Zeth's vision blurred as he came to, his head throbbing from the blow dealt by Hu Yitian during their spar. The cool night air brushed against his cheeks, and he realized he was lying on a simple cot in a small courtyard. Candles light cast gentle, swaying light across the ground, illuminating two figures standing nearby.
Zhang Jingyi's soft voice reached him first. "Are you okay, Zeth?" she asked, worry etched across her delicate features.
"I'm fine," Zeth replied, softly touching the bruise on the side of his temple. His body ached, but it was nothing compared to the pain he had experienced in the past. "Just…a bit dizzy."
Hu Yitian stood with his arms folded, his expression half-concerned, half-intrigued. "It seemed like you weren't aware of what you were doing," he remarked. "Your eyes were filled with rage. You attacked me like you were facing an entirely different opponent."
Zeth let out a slow breath. "I'm sorry. I was thinking about…someone else to push past my limits." He hesitated, turning his gaze away. "In my mind, during our fight, you weren't Hu Yitian at all."
"Someone else?" Hu Yitian frowned thoughtfully. "So that's why you were so angry… You were fighting a phantom from your past. I understand now."
Zhang Jingyi stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Zeth's shoulder. "Was it the people from your old sect?"
Hu Yitian shot her a curious glance. "Old sect? This is the first I'm hearing about it."
Zeth Explains what happend before entering The Heveanly cloud sect. Soon after he explains with anger in his words what happend the day he went to gather herbs and met Bai Jingting.
Hu Yitian's jaw tightened. "Bai Jingting? That rotten bastard hasn't changed in the slightest, I see."
Zhang Jingyi pursed her lips. "If he's causing trouble for you, I'll let my father know. He can inform the Sect Master of the Hidden Peak Mountain Sect about this outrageous disciple."
Hu Yitian quickly shook his head. "Don't be too rash. Bai Jingting is the son of an elder in that old sect. They also have a good Realtionship with us and the other two big sects in this region.
Zeth slowly rose, his determination shining despite his weariness. "Ignore him. I will deal with him myself one day. And if the rest of them get in my way…" His voice trailed off, but the anger in his eyes was unmistakable.
Hu Yitian nodded, recognizing the resolve in Zeth's gaze. "Very well. I'll take my leave. You both should rest."
Zhang Jingyi inclined her head. "Rest well, Zeth. Don't push yourself too hard."
As the two departed, Zeth felt a familiar presence stir within him.
Umbra (in Zeth's mind): "You must learn to control it more. Remember, your body isn't the same as it once was."
Zeth annoyed at his words. "Says the one who could've canceled that illusion you made me see."
Umbra: "And ruin the point of training? You need these real experiences and struggles to grow."
"Whatever," Zeth whispered under his breath, lying back down on the cot. The stars above blurred as exhaustion took him, and soon he drifted into a restless sleep.
Morning came swiftly. Soft rays of sunlight filtered through the courtyard, warming Zeth's face. He stretched, wincing as sore muscles protested. Yet, a spark of excitement lit up within him he still wanted to grow stronger.
"Alright," he said aloud, "time to train."
Umbra: "Good idea. Let's head to that tall waterfall near the sect. Cultivating there will help you deepen your understanding of qi."
Zeth made his way through the winding paths until he reached a secluded waterfall, its roaring waters crashing down into a clear pool below. Mist drifted in the morning air, creating a quiet, mystical atmosphere. As he approached, Zeth noticed a familiar shadow moving in the nearby trees.
The huge bear he had encountered before stood there, sniffing the ground. It raised its head, and its beady eyes settled on Zeth with a low, warning growl.
Umbra: "Hold on. If you kill that bear, I can help you a little."
"What do you mean?" Zeth asked in a wary voice.
Umbra: "Just do it, and you'll see."
Zeth didn't hesitate for long. He dashed forward, leaping into the air and bringing his fist down onto the bear's back with incredible force. Bones cracked beneath the impact, and with a final blow to its skull, the bear slumped to the ground, lifeless.
Umbra: "Well done. Now, watch closely."
For the first time since that fateful day, Umbra manifested physically before Zeth. His silhouette was dark and somewhat hazy, like a living shadow. Holding out one hand toward the bear's carcass, Umbra's fingertips began to glow with eerie black light. The slain beast's body started to liquefy, melting into a pulsing dark fluid that hovered in the air before condensing into a small, deep-red pill.
Umbra offered it to Zeth. "This is a condensed essence pill. It won't harm you, not with your purer bloodline. In fact, it should help accelerate your cultivation."
Zeth nodded, taking the pill and swallowing it. Warm energy flowed through his body like a surging river. The sensation nearly overwhelmed him, but he gritted his teeth and guided the rush of qi through his meridians. Almost instantly, he felt a breakthrough.
"I'm at the fifth layer!" he gasped, as though each breath were infused with raw power.
Umbra just nodded. "Keep going."
Turning toward the waterfall, Zeth sat cross-legged on a large, flat rock behind the cascading curtain of water. He steadied his breathing and entered meditation, drawing in the surrounding qi. The day wore on; with each passing hour, the sun climbed higher, then dipped toward the horizon. Sunset painted the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink, a serene backdrop to Zeth's fervent cultivation.
At last, he opened his eyes, droplets of water clinging to his hair and robes. A surge of accomplishment lit up his face. "I've reached the eighth layer of the Body Tempering Realm," he whispered, sounding both elated and relieved. "Finally. Now, I can truly start using qi offensively."
Umbra: "And soon, you can begin real training and journey.."
That evening, on his way back to the sect, Zeth nearly collided with Zhang Jingyi, who was carrying a small basket of herbs.
"Senior Sister," he greeted politely. "Do you have any advice for entering the Core Foundation Realm?"
She gave a short, musical laugh. "You've already reached peak Body Tempering?" Her eyes sparkled with genuine admiration. "That's impressive. I can see you having a bright future, Zeth."
Zeth lowered his gaze, feeling a bit sheepish. "I hope so…"
Zhang Jingyi composed herself and offered a friendly smile. "To break into the Core Foundation Realm, you need to cultivate pure Yang Qi and infuse it into your dantian. There's a special item called a Yang Fruit our sect has a few stored away. I'll ask my father, the Sect Master, if you can have one."
Inwardly, Zeth felt Umbra stir.
Umbra (in Zeth's mind): "Careful. Your dantian is already saturated with Yin Qi my Yin Qi. If you add too much Yang Qi without balance, the energies could clash violently and will hurt you forever."
Zeth concealed his concern behind a grateful smile. "Thank you, Senior Sister. I'd really appreciate it."
She beamed back at him. "I'll speak to Father. I should have it for you tomorrow."
Upon returning to his small cabin, Zeth shut the door behind him and sat cross-legged on a worn mat, letting out a slow breath. The night was quiet, and the thin walls of the cabin seemed to hold the chill of the evening air.
Umbra: "So, do you know what you're going to do about this Yin and Yang problem?"
Zeth closed his eyes, reaching inward to sense his dantian. The swirl of Yin Qi was potent stronger than ever. "It's about half full," he murmured. "I'm considering splitting the dantian into two sections, one for Yin and one for Yang. That way, they won't clash."
Umbra: "A bold plan. Not many cultivators think to refine a dual-core approach. The Yang may also help suppress any rage that stems from your demon blood. It should stabilize you."
Zeth nodded. "I see. I'll do it, then."
A tense silence fell, and Zeth felt a shift in Umbra's presence. The shadow-like entity seemed to flicker.
Umbra: "It's time, boy.."
"What are you talking about?" Zeth asked, suddenly uneasy.
Umbra: "Like I said before, I'm only a fragment of what I once was. I can't maintain this form any longer. I'll use the last of my power to create something that might guide you on your path."
Umbra's form flickered into view, standing before Zeth. Dark energy began to surge around him, forming a dense sphere of Yin Qi. The pressure in the tiny cabin intensified, and Umbra swiftly created a barrier so no one outside would sense the massive force emanating within.
Zeth watched, eyes wide, as swirling tendrils of shadow coiled around themselves. Bit by bit, they fused and merged into the shape of a small book inky black, carved with strange runes that seemed to shift when sensing The First Demon's Qi.
Panting with effort, Umbra placed the book on the floor before Zeth. "Take it. Inside, you'll find techniques that align with your demon blood, tapping into Yin without losing yourself. They're not too advanced, but they'll set you on a proper path. From here on out, you're on your own."
The swirling shadows that formed Umbra's body began to fade, whirling into nothingness like dust on the wind. "Good luck…boy," he said, voice echoing as though from a great distance.
Then Umbra was gone.
Zeth knelt there, hands trembling slightly, staring at the strange tome left behind. In the silence, he made himself a solemn promise. "Don't worry, Umbra… I will become stronger than anyone. I will reach the peak of the martial dao."
His vow echoed in his mind as he clutched the book against his chest. Outside, moonlight bathed the sect's quiet courtyards, and a fresh wind carried Zeth's resolution through the night.