The inn was a humble, quiet place nestled near the eastern gates of Huoyin. The wooden beams creaked with age, and the faint smell of freshly steamed buns and tea wafted through the air. The morning light filtered in through the narrow windows, casting a golden glow over the group of merchants who sat around a large table, sharing their last meal together before parting ways.

Wuye sat with them, silently savoring the warmth of the breakfast. It had been a long time since he'd had food this good—a simple spread of congee, buns, and pickled vegetables. Yet, even as he ate, his thoughts were elsewhere. The city still overwhelmed him, its size and noise gnawing at his sense of belonging. But more than anything, his mind kept drifting back to Li Zhang, the mysterious martial artist who had saved the caravan and disappeared into the shadows just as quickly.

"Huoyin's a city of opportunity," Wen Shicai was saying, breaking Wuye's train of thought. The spice merchant was leaning back in his chair, picking his teeth with a small sliver of wood, clearly satisfied with the meal. "If you ever need to find us again, you know where to go—just head down to the western market. We'll be there selling our wares for a few more weeks before moving on."

Madam Qin nodded, her eyes warm as she smiled at Wuye. "Yes, don't be a stranger. This city can swallow you whole if you let it. Better to have friends."

Zhou An grunted in agreement. "If you ever need help with anything—anything at all—just ask around for Zhou An. People know me."

Wuye smiled and nodded, grateful for their kindness. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

As they finished their breakfast, the merchants began to gather their things, preparing to head toward the market. Wuye, however, had other plans. He had watched Li Zhang slip away earlier that morning, the man walking with his usual silent grace, as if he were a shadow passing unnoticed through the city streets.

And Wuye wasn't ready to let him go.

After exchanging farewells with the caravan, Wuye excused himself and slipped out of the inn, his eyes scanning the crowded streets for any sign of Li Zhang. It didn't take long to spot him—walking with purpose, his long strides cutting through the crowd with ease. Wuye hesitated for a moment, gathering his courage, then hurried after him.

"Li Zhang!" he called, trying to keep pace.

The martial artist stopped and turned slightly, his expression unreadable as he regarded Wuye with a raised brow.

"I… I wanted to ask if you would teach me," Wuye said, his voice trembling with uncertainty but fueled by a growing determination. "I want to learn martial arts, to become strong like you."

Li Zhang's gaze narrowed, and for a long moment, he said nothing. The silence hung heavily between them, the noise of the bustling city fading into the background. Wuye felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest, but he stood firm, his fists clenched at his sides.

"No," Li Zhang finally said, his voice cold and final. "You don't have the foundation. Martial arts are not for the weak-hearted, nor are they a path for those seeking mere strength. Go back to whatever life you had. This world will devour you if you walk a path you're not prepared for."

With that, Li Zhang turned and continued walking, his figure disappearing into the crowd.

Wuye stood frozen in place, his heart sinking. He had expected rejection, but hearing it so bluntly cut deep. He had left his village behind, survived the destruction of his home, and traveled to this vast city, only to be dismissed like a child playing at dreams.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Dejected, Wuye wandered aimlessly through the streets. The noise of the market swirled around him, but he paid little attention. His mind was clouded with doubt. What was he supposed to do now? He couldn't return to his village—it no longer existed. And without Li Zhang's guidance, how could he ever hope to defend himself, to grow strong enough to face the dangers that awaited him?

As he wandered, his feet carried him into a narrow alley, far from the busy market streets. The noise faded, and the air grew cooler in the shadow of the tall buildings. Wuye leaned against a wall, his shoulders slumping as he let out a heavy sigh. The weight of his despair pressed down on him, suffocating any hope he had left.

But then, in the stillness of the alley, something stirred deep within his mind.

A faint pulse. A flicker of light. The Akashic Records.

Wuye gasped as a sudden rush of knowledge flooded into his mind—small, fragmented pieces, but enough to stir something within him. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation, and the records began to unlock. The hidden potential within his body—the pathways, the meridians—became clear, as if a door had opened to a new realm of possibility.

Without thinking, Wuye sank into the lotus position, his body moving instinctively. He focused inward, letting the Akashic Records guide him. The flow of energy—qi—within him was sluggish, blocked by the untapped meridians that had never been opened.

But now, he knew how to unlock them.

With deep, controlled breaths, Wuye concentrated on each meridian, willing them open one by one. Slowly, he felt the energy within him begin to stir, flowing through the newly awakened pathways in his body. It was painful at first, like forcing water through a clogged pipe, but the more he focused, the smoother the flow became.

And then, with a final surge, the blockage was gone. His meridians were open, and the energy flowed freely through him, filling him with a sense of power he had never known before.

When he opened his eyes, the world around him seemed different—sharper, more vibrant. He could feel the pulse of life in the city, the movement of the people, the energy of the world itself. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the true nature of everything around him.

He stood slowly, still marveling at the sensation, and stumbled out of the alley.

To his surprise, Li Zhang was standing there, watching him with narrowed eyes.

"You… unlocked your meridians," Li Zhang said, his voice low and laced with suspicion. "How did you—"

Wuye didn't answer, still dazed by what had just happened. But Li Zhang's expression shifted, softening slightly, though his gaze remained intense.

"I was wrong about you," Li Zhang said after a long pause. "It seems there's more to you than I first thought. To open your meridians on your own, without guidance… that is no small feat."

Wuye met his gaze, unsure of what to say.

Li Zhang sighed, crossing his arms. "Very well. I will take you as my honorary disciple. But know this: the path of martial arts is not easy. If you follow me, there will be no turning back."

Wuye nodded, determination flaring in his chest. "I understand. I'll follow you."

Li Zhang gave a short nod. "We leave for my sect in two days. Prepare yourself."

As Wuye followed Li Zhang back toward the inn, the city's noise returned, but this time it felt different. The weight of his despair had lifted, replaced by a new sense of purpose. The path ahead was uncertain, but now, he had someone to guide him.

Far away, over a vast, storm-tossed sea, the dark figure of the pursuer hovered in the air, lightning flashing across the sky in vivid streaks of rainbow-colored light. The storms swirled around him, the violent winds howling as the sea below churned in chaos.

Before him, the spirit he had been chasing was trapped, its form flickering and weak.

"You… traitor…" the spirit hissed, its voice laced with venom. "How dare you betray your master… you, an unfilial disciple."

The pursuer's eyes glowed with dark energy, his expression twisted with fury. "You forced my hand, old man. Your time was over, and now… so is your defiance."

With a snarl, the pursuer unleashed his dark energy, wrapping it around the spirit and forcing his mind into it, soul-searching with brutal precision. The spirit howled in agony, writhing in the grip of the dark energy.

But what the pursuer found only stoked his anger further.

"The relic…" he growled. "its gone. No longer with you."

The spirit cackled weakly, even as its form began to unravel. "You'll… never… find them."

The pursuer's shout of rage echoed across the stormy sea, his dark energy erupting around him in a violent torrent as the storm grew even more ferocious. The sky cracked with rainbow-colored lightning, and the sea churned as if in response to his fury.

The hunt was far from over.