The night was calm.
The moonlight cast a silvery glow on the stone floor, and there was Jun Tian, meditating quietly. Spiritual energy flowed gently, like the waves of the sea. It was incredibly silent, until, out of nowhere, he remembered some old stuff.
He opened his eyes, feeling relaxed.
At once, the world lost its charm. The wind stopped. The sound of crickets faded. The guy took a deep breath, and his sigh seemed to come from another life.
How crazy… this reminds me of Earth.
He gave a small smile.
The memories he had forgotten came flooding back: cold coffee, sleepless nights, and the light of the screen in his eyes.
Especially one story: The Saga of the Emperor Breaks Everything. A book he really enjoyed.
That guy…" he said, looking up at the sky. "A guy who defied fate, who didn't care about the rules… how crazy, how brave!"
Lotus spoke in his mind, calmly, curiously.
A story? So you were also one of those people who tell stories in the ancient world?
Jun Tian laughed. "No way. I just read. But, I don't know… sometimes, stories make us who we are."
"Cool," she replied. "Even before you were strong, you enjoyed being who you were."
They chatted, relaxed.
Talking about characters, worlds, hardships, ideas. The night flew by, and the sun rose on Jun Tian's face.
He stood up, stretching. "Enough thinking about the past. Let's go back."
The walk back was easy. The streets were damp from the night, and the air was quite pleasant. Jun Tian continued on calmly, feeling a rare peace, almost forgetting that he could die at any moment.
Life rarely gives him a break.
As he approached the market, he noticed a buzz: some farmers surrounded a stall, shouting:
Weapons! Rare spiritual weapons, straight from the ruins of Scarlet Mountain!
Jun Tian raised an eyebrow. Without needing any weapon, curiosity drew him closer.
On a makeshift table, there was a pile of blades: swords, sabers, spears, and some daggers with ancient designs. He remained silent, just looking at their spiritual energy. Almost all of them were worn out, their energy nearly drained... but one caught his eye.
It was like an ancient katana, long and slightly curved. The dark metal had a hidden glow, and he felt a faint energy coming from within.
This one... he murmured, picking up the blade.
The vendor, a skinny guy with a thin beard, came over, smiling:
Did you find this one? I found it in the remains of an old battle. It's rusty, but it still cuts. Ten spirit stones and it's yours.
Jun Tian twirled the blade, looking at the symbols on the base. They were ancient, in a way he didn't recognize, but it felt like something... alive was there.
Lotus, he thought, what do you think?
She replied, a little suspiciously:
It's not just any weapon. It has a soul trapped inside, weak... sleeping. Nothing major, for now. But if you give it energy, it might wake up.
Jun Tian smirked. I bet it'll be nice.
He paid the man and put the blade away. As soon as the sword touched his ring, he felt a chill run down his spine—almost nothing, but it was there. He ignored it and kept walking.
At least it seemed so returning to the clan was okay.
I felt a weird environment right away after I entered the gates. The energy of the location was charging. The audience for the training was silent, a strange quiet dominating the courtyard.
I sulked. I called to a man sprinting.
"What's happening?
The guy at once saluted. "Master, the disciple over there and his instructor have arrived...they're in the main hall with the boss and elders."
"With the Patriarc?" I eyed him askance. "Why?"
The guy just brought my face down, totally unconcerned. I nodded and turned for the hall, but someone shouted to me, their voice trembling.
"Jun Tian."
I understood. It was my mother, pale as a sheet, trembling hands. Truthfully, we were never especially close—we barely ever spoke—and seeing her like that caused me a little tense.
What's wrong, Mom?"
She grasped my arm, her voice breaking. "Did you...act irresponsibly? Let me know the truth!"
I was stunned. "Nonsense? Not that I know of. I spent the last few days working out; I even avoided the city festivities. Why are you inquiring about this?
A strong voice shouted from within the main hall before she could answer:
"Jun Tian, enter here!"
It was my father. His crisp, forceful voice caused the atmosphere to vibrate.
I walked inside, took a deep breath, and gently removed my mother's hand from my arm.
The room contained all the clan leaders. With the elders at his side, the patriarch sat on the throne. Farther on was a master from a different sect and his pupil.
I stepped and saw a bizarre motion, a desire to kill myself emanating from the apprentice. He turned to gaze at me with a gleam in his eyes, but I ignored him and bowed to the patriarch and the elders.
"Patriarch, gentlemen, why have I been summoned?"
The father looked at me in silence for quite some time. Then he spoke in a frigid, accusatory manner:
"Jun Tian... do you realize what you did wrong?"
The whole hall grew quiet. The elders watched at me, and the spiritual energy of the location was choking me. I breathed and gently lifted my head, only to realize a big issue was about to start.