Acceptance and the Looming War
Xiang followed a strict daily routine, carrying out her tasks with diligence and unwavering dedication. She never complained, never questioned her responsibilities—she simply worked with quiet determination. Wen Shia had been silently observing her for a long time. Though he outwardly remained composed and distant, deep within, a thought had begun to take root in his mind: perhaps it was time to take Xiang as his disciple.
A Morning of Change
One early morning, as golden sunlight filtered through the wooden windows, Xiang was busy cleaning and arranging books in Wen Shia's study. Her small hands carefully dusted the shelves, making sure everything was in perfect order. She treated each book with reverence, as if they contained the wisdom of the world itself.
Unbeknownst to her, Wen Shia had quietly entered the room and taken a seat near his wooden table. He watched her for a moment, his sharp yet calm eyes studying her movements. After a brief silence, he finally spoke.
"Xiang," he called out softly.
Startled, she quickly turned around and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Master Wen Shia?"
"Bring me some tea," he requested, his voice steady and unreadable.
Without hesitation, Xiang nodded. She set aside her cleaning, walked over to the tea set, and carefully prepared the tea. She sat across from him, pouring the steaming liquid into a small porcelain cup before offering it with both hands.
Wen Shia took the cup, sipped slowly, and then uttered a simple word. "Okay."
Xiang blinked in confusion. "The tea… is it okay?"
Wen Shia shook his head slightly. "We are not talking about the tea."
Xiang frowned, her mind racing. But as realization dawned, her eyes widened with excitement. "Does that mean… you accept me as your student?" she asked, barely able to contain her joy.
Wen Shia did not give a direct answer. Instead, a faint smile played on his lips—a rare, almost imperceptible gesture. Yet, for Xiang, that small expression spoke volumes.
Her heart leaped with happiness, and without another word, she rushed out of the room to find her father. When she told him the news, his face lit up with pride. He placed a hand on her head, his voice filled with warmth.
"You have worked hard, my child. This is the path you were meant to walk. Train well under Master Wen Shia and make us proud."
With her father's blessings, Xiang's journey as a disciple truly began.
The Path of a Disciple
From that day forward, Xiang lived and trained under Wen Shia's guidance. She had imagined training would be difficult, but reality proved to be far harsher than she had expected.
The mornings were brutal—Wen Shia would wake her up before dawn, giving her no time for laziness. She was made to run long distances across rocky paths, her feet aching with every step. Sword training left her hands bruised and sore, and meditation tested her patience, forcing her to sit still for hours at a time.
At first, she struggled immensely. Her movements were clumsy, her strikes lacked precision, and her focus wavered. Wen Shia, though patient, was a strict teacher. He never hesitated to correct her mistakes, sometimes through sharp reprimands.
"Your grip is too weak," he told her one evening, watching as she practiced her sword swings. "If you cannot hold your sword properly, how do you expect to defend yourself?"
Xiang bit her lip and tightened her grip, determined not to show weakness.
Despite the exhaustion, despite the scoldings, she never complained. Instead, she smiled—a genuine, determined smile. She respected Wen Shia deeply and was willing to endure any hardship to grow stronger.
Over time, her efforts bore fruit. Her stance improved, her strikes became faster and more precise, and her endurance increased. The once-awkward girl who could barely hold a sword now moved with grace and control. Slowly but surely, she was transforming into a true cultivator.
A Heavenly Summons
One fateful day, Wen Shia received an urgent summons from the heavens. Leaving Xiang to her training, he ascended to the celestial realm, where the Heavenly God awaited him with grave concern.
"I have an important task for you, Wen Shia," the Heavenly God said, his expression solemn. "The demons are planning an attack—either on Heaven or Earth. They have somehow learned of the Element Power Stone, and they will stop at nothing to obtain it."
Wen Shia's eyes narrowed. "The Element Power Stone… I thought its existence was a secret."
"It was," the Heavenly God confirmed. "But someone must have leaked its location. We must prepare, for the demons will show no mercy. You, Wen Shia, are the only one capable of stopping the demon king, Zo Huan."
The mere mention of Zo Huan sent a chill through the room. The demon king was infamous for his cruelty. A being devoid of compassion, he sought only domination, his name alone enough to strike fear into the hearts of even the bravest warriors.
Despite his youthful appearance—no older than twenty-two—Zo Huan possessed unfathomable power. His slender frame was deceptive, for within him lay magical abilities unlike any seen before. To defeat him was a task many considered impossible.
Wen Shia's jaw tightened in anger. "How dare he threaten us again? This time, we will not spare him."
The heavens wasted no time in preparing for war. Celestial warriors armed themselves, ready to defend their sacred domain. Every soldier stood alert, believing that Zo Huan's forces would strike Heaven first.
However, Zo Huan was no fool.
The Demon King's Cunning
While the heavens braced for an attack, Zo Huan devised a different strategy.
"We will not attack Heaven," he told his generals, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Instead, we will strike Earth. Let us see how they protect their precious world."
And so, without warning, his army descended upon Earth like a storm, bringing destruction in their wake. Flames consumed villages, rivers ran red with blood, and terrified screams echoed through the land.
Yet, Zo Huan himself did not join the battle. Instead, he took on the guise of a mortal, blending seamlessly into the human world. Walking unnoticed among them, he observed, calculated, and waited for the perfect moment to act.
The Defenders of Nin jing Mountain
On Earth, the cultivators of Nin jing Mountain were among the first to respond to the crisis. Masters and disciples alike gathered, ready to defend their homeland. Some were seasoned warriors, while others were novices still learning the basics of cultivation. Yet, all shared a common goal—to protect their people, no matter the cost.
As the demon army approached, they stood together, weapons drawn, prepared to fight until their last breath.
For Earth.
For their loved ones.
For survival.