The vast temple loomed in the Void, a relic of forgotten times, suspended in the swirling chaos. Its massive halls shimmered with ancient runes, faintly glowing against the endless darkness. At the center of the chamber, Elder Taixu stood motionless, his spectral form observing the small figure before him.
Xiao Tian, though physically a child, exuded a presence far beyond his apparent age. His silver eyes gleamed with quiet resolve, a trait inherited from his divine bloodline. Despite his small frame, he radiated an unyielding determination that Elder Taixu could not help but admire.
"You are young," Taixu began, his voice deep and resonant, "but your blood carries the strength of gods. Your body will adapt, and your mind is already far sharper than most mortals could ever dream. Today, you will begin the first step on the path of cultivation."
Xiao Tian remained silent, nodding once. Words felt unnecessary.
With a wave of his hand, Taixu summoned a glowing orb of dense, chaotic Void Qi. The air around it warped and rippled, the raw energy radiating an oppressive heat that seemed to press down on the chamber itself.
"This Void Core will serve as the foundation for your cultivation," Taixu explained. "Absorb it into your dantian, if you can. It will mark your entry into the Qi Condensation stage. But be warned—it is wild, untamed. If you fail to control it, your fragile body will be torn apart."
Xiao Tian took an unsteady step forward, his small feet padding softly against the cold stone floor. His movements were clumsy but determined, each step a testament to his resilience.
"Good," Taixu said, his gaze sharp. "Fear will not serve you here."
Reaching out with trembling hands, Xiao Tian touched the Void Core. The moment his fingers made contact, an explosion of energy surged into his body, a chaotic torrent that threatened to overwhelm him.
---
Inside Xiao Tian's Mind
The Void Qi tore through his meridians like a raging storm, burning with an intensity that threatened to shatter him from within. His tiny frame trembled, but his silver eyes closed in concentration.
His father's voice, faint but resolute, echoed in his mind—a fragment of the memory imprint left within him.
> "Control is everything, Xiao Tian. Space is chaos given form. To master it, you must bend it to your will."
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Tian visualized the energy as a swirling vortex. He focused on guiding it, shaping it, forcing it to obey his will.
The pain was relentless, each wave of energy more volatile than the last. But Xiao Tian's mind remained steady, his resolve unshaken.
---
The First Breakthrough
Hours passed. Elder Taixu watched in silence, the faint glow of the Void Core reflecting in his ancient eyes. "Impressive," he murmured, more to himself than to the child.
Finally, the chaotic energy within Xiao Tian's body began to stabilize. The wild currents of Void Qi condensed into a spinning core at the center of his dantian. A faint silver light emanated from his small frame, illuminating the chamber with its ethereal glow.
Xiao Tian opened his eyes, their silver hue now brighter, sharper. His small chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, but his expression was calm, his determination unbroken.
"You have done it," Taixu said, stepping forward. "You have entered the Qi Condensation stage. Many cultivators spend years achieving what you have done in mere hours."
Xiao Tian nodded, his movements slow but deliberate. "What's next?" he asked softly, his voice quiet but firm.
Taixu's lips curved into a faint smile. "Eager, are we? Very well. Follow me."
---
The Shattered Star Array
Taixu led Xiao Tian to a secondary chamber, its walls lined with glowing runes that pulsed in rhythm with the Void itself. At the center floated seven orbs of light, each radiating a distinct energy.
"This is the Shattered Star Array," Taixu explained. "Each orb contains a fragment of spatial energy, more volatile than the last. Your task is to absorb and merge them into your Void Core. But beware—these energies are far more unstable than what you've just endured. A single mistake, and the backlash will destroy you."
Xiao Tian hesitated for the first time, his silver eyes narrowing. But he stepped forward nonetheless, his resolve unshaken.
He reached for the first orb. Its energy flared, a fiery orange light that rippled through the chamber. As it entered his body, Xiao Tian winced, his tiny hands trembling as he guided the energy toward his dantian.
The first fragment settled easily, and Xiao Tian moved to the second. Then the third.
With each fragment, the difficulty increased. By the time he reached the sixth orb, his body was drenched in sweat, his breathing ragged. His meridians burned as the energy threatened to overflow, but Xiao Tian clenched his fists, forcing the Void Core to expand and stabilize.
"You've come far," Taixu said, his tone sharp. "But the final step is always the hardest."
The seventh orb glowed brighter than the others, its silver light almost blinding. As Xiao Tian reached for it, the orb exploded, sending shards of energy hurtling toward him.
Reacting instinctively, Xiao Tian activated Void Steps, his body flickering out of existence and reappearing behind the shards. The energy swirled chaotically, threatening to consume the chamber, but Xiao Tian gritted his teeth and plunged his hands into the core.
The energy surged through him, wild and uncontrollable. For a moment, his small frame shook violently, on the verge of collapse. Then, with a final burst of effort, Xiao Tian forced the energy into his dantian, fusing it with the Void Core.
---
Aftermath
The chamber fell silent. Xiao Tian collapsed to his knees, his small body trembling with exhaustion. But within him, the Void Core pulsed steadily, its light brighter and more refined than before.
Elder Taixu approached, his expression unreadable. "You've done well. Most would have perished attempting what you just accomplished. But survival is not victory. Remember that."
Xiao Tian slowly rose to his feet, his movements shaky but resolute. "What's next?" he asked, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.
Taixu chuckled softly. "Rest now. Tomorrow, we begin your combat training. The path of a cultivator is not just about power—it's about knowing how to use it to dominate."
As Xiao Tian sat cross-legged to meditate, the faint glow of the Void Core illuminated his determined face. Taixu watched him in silence, his thoughts a mix of anticipation and grim satisfaction.
"The heavens won't see you coming," Taixu murmured. "And by the time they do, it will be too late."