News, like a raven with dark tidings, traveled fast, even to the quiet, elegant peaks where the Falling Lotus Sect made its home. Lan Mei, the sect's prized prodigy, with hair like snow and an air of silent grace, heard the reports of the attack on the Shaolin Sect. The details were sparse, brutal whispers of black fire and total annihilation. And amidst the grim accounts, one name surfaced – Sun Shi. The boy who fought with impossible speed and a strange, dual energy. The boy she had faced in the tournament final.
The news hit Lan Mei like a physical blow. Sun Shi… dead? Burned to ash with his sect? A cold knot formed in her stomach. He was arrogant, yes, and frustratingly unconventional, but there was something undeniably real about him, a spark she hadn't seen in any other fighter. He represented a challenge, a rival she had already decided she needed to overcome. And now, he was gone, wiped away by the same dark force that carried the whispers of the Obsidian Moon Sect.
A quiet fury, like ice forming in her veins, began to build. She didn't know much about the Obsidian Moon Sect, only that they were feared, whispered about in hushed tones. They were the thunder the Chief had spoken of, and they had just struck down a 'spark' that was just beginning to rise. Lan Mei walked to the edge of her training platform, looking out at the mist-filled valleys below. Her hands, usually so steady, clenched into fists.
They took him. They took the chance for a rematch. They extinguished a unique light.
"Obsidian Moon Sect," she murmured, the name a bitter taste on her tongue. Her silent grace hardened into cold resolve. "You took him. You took their sect. You will pay." Standing beneath the vast, indifferent sky, Lan Mei made a silent vow. She would train harder than ever before. She would master the Falling Lotus style to its absolute peak. She would become strong enough, not just to win tournaments, but to face the darkness that dared to extinguish the light of others. She swore she would be strong enough to take revenge on the Obsidian Moon Sect. Her path was now clear, carved by loss and a burning desire for retribution.
Meanwhile, far from elegant peaks and whispered vows, Sun Shi was simply trying to survive. After the horror at the Shaolin Sect, after watching everything he knew turn to ash and smoke from the cliffside, he had run. He ran without a plan, guided only by instinct and the desperate need to put distance between himself and the carnage. He found himself deep in sprawling woods, a wilderness that knew nothing of martial arts or sect rivalries.
The first few days were a harsh test. His child's body was still weak, unused to the rigors of true survival in the wild. But the mind within remembered. He remembered documentaries about survivalists, lessons learned on harsh training exercises in his old life. He used stones to make crude tools. He identified edible plants and berries, relying on knowledge gleaned from unexpected sources in his previous existence. He learned to track small game, setting snares and using sharpened sticks. He found a small cave near a hidden mountain spring, a place that felt out of sight, away from any roads or villages.
He began to build. With clumsy child hands, guided by an adult's memory, he snapped branches, lashed them together with vines, and built a temporary shelter against the elements. It was rough, nothing like the buildings he knew, but it was dry and offered protection. He learned to make fire without modern tools, a frustrating but ultimately rewarding process. Slowly, painstakingly, he carved out a meager, sustainable life in the wild.
Survival was demanding, a constant, physical struggle. But even exhausted, even hungry, Sun Shi did not forget why he was alive. Revenge. The faces of the Chief, Instructor Li, and the other disciples, burning in his memory against the backdrop of the destroyed sect, fueled a cold fire in his belly. And fueling that fire was his Chi core – the swirling Yin and Yang within him.
He began to train again, starting with the basics, just as he had done when he first arrived in this world. He practiced his stances until his legs burned. He threw punches until his small fists ached. And in the quiet solitude of the wilderness, he focused on his Chi. He would sit for hours by the spring, feeling the subtle energy in the air, the earth, the trees. He learned to draw it in, to channel it, to guide it through his meridians.
The dual nature of his core was a constant challenge. Yin pulled one way, Yang the other, a chaotic storm that needed a master. He spent countless hours simply trying to understand their relationship, their push and pull, their terrifying balance. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. The seasons changed around his small camp. The leaves turned from green to gold, then fell to cover the forest floor in a thick carpet before snow covered everything in white silence. Then, slowly, the green returned, the world bursting back to life.
And through it all, Sun Shi trained. He didn't just cultivate; he experimented. He used his knowledge of physics and biology from his old life, combining it with the new understanding of energy and flow he gained from Chi. He pushed the boundaries of what he thought was possible, using his dual core as the foundation for entirely new techniques.
He named his first breakthrough the Balanced Form. It wasn't an attack or a defense in the traditional sense. By extending his Yin and Yang energy subtly into his surroundings, he created a kind of invisible web, a sensitivity that went beyond his physical senses. He could feel the shift in the air as an opponent moved, detect the subtle vibrations of a projectile slicing through space, sense the intention behind an attack before it fully formed. It was like having eyes everywhere, a perfect awareness that allowed him to anticipate and dodge movements no matter how fast or numerous they were. Only he could perceive these swirling Yin and Yang energies around him, making his seemingly impossible dodges look like pure luck or supernatural speed to others.
His next creation was the Imperial Clone. By mixing a significant amount of his Yin and Yang energy, he could project a perfect replica of himself. This clone wasn't just an illusion; it possessed his knowledge of martial arts and could fight alongside him. It was a powerful tool for distraction, flanking, or overwhelming an opponent, but it came at a cost – creating and maintaining the clone drained a considerable amount of his precious energy.
He also refined his Malefic Force, the technique he had used to defeat Lan Mei. He learned to control the explosive interaction of Yin and Yang outside his body, sending blasts of dual energy as a projectile. He could make it explode on impact for short-range power, or condense it into a focused beam for long-range strikes. It was the raw power of his core, unleashed with precision.
Finally, he developed Energy Travel. This was a complex technique, requiring precise control. He used his Yin energy to 'sense' or 'remember' a location he knew, essentially marking it in his mind's eye. Then, he would use a surge of Yang energy to instantaneously transport his physical body to that marked location. It wasn't true teleportation in the sense of going anywhere, but it allowed him to move between known places with incredible speed and surprise.
Three years passed in this solitary life of survival and relentless training. Sun Shi, now fifteen, his body lean and hardened by the wilderness, had transformed. He had mastered the basic fundamentals of his Celestial Core and forged his own unique path in martial arts, blending forgotten knowledge from another world with the unique power of his dual Chi. He knew his mastery was far from perfect, the true depths of the Celestial Core still a mystery, but he had built a foundation of incredible strength and versatility.
He knew he couldn't stay hidden forever. His vengeance required interacting with the Murim world, understanding its powers, and finding those responsible for the Shaolin's destruction. Leaving his mountain refuge behind, he traveled. He moved carefully, avoiding well-trodden paths and large settlements, observing the world from the periphery. He learned more about the major sects, confirming that the Obsidian Moon Sect was indeed a dark power, feared by many.
His travels eventually led him to a remote, tranquil area nestled in a valley known for its vibrant green trees and crisp mountain air. Here stood a sect, unassuming compared to the grand fortresses of the major powers, yet radiating an aura of quiet strength and tradition. This was the Verdant Valley Sect.
Sun Shi approached the sect's entrance, a simple stone archway covered in moss. He took a deep breath, deliberately suppressing the immense power swirling within his core, making himself appear as just another traveling youth seeking guidance. He knocked on the large wooden door.
The door creaked open, revealing an elderly man with kind eyes and a long, grey beard – Master Kael, the leader of the Verdant Valley Sect.
"Yes, young one?" Master Kael asked, his voice gentle.
Sun Shi bowed respectfully, adopting a humble posture. "Esteemed Master, I am a solitary traveler with a deep desire to learn the ways of martial arts. I have heard of the Verdant Valley Sect's wisdom and humbly request to be taken in and taught."
Master Kael looked at Sun Shi, his gaze appraising. He looked for the tell-tale signs of Chi cultivation – the subtle aura, the flow of energy beneath the skin. He sensed nothing. The boy's body felt… empty. Like a vessel that had never held Chi. He registered the boy as "Nan," someone with no Chi core, effectively cut off from the higher levels of martial arts in this world.
A flicker of pity crossed the Master's face, quickly replaced by a thoughtful expression. Taking in students with no Chi potential was rare, usually seen as a waste of resources. Yet, there was something in the boy's eyes, a quiet intensity that hinted at a deep resolve.
"You wish to learn martial arts," Master Kael said slowly, stroking his beard. "But I sense no Chi within you. Our most profound techniques rely on cultivating and using Chi. You would be at a significant disadvantage."
Sun Shi maintained his humble facade. "Master, I understand the importance of Chi in this world. But I believe that martial arts is also about the body, the mind, and the spirit. I am willing to work harder than anyone to prove myself, even without Chi. I only ask for the chance to learn."
Master Kael studied him for another moment. There was no arrogance in his voice, only earnestness. Perhaps there was value in teaching the fundamentals, the pure physical forms, even to someone without a core. It might benefit the other students to have a dedicated peer focused solely on technique.
"Very well," Master Kael finally agreed. "You may enter. We will see if you have the dedication required. You will begin with the foundational forms."
And so, Sun Shi joined the Verdant Valley Sect. As Master Kael began teaching the foundational techniques, Sun Shi recognized them instantly. The forms, the stances, the movements – they were variations of Wushu from his old world, adapted and given new names here in Murim, including what the Master called the "7 Weapon Form." While the Verdant Valley disciples struggled with the stances and sequences, Sun Shi executed them with flawless precision, his muscle memory from a lifetime of mastery taking over. He learned the complex weapon forms for the sword, saber, spear, staff, hook swords, chain whip, and the three-sectional staff with alarming speed and perfection, internalizing the principles behind them instantly.
Master Kael was astonished by Sun Shi's progress. Despite sensing no Chi from him, the boy's understanding and execution of the physical forms were unparalleled. He moved with an efficiency and power that defied the apparent lack of energy cultivation.
When it came time to choose a primary weapon to specialize in from the 7 Weapon Form, the other disciples gravitated towards the flashy swords or powerful spears. Sun Shi, however, chose the Bo Staff. It was a simple, unadorned length of wood.
Master Kael looked at his choice, intrigued. "The staff, Shi? It is a humble weapon. Not known for its killing power."
Sun Shi held the staff, feeling its familiar weight in his hands. He thought of his vow, of the destruction he had witnessed. Killing was easy. Punishment, correction, defense – those required a different kind of skill, a different kind of weapon.
"Master," Sun Shi replied, his voice quiet but firm, "the staff cannot kill. But it can punish. It can deter. It can control. It allows one to discipline an opponent without taking their life. It can subdue mountains without tearing them down."
Master Kael's eyes widened slightly. That was a perspective he had not considered, a depth of thought he hadn't expected from a boy, let alone one without a Chi core. It spoke of a maturity and perhaps a philosophy that was rare. He saw not just skill, but wisdom.
Impressed and intrigued, Master Kael decided Sun Shi was more than just a diligent student. He assigned Sun Shi to be his personal assistant, keeping him close, hoping to understand the source of this remarkable boy's abilities and perspective. Sun Shi accepted, seeing it as an opportunity to learn more about the sects, the world, and perhaps gather information about the Obsidian Moon Sect.
Weeks turned into months within the peaceful confines of the Verdant Valley Sect. Sun Shi diligently performed his duties as assistant, observed the sect's workings, and continued his private training, always keeping his true power hidden.
One day, Master Kael summoned Sun Shi. "Shi," he said, holding out a sealed scroll. "I need this message delivered to the Azure River Sect. We are proposing an alliance, and this letter contains the details. It is a journey of several days. Do you feel capable of this task?"
Sun Shi bowed. "Yes, Master. I am ready."
He accepted the scroll and prepared for the journey. It was his first real mission outside the protective valley, a chance to see more of the world and carry out a task of importance. He traveled swiftly and discreetly, using his improved wilderness skills and occasionally employing brief, undetectable bursts of Energy Travel when truly necessary, always careful not to reveal his abilities.
After several days of travel, he arrived at the location marked on the simple map Master Kael had given him. The Azure River Sect was built alongside a wide, flowing river, its buildings graceful and seemingly integrated with the natural landscape.
He presented himself at their gate and was eventually led to the main hall where the Master of the Azure River Sect, a stern-looking woman with eyes like chips of ice, greeted him.
"You are from the Verdant Valley Sect?" she asked, her voice cool.
"Yes, Master," Sun Shi replied, bowing and presenting the scroll. "Master Kael sends this message, proposing an alliance between our sects."
The Azure River Sect Master took the scroll, her gaze lingering on Sun Shi for a moment before she broke the seal. While she began to read the contents, Sun Shi respectfully turned to leave, his mission complete.
He took a few steps towards the exit of the hall.
"Sun Shi?" a voice called out from the side, sharp with disbelief and recognition.
Sun Shi froze. That name. His real name. Only a handful of people in this world knew it, and most of them were...gone. He slowly turned his head towards the sound.
His eyes met those of someone he never expected to see here. Someone he thought had likely perished or was hiding like he was.