The sands of the Northern land burned like embers beneath the midday sun.
Ethan stood shirtless atop a lone dune, eyes closed, his body marked with flickering veins of fire Qi. His breath drew in spiritual energy through his core, circulating it through the Nine Internal Pathways, forging his fourth major meridian.
Each breath triggered a pulse of pain.
But this time he welcomed it.
Below the dune, Elena kept watching as Vane rearranged talismans in a circle, stabilizing the elixir field Ethan needed to break through safely.
He's held his Foundation Phase Levels longer than anyone I've seen, Vane said. He's tempered his body like a forge. When he breaks through.
Elena nodded
He'll be able to fight beyond his level. Easily six stages higher. Maybe more.
Suddenly, the air thickened.
The sand around Ethan began to swirl, not from wind, but from Qi pressure.
From within, Ethan's spiritual core cracked and then burst wide open.
Flames spiraled into the sky as Ethan's body lifted inches above the sand. His veins glowed like molten gold. His muscles tightened not just stronger, but reinforced from within.
A pillar of flame erupted from his body.
He dropped to the ground moments later, panting. But when he rose, his aura pulsed with undeniable strength.
Foundation Phase Level Four.
Then, without warning, three figures descended from the sky they are disciples from the Mountain Sect, draped in brown and stone-gray robes, muscles thick like carved granite.
One stepped forward, arms crossed.
You're trespassing, he growled.
This tomb is under Mountain Sect claim.
Ethan looked up, unflinching.
I'm not here for territory. I'm here for a sword buried beneath it.
The disciple scoffed.
Then you'll have to fight for it.
He moved fast Qi erupting from his fists.
But Ethan ducked under the first blow, stepped in with a boxing pivot, and used a modified Taekwondo roundhouse that flared with spiritual flame. The blow sent the Mountain Sect disciple flying 10 feet, crashing into the dunes.
The others hesitated.
Elena stepped up. He's not your usual rogue cultivator. His body's been tempered with spiritual fire, and his techniques are more intense.
The disciples backed away, bowing grudgingly.
Far in the distance, massive stone slabs marked the edge of the ancient tomb. Inscribed in silver:
Here lies the Blade of Tribulation.
But another energy pulsed in the air distant, layered, and beautiful.
Ethan turned to Vane
What is that energy?
Vane's eyes narrowed,
That's a remnant echo from the Sword Sect. A sealing formation placed long ago.
He unrolled an old Pathfinder Sect map. This tomb was protected by three major sects in ancient times: the Sword Sect, the Divine Medicinal Valley, and the Thunder and Lightning Sect. The moment you step inside, they'll know someone's disturbed the seal.
A breeze whispered across the sand, carrying a voice soft, melodic, feminine.
Bearer of flame and storm come. Wake me, and the Dragon Slayer shall awaken too.
Ethan's fists clenched.
It had begun.