Lei Tian's return to reality was abrupt. The familiar scent of pine and earth filled his nostrils as he opened his eyes, finding himself back beneath the towering tree where the Void Sovereign's voice had first spoken to him. The pendant felt cool against his chest, its pulsing light dim once more. But something was different.
His body buzzed with latent energy, as though every muscle and fiber had been awakened. The memory of the shadow lingered, its mocking words etched into his mind. It had been a trial unlike anything he had ever experienced, and though he had emerged victorious, the weight of what lay ahead was clear.
"You have done well," the Void Sovereign's voice resonated. "But do not grow complacent. The Void Dominion Technique requires more than raw talent. You must temper your will and sharpen your instincts."
Lei Tian exhaled deeply, nodding. "What's the next step?"
"Patience, young heir. Each stage must build upon the last. For now, you must learn to harness the Void's energy intentionally. Return to the village, but do so with caution. The ripples of your awakening may attract... attention."
Azure Spring Village was unchanged, its modest wooden homes and dirt paths bustling with the same mundane activity as always. Yet Lei Tian's perception had shifted. He could feel the faint currents of life energy flowing through the villagers, the pulse of vitality in every living thing around him. It was as if the world had taken on new dimensions, and he could see beyond its surface.
As he approached the well in the village square, a group of boys his age—led by the ever-arrogant Huang Wei—stood laughing and chatting. Huang Wei's sharp eyes caught sight of Lei Tian, and his smirk widened.
"Well, if it isn't the runt of the village. Still pretending to be useful, Tian?" Huang Wei sneered, stepping forward to block Lei Tian's path.
Lei Tian's usual response would have been silence, enduring the ridicule until they grew bored. But today, something in him refused to yield. The memory of the shadow's taunts burned in his mind, and a flicker of defiance stirred within him.
"Step aside, Wei," Lei Tian said, his tone calm but firm.
Huang Wei's smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by surprise. The other boys exchanged uncertain glances. Lei Tian had never spoken back before.
"What did you say?" Huang Wei's voice hardened. "You think you're tough now, runt? Prove it!"
He shoved Lei Tian, expecting him to stumble back as he always did. But instead, Lei Tian stood his ground, barely moving. Huang Wei's eyes widened.
"What the...?"
The energy within Lei Tian stirred, unbidden but responsive. He felt it rise, coursing through his veins, ready to be unleashed. A voice in his mind—the Void Sovereign's voice—urged restraint.
"Do not squander your power on petty conflicts. Strength without discipline is chaos."
Lei Tian took a deep breath, forcing the energy to settle. He stepped around Huang Wei without another word, leaving the bully and his entourage staring after him in stunned silence.
Back in the forest, Lei Tian focused on the next task. The Void Sovereign had instructed him to channel the Void's energy intentionally, a skill that required precision and control. He sat cross-legged beneath the pine tree, closing his eyes and drawing his focus inward.
The spark he had felt before flickered to life, a small but steady flame at his core. He reached for it, guiding it through his body as the Sovereign had taught him. The sensation was both exhilarating and exhausting, like trying to shape water with his hands.
Hours passed as Lei Tian practiced, sweat soaking his tunic. The flame grew brighter with each attempt, its warmth spreading more evenly through his limbs. He began to experiment, directing the energy toward specific points—his hands, his feet, his senses. Each success brought a surge of confidence.
But his progress was not without setbacks. A sudden surge of energy caused his control to falter, sending a shockwave outward. The ground around him trembled, and a nearby tree cracked under the force. Lei Tian gasped, his eyes snapping open as the energy dissipated.
"Control, Lei Tian," the Sovereign's voice reminded him. "Raw power is meaningless if it cannot be harnessed. Balance is key."
Lei Tian nodded, chastened but determined. He resumed his meditation, this time with greater care. The hours slipped away, the sun dipping below the horizon as he continued his training. By the time he opened his eyes again, the stars had begun to appear, their light glinting faintly through the canopy above.
The next morning, Lei Tian awoke to the sound of birdsong, his body aching but his spirit invigorated. He had made progress, but he knew the road ahead would only grow more difficult. As he prepared to return to the village, a sense of unease crept over him.
The Void Sovereign's warning echoed in his mind: "The ripples of your awakening may attract attention."
Sure enough, as he approached the forest's edge, Lei Tian spotted a figure standing in his path. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark robes adorned with the insignia of a flame—the mark of the Crimson Ember Sect. His piercing gaze locked onto Lei Tian, and a faint smile curved his lips.
"You've been busy, boy," the man said, his voice smooth and laced with menace. "It's not every day we sense such a disturbance from a backwater village like this."
Lei Tian's heart pounded, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled. "A mere messenger, sent to investigate an anomaly. But seeing you now... perhaps the anomaly is more intriguing than we thought."
The air grew heavy, and Lei Tian instinctively reached for the energy within him. The Void Sovereign's voice spoke urgently in his mind.
"Be cautious, Lei Tian. This man is no ordinary cultivator."
Lei Tian straightened, meeting the man's gaze with unwavering determination. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it—not as the weak outcast of Azure Spring Village, but as the heir to the Azure Void Clan.