Kaelan sits cross-legged, his breathing calm, his mind silent. Spiritual energy gathers around him like mist, drawn into his body as he meditates.
Within his spirit space, the dark-element runic half-crow, half-man visualisation map begins to dissolve.
The black runes shimmer, deconstructing into threads of light as he reshapes them into a new form—the storm concept runic half-crow, half-man visualisation map.
The dark element does not vanish; instead, it merges naturally into the new structure.
His creation isn't based solely on the concept of weather's storm, but also on the deeper truth of elemental storms—chaotic, devouring, rebirthing.
It allows his understanding of darkness and death to intertwine with lightning, wind, and rain, forming a storm that destroys and renews all at once.
He feels his strength fall sharply as he breaks the old structure, his mana circulation weakening.
Yet his mind remains clear, hands weaving runes in his spirit space with precision.
Minutes stretch into hours.
The flow of time fades as he rebuilds the map rune by rune until, finally, the last storm rune fuses into place.
A thunderous pulse sweeps through him.
His mana surges, and his radiation field shifts—its aura changing from the cold of darkness to the restless energy of the storm.
Lightning threads across his spirit space, and wind spirals outward, carrying faint echoes of thunder. His lost strength returns, climbing higher, fiercer.
In this new visualisation map, Kaelan has woven every fragment of his comprehension—the unity of the world's forces, the cycle of life and death—all connected by the storm's eternal rhythm.
The refinement elevates his cultivation from the initial to the intermediate stage of the Holy Fetus Realm.
Refined mana floods his meridians, nourishing his body and soul.
His physique strengthens slightly, yet stops just short of reaching the mid-level of the second stage of transcendence.
His soul, however, advances smoothly, deepening and stabilising within the storm's resonance.
Before, he could hide completely, even from early-stage transcendents.
Now, with his cultivation rising, confidence surges in his heart.
Outside, the capital grows crowded.
The day of his public preaching draws near, and martial artists from across the Tang Kingdom—and even neighbouring lands—are pouring in.
Many see his wizard path as a threat to the old ways.
They will come to challenge him, to crush the new path before it takes root.
Kaelan knows this. And he knows he must win.
The outcome of his battle will decide whether the wizard way thrives or vanishes from history.
He exhales slowly, drawing back his storm field until his aura sinks into calm invisibility.
Around him, the air stills, and his presence fades to that of an ordinary man. Radiation can harm those of lower cultivation, so he conceals it fully.
Rising from the floor, Kaelan pushes open the door of his cultivation room and steps into the light. Outside, a palace maid waits, her posture straight, eyes lowered. Seeing him, she bows. "Lord."
Kaelan glances at the sun hanging in the same place it had been when he began his retreat. For a moment, he frowns, wondering how long he has been inside. It feels like days, yet the world looks unchanged. "How many days have passed?" he asks.
The maid quickly replies, "One day, Lord."
Kaelan nods slowly. Only one day… His thoughts shift—if that's true, then today should be when the twelve successful students return. "Have my students come?"
"They are in the first visualisation map chamber," she says.
"Good. I'll change first," Kaelan says, already moving down the corridor. "Take them to the new room I've prepared."
The maid hesitates. "Which one, Lord?"
"The classroom," Kaelan replies.
"Which classroom?"
He sighs softly.
He had converted one of the smaller palaces in the royal complex into a proper academy—several classrooms, visualisation chambers, and a cultivation hall—so the confusion is understandable.
With an impatient wave of his hand, he says, "Any of them will do."
The maid bows again and hurries away.
Kaelan continues toward the main palace, descending the wide stairs and walking the path lined with blooming white lotuses. He enters his residence quietly.
Inside, Li Xueyao sleeps on the bed, her hair scattered over the pillow, a faint line of weariness visible on her face. Kaelan pauses, watching her for a moment.
She must have been working through the night again. Deciding not to disturb her, he cleans himself, changes into fresh robes, and turns toward the door.
Just as he steps past the threshold, a soft voice calls behind him. "Kaelan."
He isn't surprised that Li Xueyao calls him by his true name.
He had shared it with her long ago, explaining that Kong Wuya was his official title, while Kaelan was the name used only by those closest to him.
What he never told her, however, was his true origin in this world—the fact that he was born a crow demon.
He has no plans to reveal it either.
Through his recent deduction of the Spiritual Wizard stage, he foresees that upon reaching the peak of this stage and advancing to the third stage of transcendence, his physical body will fuse completely with his holy fetus.
When that happens, his race will transform, his old form buried beneath the evolution of cultivation itself.
Whether he was once human or a demon will no longer matter.
He turns toward Li Xueyao, her soft eyes half-open as she lies against the pillow. "Did I wake you?" he asks quietly.
Li Xueyao shakes her head. "I was only taking a nap."
He walks to the bed, sits beside her, and gently takes her hand. "Did something happen?"
"Nothing serious," she says softly, "I just wanted to confirm the venue for your preaching."
"The open field outside the west palace wall," Kaelan replies.
"Alright," she murmurs. "And the ministers asked, after your preaching, are you planning to open a sect and accept disciples?"
Kaelan nods. "Yes. To spread the wizard path, I will."
"Then where will you build it?" she asks.
"I've already told Chen Qi to purchase the land across the Xinyi River," Kaelan says.
The Xinyi River flows along the southwestern edge of the capital, feeding into the mighty Dahe River. Across its rushing waters lies an untouched stretch of land, bordered by a quiet forest, its isolation making it perfect for cultivation.
Li Xueyao nods thoughtfully. "Then tell Chen Qi to come to me if he needs any help."
Kaelan smiles faintly. "Alright."
He brushes her hair back, his fingers lingering on her forehead. "Rest. I have to go—the students are waiting."
"Wait," she says suddenly.
He pauses halfway to standing and sits back down.
"Lin Zian wants your guidance," she says. "He's reached the Supreme Master Realm and wishes to break through to Ultimate Master before switching to wizard cultivation."
"Then tell him to meet me after the class ends, around late noon," Kaelan says.
This time, he rises without hesitation and leaves the room.
Minutes later, he steps into the Number One Classroom and finds twelve students chatting among themselves.
The moment they see him enter, they rise together and bow. "Teacher."
Kaelan gestures calmly for them to sit, then moves behind the podium, his gaze steady as he faces them.
"The first thing you must understand," he begins, his voice calm yet firm, "is that wizard cultivation is not the same as martial arts or Qi refinement."
His eyes sweep across the students, holding each of their gazes before continuing.
"Martial arts cultivation is about combat—a struggle against others, the environment, and even heaven and earth itself. Qi refinement, on the other hand, is about longevity. Refiners seek to seize the laws of heaven and earth to extend their lives and fulfil themselves."
He pauses, letting the words settle before speaking again.
"But for wizards, the foundation is different. For us, knowledge is the essence, while strength and longevity are merely the result—never the goal."
The students nod in understanding, their expressions turning serious.
"I will teach you three spells," Kaelan says.
A ripple of excitement spreads through the group, some students barely able to contain their cheer.
"But," he adds, his tone sharp enough to quiet them instantly, "before learning spells, you must first grasp the fundamentals."
The students exchange puzzled glances, curiosity lighting their faces.
Kaelan allows a faint smile. "Today, we start with something simple yet essential—math."