull was Li Feng, Li Tian’s disciple.

Li Feng had left the valley under his master’s instructions, wandering through the world to temper himself. But something within him had drawn him toward one place—the Kunlun Holy Sect.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, the moment he heard of the sect’s recruitment trials, he felt compelled to go. It was not simple curiosity or ambition; it was as if an unseen force was guiding his steps. And so, he traveled across vast lands, overcoming minor tribulations along the way, until he reached the sacred grounds of Kunlun.

The recruitment grounds were filled with thousands of hopeful cultivators, each vying for a chance to step onto the path of greatness. The sect’s elders, powerful figures in the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms, stood in observation, their sharp gazes scanning the crowd for potential disciples.

One by one, applicants stepped forward to test their spiritual roots. Some showed promise, possessing rare elemental affinities, while others were dismissed outright. The higher the compatibility with cultivation, the greater their chances of being accepted.

When it was finally Li Feng’s turn, he stepped forward with quiet confidence. He placed his hand on the sect’s ancient testing stone, and the moment he did, an earth-shattering phenomenon unfolded.

The skies trembled. The winds howled. The once-quiet heavens were painted in divine golden light, and an unseen force spread across the land. The testing stone, which had remained silent for centuries, erupted in radiance, sending golden waves of energy across the sect grounds.

A hushed silence followed. Then, gasps filled the air.

“Heavenly Spiritual Root!” one elder whispered in disbelief.

“This… This is a talent unseen in thousands of years!” another exclaimed.

The disciples-in-training looked on in awe, while the sect elders exchanged stunned glances. To possess a Heavenly Spiritual Root was to be favored by the heavens themselves, a destiny bound for greatness.

High above, within the vast cosmos, something ancient stirred.

Deep within the fabric of existence, beyond the mortal plane, a terrifying figure opened its eyes. Its gaze, vast and endless, penetrated the veil of reality. The entity, shrouded in divine chaos, observed the mortal realm with cold amusement.

“He has awakened.” The voice, ancient and powerful, reverberated through the cosmos. “It seems chaos is about to descend once more.”

With those cryptic words, the entity closed its eyes, falling back into slumber. But the ripple it had sent through the universe would not fade.

Back at the Kunlun Holy Sect, the sect leader, a Golden Core realm powerhouse, stepped forward, his expression unreadable. His presence alone silenced the murmurs among the disciples and elders.

“You,” he said, his deep voice resonating with authority. “You are a rare talent. Join my lineage and become my personal disciple. I will guide your cultivation and ensure you rise to greatness.”

Li Feng, however, did not bow. He did not kneel, nor did he accept the offer with gratitude like so many before him. Instead, he shook his head.

“Thank you, Sect Master,” he said with respect. “But I must decline.”

A second wave of shock swept through the crowd. Declining the sect master’s offer was unheard of. Many disciples would have given anything for such an opportunity.

The sect leader’s eyes narrowed. “You refuse?”

Li Feng met his gaze, unfazed. “I already have a master.”

The weight of his words fell upon the gathered cultivators like a thunderbolt. Who was his master? What kind of teacher could make him refuse the direct tutelage of a sect master?

The attention Li Feng drew did not go unnoticed. Among those observing was a young woman, dressed in flowing imperial robes, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. She was Qin Yuyan, princess of the Qin Dynasty and an exceptional cultivator herself. For the first time in years, someone had piqued her interest.

As whispers spread through the sect, she stepped forward, studying Li Feng intently. “Who is your master?” she asked.

Li Feng remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. “That is not something I can say.”

His words only deepened the mystery.

Meanwhile, the sect master studied him with a calculating gaze before finally nodding. “Very well. If you will not be my disciple, then you shall enter as an outer sect disciple.”

Li Feng bowed. “Thank you, Sect Master.”

Though he had drawn attention, he remained focused. He had come here for a reason—one that even he did not yet fully understand.

Far away, deep within the valley, Li Tian sat in meditation, his mind in complete serenity. The White Lunar Tiger lay beside him, its silver eyes half-closed in contentment. The valley remained undisturbed, shielded by the system’s protective boundary.

Then, without warning, the air around him shimmered, and a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

(System Notification: Disciple Li Feng has awakened Heavenly Spiritual Root. The heavens tremble at his presence.)

Li Tian’s eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp.

(System Notification: A powerful entity has taken notice. The fate of the mortal world begins to shift.)

He frowned. This was unexpected. He had sent Li Feng out to gain experience, not to shake the heavens.

And yet, it seemed fate had other plans.

He stood, looking toward the distant horizon. His disciple had stirred forces far beyond mortal comprehension. And though he did not yet understand the full scope of what had been set into motion, one thing was clear.

A storm was coming.

And he had to be ready.

Chapter end