Morning spread across Mount Yun like a quiet illusion. From a distance, the Silent Heavens Sect still looked dignified—its halls perched against the cliffs, banners fluttering in the wind.
But within its walls, decline was impossible to hide. Broken stone paths, faded training grounds, and disciples who had long since stopped believing their sect could rise again.
At the courtyard, a crowd had gathered. A tall stone pillar stood at the center. Carved into its surface were hundreds of names. 197 to be precise.
This was the Disciples' Ranking Stele. Every sect had one. It measured strength, contribution, and cultivation level.
And in a declining sect like the Silent Heavens—It was one of the few remaining sources of pride.
"Move aside!" A group of outer disciples pushed forward. "I heard Senior Brother Han just broke through Meridian Opening!"
No way—he's going to move up the ranking again!"
Excitement rippled through the crowd. Even in a weak sect, competition still mattered.
At the very bottom of the stele— A single name flickered faintly.
Lin Aether. Rank: 197
Dead last. Lin himself was nowhere near the stele. Instead—He stood deep within the mountain forest, staring at a massive lightning wolf.
"...You're still here." The Stormfang Wolf sat calmly in front of him. Its glowing blue eyes followed his every movement.
Mei Yue floated nearby, watching with mild amusement. "It seems the beast has chosen to remain." Lin sighed. "Why me?"
"Because you share its elemental affinity." She paused. "And because your bloodline attracts powerful beings." Lin crossed his arms. "Lucky me."
The wolf stood up slowly. It stepped closer. Lin instinctively tensed—but did not run. This time, the wolf did not attack, instead it lowered its head slightly.
Lin blinked. "...Is that a bow?" Mei nodded. "A gesture of acknowledgement." Lin hesitated. Then slowly reached out his hand. The moment his fingers touched the wolf's fur—A surge of lightning Qi passed between them.
Not violent. Not painful. But... resonant. The wolf let out a low, satisfied rumble.
Mei's eyes sharpened. "The bond is forming." Lin looked up. "Bond?"
"Yes. Spirit beasts do not follow weak cultivators. This one acknowledges you."
Lin glanced at the wolf. "...Does it have a name?" Mei smirked. "That is for you to decide." Lin thought for a moment. Then shrugged.
"...Volt."
The wolf huffed. A faint spark flickered from its silvery fur. Mei raised an eyebrow. "Simple huh?"
Back at the sect courtyard— The ranking stele suddenly flickered. Several disciples frowned. "Did you see that? The bottom name just... moved?"
They leaned closer. The name Lin Aether began to glow faintly.
Then— It rose... From rank 197 dead last... To 183.
Silence fell. "..What?" "That's impossible. He didn't even cultivate properly!" Another flicker. The name rose again.
Rank 167.
Then it kept raising. Rank 152. Rank 145. Rank 130.
The crowd erupted into confusion. "Is the stele malfunctioning?! Someone call an elder!"
At that moment, Lin was completely unaware of the chaos. he stood in the forest, attempting to control the lightning Qi in his body.
"Focus," Mei instructed. "Do not let it run wild." Lin inhaled slowly. He raised his hand, this time— the lightning spark was slightly stronger. More stable. The air around his palm crackled faintly.
Volt watched him intently. Then suddenly—Volt released a small bolt of lightning toward him.
"HEY—!" Lin instinctively reacted. He raised his hand. The lightning struck his palm— And dispersed. Absorbed. Lin froze. "...I didn't die?"
Mei nodded calmly. "Good." Lin stared at her. "That's all you have to say?!" She ignored him. "Your body is adapting to lightning Qi faster than expected."
Volt stepped closer again. This time, it lowered its head further, closer to Lin's chest, to the Seal. The golden mark inside Lin pulsed faintly.
For a brief moment—The wolf's eyes widened, it sensed something deeper. Something ancient. Then it stepped back. As if acknowledging something far beyond itself.
Back at the ranking stele—The movement finally stopped. Lin Aether's name settled at: Rank 121. The courtyard fell completely silent.
Then—chaos exploded. "He jumped over 70 ranks in a few minutes?! That's impossible! He didn't even participate in any challenges!"
At that moment, a cold voice cut through the noise. "...Lin Aether." The crowd parted. A tall young man stepped forward. Sharp eyes. Calm expression. A sword at his side.
Jian Wu. Rank: 9.
One of the strongest disciples in the sect. He stared at the stele silently. Then spoke again. "...Interesting."
Back in the forest—Lin stretched his arms. "Alright. I think I am getting the hang of this."
Mei crossed her arms. "You are improving. But slowly." Lin frowned. "Slowly? I just advanced an entire realm. I am officially Qi awakening in under 2 days."
"Yes. And that is not enough." Mei looked toward the sky. "The heavens are already watching you." Lin followed her gaze. The storm clouds had not fully disappeared. They lingered. Waiting.
"...Right. No pressure." Volt let out a low growl that sounded like a purr. Lin looked at the wolf, the wolf large enough to be at eye level with Lin. "Yeah, yeah. we'll get stronger."
He clenched his fist, a sharper spark of lightning flickered across his hand. His eyes hardened slightly.
For the first time—He wasn't just surviving, he was progressing. Far away, within the mountains of the Jade Rivers Sect, Su Lian stood among a group of selected disciples. They were preparing to depart.
Their mission: Investigate the disturbance at Mount Yun. Su's gaze remained fixed on the northern horizon. The wind brushed against her face.
And this time— She was certain. Something— or someone— was waiting for her there.