Back in the Qin Clan, nestled atop a raised platform behind a thick wall of red-leafed trees and ancient pines, stood the Clan Hall, a grand stone building adorned with golden pillars and engraved with the crest of the Qin family. Within, the air was thick with incense and silence, broken only by the soft rustle of the ornamental curtains as a tall man sat cross-legged on a cushioned dais, eyes closed in meditation.
This was Qin Shan, the Patriarch of the Qin Clan a man who had stepped into the True Essence Realm. His presence alone invoked awe, his long black hair tied behind his back, his stern expression one of enduring discipline and power.
Cultivators begin their journey at the Body Tempering Realm, building physical strength and refining their bones, muscles, and skin. Afterward came the Pure Essence Realm, where a cultivator gathered the essence from the surroundings into their body. Once this essence was filled and saturated, they would compress it into a core hence stepping into the Essence Core Realm. Upon forming this core, the next step was the True Essence Realm, where one began to comprehend the natural laws and absorb elemental energies, unlocking the true force of cultivation. It was said that cultivators at this level could destroy mountains with a flick of their sleeves.
A soft knock echoed through the grand hall.
"Enter," Qin Shan said without opening his eyes.
Instructor Mo stepped in, bowing respectfully. "Patriarch."
"Report. How did the training go this morning? Did anything... unusual happen?"
Instructor Mo hesitated for a moment, clasping his hands behind his back. "The training proceeded as expected, Patriarch. The young ones are making progress. Qin Liang has reached the Skin Hardening Stage, the final phase of the Body Tempering Realm. At just fifteen, his talent is… exceptional."
Qin Shan nodded slowly. "He shows promise. And the others?"
"Qin Hai and Qin Rou are progressing steadily. They should reach Essence Gathering within the year if they continue at this pace."
The Patriarch's brows raised slightly. "Good."
Instructor Mo's voice faltered slightly. "There was… one other matter, Patriarch. It's about Qin Feng."
At the mention of the name, a faint breeze stirred within the hall. Qin Shan opened his eyes, sharp and commanding. "The blind one?"
"Yes," Instructor Mo replied. "He… challenged Qin Liang this morning. A foolish act. He was defeated and, as per the terms of the bet, was forced to leave the clan."
Silence stretched for a moment, until Qin Shan let out a low hum. "Hmph. The Qin Clan has no room for weaklings. His father was a disappointment, and though he tried to redeem himself before his death, a blind child without the ability to cultivate is only a burden."
Instructor Mo bowed his head. "Understood."
Qin Shan stood, his robe billowing with a faint crackle of energy. "Focus on those who carry potential. In six months, the Azure Sky Sect will hold its selection examination. We must ensure our younger generation is ready. This is not just about personal honor, it's about the standing of our clan in the entire city."
"Yes, Patriarch. I'll double the intensity of the training."
Qin Shan looked out the grand window that overlooked the Qin Clan's courtyard, eyes narrowing.
***
Miles away from the Qin Clan compound, the world was still dark in Qin Feng's eyes.
He stirred beneath a jagged outcrop of rock at the base of a wooded hill, the cold soil against his back. Pain lanced through his ribs and shoulders as he groaned awake, every part of his body screaming in protest.
His stomach ached with hunger. His lips were cracked, his throat dry.
Yet deeper than the physical pain was the ache in his heart.
"They said I had no place there... that I was a stain on the clan's name."
He struggled to sit up, every movement a battle, gritting his teeth as he leaned against the rock. For a long time, he sat in silence, listening to the rustle of the trees and the chirping of birds, sounds he could still rely on.
In his heart, he began to cut ties — one by one.
"I am no longer Qin Feng of the Qin Clan," he whispered to the wind. "I walk my own path now."
But what path?
As if in answer, a faint breeze drifted through the woods, carrying a strange, sweet scent, something fragrant, ancient… calming.
Qin Feng tried to stand, but weakness overtook him. His knees buckled, and he collapsed.
Just before darkness claimed him again, he felt something... no, someone lift him. There were no footsteps, no breath, only a sense of… presence. He was floating. Or was he dreaming?
When he opened his eyes next, if such a thing could be said for someone blind, he sensed it.
A place unlike any he'd ever known.
The air buzzed softly. Qin Feng sat up slowly, his body no longer aching, his hunger seemingly forgotten. His hand reached out, feeling polished stone beneath his fingers. The ground beneath him was smooth like marble, but colder. The scent of the forest was gone, replaced by incense and something… timeless. One with proper eyes could see the Ornate carvings etched into the floor. Curved walls. But even without sight, Qin Feng could tell, this was no ordinary place.
Where am I?…am i dead?"
"You are not dead," as if responding to his thoughts, a voice old, yet calm, sounded.
Qin Feng turned his head sharply.
"Who's there?"
The voice echoed again, gentler this time.
"This place is hidden from the eyes of men. You are the first to step foot here in many centuries. Tell me… do you still wish to cultivate?"
Qin Feng's lips parted, but no words came.
The voice waited, timeless and still.
He clenched his fists.
"…Yes. More than anything."