Morning mist clung to the edges of the broken dojo.
Han Li stood at the center, broom resting across his shoulders like a blade. His six students gathered before him, still bruised from yesterday's display.
The fox-eyed girl folded her arms. "What exactly are you teaching?"
"Survival," Han Li said calmly. "But first—destruction."
The noble heir scoffed. "We're not children."
Han Li waved a hand. A formation lit up beneath them. Their spiritual energy vanished.
"What—?!" The cursed boy gasped, clutching his chest.
"I sealed your cultivation," Han Li said. "Lesson one: Break the illusion of your power. Strip it away. Only then can you rebuild something real."
"You sealed our cores?!" the noble shouted. "Do you know who I am?!"
"No," Han Li said. "And no one else does either. That's why you're here."
Silence fell.
"You six were thrown here because you're unstable, dangerous, or disgraced. The academy won't waste time on you. But I will. If you survive."
He tossed a scroll in the dirt. "This is a forbidden cultivation method. It'll tear you apart if used wrong. But if you survive, it'll give you the first step toward controlling chaos."
The fox-eyed girl stepped forward first, eyes gleaming. "I like him."
The others hesitated.
Han Li turned toward the door. "Figure it out by sunset. Or leave."
He walked outside, broom tapping gently.
In the distance, clouds twisted unnaturally. Thunder rumbled from a clear sky.
The Sky-Eater stirred once more.
Han Li narrowed his eyes.
"Not yet," he murmured. "I need time. Just a little more time…"