StormHeaven Sect – Entrance Courtyard, Early Morning
Morning sunlight sparkled across the jade-tiled courtyard, but the true brightness was on the disciples' faces — a mixture of tension and hope.
Today was unlike any other. The eleven Elders of StormHeaven Sect had arrived in person — to select their new disciples. Such a day only came once every ten years.
The sky was clear, but the air carried a strange pressure. Every young disciple standing in the courtyard wore either confident pride… or carefully hidden fear. All waited for one thing — the Elders' Selection.
Today, the future of every new disciple would be decided. Whoever an Elder chose would become their master — and under them, they would learn the path of cultivation.
Before a large raised platform stood five prominent Elders of the sect — three men and two women:
Elder Xu Ling – Elder of the Fire Spirit lineage
Elder Yuwei – Swordmaster of Wind Valley
Elder Qian Mo – Lightning Blade Sect Elder
Elder Duan Shan – Dark Metal Sect Elder
Elder Jinyao Mei – Mist Veil Sect Elder
> And above them all, Elder Ren Xio, known as "The Calm Thunder", a Peak Saint Realm cultivator, stood silently, observing everything. Nothing escaped his eyes.
He spoke in a steady voice:
> "Among those whose talents have been approved, each will be selected by one Elder."
One by one, the disciples stepped forward. Each had their background, talent, and family status assessed.
---
Zeravon stood among them — calm on the outside, broken within.
> "I passed all the tests… I qualified… yet they're all ignoring me? Just because I don't come from a noble clan?"
---
As the selection continued, the Elders reviewed each disciple's talent and lineage. Those with powerful backings were quickly accepted.
Then came Ren Kairon – the so-called Crown Prince of the New Generation.
When his turn came, all the Elders turned their attention to him. After revealing his rare Sky-Blue Spirit Sense and that he was from the Ren Family — an ancestral cultivator line — every Elder smiled.
Elder Xu Ling didn't hesitate to choose him:
> "Welcome, Ren Kairon… your future is dazzling."
Ren Kairon looked arrogantly at the others — especially at Zeravon — with a mocking smirk.
> "A village boy… with some unknown glow… but no backing? Pathetic."
---
The rest of the selections continued:
Duan Wei – Explosive Core Talent (chosen by Elder Duan Shan)
Bo Lang – Ice Dual Veins (chosen by Elder Qian Mo)
Xian Hu – Sword Cultivator (chosen by Elder Yuwei)
One by one… all were chosen.
Except Zeravon.
---
Only one boy remained in the courtyard — the one whose Spirit Crystal was the most unique.
But his background?
> "A rural boy… no known ancestry… no support… and weak cultivation…"
All the Elders glanced at him once — and then ignored him.
Elder Jinyao Mei — graceful but politically powerless — turned away slowly, saddened. No one ever wanted to join her.
Zeravon stood frozen… ashamed eyes, shattered hope.
Ren Kairon whispered with a chuckle:
> "What good is your unknown glow… if no one wants you?"
Zeravon held back tears… looking down.
---
Then… a memory struck like lightning.
> "Son… keep this token. It belonged to an Elder who once saved my life. If you ever face hardship, use it." – his father, Lin Huo's voice echoed in his mind.
Zeravon quickly opened his bag… and pulled out an ancient bronze token.
He shouted:
> "Elder Jinyao Mei!"
The courtyard fell into silence. Even the wind stopped. Every gaze fixed on the glowing bronze token.
The Elder turned… slowly.
Zeravon stepped forward:
> "This token… was given to me by my father. He told me that if I ever presented it, I had the right to become your disciple."
Jinyao Mei took the token… and her eyes widened in shock.
> "This… This is Lin Huo's token… You're his son?!"
Zeravon nodded.
> "Your father once saved my life… from a rare soul poison."
> "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" – her voice carried a gentle scolding.
Zeravon replied, voice filled with quiet hurt:
> "I didn't know… that here, only name and power mattered."
She paused… then placed her hand on his shoulder:
> "Your father was a great man. And if you are his son… then I trust you. From this moment… you are my personal disciple."
Gasps filled the courtyard.
> Ren Kairon sparked lightning from his fingers and muttered, "So even pity cases get into the sect now… Let's see how long you survive."
> From a distant shadowed pavilion, someone stood watching — their gaze locked onto Zeravon.
They whispered, "Interesting…"
Even Elder Xu Ling looked surprised — Elder Jinyao Mei had never taken a disciple before.
---
Later, she asked him:
> "How's your family?"
Zeravon smiled softly:
> "They're fine… but were sad when I left."
She held his hand:
> "Come. From today, you're mine. I may not have many resources… but I will give you everything I can."
A new light burned in Zeravon's eyes. His heart, for the first time in days, felt light.
---
She instructed one disciple — Xian Hu — to show Zeravon to his room.
As they walked, Zeravon asked:
> "Senior Brother Xian Hu… can you tell me more about the StormHeaven Sect?"
Xian Hu smiled:
> "You've already met the five core Elders. Four of them have 3–5 disciples each. But you… are the only one under Elder Jinyao Mei. Besides that, many regular disciples are out completing missions to increase their cultivation."
Zeravon asked again:
> "Who is our Sect Leader? How powerful is he?"
Xian Hu replied:
> "Sect Leader Lei Xuansheng — he has reached the Peak of Sacred Manifestation Realm, and StormHeaven is ranked among the Top 10 sects."
Their conversation continued until Zeravon reached his new home. Xian Hu showed him around and then took his leave.
---
That night, Zeravon sat in his new room, holding family photos.
> "Mom… Dad… I'll come back soon. Stronger. I promise."
He then sat down for meditation… focusing on his Astral Core, trying to push his cultivation speed even higher.
---
To Be Continued...
> "The storm may welcome you today… but when the heavens remember who you are… even lightning will tremble to strike."