Weeks had passed since the day the world trembled. The storm of chaos caused by Asura's awakening had yet to settle. Kingdoms continued to send spies, warriors, and envoys, each hoping to either claim or eliminate the unparalleled force that had shaken the heavens.
Yet, within the Zhao family's estate, silence loomed over the land. Half of the Zhao family lay dead, their bodies turned to dust by the force that had erupted that day. The remnants of the once-proud lineage lived in a perpetual state of fear, knowing that their fate lay in the hands of the very being they had once ridiculed and scorned.
Then, at long last, Asura's eyes fluttered open.
The first thing his mother saw was not just his face but his eyes—eyes unlike any that had ever existed. They were not just windows to his soul, but an abyss of power itself. Patterns swirled within, shifting like galaxies in an endless void. They were beautiful, mesmerizing, yet terrifying beyond comprehension. Even without exerting energy, his mere gaze sent shivers through the entire estate.
His mother trembled, not out of fear, but out of an overwhelming mix of emotions—relief, joy, awe, and the crushing weight of everything her son had endured to reach this point.
"Asura… my son…" she whispered, her voice cracking as she reached out to touch his face.
He looked at her, and for the first time in years, his expression softened. A warmth, rare and precious, filled his gaze as he gently held her hand.
"I made you worry, didn't I?" His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable depth, like a celestial force speaking through mortal words.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled, shaking her head. "You're here. That's all that matters."
Asura sat up, his body still aching from the massive expenditure of energy. The remnants of his battle still lingered in the air, the once-pristine land now forever marked by his ascension.
Then, something unexpected happened.
A messenger clad in ceremonial robes knelt outside, trembling as he delivered a shocking revelation.
"The Seven Supreme Masters of this continent… have declared you worthy. They wish to take you as their disciple."
Silence filled the air.
Even his mother, who had heard and seen enough to believe in her son's greatness, was momentarily stunned.
These weren't just any martial masters—they were the pinnacle of cultivation, individuals who stood at the absolute peak of power. For them to personally acknowledge someone, let alone accept them as a disciple, was unheard of.
Asura remained quiet for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, a faint smirk played on his lips.
"Interesting."
The world had begun to move again, and this time, Asura would not simply follow its flow.
He would shape it.