Yuan Jin panted heavily. His body was covered in wounds, his breath ragged, but he had managed to take down most of the shadowy figures attacking him. However, he knew the battle was far from over.
In the distance, Aether observed him with an indifferent expression. Her long hair flowed in the wind, and her golden eyes shimmered like the setting sun. "You're getting used to fighting, but you're still too slow. If you face a stronger opponent, you'll die in an instant."
Yuan Jin lifted his head, looking at Aether with a determined gaze. "Then teach me how to become faster and stronger."
Aether smiled faintly. "Finally, you're starting to think properly."
Suddenly, the space around them shifted. The remaining shadowy figures vanished, and Yuan Jin felt his body lighten for a brief moment before an overwhelming pressure suddenly crushed down on him.
"Welcome to the First Step Training," Aether's voice echoed in his mind.
When Yuan Jin opened his eyes, he found himself standing in the middle of an endless grassland. The blue sky stretched infinitely above him, and before him stood a towering mountain, its peak hidden in the clouds. At the summit, a golden crystal ball shone brilliantly.
"What is this?" Yuan Jin asked, frowning.
Aether stepped forward casually. "Your first training is simple: retrieve that crystal ball."
Yuan Jin glanced at the mountain peak, then back at Aether. "That sounds too easy," he said, slightly underestimating the challenge.
Aether chuckled softly. "Oh? You think so?"
Yuan Jin took a step toward the mountain, but the moment his foot touched the ground, an immense weight pressed down on his entire body. Every step he took felt as if he was carrying a mountain on his shoulders.
"What's happening?!"
Aether crossed her arms. "In this place, gravity increases with every step you take. If you can't adapt, you'll never reach the peak."
Yuan Jin tried to take another step, but the pressure grew heavier. His knees trembled, cold sweat dripped down his temples, and his body felt like it was about to collapse.
"This is impossible..." he muttered.
Yet, deep inside, he knew that giving up was not an option. If he wanted to become stronger, he had to endure this.
"I can't stop here," he whispered before clenching his fists. "If I want to grow stronger, I have to overcome this!"
Ignoring the pain coursing through his body, he took another step. One step, then another… Each one felt like torture, but he kept moving forward.
Aether watched from a distance, her golden eyes glimmering with interest.
"Let's see how far you can go, Yuan Jin."
Every step Yuan Jin took felt like torment. The ever-increasing gravity made it difficult even to stand upright. However, his determination did not waver.
"I won't give up…" he muttered, his breath ragged.
He gritted his teeth, tensed his muscles, and forced his body to keep moving forward. Pain spread through every joint, but he refused to stop.
From a distance, Aether watched with an expressionless face. She sat in the air as if gravity had no effect on her, her golden eyes glowing as she evaluated Yuan Jin's progress.
"Humans are truly stubborn creatures," she murmured.
The sky gradually changed color, signaling the passage of time. Yuan Jin had made it halfway, but his body was already reaching its limit. His breathing was heavy, and sweat drenched his entire outfit.
"Is this my limit?" he thought.
Just as doubt crept into his mind, Aether's voice echoed behind him.
"Are you planning to give up?"
Yuan Jin struggled to lift his head. "Of course not…"
Aether descended, standing right in front of him with her arms crossed. "Then why do you look hesitant? If you wish to become strong, you must surpass your own limits. This pain won't kill you—it's a test that will shape you."
Yuan Jin stared at Aether, then clenched his fists. Her words might sound harsh, but he knew they were true. If he gave up here, how could he ever become stronger?
With newfound resolve, Yuan Jin forced himself to stand straight.
"I will keep going."
Aether gave a faint smile. "Good. Because this is just the beginning."
Suddenly, the air around them shifted. Yuan Jin felt the gravity increase, doubling in intensity. He almost collapsed, but with his last ounce of strength, he remained standing.
Climbing this mountain was not just about physical strength. It was a mental trial, teaching Yuan Jin that the burden one must bear is equal to the strength they seek.
And there, under pressure that nearly crushed him, Yuan Jin began to understand something—true strength is not just about power but also the determination to never give up.
He took a deep breath and stepped forward again.
Each step brought greater pain, but it also brought him closer to the peak.
Yuan Jin continued climbing the mountain under the immense pressure of gravity. Every step felt like he was stepping on massive stones that bound his body with an invisible weight. However, his determination remained unwavering. He had to reach the summit.
But as he moved forward, the ground beneath him suddenly trembled violently. The once-clear sky turned dark, and strong winds howled, carrying an eerie sound that echoed all around.
Aether, who had been observing from a distance, frowned. "This… isn't part of my training…" she murmured softly.
Suddenly, from within the ground, a massive gate emerged. The ancient stones forming the gate glowed with a faint purple light. Yuan Jin, who almost lost his balance, stared at the gate with caution.
"What is this?" he muttered to himself.
Before Aether could respond, a foreign voice echoed from within the gate.
"You have finally arrived… The forgotten heir."
Yuan Jin's eyes widened. "Heir? Me?"
From within the gate, a shadowy figure slowly stepped out. It was a tall man with long silver hair, his robe torn in several places, yet the aura he radiated was so overwhelming that the surrounding air seemed to tremble.
Aether gazed at the figure with sharp eyes. "Impossible…"
The man looked at Yuan Jin with an expression mixed with anger and sorrow. "How long has it been… Finally, my lineage has returned to this world."
Yuan Jin still didn't understand what was happening. "Who are you?"
The man narrowed his eyes. "I am… your ancestor."
The atmosphere grew tense instantly. Yuan Jin remained silent, Aether stayed on guard, and the ancient gate continued to pulsate with mysterious energy.
"There is something you must know, Yuan Jin," the man continued. "The history you know is only a small fragment of the true reality."
Yuan Jin swallowed hard, realizing that the journey he had embarked on had just turned into something far greater than he had ever imagined.
To be continued...