Aftermath of Defiance

The village of Grey Hollow was eerily silent, save for the crackle of a dying fire. The villagers stood in stunned disbelief, their eyes shifting between the battered ground and Fen Long, who now sat cross-legged near the village well, his gaze fixed on his hands.

He could still feel the warmth of the jade pendant, though it had dissolved into him. His fists trembled—not with fear, but with a strange exhilaration. For the first time in his life, he wasn't helpless.

"Fen Long..." the village elder spoke, his voice shaking as he approached. "What happened to you?"

"I don't know," Fen Long admitted. "But... I think I can protect us now."

The elder sighed, his face lined with concern. "You may have scared them away for now, but the Iron Serpent Sect won't let this insult pass. We must be prepared for retaliation."

Fen Long nodded. He didn't know the extent of his newfound power, but one thing was certain—he couldn't rely on it blindly. He needed to understand it, to control it.

Voice from the Void

That night, as the village slumbered uneasily, Fen Long sat alone under the stars. He closed his eyes, trying to recall the sensation when the pendant had shattered.

A faint hum resonated in his mind, like a whisper carried by the wind.

*"Child of fate..."* the voice from before returned, its tone calm but commanding. *"The path you have stepped onto is one of peril and promise. You must grow stronger if you wish to defy the heavens."*

"Who are you?" Fen Long asked aloud.

*"I am but a fragment of what once was. A piece of the Eternal Sovereign's will. My purpose is to guide you toward mastery of the *Unified Eternal Path*. If you falter, you will perish—not just by mortal hands, but by the will of the heavens themselves."*

The words sent a chill down Fen Long's spine. "What is the *Unified Eternal Path*?"

*"A cultivation technique that unites the fragmented principles of the universe. It defies convention and shatters limitations. But beware—it is forbidden, and those who walk it are hunted by both mortals and immortals alike."*

"I don't care," Fen Long said, his voice firm. "If it gives me the strength to protect my village, I'll do whatever it takes."

The voice chuckled softly. *"Bold words, child. Let us see if your actions match them. Focus. Let me awaken your first foundation."*

The Awakening

Fen Long closed his eyes again, his breathing steady. He felt a surge of energy coursing through him, and his mind was drawn into a vast, starry void. Within this space, he saw nine shimmering orbs floating in a circle.

*"These are the Nine Fragments of Eternity,"* the voice explained. *"Each fragment represents a stage in your path. For now, we will awaken the first: The Spark of Origin."*

As the voice spoke, one of the orbs pulsed, glowing brighter until it shattered into countless motes of light that swirled around Fen Long. A flood of knowledge and energy poured into him.

His body trembled as his meridians expanded and a faint golden light surrounded him. He could feel every muscle, every bone, and even the faint hum of the energy around him.

*"The Spark has been lit,"* the voice said. *"You now stand at the First Fragment. Use it wisely, for your enemies grow stronger with every step you take."*

The Training Begins

Over the next few days, Fen Long devoted himself to understanding his newfound abilities. He discovered he could sense the flow of spiritual energy in the air and even manipulate it to a small extent.

With the help of the Eternal Sovereign's fragment, he practiced the *Eternal Burst Fist* technique, refining it until his strikes could create shockwaves strong enough to split rocks.

The villagers watched him from afar, their fear slowly giving way to hope. Fen Long's determination was infectious, and some of the younger villagers began practicing with him, wielding old farming tools as makeshift weapons.

But even as they trained, the shadow of the Iron Serpent Sect loomed large.

---

The Return of the Serpent

It was on the seventh day after the incident that they came. A dozen Iron Serpent disciples marched into Grey Hollow, their expressions grim. At their head was a woman clad in dark-green robes, her presence radiating authority.

"So," she said, her voice sharp as a blade, "this is the village that dared to defy our sect. I am Senior Disciple Huo Mei, and I am here to restore order."

The villagers cowered, but Fen Long stepped forward, his fists clenched.

"Leave this place," he said, his voice steady. "We've given you everything we had. There's nothing left for you to take."

Huo Mei's eyes narrowed as she studied him. "You must be the one who injured my junior disciple. How bold of you to stand before me. Do you think your meager strength can withstand the Iron Serpent Sect?"

Fen Long didn't reply. Instead, he raised his hands, his energy flaring around him. The ground beneath his feet cracked as he took a fighting stance.

---

A Clash of Resolve

Huo Mei smirked. "Very well. Let me show you what true cultivation looks like."

She attacked first, her movements swift and precise. Fen Long barely dodged her strike, the wind from her palm cutting through the air like a blade.

Drawing on the knowledge of the Eternal Sovereign, Fen Long countered with the *Eternal Burst Fist*. Their energies collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the village.

Though Fen Long fought valiantly, it became clear that Huo Mei was more experienced. Her strikes grew fiercer, and Fen Long struggled to keep up.

But just as it seemed he would falter, a voice echoed in his mind: *"Trust in the flow. Let the energy guide you."*

Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Fen Long shifted his stance, allowing the energy around him to flow freely. When Huo Mei launched her next attack, Fen Long redirected her energy with a swift motion, sending her stumbling backward.

Huo Mei glared at him, her expression a mix of anger and surprise. "You're no ordinary mortal," she spat. "But this isn't over. The Iron Serpent Sect will remember your defiance."

With that, she turned and left, her disciples following reluctantly.

---

#### **A Glimmer of Hope**

As the disciples disappeared into the distance, the villagers erupted into cheers. For the first time, they felt a glimmer of hope—a belief that they could stand against the oppression.

Fen Long, however, knew this was only the beginning. The Iron Serpent Sect would return, stronger and more determined.

"I have to get stronger," he muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Not just for me, but for all of us."

And so, the first spark of rebellion was lit.