Asura Clan Sacred Pavilion – Morning of the Awakening
The sun rose over Hoshin Valley, casting silver rays upon the floating peaks. The winds were strange today—charged, almost whispering. As if the world itself held its breath.
Beneath the great temple canopy carved into the mountainside sat Elder Genkai, the 9th Elder of the Asura Clan. He was ancient, his skin like cracked bark, his breath slow but deep—each inhale drawing in the valley's spirit mist like incense.
Around him gathered over sixty youths, all children of the Asura Clan, aged seventeen. Robes of black with crimson linings fluttered as they sat cross-legged, each in respectful silence.
All except one—Kuro, seated at the back, like a forgotten shadow.
"I heard he has no qi sense at all..."
"The 7th son of the Clan Head? More like a failed root."
"Useless and mute. Even the family dogs don't bark at him."
Kuro didn't respond.
He simply stared ahead, eyes fixed on the ancient elder whose every breath echoed with power.
The 9th Elder finally opened his mouth—and the wind stilled.
The Three Pillars of Cultivation
"Children," Elder Genkai began, "know this: In our world, cultivation is not just strength. It is survival. It is legacy. It is will."
He tapped his staff on the ground, and a glowing formation spread across the stone floor. In it, three pillars shimmered:
1. Divine Body.
2. Spiritual Root.
3. Ki Hands.
"All three must awaken for a cultivator to rise beyond mortality."
He pointed at the first.
"Divine Body—this is your foundation. Some are born with a strong one. Some awaken it through pain. Yours will awaken tonight. You will feel your spirit burn and your blood ripple. If you are fortunate, the altar will awaken something rare within you."
"The stronger the Divine Body, the greater the strength you will command. A weak body? You'll die before you ever reach the Second Realm."
He pointed to the second.
"Spiritual Root—your inner channel. This decides how fast you can absorb ki, circulate it, and refine it. Some roots are common. Some are heaven-grade."
A brief pause. His gaze brushed past Kuro.
"Some are... missing."
Gasps.
"Now, the third. The most visible. The most prestigious—Ki Hands."
The formation shifted. Ten spectral hands floated above them—glowing in various colors.
"These hands represent your potential. Each one a force of spiritual energy that will grow stronger with you. Your combat style, your growth rate, and your battle instincts will be shaped by how many hands you awaken."
"And what color they shine."
Colors of the Ki Hands
The glowing hands shifted in color—ten different hues danced in the air. Genkai raised his hand as he recited them.
Gray – Common. Most awaken this. Offers no unique power.
Blue – Water-aligned. Great for healers or flow-based techniques.
Green – Nature-bound. Enhances regeneration and poison affinity.
Yellow – Earth-based. Increases defense and body hardness.
Red – Fire-attuned. Boosts destructive power.
White – Wind-bound. Fast, agile, ideal for light-body techniques.
Purple – Lightning-born. Rare. Great burst power.
Gold – Rarest among clans. Implies royal ki. Great command presence.
Black – Forbidden. No known user has survived beyond the early realms.
Crimson Radiant – Legendary. Belonged only to the Founding Asura.
Silence fell.
"Only one man in the history of our clan awakened ten crimson radiant hands. The Founding Patriarch of the Asura Clan. A man whose ki shattered mountains, who reached Cultivation Level 9 – Lower Realm."
"He disappeared three hundred years ago. Some say he tried to enter Level 10. Others say... he was devoured by the heavens."
Whispers rippled.
"No one has awakened ten hands since."
"Some barely reach four."
"Even the strongest in our clan today... have six or seven."
Elder Genkai closed the formation.
"Tomorrow, your fate will be sealed."
Cultivation Levels Explained
A boy raised his hand. "Elder... what are the cultivation levels?"
The old man gave a small grin. "You ask with the innocence of the unawakened. Good."
He waved his staff again, and a vertical diagram of glowing steps appeared in the air.
Cultivation Levels (1 to 9)
Each divided into: Lower, Middle, and Peak Realms.
Foundation Realm – Begin to circulate ki. Form your core. Most die here.
Meridian Realm – Open your spiritual veins. Move ki freely.
Body Reinforcement Realm – Strengthen flesh, bones, blood.
Spirit Confluence Realm – Connect spirit with nature. Begin elemental techniques.
Warrior Ascension Realm – Move beyond mortal limits. Weapons become extensions of will.
Heaven Pulse Realm – Hear the world's heartbeat. Control minor domains.
Middle Ascension Realm – Command spiritual territories. You become a clan pillar.
Celestial Vein Realm – Link ki to stars. You are no longer bound to earth.
Void Creation Realm – Unknown. Forbidden. Only the Patriarch reached it.
"As for Level 10…" the elder's smile faded.
"...we do not speak of it."
Asura Clan's Shame?
After the lecture, the crowd dispersed. The Awakening Ceremony would begin the next day at dawn.
Kuro lingered, staring at the stone altar, half-buried in moss. He stepped closer, pressing his palm to it.
For a moment... nothing.
Then a faint ripple.
A surge.
Pain.
A flash of darkness.
Kuro's eyes widened. Something pulsed within him—slow and ancient, like a beast long buried.
But it vanished just as quickly.
"Still pretending to be a cultivator?" sneered a voice behind him.
It was Raiken, fourth son of the Clan Head. Smirking, flanked by two cousins.
"Maybe you'll awaken a single gray hand and we'll call it a miracle."
"That's if the altar doesn't reject you entirely," laughed another.
Kuro didn't flinch.
"You know what happens to those who awaken forbidden hands?" Raiken hissed. "They vanish. Like your mother."
That struck deep.
But Kuro simply turned and walked away.
Across the Valley... An Audience Arrives
From a distant floating cliff, a massive sword-shaped ship slowly descended.
The Heavenly Divine Sword Clan had arrived.
Golden-armored guards stood at attention. At the bow, a young man with silver hair and piercing white eyes stared at the Asura Valley with disdain.
Tirath—Heavenly Divine Sword Clan's prodigy.
He had awakened eight golden hands at thirteen.
Now, at seventeen, he was already in Spirit Confluence Peak Realm.
"So this is the infamous Asura Clan... once called monsters. Now barely a shadow."
Behind him, elders laughed quietly.
"We'll enjoy watching their humiliation tomorrow."