Part 1 – Journey Toward the Weapon Mark
Morning light filtered through the ancient forest as the group continued their journey.
The path ahead was quiet.
Too quiet.
Towering trees stretched toward the sky like pillars of a forgotten world. Their thick roots twisted across the ground, forming natural barriers and shadows that shifted with every step the group took.
Yao Chen walked at the front.
In his hand was the forest map.
A small mark had been drawn on it by a Academy.
A weapon mark.
One of the locations where academy disciples could obtain spiritual weapons or rare materials.
Lin Xiao leaned closer to look at the map.
"So that's the place we're heading to?"
Yao Chen nodded.
"Yes."
"It should be somewhere inside this forest."
Huo Yuan walked silently beside them.
His sharp eyes continuously scanned the surroundings.
"The spiritual energy here is increasing," he said calmly.
"This forest is not normal."
Krishna, who was walking behind them with Radha, looked around lazily.
"But it's peaceful."
Radha glanced at him briefly but said nothing.
Her eyes quietly moved toward Yao Chen.
Observing him.
Measuring him.
Trying to understand something deeper about him.
After a while, Yao Chen spoke.
His voice calm.
"The academy entrance examination should already be finished by now."
He turned slightly toward Radha.
"If the selection is over… how will you enter Dao Realm Academy?"
Radha had not yet answered when Krishna spoke from behind them.
"Our uncle told us something before we left the village."
Everyone looked at him.
Krishna stretched his arms behind his head as he walked.
"If we defeat an inner disciple of the academy…"
"…we can earn admission."
Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows.
"Seriously?"
Krishna nodded casually.
"Or…"
"If we refine a pill that impresses the elders."
Radha finally spoke.
"Then I will refine the pill."
Krishna smiled.
"And I will defeat the inner disciple."
Lin Xiao burst into laughter.
"You two speak like this academy belongs to you!"
Even Huo Yuan looked slightly surprised.
But Krishna only smiled quietly.
As if defeating an academy inner disciple was nothing special.
Yao Chen watched him silently.
Something about Krishna always felt strange.
Not threatening.
But…
Unfathomable.
As if the calm smile he carried hide something immeasurably deep.
The Deep Forest
As they continued walking deeper into the forest, the surrounding environment slowly changed.
The trees grew larger.
The air became heavier.
Spiritual energy began flowing through the forest like invisible currents.
Occasionally strange beasts could be seen watching them from the shadows.
None attacked.
But none left either.
As if they were simply… observing.
The sun slowly moved across the sky.
Time passed.
Eventually the sky began turning orange.
The sun was setting.
Night approached quickly inside the dense forest.
Lin Xiao stretched his arms.
"I think we should stop for today."
Huo Yuan nodded.
"Moving through this forest at night is not wise."
Yao Chen looked around carefully.
Soon he noticed something.
A gigantic tree stood not far from them.
Its trunk was wider than a house.
Its branches stretched across the sky like a small mountain.
"This place will work," Yao Chen said.
The group walked toward the massive tree.
Lin Xiao suddenly turned toward Huo Yuan.
"Huo Yuan."
"Yes?"
"Can you make us a place to sleep?"
Huo Yuan looked at the tree.
Then nodded calmly.
"…Of course."
Yao Chen looked curious.
"How?"
Lin Xiao grinned widely.
"Just watch."
Huo Yuan stepped forward.
He placed one hand on the tree's trunk.
A faint brown light appeared around his palm.
Earth-element energy.
Slowly the ground beneath the tree began to shift.
Roots moved slightly.
Wood and soil began merging together.
The tree itself responded to the energy.
Within minutes—
A small wooden house formed naturally between the massive branches.
Lin Xiao clapped excitedly.
"Haha! See?!"
Qing Lin's eyes sparkled.
"Wow…"
Feng looked impressed as well.
Radha stepped forward quietly.
She raised her hand.
Her fingers formed a delicate seal.
A faint ripple spread outward.
A defensive formation.
The energy quietly surrounded the tree house.
Then—
It disappeared completely.
To anyone outside—
The tree looked completely normal.
Radha lowered her hand.
"…Now no one will detect us."
Krishna nodded approvingly.
"Very convenient."
Dinner Under the Tree
After settling inside the tree house, the group relaxed.
The forest night slowly descended.
The sounds of insects filled the air.
Qing Lin tugged on Yao Chen's sleeve.
"Brother…"
"I'm hungry."
Feng nodded weakly beside her.
"Me too…"
Krishna suddenly laughed.
"Good timing."
He opened his storage bag.
Lin Xiao's eyes widened instantly.
Inside were countless ingredients.
Vegetables.
Herbs.
Meat.
Cooking tools.
Even spices.
Lin Xiao pointed at Yao Chen.
"Chef!"
"You're cooking!"
Yao Chen sighed.
"…Fine."
Krishna walked over.
"I'll help."
Soon a small fire was lit beneath the tree.
The smell of food quickly spread through the forest.
While cooking, Yao Chen glanced at Krishna.
"How old are you?"
Krishna tilted his head slightly.
"What do you think?"
Yao Chen studied him for a moment.
"…Twenty?"
He paused.
"No."
"…Twenty-three."
Krishna laughed softly.
"A little less."
"…Twenty-two."
Yao Chen smiled faintly.
"You're still senior."
Krishna raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Yao Chen shrugged casually.
"In that case…"
"…I should call you brother-in-law."
For a moment—
Silence.
Then Lin Xiao burst into laughter.
"You just said that in front of Radha!"
Qing Lin giggled.
Even Feng laughed quietly.
Radha's expression remained calm.
But a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Krishna shook his head.
"You're quite bold."
Yao Chen shrugged.
"Just honest."
The group continued joking and laughing while eating.
For a moment—
It felt like they were nothing more than ordinary travelers.
Eventually everyone finished eating.
The night grew quiet.
One by one—
They fell asleep.
Everyone…
Except Krishna.
He sat quietly outside the tree house.
Watching the forest.
The moonlight reflected in his eyes.
Calm.
Ancient.
Endless.
Because even though he was pretending to be a young cultivator—
He was still a being standing at the peak of existence.
Part 2 – The Quiet Before the Storm
The night slowly passed.
Moonlight drifted through the forest canopy like silver mist, casting gentle shadows across the enormous tree where the group rested.
Inside the tree house, most of the group slept peacefully.
Lin Xiao had collapsed immediately after dinner.
Huo Yuan slept in silent meditation.
Qing Lin and Feng rested near the wall, their breathing slow and steady.
Radha sat quietly near the window of the wooden shelter.
Her eyes were closed.
But she was not asleep.
She was observing.
Not the forest.
Not the formation.
But Yao Chen.
Beside her, Krishna sat calmly on a branch outside the house.
The moonlight reflected in his eyes.
His expression was relaxed.
Yet his awareness stretched across the entire forest.
No beast.
No spirit.
No movement could escape his perception.
After a long moment, Radha spoke softly.
"You are watching him closely."
Krishna smiled faintly.
"Of course."
"He is the balance."
Radha's gaze remained distant.
"But right now…"
"He is still human."
Krishna nodded.
"And that is precisely why his journey matters."
The forest remained silent.
Only the faint rustling of leaves could be heard.
The Morning
Morning arrived slowly.
The first rays of sunlight pierced through the thick forest canopy.
Birds began singing.
The cool night air gradually warmed.
Inside the tree house, Yao Chen opened his eyes.
He sat up quietly.
The others were still asleep.
Except one person.
Xue Lian.
She was not inside the house.
Yao Chen looked around briefly before stepping outside.
He climbed up the branches of the massive tree.
There—
He saw her.
Xue Lian was sitting on one of the highest branches.
Her long hair moved gently with the morning wind.
Her gaze was fixed on the distant horizon.
Yao Chen walked over and sat beside her.
"…You woke up early."
Xue Lian didn't answer immediately.
For a moment she remained silent.
Then she spoke softly.
"…I couldn't sleep."
Yao Chen looked at her.
"What's on your mind?"
Xue Lian lowered her gaze slightly.
"…My father."
"…My sect."
Her voice carried a trace of worry.
"They won't accept this relationship."
Yao Chen didn't speak immediately.
He looked toward the forest below.
The morning mist still lingered between the trees.
Finally he said calmly,
"Then we'll solve it."
Xue Lian shook her head slowly.
"You don't understand."
"My sect…"
"…they will take me back."
"Maybe soon."
Yao Chen's expression remained calm.
But his voice became firmer.
"Then we won't let that happen."
Xue Lian looked at him.
"…How?"
Yao Chen thought for a moment.
Then he said,
"We still have Xuner."
"And Yan Shen."
"They will help us."
Xue Lian frowned slightly.
"That's exactly what worries me."
"…They haven't responded."
"Not since yesterday."
Yao Chen blinked.
"…Since yesterday?"
"Yes."
"After the battle."
"When you were injured."
Yao Chen thought carefully.
Then something surfaced in his memory.
"…Xuner once said something."
Xue Lian looked at him.
"What?"
"She said they reside inside my Soul Sea."
Xue Lian blinked in confusion.
"…Your what?"
"The Soul Sea."
She stared at him.
"…How do we go there?"
Yao Chen scratched his head.
"…I don't know."
Xue Lian's expression changed immediately.
"You don't know?!"
Yao Chen smiled awkwardly.
"Well…"
"…you also don't know."
Xue Lian crossed her arms angrily.
"That's not the point!"
"If neither of us knows how to enter it—"
"Then how are we supposed to talk to them?!"
Yao Chen laughed quietly.
"You're the one who said we should ask them for help."
Xue Lian glared at him.
Her face slightly red.
"You're impossible."
Radha was watching from below.
She saw the entire conversation.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Then she spoke calmly.
"You will find the answer soon."
Yao Chen and Xue Lian both looked down toward her.
But before anyone could say anything—
Something happened.
The Sudden Ripple
A sudden ripple spread through the defensive formation surrounding the tree.
The air trembled slightly.
Yao Chen's eyes sharpened instantly.
"…Did you feel that?"
Xue Lian nodded.
"Yes."
The ripple wasn't violent.
But it was powerful.
It felt like a wave of spiritual energy suddenly bursting outward.
Yao Chen jumped down from the branch.
Xue Lian followed immediately.
The others were waking up as well.
Lin Xiao rubbed his eyes.
"What's happening?"
Huo Yuan had already stood up.
"…A breakthrough."
Everyone quickly moved toward the source of the energy.
The ripple led them outside the tree house.
And there—
They saw him.
Krishna was sitting cross-legged on the ground.
Spiritual energy swirled around him like a storm.
A powerful aura expanded outward.
Huo Yuan's eyes widened.
"…Spirit Core Realm."
Lin Xiao blinked.
"He broke through?"
Krishna slowly opened his eyes.
His expression looked slightly pale.
"…My Soul Sea feels unstable."
"I need some time."
Yao Chen act as confused.
"…Soul Sea?"
Xue Lian also act and tilted her head.
"What is that?"
Radha stepped forward.
"The Soul Sea is an inner spiritual world."
"It appears when a cultivator reaches the Bone Tempering Realm."
Yao Chen frowned slightly.
"I've never heard of it."
Radha nodded thoughtfully.
"Then your family must practice body cultivation."
Yao Chen nodded immediately.
"That makes sense."
Inside her mind, Xue Lian suddenly remembered something.
Her master had once explained the Soul Sea to her.
But at that moment…
She had been half asleep.
"…I definitely missed that lesson."
She coughed awkwardly.
Then Yao Chen looked at Radha again.
"So how do we enter it?"
Radha explained calmly.
"Sit down and cultivate normally."
"Absorb spiritual energy from the surroundings."
"Circulate it through your meridians."
"And guide it into your dantian."
Yao Chen nodded.
"…Alright."
He sat down cross-legged.
Slowly he began circulating spiritual energy.
The surrounding air trembled slightly as energy gathered around him.
But something unexpected happened.
Beneath his long silver hair—
The mark on his forehead began glowing.
Golden light flickered faintly.
No one noticed.
Except Radha.
And Krishna.
Both of them remained silent.
Then—
Yao Chen disappeared.
Not physically.
But spiritually.
He had entered his Soul Sea.
Xue Lian felt the connection immediately.
Her consciousness followed him.
And suddenly—
They both stood in a completely different world.
Part 3 – The Broken Souls
Darkness.
Not the darkness of night.
But the quiet, endless darkness of an inner world.
When Yao Chen opened his eyes again, he found himself standing inside a vast space.
The ground beneath him was not solid earth.
It looked like a calm ocean made of faint golden light.
Ripples of spiritual energy slowly moved across the surface like waves in a silent sea.
Above him stretched an endless sky.
Yet the sky had no sun.
No clouds.
Only faint stars of spiritual light floating far above.
Yao Chen's eyes widened slightly.
"…This…"
"…is my Soul Sea?"
Beside him, Xue Lian appeared.
Her figure slowly stabilized as her consciousness fully entered the space.
She looked around in astonishment.
"This… is inside your body?"
Yao Chen nodded slowly.
"Yes."
But his attention quickly shifted.
Because something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
The spiritual energy of this Soul Sea felt unstable.
Small cracks of energy occasionally flickered across the surface of the golden ocean.
As if something inside this world had been damaged.
Yao Chen's expression became serious.
"…They're here."
Xue Lian followed his gaze.
Far away—
Two figures lay motionless on the glowing surface.
Yao Chen's heart tightened.
"Xuner."
"Yan Shen."
The two rushed forward immediately.
The Condition of the Souls
When they reached them—
Both of them froze.
Yan Shen's soul body was lying face down.
His spiritual body was covered with faint burning marks.
Cracks of unstable energy slowly moved across his form.
But compared to the other figure—
His condition was still better.
Xuner's soul body was in far worse shape.
Her entire form looked faded.
Almost transparent.
Deep fractures of spiritual energy covered her body like broken glass.
Xue Lian covered her mouth.
"…This is bad."
Yao Chen knelt beside them.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Using the knowledge buried deep inside his mind.
The knowledge awakened by the Primordial Flame.
Fragments of ancient medical knowledge began appearing in his consciousness.
Soul damage.
Energy collapse.
Spiritual body instability.
After a moment—
He opened his eyes.
"I understand now."
Xue Lian looked at him.
"What happened to them?"
Yao Chen's voice was calm.
But heavy.
"During the last battle…"
"When I was injured…"
"…Xuner used her soul energy to protect me."
Xue Lian remembered that moment.
The violent explosion.
The overwhelming attack.
Yao Chen continued.
"Yan Shen must have tried to protect her."
"That's why both of them are injured."
Xue Lian clenched her fists slightly.
"…Can they be saved?"
Yao Chen remained silent for several seconds.
Then he spoke slowly.
"There are two ways."
Xue Lian looked at him seriously.
"Tell me."
Yao Chen raised one finger.
"First."
"A Soul Recovery Pill."
"This type of pill can repair damaged spiritual bodies."
"But the materials required are extremely rare."
"And the refining process is extremely difficult."
Xue Lian nodded slowly.
"…What's the second method?"
Yao Chen's expression became heavier.
"We merge Xuner's soul…"
"…with a weapon."
Xue Lian froze.
"What?"
Yao Chen looked directly at Xuner's fragile soul body.
"If her soul merges with a weapon…"
"…that weapon becomes her new body."
Silence filled the Soul Sea.
The golden ocean beneath them rippled quietly.
Xue Lian lowered her gaze.
"That means…"
"She will become a weapon spirit."
Yao Chen nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Xue Lian clenched her fists.
"…But she'll lose her physical body forever."
Yao Chen did not deny it.
"That is the price."
"But if we don't do it…"
"…her soul may collapse."
Xue Lian looked at Xuner again.
Her soul body was becoming more unstable.
Small fragments of spiritual energy were slowly dissolving into the surrounding Soul Sea.
There was no time.
Xue Lian exhaled slowly.
"…Then we have no choice."
Yao Chen nodded.
"Yes."
"But Yan Shen can still be saved normally."
Xue Lian looked toward Yan Shen.
"How?"
"He needs spiritual energy support."
"If we continuously supply him with spiritual energy…"
"…his soul body will recover."
Xue Lian immediately sat down beside Yan Shen.
She placed her hand near his chest.
Slowly—
She began channeling spiritual energy into his soul body.
Soft blue light surrounded them.
Yan Shen's damaged soul slowly began stabilizing.
Yao Chen watched quietly.
Then he turned toward Xuner.
His eyes were calm.
But deep inside—
His thoughts were heavy.
"Xuner…"
"…you protected me."
"…so now it's my turn."
He slowly extended his hand.
A faint golden flame appeared above his palm.
The Primordial Flame.
Inside the Soul Sea—
Its power looked even more mysterious.
The flame floated gently.
Yet its presence felt ancient.
Almost eternal.
Yao Chen closed his eyes.
His consciousness connected with the Soul Sea itself.
Searching.
Looking for something.
A weapon.
A vessel.
Something capable of holding a soul.
But the Soul Sea remained quiet.
Then—
Outside the Soul Sea.
Radha and Krishna stood quietly beside Yao Chen's physical body.
Radha looked at the sky.
"The choice has appeared."
Krishna nodded slightly.
"But the path…"
"…is still his to walk."
Radha's gaze remained calm.
"Do you think he will hesitate?"
Krishna smiled faintly.
"No."
"He has already begun becoming who he truly is."
Radha said nothing.
But her eyes moved toward Yao Chen's forehead.
Where the hidden mark was slowly glowing beneath his hair.
Inside the Soul Sea—
Yao Chen suddenly opened his eyes.
"…I found it."
Xue Lian looked at him.
"What?"
"A weapon."
"Something ancient."
"Something already connected to my soul."
The golden ocean beneath them suddenly began moving.
The surface of the Soul Sea split open slowly.
From its depths—
A faint shadow began rising.
A weapon.
But its form was still unclear.
Yao Chen stared at it quietly.
"…This…"
"…might become Xuner's new body."
The weapon slowly rose from the golden ocean.
Its shape gradually became clearer.
But before its true form could fully appear—
Xuner's fragile soul body suddenly flickered violently.
Her condition was worsening.
Xue Lian looked up immediately.
"Yao Chen!"
"She can't hold much longer!"
Yao Chen's eyes sharpened.
"I know."
He slowly reached out toward Xuner's soul.
The Primordial Flame flickered brighter.
The Soul Sea trembled.
The ancient weapon continued rising from the depths.
And the moment of decision—
Had finally arrived.
End of Chapter 18