Chapter 14: Shadows at the Outskirts
The sun had barely crept over the hills when Eldrod's voice thundered across the courtyard. "Enough rest, you lazy sprouts! Today's training is over. You've done well."
Sweat clung to Cael's brow as he collapsed onto the cold earth, his breathing ragged. Nearby, Darek stood composed as ever, his chest rising and falling steadily. Despite the exhaustion, his icy blue eyes still sparkled with clarity.
Cael glanced over. "You barely look tired."
Darek cracked a rare smile. "You just make too much noise."
The other disciples laughed, breaking the usual tension between the two. Since Darek's arrival, an odd but unshakable bond had begun to form. Despite their elemental opposition—fire and ice—their synchronization was uncanny during training, though neither of them fully understood why.
That morning, Eldrod had given them a new regimen: synchronized martial routines and a focus on inner tempering. Each disciple had a method unique to their bloodline or supernatural aptitude.
Eldrod had explained the hierarchy of cultivation clearly:
Human Cultivation Realms:
Bone Tempering
Vein Cleansing
Meridian Opening
Core Foundation
Spirit Ascension
Elemental Bloom
Celestial Path
Sovereign Will
Beastial Realms:
Hide Tier
Fang Tier
Bloodhowl Tier
Moonclaw Tier
Flamefang Tier
Skybane Tier
Supernatural Powers (Arts):
Ember Grasp (Fire Affinity)
Frost Veil (Ice Affinity)
Soul Latch
Thunder Pulse
Verdant Coil
Phantom Step
Stonebind
Astral Chain
Eldrod helped Cael with the Vein Cleansing phase by initiating a brutal bone and marrow cleansing ritual. Cael had screamed curses during the process, and the others had heard him for hours. "AHH, DAMN IT! MY BONES ARE CRACKING!"
Boom!
Another surge of fiery energy ran through his body as his bones cracked, hissed, and reformed. His veins now shimmered faintly with red-orange pulses.
"You won't thank me now," Eldrod had muttered, "but you will later."
By the end of the week, Cael's cultivation base surged, putting him only half a step behind Darek. The cold-blooded boy merely shrugged. "You're getting better… barely."
Now, the boys were preparing to head to the outskirts of the village. Eldrod had asked Senior Disciple Nyra to give them coin for some foundational pills. It was to help push Cael's breakthrough to full Vein Cleansing and also strengthen Darek's control at Meridian Opening.
They were accompanied by five others: Nyra, a red-haired warrior with a blunt tongue; Tomas, a cheerful wind cultivator; Bira, a quiet, observant girl with illusion affinity; Malen, a twin-blade cultivator with anger issues; and Jana, a green-robed herbalist always smiling but hiding a strange aura.
On the way, Nyra barked, "Don't touch anything unless I say so. And Darek, keep your death-glare in check. Cael, if you light anything on fire, I'll fry you before Eldrod finds out."
"Yes, ma'am," Cael said, grinning.
The pill shop stood near a cluster of dilapidated houses—half abandoned, half full of miscreants. It was called The Copper Leaf, a modest structure surrounded by strange, humming plants.
Inside, the shopkeeper, an elderly man with glasses named Master Quen, nodded. "Haven't seen disciples here in a while. Looking for marrow pills or essence beads?"
"Both," Nyra replied. "Two dozen standard cleansing pills, one high-grade for a breakthrough."
Quen eyed Cael. "You're the new flame boy. Mm. Fire veined, strong foundation. These should serve you."
As the group prepared to leave, a voice sneered from the alleyway. "Look what we got here. Baby sect kids thinking they're untouchable."
Seven figures blocked the path.
The leader stepped forward—a tall, lean boy with white hair, narrow violet eyes, and a wicked smirk. He wore layered leathers and a black sash showing a broken blade insignia.
"Name's Rusk," he said. "This is our turf. You want to pass, pay the fee."
Beside him stood six others: Jarn the brute, Risa the dagger twin, Kelven with the metal staff, Yulo the shadow whisperer, Dane the one-eyed, and Firah, a snide girl with glowing red hands.
Tomas muttered, "They're the street-bred cultivators. Half-trained, half-feral."
Darek stepped forward, ice blooming from his feet. "Move."
Rusk laughed. "Oooh, cold boy got a spine." He raised his hand. "Let's break it."
Boom.
The tension cracked like lightning.
Cael flared up with instinctive fire, fists clenched. "Try it, bastard."
Their seniors reached for weapons—but before they could act, Rusk and his gang spread out, forming a semi-circle.
"You little lords think the world bends to sect brats?" Rusk spat. "Let's see how you squeal when the world hits back."
Cael smirked. "You talk too much. Try me."
The alley seemed to pulse with power.
And just as Rusk lunged forward—
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