The sun rose over the jagged peaks, its light spilling into the cavern and gently rousing Zeth from his restless slumber. His body, though still battered and aching, felt marginally better after the night's rest. The remnants of his strength allowed him to sit up and gather his thoughts.
"No time to waste," Zeth muttered to himself, determination flickering in his weary eyes. "I need to check out those ruins."
Stretching his stiff muscles, he made his way toward the cavern's entrance. The cool morning air greeted him, carrying with it the distant songs of skylarks. As he stepped out, his gaze fell upon one in particular: a jade skylark perched nearby, its emerald feathers gleaming in the sunlight. Its presence was oddly reassuring.
"At least there are no hostile creatures nearby," he noted to himself.
Zeth began his descent down the mountain. His steps were cautious yet purposeful, aided by the residual threads of Qi that allowed him to maintain balance and speed. He hadn't expended too much of his energy during the recent turmoil, a small mercy that enabled him to move efficiently.
By midday, he reached the base of the mountain, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He remembered the vision that had flashed through his mind the previous day a battlefield, ancient ruins, and an aura of power that seemed to beckon him. He had spotted a location resembling that vision from the mountain's peak. Now standing amidst the rugged terrain, Zeth felt a pang of doubt as he surveyed the area.
"The surroundings match, but there's no sign of any structures," he murmured. "Was the vision wrong?"
He began to wander the area, retracing his steps and searching for any clue. Hours passed, the sun climbing higher into the sky as Zeth's frustration grew. Every rock and crevice he inspected revealed nothing but dirt and moss.
"There's got to be something," he muttered, his voice tinged with desperation. His eyes fell on a large, weathered stone partially embedded in the ground. Its surface was unremarkable at first glance, but something about it drew his attention.
"Maybe there's a passage underneath?" he speculated aloud.
Zeth knelt and pressed his hands against the stone, preparing to shift it aside. As he exerted pressure, a sudden jolt of pain shot through his body. He recoiled, clutching his chest as a strange Qi surged within him, radiating outward and into the stone. The air around him seemed to hum with energy.
Glowing symbols etched themselves onto the stone's surface, their intricate patterns forming a message: "The Qi of my kind has been confirmed. Good luck."
Zeth barely had time to process the words before a portal materialized above him, its swirling vortex of light and shadow pulling him in. He cried out in surprise as the world around him dissolved into chaos.
Meanwhile, at the Heavenly Cloud Sect, Zhang Jingyi was wrapping up her morning training. Her movements were precise and fluid, each strike of her fist resonating with controlled power. She unleashed qi like a blade and wiped her brow, her thoughts drifting to the new disciple she had taken an interest in.
"I should check on Zeth," she said to herself. "It's been a while since I've seen him."
As she prepared to leave, a fellow cultivator approached. Hu Yitian, a senior disciple known for his amiable nature, offered her a friendly smile.
"Jingyi," he called out. "Finished for the day?"
She nodded. "I was just about to visit Zeth. Would you like to join me?"
Hu Yitian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The new disciple? Sure, why not? He'll need to meet more people sooner or later."
Together, they made their way to Zeth's modest cabin on the sect's outskirts. As they approached, Hu Yitian frowned, taking in the shabby state of the dwelling.
"Doesn't look like he's living the life of a promising cultivator," he remarked with a hint of sarcasm.
Jingyi chuckled softly. "He has his struggles, but perhaps you'll hear his story firsthand."
She knocked on the cabin door and called out, "Zeth, I brought someone to meet you!" Receiving no answer, she pushed the door open, revealing an empty room.
"That's strange," Jingyi muttered, her brows furrowing. "He shouldn't be anywhere else. The library's closed today."
"Maybe he's with your father," Hu Yitian suggested.
Before they could speculate further, the Heavenly Cloud Sect Master appeared, his imposing presence immediately drawing their attention. Both disciples bowed deeply in greeting.
"Father," Jingyi said. "We were looking for Zeth. Do you know where he might be?"
The sect master's expression darkened slightly. "I came to check on him myself, but it seems he hasn't returned since yesterday."
Jingyi's worry deepened. "Could he be in danger? Or worse?"
The sect master raised a hand to calm her. "Do not panic. I will scan the area for his Qi."
Closing his eyes, he extended his spiritual sense, his energy rippling outward like a wave. The air around him seemed to shimmer as his search intensified. After a few moments, he opened his eyes, his expression grim.
"He is not nearby," he stated. "We will wait until nightfall. If he does not return by then, I will send a search party."
Zeth's world stabilized as the portal released him onto solid ground. He stumbled, catching himself against a cracked pillar. His surroundings were eerily familiar the ruins he had seen in his vision now stretched out before him, their ancient structures bathed in an otherworldly glow.
"This… this is it," he whispered, awe and unease mingling in his voice.
A sudden presence made him turn sharply. Emerging from the shadows was a figure whose mere aura seemed to surpass everything Zeth had encountered before. The man's pale skin glowed faintly, his black and purple robes adorned with intricate symbols. Medium-length black hair framed his angular face, and his piercing gray eyes bore down on Zeth with curiosity and amusement. Small, black horns with purple and red markings protruded from his forehead, adding to his imposing appearance.
"You," the man said, his voice smooth yet commanding. "You are not of my kind, and yet you managed to open the gateway. How curious."
Zeth stood frozen, his heart pounding as the man's presence pressed down on him like a tidal wave.
"Who… who are you?" Zeth managed to stammer.
The man chuckled, a sound that sent chills down Zeth's spine. "I am but a fragment, a soul clone of the First Demon. What you see before you is merely a shadow of the original. What matters is your role here."
Zeth's mind raced. "A soul clone? What does that mean?"
The man's expression grew serious. "The true body of the First Demon lies dormant here, a vessel of immense power. Your task is to absorb it, to merge it with the essence that lies within. Only then will you unlock the potential of your bloodline."
The man's gaze lingered on Zeth, noting the subtle frailty in his stance. His tone softened, but he withheld a critical observation. "Your body bears the scars of hardship, yet that will not impede the trial before you."
Zeth's heart pounded as he processed the words. "Absorb it? Why me?"
The soul clone tilted his head, his gaze piercing. "Because you share a fragment of my bloodline, no matter how diluted it may be. The power within the vessel will resonate with you, and through the fusion, you may ascend beyond your current limitations."
As the clone spoke, the ruins began to shift once more. A massive chamber revealed itself, its center occupied by a colossal, demonic figure encased in a crystalline cocoon. The sight was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
"This is the original body," the clone stated, gesturing toward the cocoon. "Step forward and begin the process."
Zeth hesitated, fear and doubt clawing at his resolve. "What if I fail?"
The clone's voice softened. "Failure is not an option. This is your destiny. Embrace it, or forever remain a shadow of your true self."
Summoning every ounce of courage, Zeth approached the cocoon. As he placed his hands on its surface, a surge of energy coursed through him, threatening to overwhelm his senses. He gritted his teeth, his body trembling under the strain.
The cocoon began to crack, fragments falling away to reveal the dormant figure within. The power of the First Demon flowed into Zeth, merging with his own Qi and reshaping his very essence. The pain was excruciating, yet beneath it, he felt a profound transformation taking place. His bones shattered and reformed, and his muscles tore and knit themselves back stronger. Through the agony, images flooded his mind: two colossal beings, one resembling the First Demon and another, shrouded in mist, seemingly locked in a heated argument. The visions faded as the process neared its completion.
The soul clone observed silently, a faint smile playing on his lips. As the transformation concluded, his form began to waver.
"My purpose here is fulfilled," he said, his voice echoing faintly. "From this moment forward, you carry the legacy of the First Demon. Do not squander it."
He hesitated for a moment, his fading form gazing at Zeth. "Your shattered meridians allowed for the restructuring of your body. You are now more demon than human. But that is also a gift. Your bloodline is now purer than most, and your meridians are reborn, stronger than ever."
Zeth's breath caught as the implications settled in. "What does this mean for me?"
The clone's voice grew solemn. "It means you must keep this transformation a secret. There are demonic cultivators in your realm, but many fear or distrust such methods. Be cautious from now on."
With those final words, the clone vanished, leaving Zeth alone in the chamber. The power within him settled, a newfound strength surging through his veins. He fell to his knees, gasping for breath, but a fire burned in his eyes.
"I'll survive," he whispered, his resolve unshakable. "And I'll uncover the truth ."
Rising to his feet, Zeth turned toward the exit of the chamber, He was transported back to his world.