The kitchens of the Divine Celestial sect was filled with aroma, stories and questions as usual.
Hot steam rose from the burning iron cauldrons, knives sliced the grass root vegetable and eventually struck the wooden chopping board creating a special rhythm. The air inside the kitchen was thick with the aroma of hot mutton soup that contained green herbs and pepper.
The disciples passed by quickly while their mouth was still drooling to the smell but didn't want to waste time lingering around the kitchen. Some of them were whispering,
"This smell... It's Loabu's special mutton soup."
"I am hungry now. I can't focus on training today i guess."
"Stop being a glutton, don't even think about getting a drop of the soup if your going to slack around in the training time."
Yet in the middle of it all, a young boy stood calmly observing each actions of the cook beside the main stove.
"Loabu", the boy said, his eyes were shining in curiosity as he watched the cook's hand move in a gracious way,
"How do you make it taste this good every single time?"
The cook laughed, while stirring the pot with effort,
"Don't you ask that every time Young Master Shiro?"
A humble smile touched Shiro Zhan's lips. He had a cute face showing the innocence a 10 year old had and he wore simple blue robes, with a symbol of celestial sect embroidered on it. Nothing like a heir from one of the most powerful sect would wear. He always liked to be simple in all most everything.
"I want to learn cooking too." Shiro said firmly. "Not just martial arts. I will be a cook as good as you".
Finally Loabu's eyes turned towards him, giving him a glance.
"You are the heir to the Zhan bloodline, boy. One day, you will command storms and break armies of powerful warriors. Yet you still want to knead dough?"
"Father says a ruler must know what people need to live before he can protect their lives."
Loabu chuckled softly,
"Your father is right. It is indeed a true essence of a ruler. But remember food is not only that sustains life it also includes peace, kindness, goodwill and much more."
"So there are more... when will I able to learn all of these?" Shiro thought.
the cook wiped his hands on his apron, leaving faint stains of spices and starch.
"I once burned an entire harvest's worth of heavenly grains which was for a special occasion in the Golden Cascade Sect." he said, his mind slowly recollecting the old memories. "The fire climbed so fast and high that the sect elders thought we were under attack. I was beaten, then sent to cook food for the tribes in Jaifang's deep forests who were very strict about their diet. I soon found out that they weren't satisfied with my cooking. I wanted to improve so I observed them, their way of doing things, their staple everything. I redefined my cooking style and finally cooked them delicacies that satisfied them. Sometimes, you have to change for others but remember change only to improve."
As Shiro was about to ask more questions about the tribes, a servant appeared at the kitchen doorway.
"Young Master," the man said, voice tight. "The Sect Master requires you. Immediately."
****
Zhan Lim's chamber was almost empty. No decorations, no awards. Only dark polished wood and a light, cold smell of cedar.
The man known as the Celestial Demon stood in front of a large window, a dark shadow against the red sunset.
"Father."
He didn't turn. Still kept looking outside the window. Yet he replied,
"Your Shi"
Shiro understood the command. He positioned himself and without closing his eyes, he focused his core beneath his breast bone. A violet purple energy started to flow through his nerves from the core, he gave a small deep breath.
Violet flame like aura spilled from his skin. It was bright and dark at the same time. The air started to get thick, and the whole room was vibrating due to the frequency.
Zhan Lim turned.
His face had sharp facial features especially his eyes, dark and bright just like his son's eyes. His well defined features were no less even in his old age. In his prime he was one of the most handsome men in the whole Murim.
Zhan Lim observed the Shiro's shi, it was already stronger than most children around his age. Shiro was 10 years old yet the shi he displayed was comparable to the shi 13 year olds had.
A sense of tension left Zhan Lim's jaw.
"His Shi is improving at a good rate."
Zhan Lim said,
"Enough. You can stop now."
The Shi slowly vanished while getting snuffed back into Shiro's core. The room was back to normal.
"You can leave."
Shiro hesitated. he asked,
"Father, is everything ok-"
"Go."
Shiro bowed in respect and retreated. He closed the door with a soft thud. He wished to stay longer with his father, but lately his father was trying his maximum to avoid people even his own son. Shiro knew something was wrong but he couldn't do anything about it.
Sneaking into the room at night was nearly impossible as its heavily guarded during night by the guards. Yes, not even his son can enter his room without permission. Well it was not due to not having trust but something more.
Zhan looked at the sun alone in his room, whispering,
"Hua Yue, are you seeing this? Look how strong our son has grown."
Suddenly, he coughed and sprayed blood on his palm. His was blood leaking constantly from his mouth until it stopped in a certain point.
"The backlash is severe than I thought. I don't know how long I can hide this from everyone." he murmured.
***
Slowly the night fell, the sky was ink black with white spots of stars.
Shiro was sleeping quietly in his chamber.
He dreamed of deep pressure, the weight of a mountain building in his chest. Within the dream, the violet fire didn't merely enfold him; it exploded. A raging pillar of amethyst colored energy burst forth from Shiro's heart, shattering the ceiling and ripping through the sky.
In his mind's eye, he visualized the sacred lines of power engraved into the mountainside, it was the ancient Divine Celestial Barrier. They shone in blinding white. And then, one by one, they began to shatter.
He slowly came around, with his hands positioned flat on his chest. He was soaked in sweat, his body shivering with terror.
"What was that dream? I can't remember anything clearly."
He couldn't comprehend what his dream meant or why it appeared now. But the weight he had on his chest finally disappeared.
He then again went back to his slumber.
***
Next day morning, the sun shone bright and clear.
The main training ground was a canvas of chaos in control. The shing of practice blades, grunts and efforts, crisp calls of drilling captains.
Shiro stepped to the ledge, attempting to rid himself of lingering unease in his bones.
He then saw a senior disciple practiced Falling Star Saber on the field, his saber flashing silver in the sunlight.
This technique was of earth grade that only senior disciples were allowed to practice. It's still comparable to that of Heavenly grade technique, if one could master its full potential.
Suddenly some of the disciple felt the ground shaking.
Then,
BOOM!
A massive explosion occurred in the central training field. There were stones crashing, dust rising, and disciples knocked aside like leaves.
"SAVE THEM-!"
"ELDER-!"
"AHHH!"
Screams filled the air in the Celestial Sect,
Blood stained on the broken tiles of the training ground.
Some disciples laid on the ground unmoving perhaps dead or unconscious.
Meanwhile, others crawled in pain, their hands reaching for help.
The sound of bells echoed from a distance, marking an emergency alert within Divine Celestial Sect, a phenomenon that had not been seen in decades.
Shiro ran toward the chaos, his heart beating faster each second.
The training grounds were engulfed by a column of smoke, he felt a strange feeling emanate from his chest.
He had no idea what had happened.
"What's happening?" he thought.
His shi started to tremble producing violet sparks.
And the fear finally took hold of him after seeing the situation.