Kaelion's journey deeper into the Mistwood Forest brought him to a place where the air itself felt heavy with power. The mist thickened, clinging to his skin like an unseen force trying to drag him back. Despite the eerie atmosphere, he pressed on, his steps guided by the Eternal Ascension System.
> "Two Spirit Herbs detected within 100 meters. Hostile entity nearby. Proceed with caution."
The system's voice echoed in his mind, calm yet urgent. Kaelion tightened his grip on his dagger. Though he felt a surge of confidence after defeating the Shadow Wraith, he wasn't foolish enough to let his guard down. The forest had already proven itself treacherous, and he knew the challenges ahead would only grow more difficult.
---
The Ancient Shrine
Following the system's guidance, Kaelion soon found himself standing before a crumbling stone shrine, hidden beneath the canopy of towering trees. Vines snaked around its cracked pillars, and moss covered the ancient carvings etched into its surface. The structure emanated a faint, golden light that seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat.
> "Location identified: Shrine of the Fallen Star. Warning: High-level danger detected."
Kaelion frowned. "Shrine of the Fallen Star? What's that?"
> "A remnant of the ancient world, long forgotten by mortals. It houses powerful artifacts and secrets, but it is also protected by a guardian spirit. Exercise extreme caution."
Kaelion took a cautious step forward, his eyes scanning the shrine for any signs of movement. The golden light grew brighter as he approached, illuminating the carvings on the stone. They depicted scenes of celestial battles—immortal warriors clashing against monstrous beasts, their weapons radiating divine energy.
At the center of the shrine lay a pedestal, and atop it rested a glowing crystal orb, encased in a swirling aura of golden energy. Kaelion's heart skipped a beat. He didn't need the system to tell him that the orb was extraordinary—it practically radiated power.
> "Artifact detected: Starfire Core. Warning: Attempting to claim the artifact will awaken the guardian spirit."
Kaelion hesitated. The Starfire Core was clearly valuable, but was it worth the risk? He glanced at the interface, which displayed his current progress. He was still in the early stages of Body Tempering, far from the level of strength he needed to face a powerful spirit.
But then, he felt a strange pull—an invisible force urging him to take the orb. It wasn't the system's guidance this time; it was something deeper, almost instinctual.
"I didn't come this far to turn back now," he muttered, steeling himself.
---
The Guardian Spirit
As Kaelion stepped onto the shrine's platform, the air around him grew colder. The golden light dimmed, and a low, rumbling growl echoed through the clearing. From the shadows emerged a massive, spectral beast—a Celestial Drake, its translucent form shimmering with starlight.
The drake towered over Kaelion, its eyes burning like twin suns. Its body was sleek and serpentine, with ethereal wings that stretched out like a constellation in the night sky. It was a creature of pure majesty and terror, and Kaelion's breath caught in his throat.
> "Guardian Spirit: Celestial Drake. Power Level: Mid-Stage Spirit Beast. Host has no chance of victory in direct combat. Alternative strategy recommended."
"No chance of victory? That's comforting," Kaelion muttered under his breath, his eyes never leaving the drake.
> "Use the Binding Light Formation to weaken the drake. Aim to evade and outlast rather than defeat."
Kaelion nodded, his mind racing. He dropped to his knees and began tracing the symbols for the formation into the stone platform. The drake roared, its voice shaking the very air, and lunged toward him.
"Faster, faster," Kaelion muttered, his fingers moving with desperate speed.
The formation's symbols began to glow, and just as the drake's massive claws descended, a barrier of golden light erupted around Kaelion. The beast snarled in frustration, its movements slowed by the binding energy.
> "Formation activated. Duration: 30 seconds."
Kaelion didn't waste a moment. He dashed toward the pedestal, his heart pounding in his chest. The Starfire Core pulsed with golden energy, its glow almost blinding up close. He reached out and grasped it, the warmth of its power surging through his body.
> "Artifact acquired: Starfire Core. Host's energy reserves increased by 50%."
The jade amulet around his neck flared with light, resonating with the core's power. Kaelion felt an indescribable strength coursing through him, as if the artifact had awakened something dormant within him.
---
Escape and Revelation
The Celestial Drake let out an enraged roar, shattering the light barrier with a swipe of its claws. Kaelion barely had time to react as the beast lunged at him, its jaws snapping inches from his face. He dove to the side, clutching the Starfire Core tightly.
> "Host energy reserves sufficient for emergency teleportation. Activate?"
"Yes!" Kaelion shouted, not caring where the teleportation would take him.
In an instant, a blinding flash of light enveloped him, and he felt himself being pulled through space. When the light faded, he found himself back at the edge of the Mistwood Forest, the towering trees and oppressive mist now behind him.
Kaelion collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. His body ached, and his mind reeled from the encounter. But as he looked down at the glowing orb in his hand, a sense of triumph washed over him.
> "Mission complete. Progress to Body Tempering: 50%."
The system's voice was calm, as always, but Kaelion could hear a note of approval in its tone.
"Starfire Core," he murmured, holding the orb up to the sunlight. "What exactly are you?"
The system responded immediately.
> "The Starfire Core is an artifact of celestial origin. It contains immense energy and can be integrated with the host's cultivation, enhancing progress across all realms."
Kaelion stared at the orb, a mixture of awe and determination in his eyes. The encounter with the Celestial Drake had tested him in ways he hadn't anticipated, but it had also given him a glimpse of what lay ahead.
He wasn't just a boy from the mortal world anymore. He was a cultivator, a seeker of power, and his journey had only just begun.
With the Starfire Core in hand and the Eternal Ascension System guiding him, Kaelion rose to his feet. He turned toward the distant horizon, where the faint outline of the Seraphic Mountains beckoned him forward.
"Let's see how far I can go," he said softly, his voice filled with quiet resolve.
And with that, he began walking, the path of ascension stretching endlessly before him.