The cheers still echoed across the Cloud Vein Arena.
Zeravon stood quietly on the central platform, his robe fluttering gently in the afternoon breeze. Around him, disciples whispered, eyes wide in disbelief.
> "He defeated Fan Shixuan…"
> "And Yueyin herself acknowledged him…"
> "Who is he… really?"
But Zeravon wasn't focused on them. His gaze was distant. He stared down at his hand, the same hand that had delivered that single strike — a strike too clean, too measured.
> *"Why do I feel like I've done this before…"*
> *"…in a place without form… against something without name?"*
Before he could dwell on the strange whisper inside his mind, a soft voice broke the silence.
> "Zeravon."
He looked up.
Yueyin was standing a few feet away on the platform — calm, elegant, her silver eyes focused only on him. The crowd fell silent.
> "You've been chosen," she said.
> "For what?" he asked, unsure.
Yueyin smiled faintly, but didn't answer directly. Instead, she turned to face the crowd and raised a jade token in her hand.
> "These are the names of the ten disciples who will represent Cloud Vein Sect in the upcoming **Treasure Excavation Expedition** at the Starshard Ruins."
The crowd gasped.
> "The ruins? Already?!"
> "But that place hasn't opened in three years!"
> "It's dangerous… even senior disciples died there last time…"
Yueyin began calling names.
> "Lin Ye, Zhao Min, Bai Hao…"
> "Fan Shixuan."
A hush spread at that name.
> "He lost, though!" someone whispered.
> "Still… he's strong enough to survive the ruins."
Then Yueyin looked at Zeravon again.
> "And the last chosen disciple… is **Zeravon**."
Murmurs erupted. Some in protest. Others in awe.
Even Fan Shixuan flinched slightly, his pride wounded again.
Instructor Wei stepped forward, eyes narrowed.
> "Miss Yueyin… he is still only in the **Qi Rooting Realm**. Are you sure?"
> "Yes," Yueyin replied without hesitation. "This selection isn't based solely on cultivation level. It's based on potential… and balance."
She walked past Zeravon, and as she did, she slipped something into his hand.
A small, soft-glowing pearl wrapped in a silk cloth.
> "This will help you when the time comes," she said quietly, her voice only for him. "Don't use it unless you're near death."
Then she was gone.
---
**That Night – Outer Disciple Quarters**
Zeravon sat silently in his room, the pearl resting in his palm.
> *"Upper Realm item…"*
He could feel the faint, immense energy hidden within it — like a sealed star waiting to detonate. Yet, it felt calm. Familiar. As if it was **meant** for him.
The moonlight touched his shoulder as he whispered to himself:
> *"I don't want to go on this mission… but I have to."*
> *"Maybe there… I'll find another part of who I am."*
From the distance, Fan Shixuan watched him through a dark corridor.
His fists clenched.
> "Zeravon… next time, I won't lose."
---
**Meanwhile – Deep in the Forbidden Sky Ruins**
Dark winds swirled across the ancient stone gates of the Starshard Ruins. Faint whispers leaked from beyond the sealed boundary — voices long erased from the memory of the world.
But something inside the ruins stirred… faintly.
A presence that recognized a forgotten name.
> *"Zeravon…"*
> *"…will fall again."*
---