Xuan Li sat quietly in his dormitory, the weight of the day pressing heavily on him. His newfound master, Veldris, now housed within the mystical necklace he wore, had given him hope and purpose. Yet, a nagging thought clawed at his mind: *Why did the sect master visit me earlier? And why did he not find me?* The realization struck him like a thunderclap.
Xuan Li immediately turned to Veldris. "Master, I must visit the sect master and learn the reason behind his visit."
Veldris nodded, his voice calm but firm. "Do as you must. But before you leave, understand this: Do not underestimate the power of this necklace. It is an artifact beyond the comprehension of anyone in this dimension. To your sect master, it appears as nothing more than an ordinary trinket. Its presence is completely concealed."
Xuan Li nodded, reassured. "I'll return soon, Master."
Veldris smiled faintly. "Go, disciple. The path ahead is yours to tread."
Xuan Li left his dormitory, making his way to the sect master's grand hall. His heart pounded as he approached, uncertainty gnawing at him. When he arrived, he bowed deeply before the imposing figure of Sect Master Tian Wu.
"Greetings, Sect Master," Xuan Li said respectfully. "I heard you visited my dormitory earlier. I apologize for not being present; I was away."
The sect master regarded him with an unreadable expression before speaking. "You need not concern yourself with that. I summoned you here to inform you of a decision: as of this moment, you are no longer a disciple of the Shen Wu Sect."
Xuan Li's heart stopped. He stared at the sect master in disbelief. "Sect Master, why…?"
Tian Wu's tone remained casual. "You are a liability, Xuan Li. Without spiritual roots, you are unfit to carry the name of this sect. Leave now."
The words hit Xuan Li like a hammer. *The place I've called home… the place where I felt I belonged… is casting me out.* Anger and despair churned within him, but a darker truth settled in his mind: *Of course. I am nothing but a burden without spiritual roots. This was inevitable.*
Xuan Li's breathing grew uneven, his fists clenched at his sides. He had tried to prepare himself for this moment, but the reality was far harsher than he had imagined.
Just as the weight of the sect master's words began to crush him, a voice interrupted the tense silence.
"Greetings, Sect Master Tian Wu."
Xuan Li turned to see Ling Yuna entering the hall with grace and authority. Her long silver hair shimmered under the light, and her azure eyes sparkled with a calm intensity. She walked past Xuan Li, barely acknowledging his presence, and addressed the sect master.
"Sect Master Jian Tian of Heaven's Edge Sect has instructed me to remain here for a time," she announced. "He believes my presence will be beneficial in investigating yesterday's incident."
Tian Wu nodded approvingly. "Ling Yuna, you are a rare talent. Having you here will also inspire the disciples of my sect."
Ling Yuna inclined her head slightly before turning her gaze to Xuan Li. The disdain in her eyes was unmistakable. She smirked as she approached him.
"How long are you going to stand there, Xuan Li?" the sect master said coldly. "Leave the Shen Wu Sect."
Xuan Li nodded stiffly, his voice caught in his throat. He turned to leave, but before he could step outside, Ling Yuna's voice stopped him.
"Wait a moment."
Xuan Li turned back, surprised to see Ling Yuna walking toward him. Her voice dropped to a whisper as she said, "Thank you for proving yourself a failure before our marriage. If this had happened after, I would have been devastated. So, truly, thank you."
Her words were sharp as knives, cutting through Xuan Li's composure. His heart burned with humiliation and anger. He forced himself to reply, his voice steady but cold. "Ling Yuna, you were my childhood friend and my fiancée. I'll forgive you this time, but don't mistake my silence for weakness."
As his fury grew, a dark flame ignited in his heart. He was on the verge of an explosion when Veldris's voice rang out in his mind.
"Disciple, leave them be. Use this anger as fuel. Remember it. Let it drive you to surpass them all. You are blessed by the Cosmic Origin. Trust in me, and you will rise higher than they can imagine."
The flame in Xuan Li's heart calmed, replaced by a cold determination. He took a deep breath and looked directly at Ling Yuna. "Five years."
Ling Yuna frowned. "What do you mean?"
Xuan Li's voice was steady as iron. "In five years, I will challenge you and any disciple from the Heaven's Edge Sect."
Ling Yuna laughed mockingly. "You? Challenge me? You, who can't even cultivate spiritual energy? Even now, I could disable you with a flick of my finger."
Tian Wu's voice interrupted. "Ling Yuna, leave him be. He's not worth your time."
Ling Yuna smiled slyly. "Very well, Sect Master. But I accept Xuan Li's challenge. I'm curious to see how far a 'trash' can go in five years. Let's add a condition: If you win, I'll be your slave. If I win, you'll venture into the Abyssal Soul Mountain."
The hall fell silent. Xuan Li's heart sank. He knew the mountain's reputation—a place where countless monsters and lost souls roamed, a place no one returned from.
Seeing his hesitation, Ling Yuna smirked. "What happened to your confidence? Are you afraid?"
Xuan Li's lips curled into a defiant smile. "Afraid? Of you? Even the heavens are not qualified to stand before me. Why should I fear you?"
Ling Yuna scoffed. "Big words for someone so insignificant." She turned away, dismissing him. "Sect Master, I'll take my leave."
After she was gone, Xuan Li looked at the sect master and bowed slightly. "Sect Master, I have one last request before I leave."
Tian Wu frowned. "What is it?"
"I wish to visit the ancestral cemetery. It's in the forbidden forest, but I ask for your permission."
The sect master considered him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Since you have only five years to live, I'll grant you this final request."
Xuan Li straightened, his expression solemn. "Thank you, Sect Master."
Without another word, he turned and left the hall, determination burning in his eyes.