《Immortal Through the Ages》 The Mystery of Origins锛汦mbers Across Eternity Beneath the Kunlun Mountains. An endless dark palace stretched into the void, its only light seeping through a massive fissure above¡ªa cascade of starlight, faint yet eternal. Dozens of bronze pillars, towering hundreds of meters high, pierced the gloom like ancient sentinels guarding the heavens. "...Seventy-nine, eighty, eighty-one." "Indeed, it follows the Eighty-One Cosmic Principles. Beginning at One, ending at Ten, cycling endlessly¡ªorder unchanging, eternity unbroken." A figure stood atop one pillar, silhouetted against the starlight. Though his face was obscured, his eyes gleamed as they swept across the ancient hall. The starlight revealed glimpses of the palace¡¯s structure¡ªa celestial altar fit for an emperor. Eighty-one bronze pillars encircled the space, their chains coiling like serpents toward the center, vanishing into a mist-shrouded abyss. Within, golden threads formed a cross, intersected by four sun-like sigils aligned with the eight trigrams £¨ Bagua£©: Qian, Kun, Xun, Zhen, Kan, Li, Gen, Dui. The air was frigid, frost creeping up the pillars. The man raised a hand, dispelling the chill with a gesture, yet the loneliness in his eyes remained. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Suddenly, he stiffened. A searing heat erupted from his left shoulder, spreading like hellfire through his veins. A crimson mark¡ªa swirling cloud of flame¡ªglowed through his robes, pulsing with bloody radiance. "So, you sense it too?" Xiao Chen laughed bitterly, his voice tinged with desolation. The mark had appeared when he was six, haunting him for twenty-four years. It granted him unparalleled power, propelling him from obscurity to the pinnacle of martial mastery. Yet it also devoured his body, a demonic bargain. "This palace... hidden beneath Kunlun... Is this my fate?" He coughed, his cheeks flushed with feverish red. " A great master who has been famous for 30 years, but I don''t know who I am?.How laughable!" The mark flared, burning his bones. He winced, then steeled himself. "Rise by the storm, fall by the storm. This is my final chance¡ªto reclaim my past, to unravel this curse!" He leaped onto the chains, darting toward the inner sanctum. Over the years, he had even begun to harbor a haunting delusion¡ªthat this body was never truly his. As the spectral palace from his dreams emerged more vividly, that unsettling conviction grew ever stronger. Yes, Xiao Chen found this group of palaces based on countless identical dreams. Abruptly, he halted. His pupils dilated suddenly, and he was so startled that he didn''t dare to breathe, and the clanging of chains was extra loud in this silent space. The inner chamber seems to stretch out into a boundless plain. Countless colossal beasts lay chained at the center, their bodies pierced by iron links, bowed in submission. In their center stood a three-eyed behemoth¡ªa hundred meters tall, its petrified hands raised toward the heavens, empty eyes fixed on the roiling clouds. Xiao Chen froze. Even as a warrior who¡¯d faced armies and crossed battlefields, this sight chilled him. The beasts seemed sacrificial offerings, bound in an ancient ritual. His gaze locked onto the behemoth¡¯s palms. Resting there was a silver compass, its surface etched with intricate patterns. Starlight danced within it, casting ethereal glimmers. "The celestial projections... influenced by the cosmos itself?" Xiao Chen stepped onto the behemoth¡¯s hand, drawn to the artifact. A name surfaced in his mind, unbidden: "Star Atlas." Xiao Chen¡¯s mind reeled in shock. What is this Star Atlas? Why did that name suddenly come to me? As if in a trance, he lifted his hand and brushed it against the Star Atlas. A chill seeped into his palm¡­¡­ Then, agony erupted. His left shoulder burned as if his soul were being ripped from his flesh. Behind him, violet light exploded¡ªradiant and searing as the sun. The chained beasts disintegrated into dust in an instant. Xiao Chen paled. Before he could react, the mark on his left shoulder erupted with violet light, summoning celestial flames that struck him like divine retribution. In that moment, the Milky Way blazed above, and starlit fire engulfed the ancient palace. Amid the chaos, a towering but vague figure emerges¡ªa figure gazing at the cosmos, solitary and indomitable. That day, Kunlun¡¯s peaks shattered. A silver pillar of light pierced the heavens, vanishing into the void. Convergence of Souls;Ascendancy Unbound "Look at this idiot! He resists every time and gets beaten every time¡ªwhat a loser!" "Who knew picking trash could earn so much? This world¡¯s gone mad!" "The more his grandfather picks up, the more money we grab! Ha! Three teenagers jeered, clinking stolen silver coins in their palms. Their leader, Xue Hao, spat on the ground. "This fool¡¯s getting expelled from the academy today. No more easy money for us." Not far from them lay a boy of fifteen or sixteen. His clothes were tattered and dust-covered, but his features were refined, with an air of quiet dignity. The boy¡¯s previously vacant eyes sharpened, now clear and alert. He gazed at the vast sky and endless horizon, his mind roiling like stormy seas. Where am I? Why does my soul feel so... harmonized with this body? Amaze surged within him. His eyes betrayed a maturity and weariness far beyond his years. This boy was Xiao Chen¡ªoriginally from Earth. After vanishing from the ancient bronze array, his consciousness, or soul, had merged with this body. It felt like a wanderer returning home, a bird finding its nest. If Xiao Chen¡¯s Earthly self was the dominant soul, the original inhabitant of this body had been but a fragment. Now, the two souls fused into one, achieving perfection. Fragmented memories flooded Xiao Chen¡¯s mind, piecing together a hazy understanding of himself and this world: He was a student of Tiancong Academy. His grandfather, Xiao Ping, worked as a janitor there to fund his studies. Today was the academy¡¯s annual assessment. On his way back, Xue Hao and his gang had ambushed him, stealing his living expenses. "Idiot! I¡¯m in a bad mood today. Bark like a dog to entertain us, and maybe we¡¯ll let you pass." "Hah! This moron¡¯s half-witted anyway¡ªperfect for playing a mutt!" As Xiao Chen sorted through his thoughts, their taunts pierced his ears, venomous and cruel. "Hey! We¡¯re talking to you! Quit lying there like a corpse!" Xue Hao aimed a vicious kick at Xiao Chen¡¯s head. But Xiao Chen abruptly sat up, narrowly dodging the blow. Xue Hao blinked, dismissed it as luck, and snarled, "You dare dodge me?" He lashed out again. Xiao Chen twisted aside, his gaze icy. "***?" Xue Hao froze, unnerved by the boy¡¯s glare. "What... what does that mean?" "It means¡ªAre you fucking looking for death?!" Xiao Chen¡¯s expression darkened. With a flick of his fingers, a swirling energy coalesced in his palm. A casual gesture, yet it was the Formless Calamity Finger¡ªa lethal martial technique. With his souls united, power surged through him, inexhaustible. Form dissolved into formlessness£¬emptiness solidified into substance. His attack pierced Xue Hao''s calf like a stabbing tofu, leaving a large hole. "AAAGH¡ª!" Xue Hao¡¯s scream scattered birds and shook leaves. Blood gushed from the fist-sized wound, pooling crimson on the ground. Xue Hao stared, pale and disbelieving. Zhou Cang and Hu Ding, Xue Hao¡¯s lackeys, snapped out of their daze. "You lunatic! What have you done?!" One lunged with a palm strike, the other with a finger thrust. Xiao Chen sidestepped effortlessly, his mind drifting to memories of the past... This world obeys one law: The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. the strong rule, the weak suffer. Like ants, like meat on a chopping block. "You¡¯re a descendant of the Xiao Clan. Even if it costs me everything, I¡¯ll make you a true martial artist!" grandfather ''s eyes had brimmed with hope, yet hidden beneath was a sorrow Xiao Chen, as a child, couldn¡¯t fathom. He¡¯d seen the gray streaks in his grandfather¡¯s hair, the hunched back against cold winds, a silhouette heavy as mountains. That image haunted him, driving him forward. Back then, he didn¡¯t grasp the world¡¯s cruelty. He never sought glory. Only a stubborn resolve: No matter the hardship, mockery, or despair¡ªnever give up! Fifteen years of scorching summers, bitter winters, seasons cycling endlessly. "Because I have a dream!" "I will become a true martial artist!" That buried seed of ambition, now awakened by his returned soul, began to sprout... Returning to the present, Xiao Chen closed his eyes. When his eyes reopened, a glint of light and a razor-sharp killing intent flashed within them. He brushed dust from his white robe, which billowed as if caressed by an unseen breeze. Zhou Cang and Hu Ding tensed, dread rising. They charged, amplifying their strikes. "You dare fight back?!" "Time to settle debts."Xiao Chen¡¯s face hardened. He easily turned around and dodged, and kicked Xue Hao''s groin. A sickening crunch echoed as Xue Hao flew backward, face purpling in agony. Zhou Cang and Hu Ding roared, "You¡¯re dead, freak!" They angrily attacked Xiao Chen again. Xiao Chen smirked, his hands weaving circles in the air. Wind howled as a vortex of energy expanded before him. "Regret of the Soaring Dragon!" Leaves swirled like a coiling dragon. Amid the floral storm, Xiao Chen stood serene,like a celestial warrior descended. He¡¯d practiced this palm technique for over a decade. Eighteen surges of energy fused seamlessly. His meridians roared like raging rivers, power limitless. Even Earth¡¯s steel-armored super-soldiers would crumble beneath this strike. Perfect unity of soul and flesh unleashed the technique¡¯s full might. Crack after crackle echoed incessantly from Xiao Chen''s body as all meridian blockages were instantly cleared. His vitality surged upward like bamboo shoots breaking through soil after spring rain, ascending with unstoppable momentum. Xiao Chen felt an indescribable exhilaration. With a surge of vigor, he threw his head back and roared¡ªa sound like thunderclaps shaking the heavens. While he reveled in his triumph, Hu Ding and Zhou Cang fared far worse. Under the onslaught of his martial techniques, their faces turned ashen. The duo barely blocked the first seven waves of energy before the eighth shattered their defenses, hurling them backward. Boom! A dragon-like howl tore through the air, trembling the earth. The two flew like broken kites, trails of blood arcing behind them. Whether by chance or precision, they crashed beside Xue Hao, coughing up crimson. "The idiot... When did he become so strong?!" "Spare us! Please!" "We... we were wrong!" The trio scrambled backward, minds blank with terror. The timid Xiao Chen they¡¯d bullied was gone, replaced by this fearsome force . Xiao Chen, reborn and radiating power, closed in. Each step amplified the crushing aura around him. These three are just ordinary students at Tiancong Academy, yet they withstood my techniques for so long. This world... is far more dangerous than Earth. While on Earth, he¡¯d hit a ceiling¡ªa suffocating pressure barring further growth. Here... He glanced skyward, exhilarated.No limits. None at all. His energy surged like dragons and elephants¡ªthe hallmark of Qi Martial Tenth Layer, Great Perfection. On Earth, my peak was merely this world¡¯s ¡°Great Perfection.¡± Yet here, even the Tenth Layer isn¡¯t considered a true beginning. Memories clarified: Qi Martial was merely the novice stage. True warriors ascended through three realms¡ªSpirit Martial, True Martial, and Primordial Martial¡ªeach divided into four tiers: Initial, Middle, Advanced, and Great Perfection. Only after mastering Qi Martial could one refine energy into seals, awaken a Martial Soul, and step into Spirit Martial¡ªbecoming a true warrior. Heh. What an intriguing world. Grandfather... I won¡¯t just become an ordinary warrior. I¡¯ll stand atop this martial world! Suppressing his excitement, Xiao Chen strode toward the trio. "Well, gentlemen... Enjoying yourselves?" His gaze, colder than ancient ice, froze them mid-breath. "Over three years, you¡¯ve ¡®borrowed¡¯ 1,080 silver coins from me. With monthly compound interest at 10%, the total now stands at 9,871 coins. Time to repay." "Nine... nine thousand?!" Zhou Cang gaped. "It was only a thousand!" A shadow flickered. Slap! Zhou Cang¡¯s teeth flew out with a spray of blood. Then a boot slammed his face into the dirt. Thud! Thud! Thud! Xiao Chen ground Zhou Cang¡¯s skull deeper. "Compound interest. Can¡¯t calculate? Too busy extorting classmates?" These thugs¡ªheartless enough to steal from the weak¡ªdeserved no mercy. The Bodhisattva shows compassion, but the Vajra wields wrath to crush evil. "Are... are you killing him?!" Xue Hao and Hu Ding trembled. "Kill? Don¡¯t be absurd." Xiao Chen smirked. "Why would I let you die when you owe me so much?" He stomped the ground, launching Zhou Cang meters away. The boy¡¯s swollen head resembled a melon¡ªunrecognizable even to his mother. Xue Hao and Hu Ding stood paralyzed. "Can you two do math?" Xiao Chen¡¯s voice cut like steel. "Y-yes!" "Then how much do you owe?" "9,871 silver coins!" Xue Hao blurted, adamant. Xiao Chen feigned surprise. "That¡¯s a lot. Are you sure?" "No mistake! Compound interest... it¡¯s accurate!" Satisfied, Xiao Chen ripped off Xue Hao¡¯s shirt. Xue Hao paled. "Y-you¡¯re going to rape me?!" Snap! Xiao Chen¡¯s fist shattered his nose. "Disgusting fool!" He tore a cloth strip, dipped it in Xue Hao¡¯s blood, and scribbled a promissory note. "Sign." The trio pressed trembling fingerprints without reading. Xiao Chen pocketed the note. "Study hard. No more bullying. Got it?" "Y-yes!" "Love thy classmates. Embrace virtue. Serve the nation. Understood?" "Understood! We¡¯ll be model citizens!" Their swollen heads bobbed like grotesque puppets. "Good. Society¡¯s improvement starts with you." Xiao Chen turned. "Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me¡ªI¡¯ve an academy exam to catch." In a flash, he vanished, leaving the trio to nurse their wounds¡ªand their newfound fear. A Glimmer of Hope: The Awakening of the Martial Soul Tiancong Academy, situated near the Divine Sound Mountain on the outskirts of Bai Shui City, the capital of Cangnan Kingdom, sprawled across vast lands, almost forming its own city. The class assessment was held in one of the academy¡¯s training grounds. "Look, the idiot¡¯s here!" "It¡¯s Xiao Chen, the moron. Hah! I thought he¡¯d skip the exam." "Brave of him to show up. Is he here to clown around for us?" "Don¡¯t mock him¡ªhe¡¯s about to make history! The sixth student ever to be expelled. " "Such an embarrassment to our class. I¡¯ll never admit I¡¯m from Class Three again." Xiao Chen walked along the academy path, ignoring the jeers. His current mindset rendered such taunts insignificant. Staying at the academy meant little to him. To Xiao Chen, martial cultivation hinged on perseverance, talent, and resolve. Though his cultivation was only at the Great Perfection of Qi Martial Realm, he had once stood atop Earth¡¯s martial pinnacle. His willpower, talent, and determination were unparalleled. Yet remaining at the academy¡ªto become a true martial artist¡ªwas his grandfather Xiao Ping¡¯s lifelong wish. For a janitor to secure a place for a ¡®dim - witted¡¯ boy in Tiancong Academy, the top institution of the Northern Five Kingdoms, it must have demanded unimaginable sacrifices. ¡°I must pass this assessment. For Grandfather.¡± Unfazed by the mockery, Xiao Chen arrived at the testing ground with calm eyes. Most examinees huddled in groups, chatting. Only he stood alone. The weak had neither status nor friends. His class teacher glanced at him and nodded subtly, offering silent encouragement. Xiao Chen felt a flicker of warmth. For three years, he¡¯d dragged the class down, yet the teacher never gave up on him. "Look! Wu Qiyue is here!" The class erupted into whispers. The name ¡°Wu Qiyue¡± seemed to cast a spell, drawing all eyes. "Gods, it¡¯s really her! Why would she come here?" "To watch our assessment?" "No way! She¡¯s an elite from the Inner Academy, the top of the Four Beauties. Why waste time on us?" Xiao Chen followed the crowd¡¯s gaze. A striking figure approached. The woman had peach-blossom cheeks and an ethereal beauty. Though her demeanor was cool, her fiery red robe blazed like a blooming spider lily¡ªsharp yet enchanting. Xiao Chen was stunned. Compared to Earth¡¯s painted dolls, she seemed celestial. Wherever Wu Qiyue walked, a path cleared. Her aura commanded awe, sparking hushed debates. "Is she here to watch the idiot get expelled?" "Could be. The sixth expulsion in academy history¡ªit¡¯s a spectacle!" "If Wu Qiyue¡¯s watching, even getting expelled is an honor for that fool." Mockery thickened the air. Xiao Chen seethed inwardly but showed nothing. "Qiyue, are you here to witness the idiot¡¯s expulsion?" A white-robed youth with a sword walked beside her. His sharp brows and noble bearing radiated arrogance. "A student failing three consecutive years¡ªrare even for Tiancong." "It¡¯s Zuo Heng! So handsome!" A girl squealed, hearts in her eyes. "Ranked fifth on the Hidden Dragon Leaderboard, just below the Four Kings! Noble lineage, limitless future... If only he were mine!" Zuo Heng ignored the adoration, smiling gracefully as Wu Qiyue¡¯s escort. Wu Qiyue, however, remained frosty. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Every student here is our peer. Watch your words. And where I go is none of your concern. Stop following me." Her poise drew admiration. "Now that¡¯s a goddess!" the boys murmured. Zuo Heng smirked, unbothered. "These Outer Academy plebs aren¡¯t peers. Bunch of misfits. I¡¯m just ensuring none dare disrespect you." His gaze swept the crowd, dismissive even of the teachers. Students bristled but dared not protest¡ªZuo Heng¡¯s power and pedigree were beyond their reach. "Step aside, worm!" Zuo Heng barked. The crowd peeled back, leaving only Xiao Chen blocking Wu Qiyue''s path. Their eyes met. Both froze, a ripple of surprise passing between them. Xiao Chen marveled at her beauty and aura¡ªher beauty cut like moonlight on frost-steel, but beneath that jade-like composure lurked a force that prickled his spine¡ªstrength was very strong. "Bastard! Did you not hear me?!" Zuo Heng¡¯s temper flared as Xiao Chen kept staring. "The path is wide enough." Xiao Chen didn¡¯t even lift his head, each syllable laced with icy disdain. Zuo Heng¡¯s pupils contracted¡ªno outer sect disciple had ever dared to disregard him like this. The crowd froze. Though they had scorned Xiao Chen moments ago, seeing the arrogant Zuo Heng humbled made them secretly delighted. Others sneered, "That idiot¡¯s dug his own grave. Provoking Zuo Heng? He¡¯s dead." After a stunned pause, Zuo Heng sneered, "So you¡¯re Xiao Chen¡ªthe sixth expulsion in Tiancong history?" Xiao Chen glanced sideways. "¶ûÊ×¼²ºõ?" Zuo Heng frowned. "What does that mean?" "Are you mentally ill?" The courtyard erupted¡ªsnickers choked into sleeves, shoulders shaking with forbidden mirth. "You dare mock me?!" Zuo Heng¡¯s killing intent surged, his aura sharpening like an unsheathed blade. Xiao Chen tensed, ready to counter¡ªbut the pressure vanished. Wu Qiyue had stepped forward, her subtle movement dismantling Zuo Heng¡¯s rage. Zuo Heng exclaimed in shock, "Qiyue, you...!" Wu Qiyue glared coldly. "What do you think you¡¯re doing?" Zuo Heng retracted his killing intent. "Just teaching this delusional... classmate a lesson!" Qin Zhen, Xiao Chen¡¯s teacher, snapped, "My student needs no lessons from you!" Zuo Heng¡¯s expression twisted. With Wu Qiyue and Qin Zhen intervening, he knew that he had no chance to make a move. He sneered, "Fine. Let the fool live a little longer. After his expulsion, I¡¯ll have a chat with him." Xiao Chen glanced at him, disdain unconcealed£º Who has time for your chat? Zuo Heng¡¯s face flushed purple, fists trembling. His venomous glare promised: No one will save you. Xiao Chen smirked. Arrogant fools like Zuo Heng were a dime a dozen back on Earth¡ªall eventually humbled. Qin Zhen frowned worriedly. "Xiao Chen, it¡¯s your turn." Xiao Chen nodded and stepped onto the stage. Suddenly, a commotion erupted as students from Class Four swarmed in, led by their teacher Yu Liang. "Why are Class Four here?" The originally orderly assessment site suddenly became noisy. Everyone''s attention was drawn to this unexpected situation. Tension crackled. The two classes had a history of rivalry. Hostile glares flew. "Relax," Yu Liang chuckled. "Our assessment¡¯s done. Thought we¡¯d observe Class Three¡¯s... exemplary performance." His gaze flickered to Wu Qiyue and Zuo Heng before adding, "Study their outstanding methods. Learn the gap between us." Class Four roared with laughter, mocking stares fixed on Xiao Chen. Class Three seethed¡ªthis was a blatant humiliation. Qin Zhen growled, " Hmph,If you¡¯re here to compete, name your terms. Teacher vs. teacher? Student vs. student?" Yu Liang feigned innocence. "Just here to learn! Class Three¡¯s reputation is... legendary. Who knows? Maybe history will be made today." His eyes lingered on Xiao Chen. "Yeah, we¡¯re here for the historic moment!" The students of Class Four burst into loud laughter, and all kinds of unpleasant words reached Xiao Chen''s ears. However, he remained expressionless, his eyes as deep as the sea, without even the slightest ripple. Qin Zhen was filled with rage in his heart, but when he glanced at Xiao Chen, he couldn''t help but feel surprised. In Wu Qiyue''s beautiful eyes, a strange color flashed. A wisp of red light swept across the bottom of her eyes, condensing into an almost imperceptible thin circle, but it dissipated immediately. Qin Zhen turned to Xiao Chen. "Two assessment methods: Strike the Thunder Resonance Drum. Seven peals prove physical strength, qualifying as a warrior. Or test your Martial Soul potential with the Spirit Stone." A Class Four student heckled, "If you have any potential!" Laughter erupted. Class Three glared, torn between defending their class and resenting Xiao Chen¡¯s disgrace. Qin Zhen ignored them. "Your grandfather spent years seeking herbs to cleanse your meridians. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s enough for seven peals, but give it your all. No regrets." Xiao Chen studied the drum¡ªa low-tier artifact made of Thunderbeast hide, capable of ten peals. Ten meant qualifying as a Golden Warrior, a prestigious but limited path. The Spirit Stone, an irregular crystal, glowed softly. While warriors trained the body, those with Martial Souls pursued limitless cultivation. "Hit it already! We¡¯re waiting for the record!" Class Four taunted. Yu Liang smirked. "Pay close attention, Class Four. Learn from Class Three¡¯s excellence." Xiao Chen ignored them. After touching the drum, he walked to the Spirit Stone. "The idiot¡¯s testing for a Martial Soul?!" "Ha! If you don¡¯t awaken one by fifteen, you never will. Delusional!" "Must be his dementia acting up!" Even Class Three groaned. Qin Zhen hesitated. The academy head had confirmed Xiao Chen¡¯s soul was fragmented, making a Martial Soul impossible. His grandfather and the dean had pushed him toward the warrior path. "Teacher, I want to try," Xiao Chen said firmly. Qin Zhen paused. The respectful "teacher" felt different. "Go ahead." Ten aeons of annihilation flames, Armies scattering before wrath The student nearest to the stage, facing the Spirit Stone, was the first to notice the anomaly. He screamed in shock, "Look! The Spirit Stone¡ªit¡¯s glowing!!" The revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd. All eyes turned to the stone. Zuo Heng stiffened. Wu Qiyue trembled slightly, her serene eyes rippling like disturbed water. Time seemed to freeze. The translucent Spirit Stone glowed faintly, stealing everyone¡¯s breath. "It is Martial Soul light!" Qin Zhen¡¯s voice trembled. "Quick¡ªcheck its grade!" Martial Soul tests could manifest up to nine soul lights, grouped into three tiers: Lower, Middle, and Upper. Legends spoke of a tenth light¡ªa Supreme rank. Xiao Chen remained calm. Touching the stone, a soothing warmth spread through him, even nourishing his soul. But then¡ªhis left shoulder twitched. An indescribable force surged through his meridians. The mark! Damn it¡ªwhat is this thing? It¡¯s out of control! Xiao Chen¡¯s eyes widened as the mark¡¯s violent energy flooded the Spirit Stone. Suddenly, a bright light bloomed, instantly blinding the eyes of everyone present. Immediately afterwards, there was a "click", and the spirit stone cracked in response." What... Just happened? The bright light dissipated, and everyone was dumbfounded. A broken spirit stone, unheard of. Wu Qiyue shuddered. Hidden within her sleeves, her jade-like fingers trembled. Her lively black eyes gathered strands of blood vessels, forming intricate circles that wove into a bizarre array. Yes, she was the only one in the audience who saw a little. That''s not a light! Rather, it was a strong light that bloomed in an instant from the ten soul rays! I was careless! she berated herself. Ten soul lights flashed¡ªbut my ¡°Azure Soul Eye¡± wasn¡¯t fully activated. I missed it! Suddenly, the scene of the riots became very quiet. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. A depressing aura gradually began to spread. Then the sky darkened, dark clouds churned, thunder roared, and lightning pierced the sky. A violet flame ignited the heavens in an instant. A suffocating pressure descended¡ªas if an army of thousands trampled the air. The aura didn¡¯t just blanket Tiancong Academy¡ªit engulfed the entire city! "What¡¯s happening?!" Panic spread from the stage to Bai Shui City¡¯s streets. Every powerhouse in the capital stared skyward--thunderclouds churning with violet fire. Wu Qiyue raised her gaze, pupils flickering cyan. Within her eyes, blood threads coiled into chains, interlacing into a matrix. A colossal azure eye emerged, its depths like a starless void, swallowing galaxies. She formed a seal, activating her Azure Eye to pierce the phenomenon. But as she focused¡ª Boom! It seemed that a purple bolt of lightning descended, shattering the huge blue eye in an instant. The Azure Soul Eye collapsed! Wu Qiyue convulsed. Her senses vanished. In her mind¡¯s void,a colossal figure loomed, wreathed in violet fire and lightning, gazing down. Terror flooded her soul. Wu Qiyue staggered, blood trickling from her eyes. The celestial phenomenon loomed like a god-king. Her Martial Soul cowered, prostrate and trembling. Wu Qiyue stood pale-lipped, as if adrift in a stormy sea of dread. Around her, Zuo Heng and Qin Zhen channeled their energy, barely resisting the pressure. Thud! Thud! A dozen figures collapsed, knees buckling. Zuo Heng, drenched in cold sweat and trembling uncontrollably, clutched his chest in pain before vomiting blood and collapsing to his knees with a thud. Yu Liang followed, twitching like a seizure victim. Around them, students alike crumpled under the weight of an unseen force and stared in horror. Those without awakened Martial Souls felt nothing¡ªunworthy of the pressure. Even Qin Zhen, a stalwart man, trembled like autumn leaves in a storm, sweat dripping. Xiao Chen gazed blankly at the sky. Amidst the roiling clouds, a titanic silhouette stood cloaked in purple flames, sovereign of heaven and earth. Deep within Tiancong Academy, a dimly lit chamber housed a massive, glowing array. Is this¡­ my Martial Soul? His left shoulder burned.The mysterious mark seethed, its energy coursing through his veins like wildfire. A white-bearded elder hovered mid-air, robes pristine¡ªa hallmark of the Primordial Martial Realm. The chamber quaked. The array flickered. The elder¡¯s meditation shattered. A phantom behind him disintegrated. Cough! Blood sprayed. He stared at his trembling arms, ripples surging from shoulders to fingertips. "Martial Soul suppression!" he rasped. The world knew Martial Souls by tiers: Supreme, Upper, Middle, Lower. But beyond lay grades: Emperor, King, Lord, Common. A Lord-grade Martial Soul, unrivaled across the Northern Five Kingdoms! Yet now, a mere aura crushed it. The elder¡ªQing Bu Li, dean of Tiancong Academy, revered as the "Martial King"¡ªraced outside. Soaring into the sky, he faced a violet sea of clouds, crackling with lightning¡ªlike the apocalyptic sky. Terrifying pressure radiated, blinding and oppressive. Qing Bu Li bowed deeply, voice trembling. "Esteemed one, forgive this humble servant¡¯s failure to welcome you to our academy!" No reply came¡ªonly lightning lashing the clouds. He squinted. Amidst the storm, golden light pulsed behind thunderclouds, descending like a dragon. A memory struck¡ªlightning through his mind. " Ten aeons of annihilation flames¡­ Armies scattering before wrath...This Martial Soul is... It¡¯s..." Horror choked his words. Mysterious Vision Fade锛汳ight Commands Respect The Martial Soul vision persisted until the thunderclouds convulsed violently. A golden radiance burst from their depths, billowing outward like a tempest of celestial radiance. Violet clouds dissolved into the wind, leaving the heavens pristine as a newborn realm¡ªas though the cataclysm had never occurred. Qing Bu Li stood rooted as a mountain of ice, his pallid face betraying no movement until the vision faded completely. Only then did he release a shuddering breath, though the shadow of dread lingered in his eyes. "That Martial Soul pressure... It had to be from the sovereign of Violet Flames... The one I glimpsed during the Heavenly Martial Summit..." A memory surged: A throne forged of liquid gold hovered in the void, exuding divine authority. Upon it sat a man of ethereal beauty, his movements flowed like celestial rivers yet concealed the power to shatter creation¡ªas if he could pluck stars from the firmament or shatter the heavens with a mere flick of his wrist. A fleeting vision, yet seared eternally into Qing Bu Li¡¯s mind. His already ashen face paled to the hue of bone. He hovered motionless, ensnared in a vice of reverential dread. Soon, over a dozen streaks of light soared from Bai Shui City¡¯s imperial palace. Leading them was Hou Mingyi¡ªcommander of Cangnan¡¯s royal guard and a master at the Peak Perfection of the True Martial Realm. They descended before Qing Bu Li, their wings of faint light shimmering¡ªa hallmark of True Martial warriors, who could shape their energy into weapons, armor, or wings, albeit at immense cost. "Dean Qing," Hou Mingyi bowed urgently, his voice taut with unease. Qing Bu Li waved a dismissive hand. "The matter is resolved. Return." Hou Mingyi hesitated. "The emperor demands answers. Our Martial Souls trembled¡ª" "My word is the answer." Hou Mingyi stiffened, then clasped his fists. "By your decree." None dared defy the "Martial King," whose authority rivaled emperors across the Northern Five Kingdoms. The group retreated swiftly, their wings shimmered with faint light. At the academy¡¯s assessment ground, the crowd gradually stirred from their stupor. Qin Zhen stood trembling yet unyielding, his robes drenched in cold sweat. Yu Liang and Zuo Heng scrambled to their feet, brushing dirt from their clothes¡ªtheir humiliation laid bare before hundreds. Noticing Qin Zhen¡¯s unwavering posture, Yu Liang¡¯s eyes smoldered with envy. His students excel, his strength surpasses mine... Even in disgrace, he stands tall. Zuo Heng shot a furtive glance at Wu Qiyue, relieved to find her eyes closed: Perhaps she didn¡¯t witness my shame. Other students with awakened Martial Souls rose calmly, their pride less bruised. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Wu Qiyue, however, bore the deepest scars. She discreetly wiped twin trails of blood from her eyes, now bloodshot and raw. A single thought crushing mountains and rivers... Her mind reeled. That was the Supreme Martial Soul¡¯s ¡°Dominion Over All¡±! Only ¡°Unrivaled Under Heaven¡± or ¡°Supreme Tyranny¡± could unleash such yang-infused, cosmos-rending pressure. But their bearers... Could that phenomenon have been caused by one of those legends merely passing through? Not Xiao Chen? Wu Qiyue''s mind churned with a storm of suspicion and terror, countless doubts swirled in her mind. Recalling the terrifying pressure that had just crushed her, she couldn''t help but tremble from head to toe, her fear overwhelming her self-control. "Qiyue, fear not," Zuo Heng proclaimed, oblivious to the dirt staining his knees. "Even if the heavens crumble, I shall shield you!" Zuo Heng felt her trembling and hastily stepped forward to showcase himself. Scarcely had he finished speaking when he felt the weight of scornful stares around him. Mud still caked his limbs and knees, yet he seemed to have forgotten his humiliating state entirely. Wu Qiyue opened her eyes, though they had regained their clarity, yet weariness lingered within. She paid no heed to Zuo Heng. Zuo Heng flushed scarlet. The crimson flush spread from his cheeks to his ears, stark against the dirt-streaked uniform. He shooting venomous glares at snickering students until they averted their gazes. "Oh! What... was that?" a student stammered, clutching his chest. "My Soul nearly shattered!" "Martial Soul suppression," Qin Zhen replied grimly. "A being of unimaginable power unleashed their Soul, crushing all others." " Headmaster Qing!" Yu Liang interjected, wiping sweat from his brow. "He¡¯s secluded, cultivating a divine technique. Only his Martial Soul could unleash such might!" The students brightened. " To behold the Martial King''s Celestial Soul¡ªwhat an honor!" Qin Zhen frowned: The dean¡¯s Soul is formidable, yes... But this? This was akin to a deity¡¯s wrath. "Resume the assessment," he declared, steadying his voice. "Xiao Chen¡¯s Martial Soul light¡ªthough faint¡ªis confirmed. He passes." No one connected the cataclysm to Xiao Chen, who still stared vacantly at the sky, lost in thought. "The idiot...passed?" "And has Soul potential? Am I dreaming?" Whispers rippled through the crowd as they reassessed the boy who once dragged their class into ridicule¡ªnow eerily transformed. Yu Liang felt his pride stung. " The spirit stone shattered - who knows what that light is? Now that there was an accident, we must retest him." "Absolutely! A retest is necessary!" The Fourth Class disciples roared in unison. They¡¯d come expecting Xiao Chen¡¯s humiliation£¬his passing would be a slap to their faces. Qin Zhen¡¯s expression froze. "Teacher Yu, since when do you meddle in Third Class affairs?" Yu Liang sneered. "Afraid of the truth? If you refuse a retest, I¡¯ll report your favoritism to the academy." A voice interjected: "Retesting is tedious. There¡¯s a rule allowing the last placer to challenge anyone. If victorious, their results swap." It was Zuo Heng. Qin Zhen paled, realizing the trap. "The rule does exist." "Perfect." Zuo Heng smirked, pointing casually. "Zuo Feng, you¡¯ll score last and challenge Xiao Chen. Succeed, and rewards await." Qin Zhen¡¯s rage boiled. Wu Qiyue¡¯s eyes flashed with coldness, then calmed£ºXiao Chen¡¯s composure¡ªno trace of triumph after passing¡ªunnerved her. Was his past idiocy an act? Zuo Feng, though a lesser Zuo clansman, was a Qi Martial Realm 7th Layer prodigy. He approached the tester£¬struck gently, and said flatly: "Zero points. Now challenging Xiao Chen." Qin Zhen trembled. "Fine! My own student betrays me!" Zuo Feng faltered under his glare but steeled himself£ºOnce I condense my Martial Soul and enter the Inner Court, Qin Zhen can¡¯t touch me. He strode to Xiao Chen, feigning respect. "Let¡¯s spar." Xiao Chen¡¯s gaze chilled. "No quarrel exists between us. Yet you seek to humiliate me?" Zuo Feng smiled cruelly. "You offended Young Master Heng. Your downfall is your own doing. Still, I¡¯ll show mercy¡­ slightly." Laughter erupted. "He dares provoke Zuo Heng? Worse than expulsion!" "How many moves can the fool survive?" "One? Lucky if he lasts that long!" Xiao Chen stood serene, robes billowing like storm clouds. In this world, strength earns respect. Kindness is mistaken for weakness. He cracked his knuckles. "The old saying holds: the meek are trampled. My tolerance bred arrogance. Time to teach you principles of honor." "Principles?!" Zuo Feng laughed, qi surging. "A trash with Soul potential dares lecture us? I¡¯ll prove you¡¯re still bottom-tier!" Xiao Chen¡¯s eyes glinted like frost. "Mock me as ¡®fool¡¯ or ¡®trash¡¯¡ªindifference isn¡¯t weakness." "Enough!" Zuo Feng¡¯s sleeve shredded as qi erupted. "I¡¯ll cripple you instead!" He launched Earthquake Fist¡ªa Yellow- tier mid-rank martial skills ¡ª¡ªshattering air like collapsing mountains. "Mid-tier technique! That¡¯s Qi Martial 9th Layer power!" "Fool! He¡¯s done for!" Xiao Chen stepped forward, qi swirling like dragon scales. " Tiger¡¯s Roar and Dragon¡¯s Chant¡ªAzure Mist Slash!" A deafening roar split the air. A sword qi of swirling mist erupted, cleaving the earth as if splitting heaven from hell. Effortless Defeat锛汥ishonorable Sneak Attack Xiao Chen¡¯s aura erupted like a tempestuous ocean, waves of energy coalescing into the visage of clashing dragons and tigers¡ªa spectacle of unparalleled martial mastery. The air itself seemed to bow to his authority, the very ground trembling beneath his feet. This technique was born from two legendary tales of ancient Huaxia, stories etched into the annals of martial history: The Flame Saber and the Six Meridians Divine Sword Centuries ago, the Tibetan monk Kumarajiva, revered as a national preceptor, journeyed to Dali¡¯s Tianlong Temple in pursuit of the Six Meridians Divine Sword Manual. Within the temple¡¯s hallowed halls, his Flame Saber clashed against the temple¡¯s sacred sword formation. Sword energy tore through the air, piercing the heavens like celestial arrows. Amid the chaos, the young prodigy Duan Yu deciphered the manual¡¯s secrets, his mind illuminated by the swirling azure mist of battle. Qiao Feng¡¯s Defiance The heroic Qiao Feng, driven by loyalty, stormed the Gathering Heroes Manor alone to rescue his beloved A¡¯zhu. Armed only with the Taizu Long Fist¡ªa foundational technique dismissed by many as rudimentary¡ªhe humbled countless warriors. His strikes roared with the fury of tigers and resonated like dragons¡¯ cries, shaking the heavens themselves. Inspired by these , Xiao Chen had fused the essence of the Taizu Long Fist, the searing palm force of the Flame Saber, and the ethereal sword intent of the Six Meridians Divine Sword into a single, devastating technique: ¡°Roaring Tiger, Soaring Dragon¡ªSword Qi Through Azure Mist!¡± His left fist descended like a primordial beast, tearing through the air with bestial ferocity. His right palm blazed crimson, as though summoning flames from the depths of hell. Golden sword qi erupted from his fingertips, weaving an intricate phantom tapestry of Dragon and Tiger in Combat¡ªa dance of primal forces frozen in mid-air. Zuo Feng¡¯s pupils shrank to pinpricks. The frigid chill of Xiao Chen¡¯s palm wind crystallized the moisture in the air, while the sword qi radiating from his fingertips scorched like molten steel. Crash! Under the dual assault, Zuo Feng¡¯s Earthquake Fist disintegrated. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. The stone beneath his feet erupted into a spiderweb of fractures, dust and debris spiraling into the air. Zuo Feng¡¯s face turned ghostly pale. His fists, trapped in an invisible quagmire of energy, refused to obey. He gaped soundlessly, the crushing pressure flattening his lungs. Snap! The crisp crack of snapping bone echoed across the deathly silent arena. Cough! Zuo Feng vomited three arcs of blood mid-air, his arms contorting at unnatural angles before he plummeted to the stage. His back carved a gruesome trench into the stone¡ªa half-foot-deep furrow that split the solid granite like soft tofu. The crowd erupted into chaos. Students scrambled backward, screams tearing through the air. Shreds of Zuo Feng¡¯s robe fluttered like macabre confetti above the blood-soaked trench, a funeral procession for the defeated. Silence descended¡ªa silence so profound one could hear a needle drop. Zuo Feng, a seventh-layer Qi Martial expert capable of tenth-layer prowess, lay shattered. Even seasoned tenth-layer warriors would struggle to counter his Earthquake Fist. Yet Xiao Chen had annihilated it with a single strike. ¡°Impossible!¡± The crowd¡¯s collective gasp rippled like a shockwave. Class Three students trembled, their faces drained of color. Those who had tormented Xiao Chen now shook like reeds in a storm, teeth chattering uncontrollably. Qin Zhen¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Great Perfection of the Qi Martial Realm!¡± Zuo Feng¡¯s fate was sealed¡ªa consequence of his arrogance. Yu Liang¡¯s face darkened to the hue of charcoal. The ¡°trash¡± he had mocked now radiated a terrifying aura, his breathing steady as though the battle had been a trivial warm-up. Qin Zhen smirked coldly. ¡°Class Four¡ªcare to test your mettle?¡± Class Four students recoiled, eyes darting to the floor. Xiao Chen¡¯s strike had rivaled Spirit Martial Realm power. Even their awakened Martial Souls, already weakened by the earlier celestial phenomenon, dared not challenge him. ¡°Disgraceful!¡± Yu Liang spat, storming off with his cowed class in tow. Class Three erupted into jeers, whistling mockingly as their rivals slunk away. Yet their eyes betrayed lingering fear when they glanced at Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen scanned the crowd, his voice calm yet cutting. ¡°Any other insects wishing to be crushed?¡± Not a soul met his gaze¡ªsave Zuo Heng, whose eyes burned with viperous hatred£º Humiliating my kin before all? The Zuo Clan will bury you! His jealousy ignited as he glimpsed Wu Qiyue¡¯s awestruck expression, her gaze fixed on Xiao Chen¡¯s commanding figure. ¡°You dare harm a Zuo? Die!¡± Zuo Heng lunged like a vengeful specter, a miniature mountain materializing in his palm¡ªthe Zuo Clan¡¯s forbidden art: Mountain-Crushing Palm. ¡°Stop!¡± Wu Qiyue¡¯s cry came too late. Xiao Chen¡¯s instincts flared. The palm strike warped the air, its pressure screeching like a blade drawn across stone. Strongest foe yet. Yet he remained unshaken. The mark on his shoulder pulsed¡ªa dormant power that could end this in an instant. Unfazed and unafraid, he raised his right hand to concentrate his finger strength, rings of pale red light coalescing around his fingertips. But before he could act, Qin Zhen intervened. An azure dragon phantom coiled behind the usually reserved instructor, lightning crackling at his fingertips. Boom! Zuo Heng¡¯s palm shattered. He staggered back, face twisted with rage and humiliation. ¡°Qin Zhen! You dare strike me?!¡± Qin Zhen¡¯s voice turned glacial. ¡°Dishonoring the academy¡¯s sanctity? Does the Zuo Clan seek war with Tiancong?¡± His gaze flickered to Xiao Chen¡¯s poised fingers£º To counter Zuo Heng¡¯s Mountain-Crushing Palm with pinpoint precision... Such insight belongs only to a seasoned master. How?