The cool morning air carried the scent of dewdrops as the first rays of sunlight kissed the horizon. A faint mist clung to the training grounds behind Zhou Xian's humble home, where the rhythmic sound of clashing wood echoed through the stillness.
Zhen Kai gritted his teeth as he tightened his grip on the wooden daggers in his hands. Opposite him stood Zhou Xian, his father and mentor, wielding a wooden staff with effortless grace. Despite his advancing age, Zhou Xian's movements were sharp, precise, and filled with experience that made every strike impossible to ignore.
"You're too stiff, Kai," Zhou Xian said, stepping forward in a blur of motion. His staff struck down like a falling meteor.
Zhen Kai barely managed to twist his body, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the sheer force of the air pressure knocked him back a few steps. Before he could regain balance, another attack came, forcing him to instinctively raise both daggers in defense.
Thud!
The impact numbed his arms, sending vibrations up to his shoulders. He winced. Even in training, his father never held back.
"You're relying too much on your instincts," Zhou Xian continued, his expression calm but firm. "Reflexes will only take you so far. You need control—technique."
Zhen Kai exhaled sharply and steadied his stance. His father's words were always straightforward, cutting straight to the heart of his weaknesses. It was frustrating but invaluable.
With a deep breath, he dashed forward. The twin daggers in his hands became an extension of his will as he closed the distance, aiming for precise slashes at his father's exposed flanks.
Zhou Xian's gaze sharpened. With a single motion, his staff swept outward in a wide arc, disrupting Zhen Kai's momentum. Predicting the strike, Zhen Kai twisted his body mid-motion, sliding low and avoiding the counterattack before pivoting to strike from the side.
But before his dagger could land, Zhou Xian's staff was already there, blocking the attack effortlessly.
A smirk formed on the old man's face. "Better. But still not good enough."
In the next instant, he shifted his weight and swept Zhen Kai's legs from under him. Before he could react, the wooden staff was at his throat.
"You're dead," Zhou Xian said.
Zhen Kai sighed and let his body relax against the ground. "That was fast."
Zhou Xian withdrew his staff and extended a hand to help him up. "Not bad, but you're still not using your full potential. You're fast, but you don't commit to your attacks. You hesitate."
Zhen Kai took his father's hand and stood, dusting off his training robes. "I don't want to go all out in training. What if I hurt you?" he said with a small grin.
Zhou Xian snorted. "You? Hurt me? Boy, when you can touch me in a real fight, I'll start taking that seriously."
Zhen Kai scratched his head, feeling both amused and slightly embarrassed.
"Your foundation is solid, but your mind still holds you back," Zhou Xian continued. "Power is not just in the body, but in the will. When you hesitate, you create an opening. And when you face real enemies, hesitation is the difference between life and death."
Zhen Kai nodded seriously, absorbing every word. Training was tough, but he wouldn't trade it for anything.
*A World of Strength*
After training, Zhen Kai sat under the shade of a tree, wiping sweat from his forehead. He watched as the villagers moved about, tending to daily tasks. Unlike the cities and sects where warriors trained endlessly, their village was peaceful, untouched by the greater conflicts of the world.
But he knew peace was an illusion.
Beyond their small village, powerful warriors roamed. The world was filled with those who could destroy mountains, command storms, and wield weapons that defied logic. The *Power Realm System* governed everything.
Even in a peaceful village, everyone understood strength dictated one's fate.
*Zhen Kai's Current Power Level:*
- *Mortal Realm, Substage 1: Initiate*
He was at the lowest level of power, but his training under Zhou Xian had already given him a strong foundation. He was faster than most in his realm and more skilled than many his age, but it wasn't enough.
There were countless warriors, prodigies, and sect elites who were already far beyond him. The *Warrior Realm* was the true starting point for those seeking strength.
*The Power Realms:*
1. *Mortal Realm* (3 Substages)
2. *Warrior Realm* (5 Substages)
3. *Supreme Realm* (5 Substages)
4. *Celestial Realm* (5 Substages)
5. *Ascendant Realm* (5 Substages)
6. *Zenith Realm* (6 Substages)
Zhen Kai had barely taken his first step.
But he would climb.
*A New Beginning*
That evening, as the sun dipped below the mountains, Zhou Xian sat on the porch, sipping his tea. Zhen Kai sat beside him, feeling the ache of today's training settle into his muscles.
"Kai," Zhou Xian began, his tone unusually serious.
"Hmm?"
"It's time for you to leave the village."
Zhen Kai blinked, startled. "What? Why?"
Zhou Xian took a slow sip of tea before setting the cup down. "You've trained well, but you can only grow so much here. You need to experience the world beyond these mountains. See for yourself what it means to be strong."
Zhen Kai hesitated. He had lived in this village all his life. Though he dreamed of becoming strong, the thought of leaving the only home he knew filled him with unease.
"I know it's sudden," Zhou Xian said, "but you're ready. There's a school in the city—*Azure Sky Academy*. It's a place where young cultivators train, learn, and grow. If you want to go further, you need to start there."
A school. A place where the children of warriors, nobles, and sect members trained.
Zhen Kai knew what this meant. It was his first step into the larger world.
"I... I understand," he said, clenching his fists. "I'll go."
Zhou Xian nodded approvingly. "Good. The journey won't be easy, but you have the potential to carve your own path. Just remember—power is a tool, not a purpose. Never let it define you."
Zhen Kai exhaled and stood. The decision was made.
Tomorrow, he would leave behind the only home he knew.
Tomorrow, his true journey would begin.
*End of Chapter 2*
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