Awakening Under the Eternal Sun
The Eternal Sun Realm was a world of boundless wonders and perilous mysteries, where cultivation governed life and power shaped destiny. In the heart of this realm stood the Dao Emperor Sect, a bastion of strength and legacy, nestled in the Central Continent. The sect had birthed nine legendary figures, the Ultimate Dao Monarchs, who had mastered their Dao to perfection and ascended to the Primordial Realm, a domain beyond chaos where the most exalted continued their cultivation in search of further transcendence.
Amid the bustling courtyards and grand halls of the sect, a young voice rang out, filled with both anticipation and determination.
"Finally, today I will discover my affinities."
Qin Li stood at the window of his opulent quarters, gazing out over the sprawling sect. His dark eyes burned with the fervor of ten long years—years spent preparing for this pivotal moment.
It had been a decade since Qin Li transmigrated into this world, leaving behind his previous life. Here, he was no ordinary child. Qin Li was the Young Master of the Dao Emperor Sect, heir to one of the most powerful forces in the realm. But in the Eternal Sun Realm, power was not inherited—it was earned, forged through one's affinities and cultivation.
In this world, cultivation began at the age of ten, when an individual awakened their affinity, a celestial gift bestowed by the Heavenly System, the omnipresent force that governed all laws and order.
Affinities were divided into six grades, from low to high:
Mortal Grade: Those born with this affinity were condemned to mediocrity, unable to cultivate.
Spiritual Grade: The foundation of most cultivators, granting access to the basic Daos.
Spiritual King Grade: A rare level, granting control over complex Daos.
Holy Grade: Geniuses, able to resonate with Daos of divine power.
Divine Grade: Awakened only once in centuries, capable of reshaping realms.
Taboo Grade: A myth among mortals, these affinities granted access to forbidden Taboo Daos—powers that defied the laws of the Heavenly System itself.
Today, on his tenth birthday, Qin Li would finally awaken his affinity and begin his journey along the path of cultivation.
A gentle knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. The door opened to reveal a maid, clad in flowing azure robes. She bowed deeply, her voice both reverent and serene.
"Young Master, the elders are awaiting your presence."
"Very well, let us go," Qin Li replied, his tone calm yet filled with excitement.
---
The grand courtyard was alive with energy, the air thick with anticipation. The scene was alive with noble figures, elders, and disciples of every rank, all gathering around the Heavenly Awakening Altar. This hallowed ground was where every young member of the sect would be tested, where their fates would be sealed based on the affinity they awakened.
As Qin Li arrived, whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
"Today's ceremony... it's the Young Master. What affinity will he awaken?"
"I heard rumors that his lineage could make him the next great cultivator, but will his affinity match his bloodline?"
The elders, standing at the front, were as composed as ever, though even they couldn't hide the hint of curiosity in their eyes. Among them was Elder Wu, a man as ancient as the sect itself. He had seen countless awakenings, yet the air around him felt heavier today, as though something far more significant was about to unfold.
"This boy... Qin Li," Elder Wu muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing with contemplation. "Such potential. The legacy of the Dao Emperor Sect is strong in him, but whether it can manifest today… we will see."
---
At that moment, a loud cry echoed from the center of the gathering. A young girl, trembling with excitement, stepped forward toward the Heavenly Awakening Stele, her hands shaking as she approached the monolithic pillar.
Her name was Li Mei, a member of the prominent Li Family. She was a promising young cultivator, expected to awaken an affinity of at least the Spiritual King Grade. The elders' eyes gleamed with anticipation. This was no ordinary awakening.
Li Mei placed her palm upon the Heavenly Awakening Stele. The crowd fell silent, eyes fixed on her as the air grew thick with spiritual energy.
Suddenly, a surge of radiant light exploded from the Stele, casting everything in an ethereal glow. The Spiritual King Grade was confirmed. A roar of approval rose from the crowd, the elders nodding solemnly in acknowledgment of the girl's achievement.
"She has awakened a Spiritual King affinity!" someone murmured. "A fine result, indeed. She will be a force to reckon with."
Li Mei beamed, her face alight with joy, but the excitement in the air soon dimmed as another disciple stepped forward.
---
Next was Xian Wuxian, another young prodigy within the sect. He was known for his calm demeanor and disciplined cultivation, and many were eager to see what affinity he would awaken.
As he approached the Stele, a hush fell over the crowd. His expression was serene, as always, though his heart beat faster in anticipation. He placed his hand upon the Stele, and once more, the light erupted. This time, however, the energy felt different—darker, deeper.
The Stele vibrated as though reacting to something ancient. The air crackled with power.
"A Holy Grade affinity!" an elder exclaimed. "Truly remarkable. This boy will reach heights even we could not imagine."
The crowd was in awe. A Holy Grade affinity was a gift from the heavens themselves, and to awaken it was to be considered a genius among geniuses. Xian Wuxian bowed respectfully, his heart calm despite the overwhelming power he had just claimed.
---
Finally, it was Qin Li's turn.
The moment he stepped forward, a wave of silence swept over the crowd. There were no whispers this time, only expectant stares. The elders studied him closely, knowing his birthright and the rumors of his potential.
Qin Li stepped to the altar, his calm gaze fixed on the Stele. He knew this moment would change everything. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand upon the Heavenly Awakening Stele.
In an instant, a violent eruption of light cascaded from the Stele. This was unlike anything the sect had ever witnessed.
The first pulse of energy shattered the air like thunder. The ground trembled. The heavens seemed to pause. The entire gathering gasped in disbelief.
From the Stele, two distinct forces surged—one of Creation, the other of Destruction. They collided in an unimaginable clash, filling the skies with radiant and blackened light, each battling for supremacy. The crowd stood frozen, eyes wide with terror and awe.
Taboo Grade Daos—Destruction and Creation.
The crowd was silent. Not even the elders could speak, their minds grappling with the enormity of what they had just witnessed.
Two Taboo Daos... the laws of the Heavenly System itself had been violated.
As the light faded, the tension in the air thickened. The Stele was silent now, its runes glowing faintly, as though even it was unsure of the consequences of what had just occurred.
Elder Wu was the first to speak, his voice shaky with a rare vulnerability. "Two... Taboo Daos? This is unprecedented. The laws of the Heavenly System should not allow for such a thing. The Heavenly Punishment will come."
The words hung heavy in the air. The Heavenly Punishment was a myth among the cultivators, a force said to eradicate those who defied the natural laws too drastically. To awaken two Taboo Daos was to challenge the very fabric of the universe.
The Dao Emperor Sect, though immensely powerful, could not protect Qin Li from the forces that would soon be set in motion. His future was no longer certain; it was a path fraught with danger and potential destruction.
Qin Li stood there, feeling the weight of his powers—and the burden they would bring.
His destiny had shifted forever. Two Taboo Daos had awakened within him, but the question now was: would his power be enough to control them, or would the forces he had unleashed consume him?
---
The stage was set, and Qin Li's journey was just beginning, marked by the consequences of his awakening and the challenges of the path ahead.