Determined in their training after the incident that shook all of Zephyrron, siblings Mei Lin, Shen Yue, and Tian Dao wasted no time.
"You must condition your bodies to hunger and fluctuating temperatures. As I've told you before, the stronger your physical vessel, the better it can survive every breakthrough," Elder Wujin instructed as he adjusted the siblings' squatting postures.
They were at Mount Dao, where Elder Wujin patiently honed their skills beneath the relentless force of a waterfall. He stood with Elder Xuan, observing the three children. Though they were clearly struggling, not one of them showed signs of giving up.
The powerful rush of water from the peaks of Mount Dao weighed heavily on their small frames. It was their third day, yet the pain remained sharp and unforgiving. Their bodies trembled from the cold—Mei Lin especially—and their legs were numb from the prolonged squats. They were on the verge of tears from the agony, yet they remained steadfast. They were determined to overcome their weaknesses.
After hours of soaking, they began their run toward Mount Halah and back to Mount Dao. Two days later, the routine intensified; their ordinary run became a grueling ordeal as they carried heavy boulders on their backs. They repeated this cycle for days, weeks, and eventually, months.
[Seven Months Later]
Thunder and lightning dominated the skies of Zephyrron. A thick, hot air blanketed the surroundings, but it did nothing to dampen the rising tension between Shen Yue and Tian Dao.
Tian Dao stumbled back from the force of Shen Yue's punch. Shen Yue let out a smirk, but Tian Dao's gentle and serious expression remained unchanged. It was as if he felt no pain from the blow. Shen Yue's smirk vanished, replaced by irritation at his brother's lack of reaction. Clenching his fist, Shen Yue unleashed a final strike; the resulting impact forced them both backward.
Shen Yue exhaled deeply, then suddenly burst into laughter as if something were hilarious. He knew his brother hadn't awakened his powers yet, and Mei Lin had warned him not to take the fight too seriously. However, losing control, Shen Yue activated his First Skill.
Mei Lin's eyes widened, her fists tightening. She knew Shen Yue was aware that Tian Dao was unawakened. "Shen Yue, I'll kill you if anything happens to Tian Dao!" she yelled.
The two seemed deaf to her voice amidst the howling, hot wind. They were locked in combat. Shen Yue hovered in the air, gathering mana into his palm. It glowed a brilliant, sparking blue, mirroring the lightning in the sky.
"Let's see how long you can keep that calm face," Shen Yue taunted.
Tian Dao looked on with a hint of curiosity. Despite their many bouts, Shen Yue's technique hadn't changed. He could tell his brother had lost focus, consumed by intense emotion due to the curse of his power; it affected Shen Yue's attitude. He shook his head at his brother's aggressive stance.
Though he hadn't awakened because he wasn't of age, Tian Dao was already at the Peak of the Mortal Realm. Whenever his siblings lost control, he had one strategy.
"Is that all you've got?" Tian Dao goaded, smirking at his hovering brother.
The energy in Shen Yue's palm flickered. Tian Dao noticed the shift, his brother's focus had wavered, causing the energy absorption to weaken.
"First Skill of Thunder Curse: Striking Clouds!"
The sky darkened further, spiraling into a vortex as bolts of lightning struck the ground. As Shen Yue unleashed the skill, Tian Dao bolted. Though his initial counter-move failed, he managed to dodge the brunt of the attack.
Tian Dao coughed through the rising dust. He noted the charred crater near where he had stood. If he had been a second slower, the backlash would have knocked him unconscious for days. He shook his head, brushed off his clothes, and rushed to the now-weakened Shen Yue to assist him.
"I lost," Tian Dao said to the panting Shen Yue.
Shen Yue shook his head, his long red hair resting against the sand. "Are you kidding me?"
Tian Dao shook his head. "If I hadn't interrupted your mana gathering, there's a high chance I'd be asleep for days."
The brothers laughed together, unaware that Mei Lin was approaching on her black horse. Even from a distance, her fury was palpable.
"Tian Dao… I know that you can deal with her. I gotta go, I need to pee!" Shen Yue muttered, before scrambling away despite his limp.
Tian Dao sighed as Mei Lin's presence loomed over him. The monstrous, and dark presence. She delivered a sharp smack to the back of his head, startling him.
"S-sister, I… I didn't do anything."
"I saw what you did! You almost died by provoking Shen Yue!" she barked, looking around angrily. "Where is that brat? He owes me a good explanation."
Realizing Mei Lin's wrath was unavoidable, Tian Dao immediately pointed in the direction Shen Yue had fled.
You're cooked today, Brother.
[One hour later]
Shen Yue and Tian Dao limped along while they followed Mei Lin on her horse.
"Traitor… you're siding with Mei Lin over me. I'm your brother too, Tian Dao." Shen Yue grumbled.
Tian Dao merely shook his head, earning another glare from Shen Yue. They were headed back to their old village now that their training was complete. Months had passed; what once felt like torture now seemed like a simple task. Carrying water and running around Mount Halah to Mount Dao was second nature to them now.
"I… cannot lie." Tian Dao replied.
He never lied without a profound reason. To him, lying without cause was a sin, it's a bad practice that could lead to deceiving the innocent.
Months had passed since the people of the Sabbath came to Zephyrron, and since then, no one had dared to set foot there again. The reason is still remained a mystery to the people of a dying city.
The three traveled in silence, unaware that figures clad in black with masked faces were lying in wait. They gripped daggers and swords, hidden behind jagged rocks and high ridges. A man in black gave a sign to one of his people, it nodded and released a poison.
Mei Lin halted her horse. They had been circling for hours and still hadn't found the signage for the old village. Shen Yue and Tian Dao also sensed something was wrong. Mei Lin looked back at her brothers; she had been leading the way while the two limped behind. She caught Tian Dao's eye, and he nodded.
Tian Dao know what to do, he was the most observant among the three. He even noticed the smallest details. He walked toward some large boulders, recalling the faint footprints he had seen earlier. At first, he hadn't thought much of it, but their repetitive path was a clear sign of danger.
He felt a small pebble fall from above. Instead of attacking, he spoke loud enough for whoever was hiding atop to hear.
"Uh, such a waste of time. Perhaps, I'm just exhausted."
Shen Yue and Mei Lin understood, this was a signal to be on guard. Tian Dao mentally counted the hostiles. He had seen two sets of tracks, but as they moved, he also suspected the unfamiliar scent coming from the entrance earlier. The scent gave it away, a heavy, aromatic fragrance that even Mei Lin and Shen Yue had noticed too earlier.
Tian Dao gestured with his fingers, signaling his siblings the number of enemies nearby. They returned to their positions. He spotted two more sets of tracks near a large tree.
"Brother Shen, Sister Mei-mei. Stop."
The two looked at him, puzzled. Tian Dao shook his head, his expression grim.
"What is it, Tian Dao?" Shen Yue asked, his hand tightening on his sword.
Tian Dao signaled again, but even as he snapped his fingers, there was no sound. Mei Lin and Shen Yue tried the same and ended up with the same results.
They looked up at the rocks, and they saw the terrifying monsters hidden atop. These weren't just humans, they were hybrids. A half-human, half-serpent. They had snake tails and four legs. Their heads featured human faces but possessed massive, gaping maws filled with serrated teeth. Two were perched atop the rocks, while three more stood directly in their path.
These monsters can be found at Western Forest. Why are they here?
Tian Dao looked at his siblings. "I'm afraid… we're too late."
"Why?" Shen Yue asked.
Tian Dao gasped with assurance, his demeanor still stoic, but this time he's hundred percent sure. "We're under an illusion."