The valley had fallen quiet again, but the storm it hosted had changed everything. The trees still bowed gently toward the shattered cliff, the spiritual spring shimmered with an eerie glow, and the hidden cave—now fully revealed—continued to hum with ancient power.
The moment Elder Mu Lin had fled, Qingmu sealed the mountain with every formation he knew. Layers of protective talismans and mist barriers rose from the earth like invisible domes, wrapping around the valley to conceal its energy signature. Still, he knew it wouldn't last.
Li Yi lay on a bed of moss inside the chamber, his chest rising and falling steadily. Though unconscious, his expression was peaceful. The knowledge he had absorbed from the Primal Sky Scripture still swirled in his soul, reorganizing his understanding of cultivation itself.
Qingmu knelt beside him, fingers tracing the boy's pulse. The rhythm was strong—too strong for a child his age. "You're not just talented… You're chosen by something greater."
As he stood, he felt the familiar tremble of spatial fluctuation. A transmission talisman shimmered in the air above the valley, glowing with the seal of the Heavenly Alliance—a coalition of the ten strongest sects in the Xuan Realm. The symbol bore the silver phoenix and golden cloud.
"They've noticed," he muttered.
The message unfurled before him in brilliant light.
> To the guardian of the Azure Cloud Valley:
"We have detected fluctuations of Divine-grade energy. For the safety of the realm and the interest of the alliance, present the cultivator responsible before the Immortal Altar within ten days. Refusal will be seen as defiance."
— Signed, Elder Fang of the Nine Heavens Sect
Qingmu crushed the talisman and sighed. "They'll never leave him in peace."
---
Three Days Later
Li Yi awoke at dawn, blinking against soft sunlight filtering through cracks in the chamber. Dew clung to ancient carvings. Birds chirped warily outside. His body ached slightly, but it was the pleasant pain of rapid growth. He sat up slowly, feeling lighter, stronger—every breath infused with life.
He looked around, memories rushing back: the storm, the Immortal Mist Sect, the voice from his pendant.
The voice called me "not theirs"… he thought, rubbing his chest. Then whose am I?
He heard footsteps. Elder Qingmu entered, holding a steaming wooden bowl of medicinal porridge.
"You're awake," the old man smiled softly. "Good. I wasn't sure how long your soul could handle divine memory influx."
Li Yi sat upright. "How long was I out?"
"Three days. In that time, you absorbed enough Qi to step into Meridian Opening – Peak Stage. You're now knocking on the door of Foundation Establishment."
Li Yi blinked. "Already?"
Qingmu nodded, handing him the bowl. "Eat. You'll need strength."
As Li Yi ate, Qingmu explained the message. "They've summoned you to the Immortal Altar. It's not a choice—it's a test. Appear, or they'll come take you."
Li Yi remained silent for a while. "What happens if they test me?"
"They'll probe your bloodline, your cultivation roots, and your spiritual sea. If they sense something divine… they may never let you go."
Li Yi's hand clenched around the bowl. "Then I must go. But not as prey."
---
One Day Later – Azure Cloud Valley
Li Yi stood in a courtyard wearing freshly spun robes: dark azure with silver lining, the traditional outer disciple's robe of Azure Cloud Valley. A small jade token hung from his waist, signifying his temporary status as an external cultivator under Elder Qingmu.
Though small in stature, his gaze carried depth. The way he held himself had changed—calm, confident, steady. Behind him, Elder Qingmu approached, a storage ring in his hand.
"This contains everything you need for the journey: a protective charm, some low-grade spirit stones, and a basic formation scroll. Use them wisely."
Li Yi nodded and bowed deeply. "Thank you, master."
Qingmu placed a hand on his shoulder. "No matter what they offer, remember who you are. Power can be borrowed, but identity must be forged."
With that, Li Yi turned and began his journey.
---
Four Days Later – Path to Immortal Altar
The road to the Immortal Altar passed through three regions: the Misty Bamboo Forest, the Howling Canyon, and the Twin Sun Cliffs. Each was known for testing the will and strength of cultivators.
As Li Yi entered the Misty Bamboo Forest, the air grew colder. Thick fog swirled through endless rows of jade-colored bamboo, each stalk humming faintly. Legends claimed this forest amplified illusions—testing the heart.
Li Yi's steps slowed as shadows moved. Whispers danced around him.
"You were abandoned…"
"They left you behind…"
"You'll never see them again…"
His hands trembled, but he focused on his breath, drawing in the techniques from the Primal Sky Scripture. He formed a mudra over his heart, and the illusions dissolved.
"Not bad," said a voice.
From the fog stepped a girl in white robes, silver hair tied in a braid. Her cultivation was Foundation Establishment – Mid Stage, and her robes bore the emblem of the Floating Cloud Pavilion.
"I'm Yue Chan. You're the one the valley storm was about, aren't you?"
Li Yi didn't answer. He simply bowed. "Li Yi."
She smirked. "Polite. But silence isn't always strength."
He moved past her. "And talking isn't always wisdom."
She laughed and followed. "I like you. Let's see how long that courage lasts."
---
Day Six – Howling Canyon
The canyon lived up to its name. Winds howled like wolves, razor-sharp and filled with sorrow. Each step down its stone slopes tested both endurance and balance.
Yue Chan, surprisingly, stuck beside Li Yi. "The wind here is called 'Soul Wail.' If your heart wavers, it'll enter your sea of consciousness."
Li Yi nodded. "I feel it already."
But as the wind grew stronger, memories surged again—of a woman's touch, a father's promise, a realm beyond his reach.
He clenched his fists and summoned Qi into his legs, stabilizing his footing. At the same time, he felt something crack—inside his body, a node opened.
> Dantian Node Activated: Core Spiral Initiation.
He had unknowingly taken his first step into Foundation Establishment – Early Stage.
Yue Chan noticed the shift and frowned. "You… broke through?"
Li Yi blinked. "I think so."
She rolled her eyes. "You think? That's not something people just think they did."
---
Day Eight – Twin Sun Cliffs
At the final gate before the Immortal Altar, two massive cliffs stood under the twin suns of the Xuan Realm sky. Between them hovered a celestial gate sealed by formation runes.
Ten cultivators were already gathered, most from major sects.
Yue Chan joined her group from the Floating Cloud Pavilion.
An elder from the Golden River Sect stepped forward. "You—are you the valley brat?"
Li Yi met his gaze calmly. "I am Li Yi."
The elder scoffed. "Bold, for someone with no sect."
A ripple passed through the crowd as one of the elders announced, "Those who are summoned, step forward. The Immortal Altar will judge your qualifications."
Li Yi walked toward the center.
Yue Chan gave him a nod.
He nodded back, but his heart was heavy. Not from fear—but from expectation. He could feel the pendant burning against his chest, as if the Altar itself called to him.
---
End of Chapter 4