The Azure Cloud Sect was calm in the morning light, its towers gleaming white with the faint aura of Qi dancing along the rooftops. Lin Kairu's body ached from the trials, but the fire of his Soul Flame burned brighter than ever. He knew the real challenges were only beginning.
Lin Kairu wandered through the sect's Ancient Library, a towering hall of endless scrolls and tomes that radiated spiritual energy. Most disciples avoided this area it was forbidden to younger disciples. But curiosity burned in Lin Kairu stronger than caution.
A faint hum drew him to a secluded corner. There, partially hidden under dust and cobwebs, was a small pedestal holding a single object: a Time Eternal Pill faintly glowing with silver light.
What's this Lin Kairu whispered. The pill seemed alive humming in resonance with his Soul Flame.
At that moment a voice echoed in the hall:
Lin Kairu you should not be here.
He turned to see Elder Shenyang, an ancient cultivator whose eyes glowed with pale blue Qi. This is a forbidden artifact. It grants visions of the future but every glimpse will drain your life.
Lin Kairu's heart raced. Visions of the future That's power. I need it.
I'll take the risthe said firmly, snatching the pill.
The moment he swallowed the Time Eternal Pill, the world around him dissolved. He was standing on a jagged cliff under a black sky filled with swirling void storms. A massive figure loomed over him, power radiating in waves so intense the ground cracked beneath his feet.
An Outerverse being it wants my Soul Flame a voice in his head warned.
Then he saw himself: older, stronger, surrounded by glowing shadows and violet flames, standing victorious against the being but his body was barely holding together, cracks of energy splitting reality around him.
The vision ended abruptly, and Lin Kairu collapsed to the ground, gasping. His chest burned, and a dark fatigue gnawed at his mind. But he also felt something else knowledge. The Soul Flame inside him had grown, resonating with the visions he had seen.
Time Glimpse: Allows Lin Kairu to see potential futures but each vision shortens his lifespan.
Enhanced Soul Flame Resonance: The Flame grows stronger when exposed to forbidden artifacts or dangerous trials.
Instinctive Combat Awareness: After visions, he instinctively knows weak points in opponents and environments.
Rong Xuan, the senior disciple he fought in the trials, appeared, his eyes sharp. Lin Kairu you've broken rules again. Elders will punish this.
Lin Kairu smirked, brushing dust off his tunic. The rules won't make me stronger. I'm not here to survive I'm here to dominate.
Rong Xuan frowned. Be careful power like that always comes with a cost. Don't let it consume you.
Lin Kairu laughed softly, the Soul Flame flickering violet around him. Then I'll burn faster than anyone, and let it consume everything in my way.
The library seemed to hum in response, as if acknowledging the reckless fire growing inside him.
faint whisper reached Lin Kairu's mind, colder than any wind:
You dare play with time but time does not forgive arrogance Soon the outer world will take notice of you Lin Kairu. And when it does everything will burn.
He clenched his fists. Let it burn.