Under a crescent moon, Shen Yuan moved like a shadow, slipping between the structures of the Gui Clan's outer halls. The night was silent, save for the occasional rustle of wind through the trees, and he was grateful for the cover of darkness. His destination was the ancient graveyard of the Gui Clan, a place where the yin energy was as thick as the silence that cloaked it. Few dared venture there at night, but Shen Yuan relished the idea of cultivating in such a place, rich with energy that could only strengthen his abilities.
He walked in silence, every step calculated, every sense on high alert. Despite his excitement, he stayed cautious; after all, not everyone would appreciate the purpose of his late-night visit to the graves. He slipped through the shadows, blending in seamlessly, a predator in the night.
When he arrived at the graveyard, a thrill coursed through him. In the dim moonlight, rows of tombstones stretched out, solemn and unmoving. The mausoleums loomed like sentinels, and the air itself seemed colder, dense with the energy of those long departed. The yin here was palpable, almost as if the very essence of death had seeped into the earth, saturating it. Shen Yuan inhaled deeply, letting the chill energize him.
With a calm glance around, he found a secluded corner among the oldest graves, where moss-covered stones jutted up from the ground, their names and dates long worn away. He settled down, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. His breath slowed as he began to draw in the energy surrounding him, letting it flow through his meridians like cold, dark rivers.
The yin energy in the graveyard was unlike anything he had encountered. It clung to his senses, heavy and potent, and as he absorbed it, he felt it sharpen his awareness, filling him with a dark, exhilarating strength. The whispers of power grew louder in his mind, and he knew he was pushing boundaries others would never dare touch.
As these yin energies were produced from death, so most cultivators except few yin cultivators, had difficulty staying in such a place.
Hours passed, and his cultivation surged. He could feel his strength growing, his very core brimming with yin energy. And then, in a burst of clarity, he felt the barrier to the next stage break. He had reached the 8th Layer of the Purifying Realm, and even he was surprised by the speed of his progress. A small smile touched his lips. The graveyard, it seemed, was even more beneficial than he had anticipated.
As he steadied his breathing, basking in the strength of his breakthrough, a sudden prickling sensation ran up his spine. Someone was approaching. Shen Yuan's eyes snapped open, and without hesitation, he shifted, concealing himself in the shadows of a nearby tombstone.
The figure approaching wore the dark robes of an elder. His steps were slow, cautious, as if he were searching for something, or someone. Shen Yuan held his breath, willing his qi to remain subdued, blending into the darkness as seamlessly as he could. The elder stopped a few paces away, scanning the area, his gaze sweeping over the rows of graves.
"Strange," the elder murmured to himself. "The yin energy feels… disturbed."
He lingered for a few moments, glancing around with narrowed eyes. Shen Yuan remained perfectly still, suppressing his energy to the point of near-invisibility. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the elder seemed satisfied and turned to leave, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Shen Yuan exhaled slowly, a smirk playing on his lips. The elder had sensed something, but it hadn't been enough to give him away. Once he was certain the elder was gone, Shen Yuan emerged from his hiding place, casting a glance around the graveyard. He was alone once more.
Settling back down, he resumed his cultivation, allowing the yin energy to seep into him, reinforcing his breakthrough and stabilizing his strength at the 8th Layer. The cold, dark energy wrapped around him like shadows, filling him with an invigorating power that seemed to pulse through every vein. The whispers of the dead, almost like faint echoes in the back of his mind, only served to strengthen his resolve.
Time passed in silence, and when Shen Yuan finally opened his eyes, dawn was beginning to break on the horizon. The graveyard had served him well, and he rose to his feet, feeling the weight of his newfound strength. With a final glance at the silent tombstones, he left the graveyard, slipping back into the shadows of the Gui Clan's corridors.
Back at the Gui Clan's main quarters, however, the air was anything but quiet. Seated in a spacious, dimly lit chamber, four of the most powerful figures in the Gui Clan had gathered, each of them representing one of the Clan's formidable factions. At the head of the room sat Gui Zuwang, the founder of the clan, a man of quiet authority with an aura of immense power. He observed the others with a neutral expression, his fingers idly tracing the rim of a wine cup.
Beside him sat Lian Huoyan, the master of the Hellfire Temple, her gaze steady and unreadable. Opposite her were the masters of the Nether-Shadow Pavilion, Bloodfiend Hall, and Boneforge Hall. Each of them wore expressions of barely concealed disdain. They all came running up to Gui Zuwang again!
The master of Nether-Shadow Pavilion, a wiry man with a sharp gaze, broke the silence. "This Shen Yuan… he has ascended again. If he continues at this rate, it won't be long before he's a threat to all of us."
The master of Bloodfiend Hall, a broad-shouldered man with a cruel smile, nodded. "He is also using the graveyard of the other ancestors. I say we end him now. A swift death before he can tarnish us."
The master of Boneforge Hall grunted in agreement. "Letting him continue anymore is asking for trouble. He's shown his ambition and his ruthlessness. It's only a matter of time before he turns that against us and…., reaches the Nirvana realm."
The Nirvana realm is the realm above the heaven path realm, in this stage one's tiny tree will grow into a massive leafless tree called the 'Divine Tree', it's basically the accumulation of one's qi, the higher the tree in height, the greater foundation one has with more qi to store. Also gives a life span of 1000 years.
Gui Zuwang listened in silence, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips as he sipped his wine. "So quick to fear a rising star," he mused, his tone mild.
Lian Huoyan arched a brow, glancing at Gui Zuwangas she smirked at the others."
The master of Bloodfiend Hall scoffed. "Worthy? He's a snake in our midst, biding his time. It would be foolish to let him live long enough to bite."
Gui Zuwang's gaze sharpened, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Maybe, you guys should practice as well and try to save your ass. Since I have already made my decision and I am responsible for it, so stop acting like children.
The faction masters reluctantly fell silent, though the tension in the room was palpable. Each of them wore expressions of varying degrees of discontent, but none dared voice further objections. Gui Zuwang's decision, as always, was final.
As the meeting adjourned, Gui Zuwang sat back, his gaze thoughtful as he took another sip of wine. "Shen Yuan," he murmured to himself, a glint of intrigue in his eyes. "Child of Darkness… let's see just how far you can go."