The Awakening

Even as he monitored the competition, Navrat had not been idle. He had spent the last few

days training Ruhi’s body, refining his control over her vessel. Though weaker than his own original body, hers had potential that could not be ignored. Every movement was practiced to perfection, every ounce of energy utilized efficiently. Navrat knew what awaited him inside the palace—traps, guardians, and competitors—and he could not afford a single mistake.

The real danger, however, was not the people gathered below. Navrat’s thoughts wandered to the secrets hidden within the palace walls. Ancient beings like the one who created this structure did not simply leave their treasures unguarded. Traps and challenges would test more than just strength; they would demand wit, resolve, and a heart unclouded by greed.

“Most of them think the traps are obstacles meant to keep them out,” Navrat muttered under his breath. “But they’re wrong. They’re meant to determine who’s truly worthy.”

The Life and Death Palace had always been shrouded in mystery. Even in his past life, only a handful of grand mages, like Nezu, had known of its true purpose. The Annexure of Life—an orb of condensed life energy created by the passing of a perfect immortal—was a treasure that few could even comprehend, let alone find. The fact that this palace had reappeared after 250 years was nothing short of extraordinary.

“I doubt anyone here knows about the Annexure of Life,” Navrat mused, his eyes narrowing. “They’ll chase after surface-level treasures, unaware of what truly lies beneath.”

As the first rays of dawn pierced the horizon on the fourth day, the atmosphere around the palace grew electric. A low hum reverberated through the air, silencing the chatter of the camps. The palace gates, sealed for centuries, began to glow with an eerie light. Runes etched into their surface pulsed rhythmically, growing brighter with each passing moment.

The ground trembled as if the earth itself was awakening.

Navrat shifted slightly on the branch, his gaze fixed on the palace. “It’s starting,” he murmured.

With a deafening crack, the seal on the gates shattered, sending shards of energy flying into the sky like shooting stars. The massive gates groaned as they began to part, revealing a dark, foreboding interior. An oppressive energy spilled forth, enveloping the clearing. It was as though the palace was issuing a silent challenge: only the worthy may enter.

Predictably, the impatient among the crowd couldn’t restrain themselves. A handful of cultivators rushed forward, their eyes gleaming with greed. They were the first to test the palace’s resolve—and the first to pay the price. As they crossed the threshold, a wave of energy erupted from the gates, vaporizing them instantly. The blast surged outward,

obliterating nearby camps and scattering debris across the clearing.

From his vantage point, Navrat watched the chaos unfold with an expression of mild amusement. “Fools. They couldn’t even wait for the energy to stabilize.”

The energy wave eventually subsided, leaving a scorched silence in its wake. Survivors picked themselves up, shaken but more cautious. Slowly, groups began advancing toward the gates, their steps measured and wary. Navrat adjusted his hood, ensuring his face remained hidden, and slipped into the crowd. He moved with the practiced ease of someone accustomed to avoiding attention, blending seamlessly with the others as they entered the palace.

Inside, the Life and Death Palace was even more imposing than its exterior. Towering columns stretched toward a ceiling shrouded in shadow, while massive staircases spiraled

upward into the unknown. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, and the walls seemed to hum with a life of their own. Most of the competitors rushed toward the upper floors, eager to claim the treasures rumored to be hidden there. Navrat, however, had no interest in following the herd.

He veered left, heading toward a side corridor that seemed almost deliberately overlooked. His movements were deliberate but unassuming, drawing little attention. A few cultivators noticed his deviation, their expressions filled with mockery. They whispered among themselves, dismissing him as a fool chasing certain death. Navrat ignored them.

The corridor eventually led him to a massive, ornate door. Its surface was covered in intricate seals that radiated a powerful energy—an energy that felt both alive and ancient. Navrat placed a hand on the door, sensing the barrier that prevented entry. Only

those who possessed the energy of life and death could open it.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and began forming hand signs with incredible speed. His fingers moved with precision, each gesture unlocking a fragment of the seal. As he completed the final sign, he chanted, “Heaven’s Domain: Fourth Fold Eternal Life, Fifth Fold Eternal Death!”

A burst of energy erupted from Ruhi’s body, shattering the seals effortlessly. The door creaked open, revealing a path that led into the depths of the palace. Without hesitation, Navrat stepped inside, breaking into a sprint as he navigated the labyrinth of traps that awaited him.

The walls came alive with defenses, launching razor-sharp spikes, activating hidden pits, and firing blasts of energy. Navrat moved like a shadow, his steps silent and precise. He used Shadow Step at its full potential, pushing Ruhi’s

body to its limits but never beyond. Each trap was bypassed effortlessly, his movements a blend of instinct and experience.

By the time he reached the first hidden floor, he hadn’t even broken a sweat. The room was a dimly lit square, its torches casting flickering shadows on the walls. At its center stood a colossal centipede, its segmented body coiled tightly. Multiple red eyes glared at him, and venom dripped from its mandibles.

Navrat sighed, his voice tinged with annoyance. “What a drag.”

Realizing that his actions on this floor wouldn’t be sensed outside, he decided there was no need to hold back. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned Ahoshin, a beautiful female spirit who materialized before him in a burst of light. She bowed deeply, her presence filling the room with an overwhelming aura.

“At your service, Master,” she said, her voice melodic yet commanding.

Navrat raised an eyebrow. “Ahoshin, at least try to control your power. Learn from Oni.”

“I will, Master,” she replied with a playful smile. “Though you’ve said that a hundred times.”

With a wicked grin, Ahoshin disappeared, her figure becoming a blur. The centipede roared, its voice trembling with fear, but it didn’t stand a chance. In less than five moves, Ahoshin had reduced the beast to a lifeless husk, her efficiency brutal and elegant.

“Good job,” Navrat said simply. “Now rest.”

Ahoshin bowed once more before vanishing into her domain. Navrat stepped over the centipede’s remains, continuing deeper into the palace. Each floor presented new challenges, but none were enough to slow him down.

Finally, he arrived at the third and final hidden floor. At its center was a majestic memorial, and above it floated the Annexure of Life—a golden orb that radiated an aura of pure energy. Navrat approached it slowly, his steps reverent. He bowed deeply before the memorial, paying his respects to the fallen divinity whose energy fueled the palace.

As he did, a formation activated, projecting a fragment of memory into the air. The blurry figure of an ancient being appeared, their voice echoing through the chamber.

“I don’t know who you are or what your intentions may be, but you have passed my test. You are worthy to receive the technique I dedicated my life to creating. Take my final belongings as a gift.”

Navrat watched intently as the figure began demonstrating a series of intricate movements. Each gesture carried an overwhelming sense of power, the culmination of a lifetime of

mastery. The figure’s voice rang out once more: “Calamity Art: Origin of Destruction.”

The memory ended, and the knowledge of the technique transferred into Navrat’s soul. He felt it settle within him, a power unlike anything he had ever known. Turning his attention to the Annexure of Life, he seated himself before it, preparing for what would be seven months of grueling training.

Time passed unnoticed as Navrat absorbed the orb’s energy, pushing his cultivation to new heights. By the end of his training, he had surpassed his previous life’s strength, reaching the peak of Advanced Transcendent.

As he left the palace, he turned back one last time, bowing to the memorial. “Thank you, Elder Zakhia. I will honor your legacy.”

With his newfound strength and treasures, Navrat disappeared into the horizon, ready to

face the challenges that awaited him in the capital.