Chapter 3: Shadows of the Ruined Ember

Lan Mei tried to stand, but her legs buckled. Kai Tianxie caught her arm before she fell, steadying her with careful strength.

The Crimson Ember Sect lay ahead like a forgotten grave. Grass choked the cracked stone paths; the grand gate had long since crumbled to rubble. Inside, everything was destroyed—collapsed pavilions, overgrown courtyards, the air thick with the stench of decay: dog excrement, rotting animal carcasses, mold. No one had visited in years. It felt haunted, abandoned.

Better to keep her outside for now. Kai guided her to the shade of a large tree just beyond the broken entrance and helped her sit against the trunk.

"Wait here," he said quietly. "I'll bring water."

Lan Mei nodded weakly, eyes half-lidded but still sharp with that stubborn fire.

Kai turned toward the river—about 1.7 kilometers away, roughly eighteen minutes at a mortal's pace. As a cultivator, even at his current level, he could cover it in nine.

He retrieved his gourd from his belt and set off at a brisk walk.

Halfway there, he mentally called for the system.

A notification shimmered into view.

[Starter Pack & World Overview Unlocked]

The interface displayed his basic stats—minimal, as expected—then expanded into a detailed breakdown of Aether's cultivation foundations.

Core Foundations

Qi and Meridian Network - The backbone of power. All draw from ambient qi (air, ley lines, spirit veins). Meridians channel it to the dantian (energy core). Blockages or damage suppress realms. No lifespan cost—progression via refining qi purity/quantity (meditation, combat, resources).

Qi Types- Pure Qi (neutral base), Elemental Qi (fire/water/etc., affinity awakens at Qi Condensation), Demonic Qi (from beasts like demonic chickens—raw power boost, but >30% risks qi deviation: hallucinations, mutations).

He stepped over cracked roots, the gourd bumping his hip, while the interface scrolled in his mind

Affinity System - Fixed "nature" awakens on first breakthrough (e.g., fire for aggression, wood for healing). Immutable, like Ansh natures, derived from soul essence. Synergies enhance techniques.

Depletion Mechanics: Qi exhaustion lowers vitality (Lan Mei's 18% from starvation/qi drain caused meridian cracks). Recover via spirit stones, elixirs, natural absorption—no age trade.

Then came the realm progression table:

Here is the cultivation realm info:

Realm - Description - Key Abilities - Breakthrough Requirements - Risks/Penalties

Qi Condensation (Mortal Tier) - Form dantian; basic enhancement.Heightened senses, minor qi projection.

Vitality: 100-300%.

Absorb 100 qi strands via meditation; affinity awakens.

Qi deviation (impure sources) causes explosion, drops to mortal.

Foundation Establishment (Earth Tier) - Forge stable meridians;aura suppression.

Sub-layers: 3. Short flight, aura pressure.

Vitality: 300-800%.

Refine qi with herbs/pills; minor tribulation (wind/earth).

Injuries suppress realm; bottleneck failure wastes resources.

Core Formation (Heaven Tier) - Condense golden core;elemental mastery.

Sub-layers: 5. Core explosions, borrow elements.

Vitality: 800-2000%.

High-grade pills + insight; major tribulation (lightning).

Core shatter reverts to Foundation; demonic qi risks berserk corruption.

Nascent Soul (Immortal Tier) - Birth soul avatar; body regeneration.

Sub-layers: 7. Soul scouting, partial immortality.

Vitality: 2000-5000%. Soul-tempering treasures + heart demon tribulation.

Soul wounds cause amnesia; failure scatters essence.

And beyond are realms whispered in legends...

Trade Confirmation - You traded 1000 years of your previous life as an Ansh—a legendary being who traded life fragments for power. In exchange, you received the Strongest Sovereign System and your two abilities (Eye of Wisdom, Sect Member Power Borrow). Your soul, system, and abilities are now merged. No further trades are possible—you exhausted that option in your past life.

Kai paled, stopping mid-step. "What are you saying? Ansh? That can't be right. I'm only Kai Tianxie."

System - You have forgotten your autobiography, but general knowledge remains. Remember—you said "molecule" to Li Yun earlier.

Kai exhaled slowly. "Yes... you're right. I still have the knowledge." A faint smile touched his lips. "It's terrifying... but I can live again. A fresh start. No regrets."

He reached the river, filled the gourd with clear water, and started back.

On the return path, he asked mentally, "You won't tell me anything more, I guess?"

System - No.

When Kai arrived at the tree, Lan Mei was still there—pale, but breathing steadily. But she wasn't alone.

Another woman stood nearby, watching them with guarded eyes. She was striking: sharp features, dark robes patched but elegant, a faint aura of suppressed cultivation. From the way she carried herself—familiar with the ruins, lingering near the entrance—she seemed connected to this place.

Kai's instincts sharpened thinking. Previous sect leader's affair? Woyn Sin's lover, perhaps?

The woman met his gaze, expression unreadable.

Lan Mei stirred. "Who's she?"

The newcomer spoke first, voice low and measured. "I could ask you the same. Why is the new sect leader carrying water for a half-dead rogue... and why does this ruin suddenly feel less empty?"

Kai set the gourd down carefully. Tension hung in the air like qi before a storm.