On the planet Bitholars, a mysterious man sat before Zalavoria, his eyes hidden behind a veil of smoke rising from his stone pipe.
He spoke softly, as if it were not worth arguing:
"I think it's time you train with different power systems."
Zalavoria raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp:
"What do you mean?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he took a long draw from his pipe and exhaled the smoke toward the sky.
Annoyed, she snapped:
"Answer me, you fool!"
Before she could continue, a portal opened behind her without warning, and she was pulled in with no chance to resist.
---
She landed on a field of lush green grass. The air was fresh and strange… almost like the scent of purity itself. She stood, brushing dust from her black cloak.
"What is this place? Where did that idiot send me? I swear… when I return, I'll tear his face off!" she muttered, looking around. Suddenly, a weak voice came from beneath her.
"Well, young lady… could you lift your foot off me first?"
Looking down, she realized she was stepping on an old man with a long white beard. Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't seem disturbed.
She stepped back and extended her hand, helping him up. He nodded in thanks.
"Thank you, young lady," he said.
She shrugged coldly:
"No need. Your thanks won't give me money or power."
The old man chuckled, dusting off his gray robe.
"You are a commanding young woman. But that's alright… my name is Master Bao."
She paused, then chuckled softly:
"Master Bao? Names like that I only hear in Chinese novels."
"Chinese novels?" he repeated, scratching his head. "I've never heard of that."
She ignored the question, her voice dripping with pride and darkness:
"My name… I have many names. Lady of Hell and the Underworld. Queen of the Blood Moon. The Bloody Queen. First Awakened Demoness. Absolute Evil… but call me Zalavoria. Zalavoria Lambergin."
Master Bao laughed, a light but worried chuckle:
"All those names… they don't bode well."
She smiled dangerously:
"Don't worry. You don't seem like an enemy… so I'll leave you alive."
Wiping sweat from his furrowed brow, he sat on a nearby rock.
"Where am I?" she demanded, her tone sharp as a blade.
"This is a forest… a place for those seeking students, or those forced to learn," he replied calmly.
"And you? What are you doing here?"
He laughed:
"Despite your frightening names, your mind doesn't seem very sharp! Don't you see? I am here to find a disciple."
She arched an eyebrow and shouted:
"Old man, if you say that again, I'll make you die a thousand times in the worst ways!"
She raised her hand to summon her power, but… nothing happened.
No flames. No energy. No echo. She felt as if she had reverted to a mere human body. Tension gripped her.
"What… is happening?"
Master Bao laughed mercilessly:
"Oh… you really are foolish! How can you wield powers you haven't even reached the first stage of?"
A sudden dizziness overcame her. She stumbled back, whispering:
"First stage?… all those years of training…"
Then she collapsed unconscious.
---
Master Bao opened the door of his small wooden hut, carrying her body effortlessly despite his age. He whispered:
"Are all young people this weak nowadays?"
---
Three days later…
Zalavoria awoke on a straw bed, a mild headache lingering. She looked around: a simple hut, a tea table, the scent of herbs… and Master Bao sipping tea, watching her.
"Where am I? How long have I been asleep?" she asked slowly.
"Three days," he replied, placing down his cup.
"Three days?!" she shouted. "I might faint again!"
He smiled wryly:
"Best not to."
She took a deep breath and sat up. He spoke calmly:
"Do you want me to train you?"
Without hesitation, she said:
"Yes!"
He raised an eyebrow, as if surprised by her answer:
"Very well… but know this: no cheating or arrogance is allowed. Here, you are a student. Nothing more."
She nodded.
He rose, taking his staff, and led her to a circle of stones in the middle of the forest, signaling for her to follow.
Sitting down, he began to speak:
"Listen closely, Zalavoria… in this universe, there is something called the Dao.
The Dao is the path, the law, the highest principle that governs everything… the origin of power, life, and even death."
He gazed into her eyes, serious this time.
"Before you understand the elements or powers, you must refine your spirit. True strength does not come from anger, but from inner harmony."
He drew a line in the earth with his staff.
"The Dao is built on three pillars:
Spirit Refinement
Yin and Yang
Discovering your own Dao"
She asked softly:
"Explain them… all of them."
He smiled and looked at the gray sky.
"Spirit Refinement is the cultivation of the soul, clearing impurities, reflecting on oneself. The purer your soul, the more your body becomes a gateway for Dao energy.
Yin and Yang are the opposing poles of the universe:
Yin: darkness, cold, death, rest
Yang: light, warmth, life, motion
You must balance them within your body, or everything inside you will explode."
She interrupted:
"And my own Dao?"
His tone softened:
"Each person has a Dao. Some follow fire, others shadows, wind, destruction, or even the void. You… have yet to discover yours."
He paused, then continued:
"To walk the Dao, there are nine stages:
1. Spiritual Foundation
2. Physical Integration
3. Yin-Yang Balance
4. Dao Perception
5. Integration
6. True Dao
7. Celestial Transformation
8. Daoic Immortality
9. Entering the Origin Dao… rare, almost legendary.
Tenth: The Celestial Entity… spoken only in myths, unattained for over twenty billion years. No one has reached this stage."
He took a breath, looking at her:
"My question… are you ready to start from zero?"
She stared at him, thinking deeply. Then a mysterious smile appeared on her lips:
"I am not afraid of beginnings…
let's see if this Dao can withstand Zalavoria Lambergin."