The crimson Chains of Judgment pulsed with divine rhythm, humming with the law of the heavens.
Ping Xin's monstrous form writhed within the binding seal, snarling in agony—yet unmoving.
The judgment had been made. His fate… sealed.
In the Tianxue Secret Hall. The air was still. Heavy.
Elders and clan heads remained silent, eyes fixed on the scrying mirror reflecting the arena far below in the clouds.
Grandpa Shen stood apart from the others, two fingers gently resting on his forehead as he monitored his grandson from afar. His expression was unreadable.
Then, slowly, he lowered his hand.
Grandpa Shen:
"This… is doesn't make sense. Even in the divine eras… not even the most gifted of the Nine Lineages reached 9th realm of foundation establishment at just four"
Without turning his head, he sent a divine transmission directly to the Immortal Emperor, who stood at the head of the hall.
Grandpa Shen:
"He didn't just grow. Something… pushed his time forward. It's as if the Dao… forcefully aged him."
The Immortal Emperor, Taijin, narrowed his eyes.
His golden robe fluttered gently, despite the still air around him. He had already sensed the anomaly—Zhen's core wasn't simply aged.
It had evolved.
A foundation so pure, so untouched by flaw, that even among immortals… it was unheard of.
With the dao battle finished, the elders began discussing what to do.
The other clan leaders murmured, their voices tense with awe, envy, and restraint.
Huangtien Xuanzu (amazed):
"He really beat a core formation cultivator. In a dao battle, what a monster".
At the Emperor's side, High Elder Xuheng Nianyu stroked her chin, eyes glowing faintly.
Elder Nianyu:
"It wasn't just insight. That was dao resonance. He didn't block Ping Xin's Dao—he dismantled it."
Elder Huoli:
"Foolish Ping Xin… how did he expect to tame a Heaven's Chosen?"
Elder Zhaituo (grinning):
"You're one to talk, Brother Huo. Didn't you once challenge a Genesis Behemoth and nearly lose both arms?"
Laughter broke out across the table. Elder Huoli huffed, crossing his arms and looking away.
Elder Dumu:
"You're both too old to still be playing that game."
Elder Jinmo:
"Let them be. They always do this when we gather. They just need to head to the grea—"
BOOM!
A flash of purple-red lightning tore through the air above the hall.
The sky rumbled, shaking the structure itself.
[DAO Narrator]: why did the sky scream?Let me explain…When higher beings speak of truths beyond the veil, the heavens responds. And its response is usually to always make the world and not the cultivator to undergo a tribulation. So to stop powerful beings from casually destroying worlds, the do enacted a law: Speak of the Outer [🔒], and you will be erased.
Suddenly, two ethereal bells rang faintly in the distance—unmistakable.
One high.
One low.
Only two beings heard them clearly:
Grandpa Shen… and the Immortal Emperor.
They looked to each other. Wordlessly.
Taijin:
"YanShen, with me. The rest may resume their business."
Grandpa Shen (nodding):
"Elders—carry on."
The other leaders respectfully bowed their heads. None questioned them.
Rushing Back in the Arena, they could see zhen still in the middle of the arena.
Zhen stood alone, surrounded by silence.
The final motes of Ping Xin's Dao essence scattered in the wind like dust.
He said nothing. But his body told the story:
Black hair now waist-length. Jade-green eyes no longer wide with youth. And a calm that made even the immortal emperor itself hesitant to speak.
From behind, soft footsteps touched the wind. Two figures descended beside him—Grandpa Shen and Emperor Taijin.
They stood quietly, observing him.
Zhen didn't look back.
Zhen (softly):
"Grandpa… was I wrong?"
The words were gentle. But they pierced deeper than any tribulation.
Grandpa Shen stepped forward, hand over Zhen's shoulder.
Grandpa Shen:
"No, Zhen. You were right. But right and wrong? Those are luxuries granted only to the strong. You can Be kind, just,loyal and courageous. But if you do not have the strength to verify it.your truth will never matter."
Zhen lowered his gaze to his hands—now larger, worn. His once-fitted robes now hung loose in tatters.
Suddenly ~ A subtle vibration spread across the air.
The clouds above parted—not torn by force, but moved by heavenly light.
A single golden lotus petal descended slowly. It glowed with warmth and mystery, like it had wandered through ages to find its target.
Taijin (softly):
"It seems your battle wasn't only watched by us. Even The heavens… were entertained."
The petal reached Zhen's chest and vanished—merging with his core.
A sigil bloomed behind his right ear:
A lotus beneath a storm cloud.
Then a voice—cold, mechanical, yet intimate—whispered directly into his soul:
[Dao Bloom – 1st Petal Awakened]
Grandpa Shen and Emperor Taijin exchanged a look. No words. No motion.
But in their silence, a pact was formed:
No one else would know. Not even the elders.
~outer Realms~
Far Beyond the Immortal Realm. In a realm suspended between stars, somewhere in the [🔒]… A circle of ancient statues cracked open.
Eyes long sealed now glowed with knowing light. A nameless entity, cloaked in dreamlight and seated on a throne of shattered mirrors, stirred for the first time in countless eons.
Nameless Entity (coldly):
"The clock is ticking… and it's almost time for the blooming."
~Later That Night – Tianxue Estate~
Zhen sat on a balcony, the moonlight wrapped around him like silk. His legs dangled freely. In one hand, a cup of starlight tea—brewed using recipes he invented during the clan festival.
Despite looking fifteen…He felt like a child again. From his sleeve, he drew a plain wooden ring. No markings. No Qi.
Just wood.
He stared at it quietly.
Zhen (whispering):
"Ping Xin… for what it's worth… I hope you find peace in your next life."
He placed the ring beside him.
Then smiled faintly.
Zhen (grinning):
"Still though… I look good for fifteen."
A warm breeze passed overhead.
No words. No signs.
But in that breeze… there was peace. Closing his eyes, zhen soundly slept.
[DAO Narrator:
"Hello again, reader. If you're still with us—congratulations. You've just witnessed the first cycle in the bloom."]
??? – Outer Void
A lone figure floated above a collapsing void star, suspended in silence.
Galaxies swirled around him.
It was Zhen Tianxiu—older now.
Far older than fifteen.
The sigil behind his ear?
Now glowing with [🔒] petals.
His eyes opened.
They no longer burned with warmth.
They now illuminated a white flame.