As the burning sphere descended, an overwhelming instinct took over. Something within him stirred—deep, ancient knowledge awakened.

Kai flinched, throwing up his arms—

And then it happened.

His breath slowed. The world blurred. His body moved on its own.

Kai's hands traced an unseen pattern, his instincts guiding him as his Qi flared to life. A pulse of black and golden energy surged through his body.

"Celestial Eclipse: Obsidian Moon Reversal!"

A massive black crescent materialized, slicing through the descending sun. A shockwave rippled outward, extinguishing the flames mid-air, leaving only swirling embers.

Boom! A shockwave exploded outward. The flames twisted and vanished, snuffed out by a burst of pure black and golden Qi.

The room fell silent.

Kai opened his eyes, staring at his hand.

What… was that?

Elder Huo Jue stumbled back, eyes wide. His fire had been completely neutralized.

His grip on his sword tightened. "Impossible… That technique… it's from the lost arts of the our sect!" He looked at the scorched marks where his flames had been extinguished.

He let out a heavy breath, then he knelt.

“I concede.”

The crowd exploded in cheers.

Kai had no idea what just happened, but somehow—

He had won.

As the sect members dispersed, Elder Kong Tianba led Kai to a private chamber, where Liu Yue and Liu Yu joined them.

Kong Tianba spoke first. “You must be wondering why this has happened.”

Kai nodded aggressively. “Yes. Absolutely. One hundred percent.”

"Percent? Is that a term from the lost techniques? I am not familiar with that word."

Kai replied sheepishly, "Nevermind about that."

He then straightened and began to explain the history of the sect. “The Obsidian Peak Sect was founded centuries ago when our founder, a legendary cultivator, discovered the Obsidian Peak—an ancient mountain infused with powerful Qi veins. Realizing its potential, he established a fortress at its summit, gathering disciples and developing techniques unique to this land. Thus, the sect was born.”

Kai listened carefully as Kong continued, “The sect is structured into three great halls, each led by one of the three elders. Below each hall are twelve chapters, scattered across the central plains. Each hall controls four chapters, overseeing different aspects of our sect’s operations.”

He gestured to himself, “The Enforcement Hall, which I lead, ensures order and maintains discipline.”

Then, toward Pu Erniang, “The Shadow Hall specializes in intelligence, assassination, and covert operations.”

Finally, toward Huo Jue, “The Crimson Hall is our strongest offensive force, housing our most powerful combatants.”

Kong’s expression darkened slightly. “After our founder’s passing, the sect was left without a leader. The three elders, each strong in their own right, were constantly at odds, unable to gain the upper hand over one another. This power struggle left the sect divided for decades.”

He sighed. “But I knew that this division would only lead to our downfall. That’s why I sought answers. Our founder left behind a prophecy, one that spoke of a chosen successor—the one who would wield the Celestial Eclipse Manual and master its techniques.”

Liu Yue spoke next, “We spent years following clues, searching for any trace of the manual. Eventually, our investigations led us to the mortal realm.”

Liu Yu grinned. “And guess what? We found you~”

Kong nodded. “You were discovered just in time, and so we brought you back here. To lead.”

Kai was astounded. “But… I don’t fit this prophecy. I’m just an ordinary librarian!”

Kong frowned slightly. “Librarian?”

Kai sighed. “I took care of books.”

Kong Tianba chuckled. “Then consider this fate. The keeper of knowledge shall now be the keeper of power.”

Kai groaned. “That doesn’t make me a leader.”

Kong Tianba leaned forward. “You will learn. And we will guide you.”

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Kai, still overwhelmed, hesitated before asking another question. "I noticed that many members like dressing in black and some look really intimidating... Is this… an evil sect?"

Elder Kong Tianba raised an eyebrow before giving a short chuckle. "That depends on who you ask."

He leaned back and continued, "Unlike many so-called righteous sects, we have an open policy for recruitment. Most orthodox sects take in only disciples from noble backgrounds or those with exceptional talent. We take in anyone who has the potential to grow. Naturally, this means we attract… a variety of individuals."

His expression darkened slightly. "As our sect grew, some members began to act as they pleased, flouting rules and engaging in less savory activities. The so-called righteous sects took notice and used it to paint us as evil. Jealous, no doubt, of our influence and numbers."

Kong smirked, eyes gleaming with amusement. "But tell me, Kai—does that sound like an 'evil sect' to you?"

Kai wasn't sure what to say.

Kong continued, "There is no single direction guiding us toward 'evil,' if that's what you're asking. We simply do not concern ourselves with the approval of self-proclaimed righteous sects."

Feeling a little uncomfortable, Kai changes the topic

“I've heard the term Cultivation many times now. What are the mechanics?”

Elder Kong Tianba frowned. "Mechanics? I am unfamiliar with this term. But if you are asking about the path of cultivation, then listen well."

“Qi is the lifeforce energy that permeates all living things. It is the foundation of cultivation techniques, the force that separates mortals from those who walk the path of power. The stronger one’s Qi, the closer they are to immortality and divinity. A cultivator’s entire journey is defined by their ability to absorb, refine, and wield Qi efficiently.”

He continued, "Qi is not limited to combat. It can strengthen the body, enhance martial techniques, enable Lightness Skills for movement, and even be used for healing crafts. Mastering Qi is mastering one’s existence."

“To the best of my knowledge, there exist four great realms, yet I am certain that many more lie beyond our understanding.”

“The Mortal Realm is the world of your origin, where technology has taken the place of cultivation due to the absence of Qi refinement.”

“This realm is known as the Ascendant Realm, a land where true cultivators thrive—a world dominated by sects, ancient clans, and martial supremacy.”

“Beyond it lies the Divine Realm, the highest plane of existence, where only legendary immortals ascend after transcending their mortal limitations.”

“Lastly, there is the Nether Realm, a dark abyss ruled by chaos, where demons and corrupted cultivators dwell, wielding forbidden power.”

He then began to outline the Nine Stages of Cultivation, each step marking a cultivator’s arduous journey toward immortality.

“The first stage is Qi Initiation—the moment a cultivator awakens their senses to the flow of Qi in the world, learning to draw it into their body for the first time. It is a fragile state, where one must grasp the essence of energy before true cultivation can begin.

Next comes Qi Refinement, where the body is strengthened, and the raw energy gathered is purified into a usable force. Many falter here, unable to endure the grueling process of internal tempering, their foundations forever incomplete.

Beyond that is Foundation Establishment, the first true step toward power. At this stage, a cultivator stabilizes their meridians, forging internal Qi pathways strong enough to withstand greater energy flow. With a firm foundation, one can aspire to greater heights—without it, their cultivation is doomed to collapse.

Then, there is Core Formation. Here, the cultivator condenses all their refined Qi into a solid core within their dantian, forming the very heart of their power. This core amplifies their strength and unlocks deeper techniques, separating common martial artists from true cultivators.

True power begins at Nascent Soul. At this stage, the cultivator gives birth to a spiritual avatar within themselves—a miniature version of their soul, capable of independent thought and action. From this point on, their mastery over Qi reaches new heights, and their lifespan extends far beyond mortal limits.

Yet even the Nascent Soul is but a stepping stone. The Soul Ascension stage follows, where one’s control over their spirit becomes absolute. At this level, a cultivator can project their consciousness outward, manipulate energy with mere thought, and exist in both the physical and ethereal planes.

All cultivation roads ultimately lead to Transcendence Tribulation. It is the heavens’ judgment, a test that no mortal can escape. When a cultivator reaches this stage, divine lightning descends, flames from the void roar, and reality itself bends against them. It is the greatest challenge, where countless prodigies have perished, their dreams reduced to ashes. Those who pass shall ascend to the divine Realm as immortals.

“Cultivators who succumb to corruption, consumed by power and vengeance, inevitably enter the Nether Realm through Demonic Ascension instead. Though feared across all realms, demonic cultivators wield strength beyond mortal comprehension. Yet, few who tread this path retain their sanity—most are devoured by the very darkness they embrace.”

He paused, his gaze piercing as he concluded, “This is the path of cultivation—the ascent to divinity or the plunge into damnation.”

Kai grew contemplative. In the Mortal Realm, countless philosophies had mentioned about the the existence of heaven and hell, moral dualities that mirrored the Divine and Nether Realms. Were these merely mortal interpretations of these higher realms? The realms could be perceived as separate dimensions, yet the very concept of cultivation suggested progression—a structured ascension from one existence to the next. But what of the countless mortals who never embarked on this path? So many mortals living in the Mortal Realm had lived their entire without stepping beyond their world.

Taking a deep breath, Kai tried to steady his thoughts. “So where do I stand?”

Kong’s gaze grew sharper, unreadable. “Your case is… abnormal.”

He continued, "Normally, a cultivator only learns techniques they can handle at their level. Even if they obtain advanced manuals, their body simply cannot harness the power."

He exhaled. "But you are different. Your cultivation level is only at Qi Refinement, yet the Celestial Eclipse Manual has already imparted the techniques of the highest level to you."

Kai paled. "So I skipped the tutorial and went straight to the first level boss??"

Kong frowned. "...I do not understand those words, but yes. Your body is like a small vessel, it is not able to hold much Qi."

He gestured toward Kai’s hands. "Without a Core, which is only developed at a later stage, your Qi reserve is too small to wield the Celestial Eclipse techniques at will. That is why they only activate when your life is in danger—your survival instinct forcefully condenses your Qi, allowing you to momentarily unleash immense power. But this is unsustainable and dangerous."

Kai exhaled. "So what can I do?"

Kong’s voice was firm. "You must train. You need to increase the size of your qi vessel by strengthening your cultivation base. Without proper Qi circulation, your power is nothing but uncontrolled bursts."

He placed a hand on Kai’s shoulder. "I will impart to you the sect’s meditation techniques. Through them, you will learn to absorb, refine, and condense Qi, stabilizing your power. Only then will you become worthy of the title Sect Lord of the Obsidian Peak Sect."

Kai groaned. "Great. Homework."

Liu Yu giggled. "Look on the bright side, Sect Leader, if you fail, we’ll just watch you get beaten up again."

Kai sighed.