The sun rose steadily over the High Heaven Pavilion, casting its first rays across the rugged mountains that surrounded the sect. Birds chirped from the treetops, and a thin mist clung to the ground, slowly dissipating as the morning progressed. Inside the dilapidated hut, Shiv was already awake, his mind churning with the events that were soon to unfold. Today, the endless cycle of suffering as Yang Kai would begin to change.
He knew the path ahead, but that didn't mean it would be easy. The original Yang Kai had been weak and frequently bullied. In a sect where strength was revered above all, a powerless outer disciple was nothing more than a punching bag for those above him. But Shiv had the advantage of foresight, and with it, the determination to turn the tides in his favor.
Dressed in his simple robes, Shiv exited the hut and made his way toward the practice grounds. The sun was still low in the sky, and the air was crisp. Other disciples were beginning to emerge from their quarters, some groggy with sleep, others already preparing for the day's training. Shiv walked with purpose, keeping his head down, playing the role of the unassuming, insignificant disciple.
But beneath that exterior was a mind teeming with knowledge and strategy.
As he walked, he couldn't help but recall the future events that lay ahead. The black book—the mysterious artifact that would change Yang Kai's fate—was still weeks away. For now, Shiv needed to endure, to bide his time, and to prepare himself for the challenges that were to come. There were many dangers in this world, and not all of them came from enemies. The most immediate threat would be the other disciples, those who would see him as easy prey.
His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice, one that dripped with disdain. "Well, if it isn't our favorite punching bag, Yang Kai."
Shiv looked up to see a small group of outer disciples approaching. Their leader was Zhou Hu, a hulking youth with a broad, cruel smile. Zhou Hu had made a name for himself by bullying the weaker disciples, and Yang Kai had been one of his favorite targets. The others in the group were just as unpleasant, their faces twisted with sneers as they eyed Shiv with contempt.
Shiv clenched his fists, his mind racing. He could take them on—his future knowledge and eternal life granted him the confidence to do so—but that wasn't the plan. Not yet. He needed to play the role of the weakling a little longer, just until the right moment presented itself. He had to endure.
"What do you want, Zhou Hu?" Shiv asked, keeping his voice steady. He needed to avoid provoking them while also maintaining a semblance of defiance—enough to stay true to Yang Kai's character but not so much that it would result in unnecessary trouble.
Zhou Hu's smile widened, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. "What do you think, Yang Kai? You've been around long enough to know how things work around here. Hand over your rations, and we won't have to rearrange that ugly face of yours."
Shiv's mind raced as he weighed his options. In the original timeline, Yang Kai had often been forced to part with what little food he had. But Shiv wasn't Yang Kai, and he wasn't willing to give up so easily. Not anymore.
He let out a slow breath, pretending to hesitate. "I've already eaten," he lied. "There's nothing left to give."
Zhou Hu's expression darkened, and he stepped closer, towering over Shiv. "Is that so? Well, I'm sure you won't mind if we check for ourselves."
Before Shiv could react, one of Zhou Hu's lackeys stepped forward and shoved him hard, sending him stumbling back. Shiv barely managed to stay on his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. Zhou Hu's group burst into laughter, their cruel amusement echoing across the practice grounds.
"Pathetic," Zhou Hu sneered. "You think you can lie to us and get away with it? We're going to teach you a lesson, Yang Kai."
The tension in the air was palpable as the group closed in on Shiv. His mind raced, searching for a way out, a way to defuse the situation without revealing too much of his newfound strength. He couldn't afford to draw attention to himself—not yet.
But as Zhou Hu raised his fist, ready to deliver the first blow, a voice called out from behind them, cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Zhou Hu! What do you think you're doing?"
The group froze, turning to face the newcomer. Shiv followed their gaze, his heart skipping a beat when he recognized the tall, imposing figure striding toward them. It was Xiao Qi, one of the few outer disciples with a reputation for fairness and decency. Xiao Qi wasn't the strongest disciple, but he was well-respected, and more importantly, he had a habit of stepping in to defend the weaker members of the sect.
Zhou Hu's expression soured, and he lowered his fist, reluctantly backing away from Shiv. "We're just having a bit of fun, Xiao Qi. No need to get involved."
Xiao Qi's eyes narrowed as he came to a stop beside Shiv, his gaze hard and unyielding. "I've told you before, Zhou Hu. There's no place for bullies in the High Heaven Pavilion. If you want to fight, do it in the training grounds, not here."
Zhou Hu scowled but said nothing. He knew better than to challenge Xiao Qi openly. With a final sneer in Shiv's direction, Zhou Hu motioned for his lackeys to follow him. "You got lucky this time, Yang Kai. But next time, you won't have Xiao Qi to save you."
With that, the group turned and walked away, leaving Shiv and Xiao Qi standing in the middle of the practice grounds. Shiv let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, his body relaxing slightly now that the immediate danger had passed.
"Are you alright?" Xiao Qi asked, turning to Shiv with a concerned expression.
Shiv nodded, trying to mask the emotions swirling within him. "I'm fine. Thank you, Xiao Qi."
Xiao Qi smiled slightly, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You need to be more careful, Yang Kai. This place can be ruthless, and people like Zhou Hu are always looking for an excuse to take advantage of the weak."
Shiv nodded again, though his thoughts were elsewhere. He had no intention of remaining weak for long. The black book would soon be in his possession, and when that happened, everything would change.
"I'll be fine," Shiv replied, giving Xiao Qi a small smile. "I just need to keep my head down and stay out of trouble."
Xiao Qi studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But if you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask. We have to look out for each other."
With that, Xiao Qi turned and walked away, leaving Shiv alone once more. Shiv watched him go, his mind already returning to the plans he had been formulating. He couldn't rely on others to protect him—not in this world. He would have to become strong on his own terms.
As the sun continued to rise, Shiv made his way to the training grounds, where the outer disciples would soon gather for their morning exercises. Today would be just like any other day for them, but for Shiv, it was the beginning of something far greater.
He was no longer just Yang Kai, the weak and ridiculed disciple of the High Heaven Pavilion. He was Shiv, a man with the power of eternal life and the knowledge of the future. And with those tools, he would rise above them all, no matter what it took.
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