Astounding, Stealthy, Mysterious
Once Eddie completes the first level of his Innate Formless Sword Qi, it will mark his official entry into the Elite Realm. His anticipation to dominate the small town of Whitestone is palpable. Despite the limitations of his spiritual energy and the minimal Sword Qi he can muster, a single strike from an Elite Realm warrior is deadly.
According to knowledge transmitted from the ancestral Grimoire, no one below a level 6 "Master" can withstand an attack from an Elite practitioner. Even the most casual swipe carries enough power to penetrate any lesser warrior's defenses.
In the eyes of the world's Elite warriors, anyone beneath the sixth level is inconsequential, barely worth noting. Given the scarcity of Elite practitioners, even a level 6 Master is an esteemed figure, commanding armies or ruling territories.
For instance, the lord of Whitestone, where Eddie lives, is a novice level 6 Master. The patriarch of the Ethan family, Old Man Ethan, is a senior level 6 Master and has been a Marshal granted by the royal family. Due to age and injuries from numerous battles, he has recently retired to recuperate.
Eddie's uncles, Ethan Shan and Ethan Ling, are both significant generals and ministers, with respective strengths of mid-level and novice-level Masters. Only Eddie's father, Ethan Qiu, was a rare martial genius who surpassed everyone in the family to reach level 7, known as a "Conqueror." Sadly, this extraordinary warrior passed away fifteen years ago.
Eddie is conscious that entering the Elite Realm is not just about personal power enhancement; it's about earning a level of respect and instilling fear that only comes with being among the Elite. As he edges closer to completing his training, Eddie is acutely aware of the profound impact this change will have on his life, both in Whitestone and the wider world.
Upon mastering the initial layer of Innate Formless Sword Qi, Eddie's theoretical prowess skyrockets, rendering him virtually invincible against any challengers of level 6 or lower.
Despite this formidable power, he remains grounded, keenly aware that his current capabilities only allow for a couple of strikes and with no actual combat experience, caution is paramount. He embraces a prudent ethos, recognizing that each day's progress fortifies his survival in the long run.
Sword Qi, known for its lethal precision, can obliterate defenses and claim lives in an instant. However, given Eddie's limited spiritual energy, he can only unleash it sparingly. Aware that a multitude of adversaries could overwhelm him, he commits to a discreet and unassuming demeanor, focusing on consolidating his mastery of the Innate Formless Sword Qi to ascend into the Elite Realm. His ambition is not just to thrive in the realm of warriors but to reign supreme in singular combat among his peers.
Eddie, although aware of the formidable power that comes with the Elite Realm, could never fully anticipate the transformative experience of achieving it. As he successfully connects all twelve meridians, his soul quivers with a powerful vibration, catapulting him into a state of ineffable euphoria.
It's as if he's been liberated into a boundless ocean of energy, gliding freely between the celestial and the terrestrial. The cycle of energy cleanses and rejuvenates him, conferring a sense of rebirth. He feels an unprecedented lightness, almost as if he could levitate and ascend to the heavens effortlessly.
Meanwhile, his ancestral Grimoire bursts into a spectacular display of brilliance, shooting a resplendent golden beam skyward. His choice of the nocturnal hours for this pivotal moment ensures the spectacle remains unseen, preserving the element of surprise and mystery.
As he transitions into the Elite Realm, Eddie briefly experiences an ethereal sense of omnipotence, feeling capable of uplifting the heavens or shaking the earth with minimal effort. This profound sense of power, while fleeting, leaves an indelible mark on his psyche, reinforcing his resolve and ambition.
Eddie's heart was ensnared by a mystical call, a lure that was both compelling and overwhelming. As he felt the mysterious entity within greedily siphoning his energy, his consciousness dwindled, and he succumbed to the looming darkness.
In those last lucid moments, he envisioned a pair of splendid, iridescent phoenixes dancing before him. As his awareness faded, the brilliant golden beam emanating from his Grimoire swiftly receded and finally disappeared, leaving the ancient book quietly floating beside him. Upon awakening, the Grimoire's first page looked unchanged, except now, following the title "Novice Apprentice," two characters shimmered in dark gold: Innate.
Eddie slumbered deeply, yet the entire kingdom of Daxia was abuzz with activity. Emperor Bidhen You was urgently woken by his attendants and met in the imperial study with his National Advisor and two Guardian Warlords, all in their night attire.
The kingdom was astir with the news of an emerging Innate powerhouse, whose resplendence surpassed all predecessors. The golden column of light, visible from leagues away, marked the emergence of Daxia's eighty-first Innate individual and the currently seventh living one.
"Your Majesty, unfortunately, this individual has no prior records. They might be a secluded hermit from the deep forests; as of now, we have no information about them," lamented the National Advisor with a sense of regret.
"Is there absolutely no information on this individual in the Innate Crystal Column at the Heaven-reaching Tower?" Emperor Bidhen was incredulous.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. This Innate individual appears to possess a unique ability to conceal their details. The column merely provides the basic information of a human male, not even their age.
Details about their sect, cultivation techniques, or summoned creatures are all veiled in obscurity. We believe that this individual naturally possesses an ability to obscure their true power, making it impossible for the crystal column to unveil their identity."
"And where was this radiant column witnessed? Who are the eyewitnesses? This is an unparalleled opportunity to enhance our nation's prowess and ascendancy. We must find this person!" Emperor Bidhen's urgency was palpable, grappling with the reality that an Innate power had emerged within his realm, yet their identity remained shrouded in mystery.
"With my Gift of Revelation, I can pinpoint the source to the southeastern Yunwu Mountains region, encompassing Whitestone, Crimsonwood, and Obsidian cities.
Although pinpointing the precise location is a challenge, given the magnitude of the brilliant column signifying an Innate's birth, there are bound to be eyewitnesses, especially from those who work under the cover of night, like assassins and thieves.
We can trace back from their testimonies to find this Innate individual," the National Advisor suggested, turning the pages of his golden Grimoire. A gleaming point flickered over the Yunwu Mountain on the map.
However, as he expanded the map, the glimmering star vanished, hinting not at a deficiency in the Advisor's talent, but at the exceptional concealment ability of this mysterious Innate.
Emperor Bidhen, along with the National Advisor and the two Warlords of the realm, deliberated all night in the imperial study.
They decided to issue a royal bounty of a thousand gold coins through the mercenaries, assassins, and thieves guilds to discover the Innate individual.
Even those who could precisely locate the radiant column from that night could claim fifty gold coins as a reward.
Furthermore, the imperial edict was swiftly dispatched to all the city lords, regional leaders, and family heads, inquiring whether the Innate had manifested within their territories or among their kin.
As Eddie awoke the next day, the entire Daxia Kingdom was abuzz.
And the four major sects were on high alert.
The emergence of an Innate individual amongst the commoners was a momentous event.
It symbolized someone who reached the pinnacle of Innate status independently, without the support of the sects, major families, or the royal family — a true outlier.
The Heaven-reaching Tower's Innate Crystal Column attracted special envoys from all four sects, each keen to investigate the displayed information.
The Northern Moon Spirit Pavilion's venerable Master, famed for her Divine Sight, made a statement that reverberated throughout the kingdom.