Beyond the known horizon stretched an endless, ancient sea. Scattered across its boundless waves lay countless islands, solitary fragments in an eternal blue expanse.
At first, these islands were wild and untamed — dense forests, sharp cliffs, and strange ruins left behind by ancient times.
Small groups of settlers arrived, fighting for survival in this new world. Conflicts were common as they fought over land, resources, and power.
Over time, seven islands grew to prominence, each led by strong clans and sects who carved out territories and established order through strength.
These islands declared themselves the Seven Sovereign Isles — rulers of the ocean, each refusing to bow to the others.
For generations, rivalry and war marked the isles, as cultivators pushed their limits in battles to claim supremacy.
But their endless fighting came to an abrupt halt when the Nightmare Tide appeared.
From the depths of the ocean rose terrible water monsters — fierce, relentless, and unlike anything seen before. Their dark, shimmering scales reflected the stormy skies, and their terrifying roars echoed across the waves.
The Nightmare Tide claimed the sea as their domain, cutting off travel and threatening all who dared venture near.
Many cultivators perished trying to fight the tide alone, and hope began to fade.
Faced with this deadly threat, the Seven Sovereign Isles were forced to bury their hatreds and unite.
In a desperate pact, they formed the Azure Dominion Pact — an alliance dedicated to protecting their world from the nightmare beneath the waves.
Together, pooling their knowledge and power, they built Greenwood Academy — a place where gifted youths could train to defend the isles and push back the ever-growing threat of the ocean.
The academy quickly became a beacon of hope, nurturing a new generation determined to safeguard their home.
...
A gentle breeze ruffled the waves along Mistveil Island's shore, bringing the salty air to Jiangshi Village. The sky was clear and blue, and the Azure Sea stretched endlessly beneath the sun.
On a quiet stretch of sand, a lone figure lay still, his face half-hidden beneath unruly black hair. To any passerby, he might seem asleep, lost in idle rest.
But Bai Tian's mind was restless. His uncle Xiao—the island's supervisor—had recently gone to Mistry Rain Island, one of the Sovereign Isles, accompanied by a student from Greenwood Academy.
Nervous and excited, Bai Tian couldn't stop wondering whether he would be chosen to join them.
"A thousand years of uneasy peace… yet my future remains uncertain," he thought, eyes closed, listening to the gulls' cries, the waves crashing on distant rocks, and the soft rustle of reeds in the wind.
Names of ancient clans, the Seven Sovereign Isles, and Greenwood Academy swirled in his mind like mist rising from the sea — reminders of the path he hoped to walk, and the challenges yet to come.
"Brother Bai! Brother Bai, wake up!"
A sharp voice cut through his drifting thoughts. Bai Tian groaned as something prodded his side — a small, calloused finger. He cracked one eye open to see a girl, no older than ten, with bright eyes sparkling with mischief and tangled hair falling past her shoulders.
"Xiao Ya..." he grumbled. "Can't a man sleep in peace?"
"Hmph! Didn't Granny tell you not to sleep near the sea? What if a monster attacks you?" she rebuked, hands planted firmly on her hips in an imitation of the village elders.
"You little bandit. Fine, fine — but don't tell Granny, alright? I'll take you fishing tomorrow," Bai Tian replied with a helpless smile.
The girl pouted, then began counting with her small fingers. After a moment, she huffed and held up four fingers.
"This is the fourth time I've caught you sleeping here. You always make empty promises, but never fulfill them! There are still three times left!"
Bai Tian chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Alright, alright, I'll agree to your remaining three requests. But why are you here? Don't you usually play with your friends at this time?"
At this, Xiao Ya's eyes widened in realization. She grabbed Bai Tian's hand and started tugging him along the shore.
"Oh! I forgot — Father just came back today from Misty Rain Island! He and Granny are waiting for you. Come on, let's hurry!"
Bai Tian let out a sigh and scooped the little girl onto his shoulders.
"Alright, alright, let's go. You're too bossy for your age, you know that?"
Xiao Ya giggled, clinging to his hair as he sprinted down the sandy path toward the village. The familiar sight of home unfolded around them.
Jiangshi Village sat on a modest island, surrounded by the endless stretch of the Azure Sea on all sides. Dozens of weathered wooden huts lined the narrow, winding paths, their roofs patched with reeds and dried leaves. Nets hung from poles, drying in the morning sun, while strings of fish and herbs swayed gently in the sea breeze.
Children chased each other barefoot across the sandy paths, their laughter rising over the cries of seabirds. Old men sat by the wooden piers, mending nets with weathered hands, while a cluster of women gathered by the shore to wash clothes, their voices carrying over the sound of water.
Not far from the village's edge, a massive river spilled into the sea like a silver serpent, its far bank lost in drifting mist. The villagers often whispered of monsters and ancient beasts swimming in its depths, though Bai Tian had only ever seen lazy carp and stubborn turtles.
….
In the heart of the village stood the largest house, its aged timbers thick with years and eaves curling proudly like the wings of a resting bird. Xiao Ya tugged Bai Tian to the heavy wooden door, and with a breath to steady himself, he stepped inside.
An elderly woman with a crown of silver hair — Granny Yu — sat cross-legged on a woven mat, opposite a broad-shouldered man whose stern eyes softened the moment they landed on the two children. Nearby, a young woman in pale blue silk moved gracefully, pouring steaming tea into jade cups.
Bai Tian crossed the room and bowed deeply to the man. His heart thudded in his chest.
"How did it go, Uncle Xiao? Was I... was I accepted?"
The man chuckled, his face easing into a rare smile.
"Yes, you're accepted. You'll need to report to Misty Rain Island before the month ends. The Disciple Induction Ceremony happens on the first day of every month — a grand event, especially in the Tier 1 cities. You won't want to miss it."
Relief warred with doubt in Bai Tian's chest. He hesitated.
"But, Uncle Xiao... I still haven't sensed the astral energy."
Granny Yu's voice was gentle, like mist settling over the sea.
"Innate talent isn't everything, child. How many in our village have ever sensed it? You'll find your way, as long as you persist. The path of cultivation belongs not just to the gifted, but to those who endure."
Uncle Xiao grinned, a rough hand clapping Bai Tian's shoulder.
"She's right. Look at me — there were many more talented than I ever was, yet here I stand, at the Great Circle, while they remain trapped in the lower stages. Even Greenwood Academy accepts all kinds of talents. Strength comes in many forms. And with your inborn toughness, boy, even if you progress slowly, you'll stand taller than those ahead of you."
In this world, an invisible force known as astral energy flowed through heaven and earth, a power only a rare few could sense. Those blessed to perceive it were called cultivators — mortals who walked the path toward transcending human limits. By drawing astral energy into their bodies, they could temper flesh and bone, manipulate elements, and in time, even soar through the skies.
Yet, this path was treacherous. Most mortals spent their lives without so much as brushing against that unseen current. Even among those born with the gift, countless hours of toil awaited before strength could be claimed. For every prodigy, a hundred more fell into obscurity.
Very soon, a woman arrived carrying a simple meal of steamed buns, dried fish, and warm rice porridge. The fragrant scent made Xiao Ya's eyes light up as she eagerly tugged at Bai Tian's sleeve.
"Come, eat quickly! Granny Yu's porridge is the best," she beamed.
They gathered around a woven reed mat spread over the wooden floor. The air inside the house was warm, the scent of herbs and old timber lingering as steam rose from the bowls. Bai Tian sat cross-legged beside Xiao Ya while Uncle Xiao and Granny Yu took their places. The simple meal brought a sense of calm to the room.
After the last morsel was eaten and tea was poured once more, Uncle Xiao cleared his throat.
"Tian'er," he began, his tone firm but carrying a trace of warmth, "there are ten days left before you leave for Misty Rain Island. It's a rare chance, and though you can't yet sense astral energy, you must be ready. Starting tomorrow, I'll personally train you every day until you depart."
Bai Tian straightened his back, his chest tightening both in excitement and nerves. "Yes, Uncle Xiao!"
The man nodded approvingly. "Good. Strength isn't always about what you were born with — it's how you forge yourself through hardship."
The mist outside thickened, night creeping upon the village. The faint crash of distant waves could be heard beyond the walls, and the house grew quieter. Bai Tian glanced toward the window, a strange mix of fear and hope rising in his heart.
Misty Rain Island. Greenwood Academy. A world beyond the Mistveil Island.