The moon was high in the night sky, a faint shimmer casting over the horizon as Taixuan sat at the edge of the estate's secluded cliffside. His mind, as sharp as ever, was far from the peaceful night before him. The secrets he had discovered buried in the ancient records of his clan had awakened something inside him—something deep and potent.
The Heavenhammer—now a Reactor-Class Warship—hovered silently beside him, its dim lights casting long shadows on the rocks below. The ship's core, pulsing with energy, seemed almost alive, a reflection of his own evolution after his breakthrough to Core-Bonded Disciple.
Taixuan had learned to sense the flow of energy within his warship just as he sensed his own internal Dao. The bond between them was undeniable now. The warship was more than just a vessel. It was an extension of his own power.
But that wasn't all that had changed. His spiritual energy had evolved since his rise in the tournament. Where once he could barely channel his essence into a single strike, now his energy flowed with precision and control, expanding to match his growing power. His body had become an amplifier, and the Heavenhammer—his warship—was its conduit.
The air shimmered with the energy he unleashed in subtle waves. His control over the warship was now near flawless, but Taixuan was not one to let such power go unchecked. He needed to test it. He needed to understand it more deeply.
---
The Training Grounds
Taixuan had established a hidden training ground, deep in the cliffs of the western estate. A natural cavern, reinforced with reliquary formations, concealed beneath a natural waterfall. Only the most trusted of family members had ever seen it. Now, it was his sanctuary.
He entered, eyes scanning the large, open space. The area was littered with practice dummies, target drones, and the remnants of past exercises. It had been years since anyone truly used the space, but now, it was his.
"Activate all targets," he spoke softly. The hidden system came alive, and multiple drones flew into position, each equipped with high-speed projectiles and evasive programs. These weren't ordinary practice targets—they were designed to challenge someone of his caliber. Each drone was capable of simulating real combat maneuvers, ranging from low-level tactical strikes to full combat engagements.
A digital countdown appeared in his vision: 10 Seconds to Activation.
With a calm breath, Taixuan activated the Heavenhammer's core systems. Its Reactor-Class Engine roared to life, and within moments, the warship was hovering just above the cavern floor. The energy emanating from the ship surged in response to his focus. He felt its pulse, its rhythm, as it synchronized with his own.
The drones activated.
Without hesitation, Taixuan's hands moved, his spiritual energy flowing into the warship. He wasn't controlling it consciously—he was resonating with it. His body and the ship became one. His fingers twitched, and the Heavenhammer launched into action.
---
The Dance of Power
The drones closed in quickly, but Taixuan moved with unparalleled grace, his movements barely visible. His reaction time had drastically improved since his breakthrough, and now, with the warship's power and his own resonating together, he was untouchable.
He released a flurry of ion-blasted beams from the ship's main cannons. The drones began to dodge, but Taixuan's perception of their movements was instantaneous. He could anticipate their actions before they made them. The warship shifted seamlessly, following his every command, and with precise strikes, it took out the first five drones within moments.
The remaining drones regrouped, changing tactics. They spread out, using rapid-attack strategies that simulated an advanced squadron. They moved in and out of the attack range with lightning speed, attempting to outmaneuver Taixuan.
But they failed.
His mind sharpened further, his perception far beyond anything he had experienced. His resonance with the Heavenhammer allowed him to direct its energy precisely, even altering its trajectory mid-fire. A split-second decision, and the ship's energy cannons adjusted their output to target not just one, but several drones at once.
One by one, they fell.
The last drone attempted to flee, weaving its path through the air at top speed. Taixuan's eyes flickered with intensity as he sent a surge of power through the Heavenhammer's core, charging up an attack. His senses flared as he locked onto the drone's movements, his warship following his thoughts in perfect harmony. In an instant, a singular Star Pulse Beam erupted from the ship's core, tearing through the air and hitting the drone with pinpoint accuracy.
The simulation ended.
---
[Combat Simulation Completed - Grade: EX++]
The system flashed across his vision.
Taixuan took a deep breath, his chest rising with satisfaction. Not only had he passed the test, but his control over the warship had improved dramatically. He was no longer just a young disciple from a branch family; he was something far greater.
"Impressive," came a voice from behind him.
He turned to see his grandfather, Jin Wei, standing in the cavern entrance. The old man's eyes were filled with admiration. "You have done well, Taixuan."
Taixuan nodded respectfully. "It's only the beginning."
Jin Wei's expression softened. "I know. That's why I've come to speak with you."
---
The Visit
They sat together in the quiet of the cavern, Jin Wei's expression unreadable. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"The Main Family's envoys are watching you closely. They know about your progress. They've even offered you a place in the Outer Ascendant Watchlist."
Taixuan's expression remained neutral, though inside, his thoughts raced. The Outer Ascendant Watchlist was a list of potential heirs, not just within the Jin Clan but for all of the Main Family's territories. It was an honor, but it also meant that the Main Family was beginning to see him as a threat.
"I'll be careful," Taixuan said calmly. "I have no intention of rushing things."
Jin Wei's gaze hardened. "This is more than just about you now. If the Main Family accepts you, it's not just your fate that will change. It's ours as well."
Taixuan understood. His grandfather had always been a man of pride, one who had left the Main Family because of a past mistake. The possibility of returning now—of redeeming their family's honor—was a heavy burden on Jin Wei's shoulders.
"I won't let you down," Taixuan replied, his voice unwavering. "But I must move carefully. The time is not right yet."
Jin Wei studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Very well. We'll take it step by step. But know this, Taixuan. Your destiny lies beyond this estate. Beyond even the Jin Clan. You will face enemies, alliances, and challenges that will test everything you are."
"I'm ready," Taixuan said, his eyes blazing with a quiet determination. "I will do whatever it takes."
---
The Path Ahead
As the night grew deeper, Taixuan stood once more at the cliff's edge, staring out at the vast horizon. The stars flickered in the distance, their light illuminating the dark expanse of space. He knew what awaited him. The road ahead would not be easy, but it was a road he had chosen.
The Heavenhammer hummed softly beside him, a companion on this journey. The bond between them had solidified, and with it, his path to greatness.
In time, he would challenge the very stars themselves.
But first, there was one final step.
His warship had reached new heights, but Taixuan knew it was still far from its full potential. His cultivation, too, was only at the beginning. He had yet to unlock his true potential as a Core-Bonded Disciple. And the secrets of his family were still waiting to be uncovered.
For now, he would keep training. He would keep growing.
And when the time came, he would be ready.