The rain had slowed to a steady drizzle.
Drops fell quietly from the wooden rooftops of the servant quarters, forming small ripples in the muddy courtyard.
But the silence that filled the area had nothing to do with the weather.
Every disciple present stood frozen in place.
No one dared speak.
Because standing in the center of the courtyard was a man whose authority overshadowed everyone there.
Inner Sect Elder Mo.
Even outer disciples like Luo Han and Zhao Kang lowered their heads respectfully.
In Azure Mountain Sect, elders were figures of immense power.
A single word from them could determine life or death.
Elder Mo's sharp eyes swept across the courtyard slowly.
He observed the broken door of Li Tian's hut.
The cracked ground from Luo Han's attack.
The muddy footprints scattered everywhere.
Finally, his gaze settled on Li Tian.
The young servant stood quietly, his robe soaked by rain, a thin line of blood still visible at the corner of his mouth.
Despite the obvious injuries, Li Tian's posture remained steady.
Elder Mo narrowed his eyes slightly.
"A servant disciple," he said calmly.
"But I sensed Qi fluctuations."
His gaze moved to Luo Han.
"Explain."
Luo Han immediately bowed deeper.
"Elder Mo, this servant was practicing a demonic technique."
Murmurs spread quietly through the watching disciples.
But Elder Mo raised a hand.
The courtyard instantly fell silent again.
"Continue."
Luo Han pointed toward Li Tian.
"He possesses a strange ring capable of draining spiritual energy from other cultivators."
His voice carried clear anger.
"He attacked me using it."
Elder Mo's gaze slowly moved toward Li Tian's hand.
The black ring rested quietly on his finger.
At first glance, it looked ordinary.
But the elder's eyes lingered there longer than expected.
For a brief moment…
A flicker of recognition passed through them.
Inside Li Tian's mind, the Primordial Echo spoke.
"He noticed."
Li Tian kept his expression calm.
"What should I do?" he asked silently.
"Nothing," the Echo replied.
"Let him speak first."
Elder Mo turned back toward Luo Han.
"You are claiming this servant attacked you."
"Yes, Elder."
"And why would a servant suddenly attack an outer disciple stronger than himself?"
Luo Han hesitated slightly.
The elder's question was simple.
But the answer was not.
Finally he spoke carefully.
"We discovered him earlier tonight near the body of a murdered disciple."
The crowd stirred again.
Even the servants watching from afar looked shocked.
"Murdered?"
"There was a corpse near the servant road?"
Elder Mo frowned slightly.
"Murder?"
His voice lowered.
"Explain that as well."
Zhao Kang stepped forward nervously.
"Elder Mo, earlier tonight an outer disciple was found dead near the forest path."
"He had been stabbed."
Elder Mo's expression hardened.
"And you believe this servant is responsible?"
Zhao Kang swallowed.
"We found him nearby… and he was acting suspiciously."
Luo Han added quickly,
"Furthermore, he was using a strange technique that drains Qi."
"Such abilities are commonly associated with demonic cultivation."
Several disciples nodded nervously.
The word demonic always carried weight in the cultivation world.
Demonic cultivators used forbidden methods to gain power quickly.
They were hunted by righteous sects everywhere.
Elder Mo remained silent for several seconds.
The rain continued dripping from the rooftops.
Then he finally spoke.
"Li Tian."
It was the first time he had addressed the servant directly.
Li Tian stepped forward slightly and bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Elder."
"You heard their accusations."
"Yes."
"Do you wish to respond?"
The entire courtyard focused on him.
Even Luo Han watched carefully.
Li Tian thought for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly.
"I did not kill anyone."
Zhao Kang scoffed immediately.
"Of course you'd say that!"
But Elder Mo raised his hand again.
"Silence."
Zhao Kang instantly lowered his head.
Elder Mo's gaze returned to Li Tian.
"You claim innocence."
"Yes."
"Then explain the Qi I sensed from you."
The question hung heavily in the air.
Every disciple present already knew Li Tian's story.
Earlier that day, the Spirit Testing Ceremony had declared his spiritual root broken.
A broken root meant cultivation was nearly impossible.
Yet Elder Mo had clearly sensed Qi from him.
Li Tian answered carefully.
"I recently began cultivating."
Zhao Kang couldn't help himself.
"That's impossible!"
Elder Mo's eyes flicked toward him.
The pressure in the courtyard suddenly increased.
Zhao Kang immediately fell silent again.
Elder Mo looked back at Li Tian.
"You were declared to have a broken spiritual root."
"Yes."
"Yet you can cultivate."
"Yes."
The elder's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Explain."
Inside Li Tian's mind, the Primordial Echo whispered.
"Do not reveal the ring."
Li Tian already knew that.
If the true power of the ring became known…
Even elders might try to seize it.
So he chose his words carefully.
"I found a cultivation manual in the forest ruins outside the sect."
Several disciples frowned.
"Forest ruins?"
"There are ancient ruins there…"
Li Tian continued calmly.
"The manual contained a method that allowed cultivation despite a damaged spiritual root."
Elder Mo studied him carefully.
His expression revealed nothing.
But his mind was clearly analyzing every word.
"And this ring?" the elder asked.
Li Tian glanced at it briefly.
"I found it in the same ruins."
The courtyard fell silent again.
Luo Han clenched his fists slightly.
He didn't believe that explanation for a moment.
But he couldn't openly contradict Li Tian without proof.
Elder Mo remained quiet for a long time.
Then he stepped forward slowly.
Each step carried immense pressure.
When he stopped, he stood directly in front of Li Tian.
"Raise your hand."
Li Tian obeyed.
The elder looked closely at the ring.
His eyes studied every detail.
The dark patterns etched along its surface.
The faint aura hidden deep inside.
For a brief moment…
Something like shock flickered across his face again.
But it vanished almost instantly.
Inside Li Tian's mind, the Primordial Echo whispered softly.
"He recognizes it."
Li Tian's heart tightened.
"From where?"
"Long ago," the Echo replied.
"But I cannot remember everything."
Elder Mo straightened slowly.
Then he spoke to everyone present.
"The investigation of the murdered disciple will continue."
His gaze swept across the courtyard.
"Until then, no one will spread rumors."
The disciples immediately bowed.
"Yes, Elder!"
Then his eyes returned to Li Tian.
"As for you…"
The air grew tense again.
Luo Han watched closely.
If the elder suspected demonic cultivation, Li Tian would be executed immediately.
But Elder Mo's next words surprised everyone.
"You will come with me."
The courtyard fell silent.
Zhao Kang blinked.
Luo Han frowned.
Li Tian also looked slightly confused.
Elder Mo turned away calmly.
"Your situation requires further examination."
Then he began walking toward the main sect path.
After a few steps, he stopped and glanced back.
"Well?"
Li Tian quickly followed.
The watching disciples parted silently.
As Li Tian walked past them, Luo Han's eyes burned with cold fury.
But he said nothing.
Because opposing an elder openly was suicide.
The rain continued falling as Li Tian followed Elder Mo up the mountain path.
Neither of them spoke for several minutes.
The servant quarters slowly disappeared behind them.
Finally, Li Tian couldn't help asking.
"Elder…"
"Yes?"
"Where are we going?"
Elder Mo's voice remained calm.
"To see something."
The path curved around the mountain.
Ahead, the faint lights of the Inner Sect district began appearing through the mist.
Li Tian's heart pounded slightly.
Servant disciples were rarely allowed near this area.
But the elder continued walking without hesitation.
Then he spoke again.
"Tell me something honestly."
Li Tian remained silent.
"That ring…"
Elder Mo's voice grew quieter.
"…did you truly find it in the forest ruins?"
Li Tian felt a chill run down his spine.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo whispered softly.
"Be careful."
Li Tian took a slow breath.
"Yes, Elder."
Elder Mo stopped walking.
For several seconds he simply looked at the ring again.
Then he said something unexpected.
"Good."
Li Tian blinked.
"…Good?"
Elder Mo's expression softened slightly.
"Because if you had said otherwise…"
"…I might have had to kill you."
The rain continued falling softly around them.
But Li Tian suddenly realized something terrifying.
Elder Mo knew far more about the ring than he was revealing.
The mountain path grew steeper as Li Tian followed Elder Mo deeper into the sect.
The rain had almost stopped now. Only faint mist drifted between the tall pine trees lining the stone walkway.
Lanterns hung along the path, their warm glow reflecting on the wet ground.
Li Tian had never been this high on the mountain before.
Servant disciples were normally restricted to the lower slopes, where kitchens, storerooms, and labor quarters were located.
But now they were entering a completely different part of Azure Mountain Sect.
The Inner Sect District.
The buildings here were larger and far more refined.
Elegant wooden halls with curved rooftops stood along the mountain terraces. Stone bridges crossed small streams flowing down from the higher peaks.
The air itself felt different.
Li Tian could sense spiritual energy more clearly here.
The density of Qi was much higher than the servant area.
"This is where true cultivation happens," the Primordial Echo murmured inside his mind.
Li Tian nodded slightly.
He could feel the difference.
Even breathing felt refreshing.
If he cultivated here, his progress would be much faster.
Elder Mo continued walking without speaking.
His hands were folded behind his back as if he were simply taking a casual stroll.
But Li Tian could feel the subtle spiritual pressure surrounding the elder.
It was immense.
Even stronger than Luo Han.
"Foundation Establishment… or higher," the Echo whispered.
Li Tian swallowed slightly.
Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage were vastly stronger than those in Qi Gathering.
They could control spiritual energy with far greater precision and power.
Against someone like Elder Mo, Li Tian would not last even a second.
Finally they reached a quiet courtyard hidden behind a row of bamboo trees.
The courtyard was small but elegant.
A stone table sat beneath an old pine tree.
Two wooden chairs faced each other across the table.
Elder Mo stepped inside.
"Sit."
Li Tian hesitated briefly before sitting on the chair opposite him.
The courtyard was completely silent.
Only the faint sound of dripping water echoed from the bamboo leaves.
Elder Mo studied Li Tian for several seconds.
His eyes were calm but extremely sharp.
"Tell me," he said suddenly.
"When did you first discover the ring's power?"
Li Tian remained still.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo whispered again.
"He is testing you."
"I know."
Li Tian answered carefully.
"Tonight."
Elder Mo raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
"I touched the body of a dead disciple near the forest path."
"And?"
"I suddenly gained memories of his cultivation technique."
Elder Mo tapped the stone table gently with one finger.
His gaze shifted briefly toward the ring again.
"I see."
But Li Tian could tell the elder did not fully believe him.
After a moment, Elder Mo spoke again.
"You should understand something about ancient artifacts."
Li Tian listened carefully.
"Not all treasures are blessings," the elder continued.
"Many of them carry dangers far beyond the understanding of ordinary cultivators."
His eyes met Li Tian's.
"Some artifacts corrupt their owners."
"Others devour their hosts."
"And some…"
He paused slightly.
"…contain things that should never awaken."
Inside Li Tian's mind, the Primordial Echo chuckled softly.
"How dramatic."
Li Tian ignored the voice and focused on the elder.
"Do you believe this ring is dangerous?" he asked.
Elder Mo didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he extended his hand.
"Let me see it."
Li Tian froze.
Inside his mind, the Echo reacted instantly.
"Do not give it to him."
Li Tian agreed.
If the ring left his hand, he might never get it back.
But refusing an elder was dangerous.
He spoke slowly.
"Elder… the ring cannot be removed."
Elder Mo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
"It seems bound to my soul."
This was not entirely a lie.
The moment the ring had activated earlier that night, Li Tian had felt a strange connection forming between it and his spiritual energy.
Elder Mo studied him silently.
Then he said something unexpected.
"Try removing it."
Li Tian hesitated.
But he slowly gripped the ring and pulled.
It didn't move.
No matter how much force he used, the ring remained perfectly still on his finger.
Elder Mo watched carefully.
After a moment he nodded.
"As I suspected."
"You knew?" Li Tian asked.
"Yes."
The elder leaned back slightly.
"Artifacts that bind themselves to their host are extremely rare."
"But they do exist."
His expression turned serious.
"However, they usually choose their host for a reason."
Li Tian remained silent.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo whispered with amusement.
"Indeed."
Elder Mo continued speaking.
"If this ring truly allows you to absorb cultivation knowledge from the dead…"
"…then it is more valuable than you realize."
Li Tian felt a chill.
Because the elder had come very close to the truth.
"Fortunately for you," Elder Mo said calmly, "I am not interested in stealing it."
Li Tian blinked.
"Not interested?"
The elder smiled faintly.
"If I desired it, you would not have left the courtyard earlier."
Li Tian realized he was right.
Against someone like Elder Mo, resistance would have been meaningless.
Elder Mo's gaze turned distant for a moment.
"I have seen artifacts like this before."
Li Tian's attention sharpened.
"Where?"
"Long ago."
The elder's expression darkened slightly.
"During the War of the Black Heaven Sect."
The name carried a strange weight.
Even the Primordial Echo reacted.
"Black Heaven Sect…" the voice murmured.
"That name feels familiar."
Li Tian frowned slightly.
"What happened in that war?" he asked.
Elder Mo looked at him quietly.
"Thousands of cultivators died."
"Entire sects were destroyed."
"And the artifacts used in that war…"
"…were powerful enough to change the fate of kingdoms."
He tapped the table again.
"Many of them were sealed away afterward."
Li Tian felt a growing unease.
"You think my ring is connected to that?"
Elder Mo didn't answer directly.
But his next question was far more direct.
"When you use the ring…"
"…does it speak to you?"
Li Tian's heart skipped.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo laughed softly.
"He's clever."
Li Tian forced himself to remain calm.
"…No."
Elder Mo watched him carefully.
For several seconds neither of them spoke.
Finally the elder sighed quietly.
"You are either very brave…"
"…or very foolish."
Li Tian didn't respond.
Elder Mo stood up slowly.
"For now, I will not take action against you."
Li Tian looked surprised.
"You won't?"
"No."
The elder turned toward the courtyard gate.
"But understand this."
His voice became much colder.
"If that artifact ever begins influencing your mind…"
"…I will personally destroy both you and the ring."
The words were calm.
But the killing intent behind them was unmistakable.
Li Tian nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Elder Mo walked toward the exit.
Then he paused.
"There is one more matter."
Li Tian waited.
"The outer disciple who died tonight."
"Yes?"
"The sect will hold an investigation."
The elder's gaze sharpened.
"If you are involved in any way…"
"…you should pray I never discover it."
With that, he stepped out of the courtyard.
Leaving Li Tian alone.
For several moments Li Tian remained seated at the stone table.
The bamboo leaves rustled softly in the night wind.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo finally spoke again.
"Well."
"That could have gone worse."
Li Tian exhaled slowly.
"You lied to him."
"Of course."
Li Tian looked down at the black ring.
"Do you think he knows the truth?"
The Echo was silent for a moment.
Then it answered quietly.
"Perhaps."
Li Tian frowned.
"That's not comforting."
The Echo chuckled.
"Relax."
"Even if he suspects something…"
"…he cannot prove it yet."
Li Tian slowly stood up.
The courtyard felt strangely quiet now.
But something inside him had changed.
He had entered the Inner Sect area for the first time.
And spoken directly with an elder.
The world of cultivation was opening before him.
But as he began walking back toward the servant district—
The Primordial Echo suddenly spoke again.
"Be careful."
"Why?"
"You made an enemy tonight."
Li Tian already knew the answer.
"Luo Han."
"Yes."
The Echo's voice grew darker.
"And he will not forgive humiliation."
Far away in the outer disciple district—
Luo Han stood alone inside his training courtyard.
His fists were clenched tightly.
The memory of the devouring ring still burned in his mind.
"That servant…"
His eyes filled with cold hatred.
"I will take that ring."
He turned toward the dark mountain forest beyond the sect walls.
"If the elders won't deal with him…"
"…I'll handle it myself."
High above the mountain peaks, dark clouds gathered again.
The quiet tension inside Azure Mountain Sect had only just begun.
Mist drifted slowly across the mountain path as Li Tian made his way back down toward the servant district.
The night had grown quiet again.
Most disciples had returned to their quarters, and the earlier chaos in the servant courtyard had faded into uneasy whispers spreading through the sect.
But Li Tian could feel the change.
Earlier that evening he had been nothing more than a forgotten servant.
Now—
People had seen him fight outer disciples.
They had witnessed the strange power of the black ring.
Rumors would spread quickly.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo spoke in a calm tone.
"You should prepare yourself."
"For what?" Li Tian asked quietly.
"For enemies."
Li Tian sighed softly.
"I already have one."
"More will come."
The Echo's voice carried quiet certainty.
"Power always attracts attention."
Li Tian couldn't deny that.
Luo Han's expression earlier had been filled with naked greed.
And Zhao Kang clearly wanted revenge.
If the sect investigation revealed anything unusual…
Things would become even worse.
By the time Li Tian returned to the servant quarters, the courtyard was almost empty.
Only a few lanterns still burned.
The broken door of his hut had been roughly pushed back into place by some curious servants.
Several of them looked at Li Tian nervously as he approached.
They quickly lowered their heads.
No one dared speak.
Earlier they had watched him fight an outer disciple.
To them, he was no longer an ordinary servant.
Li Tian stepped inside his hut.
The interior was a mess.
The wooden table had been smashed.
One wall still carried the crack from Zhao Kang's earlier strike.
Rainwater had seeped in through the broken doorway, leaving muddy footprints across the floor.
Li Tian sighed and closed the door as best he could.
Then he sat down cross-legged on the wooden bed.
For several minutes he remained silent.
The events of the night replayed in his mind.
The fight with Zhao Kang.
The battle against Luo Han.
The terrifying power of the ring when it began devouring spiritual energy.
And finally…
Elder Mo's strange reaction.
Li Tian lowered his gaze to the ring.
The black metal looked ordinary again.
But he could still feel faint warmth flowing through it.
"Alright," Li Tian said quietly.
"Explain."
The Primordial Echo chuckled.
"Explain what?"
"You clearly know more about this ring than you've told me."
Silence filled Li Tian's mind for several seconds.
Finally the Echo spoke again.
"…Perhaps."
Li Tian frowned.
"You said earlier that the elder recognized it."
"Yes."
"And you also recognized the name he mentioned."
"The Black Heaven Sect."
The Echo's voice grew quieter.
"Yes."
Li Tian leaned against the wall slightly.
"Then start talking."
The Echo hesitated.
Something Li Tian had never heard before.
"Many of my memories are fragmented," it finally said.
"But I can tell you this."
"This ring… is not a simple artifact."
Li Tian had already guessed that.
"It was created during an ancient war."
"A war between powerful cultivation sects that no longer exist."
The Echo paused briefly.
"The Black Heaven Sect was one of the strongest factions in that war."
Li Tian listened carefully.
"What happened to them?"
"They were destroyed."
"By whom?"
The Echo chuckled softly.
"Everyone."
Li Tian blinked.
"…Everyone?"
"Yes."
"Their techniques were considered too dangerous."
The voice grew darker.
"They experimented with methods that allowed cultivators to devour power from others."
Li Tian slowly looked down at the ring.
"Like this?"
"Yes."
A chill ran through Li Tian.
"So this ring belonged to them?"
"Perhaps."
"That's not a very reassuring answer."
The Echo laughed quietly.
"You should be grateful."
"If this artifact truly belonged to the Black Heaven Sect…"
"…then its full power is far greater than what you've seen."
Li Tian frowned.
"I nearly died fighting Luo Han."
"That was because you barely understand the ring."
The Echo's tone became slightly amused.
"You were using it like a child swinging a sword."
Li Tian crossed his arms.
"Then teach me."
Silence followed.
Then the Echo spoke again.
"Very well."
"Close your eyes."
Li Tian obeyed.
The moment his eyes shut, the ring suddenly pulsed with faint energy.
Warmth spread from his finger through his arm.
Then—
A flood of information surged into his mind.
Cultivation techniques.
Energy circulation patterns.
Strange symbols that looked ancient.
Li Tian gasped slightly.
"What is this?"
"A fragment of the ring's true cultivation method."
Li Tian focused on the knowledge appearing in his mind.
The technique had a name.
Void Devouring Art.
Even the name felt heavy.
"This technique allows you to refine energy taken from others."
"Not just Qi."
"But also spiritual essence and cultivation insights."
Li Tian's heart raced.
"That means…"
"Yes."
"If you defeat stronger cultivators…"
"…their power can become yours."
Li Tian opened his eyes slowly.
The possibilities were terrifying.
And incredibly tempting.
But something else bothered him.
"This sounds like demonic cultivation."
The Echo laughed.
"Most powerful techniques are labeled demonic by someone."
Li Tian couldn't argue with that logic.
He thought about Luo Han again.
If he had fully devoured that man's cultivation earlier…
He might already be much stronger.
But then another thought surfaced.
"What happens if the sect finds out?"
The Echo replied calmly.
"Then they will try to kill you."
Li Tian sighed.
"That's encouraging."
The Echo ignored his sarcasm.
"However…"
"There is another advantage."
Li Tian looked curious.
"What?"
"The ring does not only devour energy."
"It also stores it."
Li Tian blinked.
"Stores?"
"Yes."
"When you absorbed Qi from Zhao Kang and Luo Han earlier…"
"Most of it did not enter your body."
"Instead…"
"It remains inside the ring."
Li Tian immediately examined his spiritual sense.
He focused on the ring.
And felt it.
A faint reservoir of energy hidden deep within the artifact.
Not huge.
But definitely there.
"You can release it during cultivation," the Echo explained.
"Which will accelerate your progress."
Li Tian's excitement grew.
"How fast could I improve?"
"Much faster than ordinary cultivators."
"But…"
Li Tian frowned slightly.
"There's always a 'but.'"
The Echo chuckled.
"Yes."
"The stronger you become…"
"…the more attention you attract."
Li Tian leaned back against the wall again.
"Great."
Outside the hut, wind rustled through the trees.
The servant district had grown completely quiet now.
But deep inside the sect…
Something else was happening.
Inside a large hall near the outer disciple district, several figures stood around a stone table.
A body lay on the table beneath a white cloth.
The murdered outer disciple.
One of the figures lifted the cloth slightly.
The man's chest wound was clearly visible.
Another cultivator frowned.
"This wasn't done by a servant."
"Too precise."
A third disciple nodded.
"The killer knew exactly where to strike."
Then a deeper voice spoke.
"Search the forest path again."
The speaker stepped forward into the lantern light.
It was Luo Han.
His expression remained cold.
"Whoever killed him is still inside the sect."
The disciples around him nodded.
But none of them noticed the faint smile that appeared on Luo Han's lips when he turned away.
Because he already knew something they didn't.
The murder…
Had nothing to do with Li Tian.
And that knowledge would be extremely useful later.
Back in the servant quarters—
Li Tian slowly lay down on the wooden bed.
His body was exhausted.
The fights earlier had drained most of his energy.
But his mind was still active.
The world of cultivation he had dreamed about was finally opening before him.
Yet it was far more dangerous than he imagined.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo spoke one last time that night.
"Rest."
"Tomorrow…"
"Your real journey begins."
Li Tian closed his eyes.
But he couldn't shake the strange feeling growing in his chest.
Somewhere deep inside the sect…
A hidden storm was forming.
And somehow—
He had already been pulled into its center.