Adarsh's eyes began to close slowly. His vision blurred, as if someone had draped a veil of mist across his sight. Kharocha's massive claw descended toward him—slowly, but inevitably. Death's shadow crept across his face. His heartbeat had slowed so much it seemed ready to stop. His breaths grew shallow, each one a struggle, a torture.A final thought flickered through his mind: Is... is this the end? Will I die here... in this dark jungle... like this?But then, suddenly, a brilliant light erupted. So intense that the entire forest blazed like daylight for a heartbeat. Kharocha halted its strike and recoiled, its red eyes blinded by the radiance. It snarled—in rage, in confusion, and in something resembling fear.Before Adarsh, a hazy figure materialized. Humanoid in shape, but its form wasn't fully solid. It seemed crafted from light and smoke—visible one moment, fading the next. A golden aura surrounded it, pulsing rhythmically. The figure bore no facial features, yet an immense power radiated from it—a force that made the air heavy, that made the earth tremble.Kharocha roared again and lunged at the hazy figure. Its claws sliced through the air. But the figure simply raised one hand—a casual, serene gesture.What happened next was worth witnessing.A golden beam shot from the figure's palm, striking Kharocha square in the chest. The beast froze instantly, as if time itself had stopped. Its massive body hung suspended in the air. Its eyes widened, blood pouring from its maw. Then slowly, its body began to fracture—first cracks appeared, then they widened, and then... CRASH! Kharocha's entire form shattered into thousands of fragments that dissolved into dust on the wind.The hazy figure turned toward Adarsh. Then slowly, it approached. Adarsh had fallen completely unconscious, though his breath still came in ragged gasps. The figure placed its hand on Adarsh's forehead. A warm, soothing sensation flooded through his entire body. His wounds began to close, his shattered ribs started to mend.Then the figure lifted Adarsh into its arms, and in an instant—both vanished.
Slowly, very slowly, Adarsh's consciousness began to return. At first he heard nothing except a faint humming. Then sounds reached him—distant, muffled. Gradually his other senses awakened. He felt a soft bed beneath him. Warm blankets covering his body. A familiar scent hung in the air—sandalwood, rose, and... home.His eyelids fluttered. First slightly, then more. Finally, he opened his eyes.Everything appeared blurred at first. Then gradually, details sharpened. He looked up—a white ceiling adorned with beautiful carvings. He turned his head—to the right, a window through which soft morning light streamed. To the left, a door.Adarsh tried to sit up slowly. His body still ached, but the pain was bearable. He examined his hands—wrapped in bandages. He touched his chest—bandaged as well.Confusion flooded him. Deep confusion."Where... where am I?" he whispered hoarsely, his voice raw as if he hadn't had water in days.He looked around. This room... it seemed familiar. The same old paintings on the walls he'd known since childhood. In the corner, that same old wardrobe where his books and clothes were kept. Through the window, that same garden where he'd played as a child."This... this is my room!" Adarsh exclaimed in shock. "I'm... I'm in my palace! But how? I was in the Vinashak Jungle... Kharocha attacked me... I... I was dying..."He clutched his forehead. Everything came flooding back—entering the jungle, the battle with Kharocha, his defeat, and then... that hazy figure."Who... who was that? They saved me... and brought me here?"The door opened. Adarsh's gaze snapped toward it.An elderly man entered. Perhaps sixty or seventy years old. His hair and beard were completely white, but his eyes remained sharp and vibrant. His face was lined with wrinkles, yet those lines carried a strange dignity. He wore long white robes embroidered with gold. His gait was slow but steady, each step revealing deep experience.When the elder saw Adarsh, relief flickered in his eyes. A faint smile touched his lips. His voice was weathered but warm."Adarsh... you're awake."Adarsh's eyes widened. He recognized this voice. He'd heard it since childhood, this voice that had given him knowledge, this voice that had guided him."Fifth Elder!" Adarsh said, his voice mixing surprise and joy. "You... I..."Then suddenly something occurred to him. His face grew serious. He asked, "Fifth Elder, how... how did I get here from that jungle? I was... I was dying. Kharocha was about to deliver the final blow. Then that hazy figure... who was it?"The Fifth Elder approached slowly and sat on a chair beside the bed. He drew a deep breath, then spoke:"Adarsh, my boy... I had gone into the jungle searching for something of great importance. This item was vital to our family. When I was deep in the forest, I sensed your energy. I felt you were in danger. I rushed toward you immediately. When I arrived, I saw Kharocha about to strike the killing blow. I used my power to kill the beast and rescue you. Then I brought you here."Adarsh listened carefully. Many questions still swirled through his mind, but the most pressing one was:"Fifth Elder, what were you searching for there? What was so important that you had to venture into that terrible jungle?"The Fifth Elder's face grew grave. Deep sorrow showed in his eyes. He drew another deep breath, as if what he was about to say was profoundly difficult. His voice dropped, filled with melancholy."Adarsh, my boy... I went searching for your mother's killer."For a moment, everything stopped. Time froze. Adarsh's heart seemed to cease beating. His breath caught. His eyes widened."What... what did you say?" Adarsh's voice trembled. "Mother's... killer? You mean... you mean Mother... Mother..."The Fifth Elder nodded slowly. Tears filled his eyes."Yes, Adarsh. Your mother... she... she is no longer in this world."
A cold wave crashed through Adarsh's entire body. He felt as though someone had squeezed his heart in a vise. His hands began to shake. Tears welled in his eyes."No... no... this... this can't be true..." he said, his voice breaking. "Mother... Mother was always in the palace... she was safe... how could she..."
"Adarsh, the people who killed your mother—our family worked for months to identify them. We pursued every lead, followed every clue. And finally, we discovered the truth. They belong to a dangerous organization called the Black Circle.""Black Circle?" Adarsh asked, his voice mixing anger and anguish."Yes. An extremely dangerous organization. It contains nine incredibly powerful and ruthless individuals known as the Death Merchants. They kill anyone for money. They have no mercy, no emotion. They live only to murder."Adarsh's entire body trembled with rage. His fists clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms. Tears filled his eyes, but behind them burned a fierce fire.He suddenly shot up from the bed. Pain still coursed through his body, but he no longer felt it. His mind focused on one thing—rage, grief, and the hunger for vengeance."Where was Father?" Adarsh screamed. "Where were the Elders? Where were all of you then? Our family is the most powerful in this city! We're among the most prestigious houses in the Vikram Empire! So why... why wasn't Mother protected? Why couldn't you save her?"Such pain filled his voice that it melted the Fifth Elder's heart. He closed his eyes, as if he too felt that anguish."Adarsh," he said softly, "your mother's murder was part of a vast conspiracy. The Black Circle planned this meticulously. That day, your father and most family members had gone to the empire's most famous city for a major auction. It was crucial—rare cultivation resources were being sold. We were all there."He paused to draw a deep breath."But it was a trap. The Black Circle orchestrated everything deliberately. They spread news of that auction to draw us away. And when we were all gone, they attacked the palace. Your mother... she was alone. She fought back, gave everything she had. But the Black Circle members were too powerful. By the time we received word and returned... it was too late."Adarsh's legs buckled. He sank back onto the bed. Tears streamed down his face. His hands still trembled."No... no..." he murmured. "This... this can't be true... Mother..."But then, slowly, his grief transformed into rage. He wiped his tears. He clenched his fists again. A new resolve hardened in his eyes.He raised his head and looked at the Fifth Elder. His voice was steady now, but laced with burning intensity."Elder," he said, "I want every member of that Black Circle. I want their names, their locations. I will find each one of them. I will kill each one of them. I will avenge my mother. This is my oath."The Fifth Elder regarded Adarsh gravely. He said:"Adarsh, this won't be easy. The Black Circle is immensely powerful. And you... you're still very young. Your cultivation is only at the Initial Stage. Black Circle members are beyond even the Ascension Level.""So what?" Adarsh said with innocent but fierce determination. "I'll break through my limits. Whatever I must do, I'll do it. I'll increase my cultivation. I'll become stronger. Even if it takes years, even if it costs my life—I will avenge my mother."The Fifth Elder looked into Adarsh's eyes. He could see the determination there, feel his resolve. He nodded slowly."But it's not that simple, Adarsh. The Black Circle isn't just nine people. Those nine are merely the organization's face. Behind them lies an entire army—thousands of assassins, thousands of warriors. And their leader... no one even knows their name. They're a mystery, a shadow. They exist only to spread chaos, only to spill blood."Adarsh's face hardened further."So what?" he repeated. "I'll find that leader too. I'll kill them too. I'll destroy their entire army. Nothing can stop me."The Fifth Elder studied Adarsh for a long moment. Then a faint smile touched his lips."Very well," he said. "If you've truly decided this, then I cannot help you directly—because this is your battle, your journey. But I can give you something that will help you grow stronger quickly."Adarsh's eyes lit up."What?" he asked.
The Fifth Elder reached into his robes and withdrew a small bundle. He unwrapped it slowly. Inside gleamed a radiant stone.The stone was extraordinary. Roughly fist-sized, its color was a strange mixture—blue, green, red, gold—all colors constantly shifting. Light emanated from the stone, illuminating the room. A strange energy filled the air, as if the stone were alive."This," the Fifth Elder said, "is the Infinite Source."Adarsh stared at the stone. He felt an inexplicable pull toward it."Infinite Source?" he asked."Yes. An ancient stone that has belonged to our family for generations. It has passed from our ancestors' time through each family head. Every generation, it is given only to the family leader. But until now, no head has successfully harnessed its full power. Everyone tried, but none succeeded."He paused, looking at Adarsh."You are not the head yet, Adarsh. But your father has decided to give this to you. He wants you to succeed in absorbing it, so you can prepare to become the next head."Adarsh asked eagerly: "What power does it hold?""This stone," the Fifth Elder explained, "can accelerate your cultivation tremendously. Normally, reaching the Ascension Level from the Initial Stage takes ten to fifteen years. But if you harness this stone's power, you could complete that journey in mere months."Adarsh's eyes widened."Mere months? That's... that's incredible!""Yes," the Elder said. "But..."He fixed Adarsh with a grave stare."But the process of obtaining it is extremely dangerous. You must absorb this stone into yourself—merge its energy with your own. The process is so agonizing that most people give up halfway. And if you surrender, your soul will be destroyed. You will cease to exist forever."He paused before continuing:"Your chance of survival is only one percent, Adarsh. Do you still want to do this?"Without a moment's hesitation, Adarsh said:"Yes. I would stake my life to avenge my mother's killers. Even if I must die, I won't die a coward. I'll die a warrior."The Fifth Elder nodded slowly."Very well," he said. "Then let us go to the Creation Cave. There your journey will begin."
Adarsh and the Fifth Elder left the palace. They followed a long path toward the mountainous area behind the palace grounds. The trail was littered with stones and rocks. The air was cold and sharp. No one else was around—only the two of them.Along the way, the Fifth Elder explained:"Adarsh, controlling the Infinite Source requires more than just power. You need a strong soul and unwavering will. When the stone's energy enters you, it will try to break your body. It will try to destroy your soul. You must fight it. You must control it through willpower alone. If you surrender, everything ends."Adarsh listened intently. His face remained resolute."I will not surrender," he said.Finally, they reached the Creation Cave. It was built into the mountain, its entrance very small. The Fifth Elder used his power to open the door, and they both entered.The atmosphere inside was completely different. Cold permeated the space, yet a strange energy pulsed through it. The cave walls were smooth and gleaming, as if someone had carved them with meticulous care. At the cave's center stood a massive formation circle.The formation was magnificent. Nearly ten feet in diameter, intricate symbols and characters were etched into its surface. These characters were in an ancient language, glowing faintly. At the formation's center lay an empty space where someone could sit.
"Sit in the center of the formation," he instructed. "Focus your entire consciousness on the Infinite Source. Whatever happens, you must not surrender. Remember—if you give up, your existence will end forever."Adarsh nodded. He stepped into the formation's center.The moment he touched it, the entire circle blazed to life. Symbols and characters became animated, seeming to float in the air.Adarsh sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. The Fifth Elder handed him the Infinite Source.The stone felt warm in his palms. Almost burning. Its energy called to him, beckoning him forward into unknown depths.This was only the beginning. The real trial lay ahead.