The silence of the night gradually unraveled before the first golden rays of dawn. The eastern mountain range, like the towering walls of an ancient citadel, stood as a boundary between the hush of night and the awakening of day. Behind them, the sun—eternal emperor of the heavens—rose in majestic grandeur, spreading its radiant crown across existence.
Amber beams, like rivers of light, flowed through the rugged stones of the mountains, bathing dewdrops in a fiery and golden celestial embrace. A cool breeze, like the gentle fingertips of morning, caressed the skin of the earth; the scent of damp soil and fresh leaves mingled with the aroma of sleeping grass in the air.
Even the shadows that had enveloped the land now slowly retreated at the sun's first rise, making way for the light. From the distance, the songs of early birds emerged from the heart of the forest, as if heralding a new day.
In one quiet corner of this awakened nature, calm yet piercing eyes opened.
Chiantai Wuji awoke without a moment's hesitation. Calm, certain, and flawless—as if sleep had never claimed him. He lived by principles, and among them, rising early was key. He was well acquainted with the saying, "Early to rise brings prosperity."
He remained motionless for a few moments, allowing the soft warmth of morning, the crisp mountain air, and the birds' songs to merge within him—a moment of silent reflection and inner stillness that few understood. It was in such moments that inspiration came to Chiantai Wuji—insights that played a significant role in his growth and development. As the sages say, "A single inspiration can change everything."
A light breeze swept through the damp rocks, gently stirring the trembling branches of trees. The air was pure and fresh; the scent of endless spring flowed through the forest.
Above, thin scattered clouds moved aside like translucent veils before the sun, as though they too were making way for its glorious rise. The gentle sunlight poured over the forest like a rain of starlight, reviving the earth anew.
Chiantai Wuji, still seated in silence, gazed at this astonishing display of nature. To others, it might be just a scene—but to him, it was more. It was a great inspiration.
He softly murmured under his breath, "Sunrise—the beginning of light... this!"
It seemed he had realized something. Without delay, Chiantai Wuji sat cross-legged. His hands rested gently on his knees. His mind, free of all unnecessary thoughts, focused solely on the connection between sunrise and the birth of light.
Inside the cave, a heavy silence reigned. The only audible sound was the distant chirping of small birds. It was as if even the world did not wish to disturb him. Chiantai Wuji sank into deep concentration.
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Forest of Falling Stars—
"Are you sure he's here?"
"Beyond sure. The Spirit Gold Wasp never makes mistakes."
Two black-clad figures stood on a tree branch, both masked, their identities obscured.
The one on the right held a golden insect in his hand. It was a wasp, shimmering in golden hues—a Spirit Gold Wasp.
This insect had a special ability to locate individuals based on their aura. It was an excellent aid for an assassin.
"Oh, look... it seems the Spirit Gold Wasp is pointing in a direction," said the figure on the left.
The one on the right replied calmly, "It seems it's found the target. Let's move before it's too late."
"Alright..." the left figure nodded.
With that, both vanished.
...
Time passed. The sun had now fully risen beyond the mountains, its golden light streaming uninterrupted through the open forest, falling upon stones, leaves, and the veins of spring waters.
Amid this grandeur, Chiantai Wuji opened his eyes.
A calm yet powerful aura radiated around him. Behind him, faint images of a sun above a forest and mountains had formed—images that, upon closer look, mirrored the real world outside.
Having completed his cultivation, Chiantai Wuji now bore a gaze filled with awe. A deep joy was visible in his eyes—as if he had attained something of immense value.
"This is truly a Martial Intent. I've succeeded in comprehending a Martial Intent at the Acquired Realm," he said with emotion in his voice. He knew well the meaning of Martial Intent.
Martial Intent is the tangible manifestation of an abstract understanding. It is a bond between the mind, spirit, and technique—or concept. Unlike martial techniques, Martial Intent originates from the soul and mind and is typically attained through deep internal insight.
It is simple to say, but in truth, extremely difficult to achieve. One must immerse themselves repeatedly in a specific concept to reach such depth of understanding. Without that, one can only let the concept go. Thus, attaining Martial Intent requires profound comprehension.
Some are fortunate enough to gain sudden inspiration during a life-and-death situation—but such circumstances are perilous, and few succeed unless exceptionally lucky.
As Chiantai Wuji moved, the image behind him faded. Reflecting on what had just occurred, he thought, "It seems a kind of mental unity formed between me and the sunrise. That unity allowed me to comprehend the Yang Martial Intent."
There was another path to understanding Martial Intent—establishing unity of mind with a concept. Yet this was even rarer, and only those with exceptional talent reached it. These individuals possessed extraordinary martial perception and far surpassed others in comprehension.
"The Yang Martial Intent is rare. Everything positive in the world aligns with Yang. Therefore, it will be of great benefit to me. I must focus on it more in the future," Chiantai Wuji thought, sketching a path for his future.
Like martial techniques, Martial Intents were categorized by level—though differentiated solely by comprehension. For instance, his Yang Martial Intent had just entered the Initial Level. Above that lay the Mastery Level.
Naturally, Martial Intent at the Mastery Level had a deeper and more powerful effect than one at the Initial Level. Historical records stated that the effect of a Martial Intent at Mastery Level could be up to four times stronger than at Initial Level.
After a moment, Chiantai Wuji took a deep breath. The crisp morning air, infused with the moisture of rocks and forest soil, still lingered. From his spatial ring, he drew out thin slices of monster meat from the previous day. He lit a small fire; soft smoke rose, filling the cave with a sweet, familiar smoky scent. Though not a skilled cook, he had enough ability to meet his needs.
He ate slowly—not from hunger, but to nourish his body. After reaching the Acquired Realm, strengthening the body became vital. The meat of monsters, known for their strong physique, was beneficial. As he chewed, he glanced outside. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, and dust motes danced in the air like stars in daylight. The trees stood in silence as the morning breeze swayed their leaves in a quiet, rhythmic dance.
He murmured, "Seven days have passed..."
During these seven days, the Forest of Falling Stars had been not only a refuge for his body—but for his mind and soul. He had passed through various moments, penetrated the Acquired Realm, and even grasped a Martial Intent. One could say his journey into the forest had been fruitful.
After finishing his meal, he extinguished the fire. Packing his belongings into his spatial ring, he stepped toward the cave's mouth. Chiantai Wuji looked once more at the sunlight. The scene that inspired him today had given him the rare opportunity to comprehend Martial Intent.
He did not know if such a catalyst would ever come again. Shaking his head, he stepped outside. The warm light kissed his cheek—his skin glowed like divine jade beneath it. The ground was firm beneath his feet, and the air carried the scent of promise.
"It's time to leave the Forest of Falling Stars," he said to himself.
With his decision made, Chiantai Wuji used a movement technique—and in an instant, vanished from the cave entrance.