Morning light seeped through the thin veil of fog that blanketed the clan grounds, casting everything in a ghostly glow. Shen Yuan had just returned to his abode after another night in the graveyard, soaking in its intense yin energy, when a sudden knock echoed through the door. A disciple stood outside, bowing low, his eyes downcast.
"Senior Shen Yuan, the founder has summoned you to his abode," the disciple said, his voice tinged with a mixture of respect and curiosity.
Shen Yuan blinked, processing the unexpected message. "The founder?" Of all people, why would Gui Zuwang want to see him? He was only a few months into his cultivation within the Gui Clan, and though his prowess were impressive, he hadn't imagined he'd drawn enough attention to warrant a personal summon from the clan's founder himself. The man rarely showed his face to anyone but the most senior masters. Yet here he was, being called like some chosen figure. A smirk played at the edge of his lips as he dismissed the disciple with a nod, closing his door and preparing himself.
In truth, Shen Yuan's interest was more curiosity than concern. He never harbored any grand loyalty or reverence for the Gui Clan—he was here to grow stronger, nothing more, nothing less.
While walking towards the dwelling of Gui Zuwang, his mind drifted to thinking of many possibilities about why Gui Zuwang would wanna see him. Then he saw.
Gui Zuwang's dwelling was unlike anything Shen Yuan had seen before, imposing and dark, built of sleek black marble that absorbed light. The entrance was grand yet eerie, like a portal into the abyss itself. As Shen Yuan entered, he was greeted by an ominous silence, broken only by the distant flickering of torches that cast faint, cold light upon the black stone walls.
At the far end of the hall, Gui Zuwang sat upon a throne hewn from the same dark marble, his face half-shadowed, making his age indeterminate and his expression unreadable. His fingers rested on the throne's armrest as he held a goblet of rich red wine, swirling it idly as if he were simply passing the time. Yet there was a sharpness in his gaze, a calculating look that was impossible to miss, that even made Shen Yuan feel like he was on the palm of some demon.
"Shen Yuan," he said, his voice echoing through the chamber with a low, magnetic intensity.
Shen Yuan inclined his head slightly, maintaining a composed, respectful air. "Founder Gui, you summoned me?"
Gui Zuwang's gaze remained fixed on Shen Yuan, evaluating him with a look that seemed to penetrate to his very core. "Tell me, Shen Yuan," he said at last, "how long do you estimate it will take you to reach the Heaven Path Realm?"
The question caught Shen Yuan off guard. He had been advancing quickly, especially with his recent mastery of Void Fire, but the Heaven Path Realm was another matter entirely. He took a moment to consider his answer.
"At least half a year," he replied, his voice steady but cautious. "The transition from the Purifying Realm to the Heaven Path Realm requires intense cultivation. Even with all available resources, that's the best I can estimate."
Gui Zuwang took a slow sip from his goblet, his expression contemplative. He let Shen Yuan's words hang in the air before responding, "Half a year is too long."
Shen Yuan's eyes narrowed, a slight flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Too long?"
"Yes." Gui Zuwang's tone was calm but held an undeniable weight. "I expect you to reach it within a month."
Shen Yuan's surprise turned into something sharper. He knew the founder was powerful and had high expectations, but to demand such a rapid breakthrough was unreasonable, even absurd.
"A month?" he echoed, his tone skeptical. "That's… almost impossible, even with the resources of the Gui Clan at my disposal."
Shen Yuan collected himself, narrowing his gaze as he considered the founder's expression. There was something behind Gui Zuwang's words—a hidden intent, perhaps even a test. Swallowing his hesitation, Shen Yuan allowed his curiosity to surface. "May I ask why the sudden urgency, Founder?"
Gui Zuwang's gaze shifted, a glimmer of amusement flickering in his eyes. "In one month, the Gui Clan must be reminded of its strength." He spoke as though revealing a great truth. "I'd like you to be a part of that demonstration."
"Demonstration?", Shen Yuan was skeptical.
"Yes, you will yourself come to know the reason, i know you are clever beyond that innocent look.", Gui Zuwang smirked.
"But a month… is too much…", Shen Yuan said.
Gui Zuwang's lips curled into a slight smile, though his gaze remained cold. "Shen Yuan, you've achieved the impossible before, haven't you?"
Shen Yuan's mind raced. The founder's words were more than just praise; they were a challenge, a reminder that he had been selected because he was different. Still, he didn't care to prove himself for Gui Zuwang or for anyone else in the clan. In fact, the founder's expectations meant little to him. But if what Gui Zuwang hinted at was true—if he truly planned to give him unparalleled resources and techniques to make this rapid ascension possible—then Shen Yuan would gladly take what was offered, for his own ambitions.
"Very well," he said finally, his voice level and calm. "If you're serious about providing what I need, I'll reach the Heaven Path Realm in a month."
Gui Zuwang's smile widened, as though he had expected this answer. "I thought you might see things my way. I'll arrange for you to have access to resources that few in the Gui Clan are privileged to even know of, let alone use. You will have the best of what our clan has to offer that only the five devil disciples get."
Shen Yuan nodded, though he felt no genuine gratitude. Inwardly, he thought only of what this would mean for his own power, how much closer he could get to mastering forces that others feared to even contemplate.
Gui Zuwang took another sip of his wine, studying Shen Yuan with a gaze that held both intrigue and caution. "But remember, Shen Yuan, these resources come with a cost. You will be expected to use them well… and you will have no room for failure."
With that final warning, Gui Zuwang raised his goblet in a casual gesture of dismissal. "Go now. You have your task."
Shen Yuan inclined his head respectfully, though inwardly he felt the faintest spark of disdain. Gui Zuwang might think himself clever, pulling strings and issuing commands, but Shen Yuan had no intention of dancing to anyone's tune for long. He was here for power, for mastery—and if Gui Zuwang's resources would bring him closer to that goal, he would use them to the fullest.