The evening breeze moved gently through the trees.
Vaelorian sat beneath an old tree, his notebook resting beside him. His eyes were closed, and his breathing remained steady.
He had been practising Energy Perception for some time.
Unlike his earlier attempts, he no longer struggled to activate it. The faint fluctuations surrounding the environment gradually became distinguishable.
He could sense the energy around nearby objects, separate individual patterns and shift his attention between them.
But there was still a limit.
He extended his perception towards a distant tree.
The surrounding patterns became increasingly faint. He tried to concentrate harder, but the information grew less reliable.
After a few moments, he stopped.
"Still the same."
He opened his notebook and examined his previous observations.
His Energy Perception had become more stable, but its range remained limited. More importantly, he still couldn't manipulate the energy he sensed.
He could perceive it.
He could recognise its presence.
But he couldn't make it respond to his will.
Vaelorian closed the notebook.
"Perhaps I'm trying to skip something."
He looked at his hands.
There was still a great deal he didn't understand about his own cultivation.
For now, he decided to continue strengthening his control rather than forcing an advancement he wasn't ready for.
He stood up, picked up his belongings and started walking home.
Inside a concealed technological complex, several large displays illuminated a dark observation chamber.
Rows of researchers and cultivation technicians worked at separate stations. Some examined energy readings, while others monitored the condition of the surrounding formations.
A young technician approached the central console.
"Senior, the latest readings are ready."
An elderly researcher turned towards him.
"Show me."
A series of measurements appeared across the main display.
The data represented faint fluctuations detected through a network of specialised instruments. Most were within expected limits, but a few readings showed unusual variations.
The elderly researcher examined them carefully.
"Have these fluctuations been confirmed?"
"Yes. The instruments recorded them more than once, although their intensity remains extremely low."
"Could they be environmental interference?"
"We've already checked."
The researcher remained silent.
After a moment, another technician spoke.
"The upcoming inter-clan gathering is also approaching. Several clans have confirmed their participation."
The elderly man glanced at a secondary display.
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A list of clan representatives appeared.
"Continue monitoring the readings. Don't interfere with the gathering preparations."
"Understood."
The elderly researcher looked back at the measurements.
The hidden world had its own responsibilities, and the upcoming gathering was expected to attract considerable attention.
For the moment, the unusual readings were only another matter requiring observation.
Within an ancient clan territory, preparations for the upcoming gathering had become increasingly intense.
Disciples moved between training grounds, cultivation halls and resource repositories. Representatives from different branches were arriving, while elders discussed arrangements for the competition.
At the centre of one training ground, Kael Dravorn stood facing a stone platform.
His sword rested in his hand.
He slowly released a controlled stream of energy.
The air around the blade began to tremble.
"Your control has improved."
Kael turned.
An instructor stood behind him.
"Thank you, Senior."
The instructor examined the sword.
"However, your technique still depends too heavily on your opponent's movements. Against someone who can manipulate spatial energy more efficiently, that hesitation may cost you the match."
Kael lowered his sword.
"I understand."
"Then correct it before the gathering."
The instructor turned and walked away.
Kael remained on the platform.
Rhaegar Voss.
Their rivalry had continued for years, and the upcoming gathering would provide another opportunity to settle their differences.
But Kael wasn't interested in winning through reputation alone.
He wanted to become stronger.
Elsewhere, Rhaegar was undergoing his own training.
A crimson formation surrounded the platform beneath his feet. Energy flowed through its inscriptions and gathered around his body.
He raised his sword.
A powerful crimson arc swept across the training ground, striking a distant stone pillar.
The pillar split.
Several disciples watching nearby exchanged impressed looks.
Rhaegar lowered his sword.
"Again."
An instructor standing beside the platform shook his head.
"Your attack power is sufficient. What you lack is consistency."
Rhaegar frowned.
"Are you saying my technique is incomplete?"
"I'm saying that power alone won't guarantee victory."
The instructor paused.
"Kael has improved his control. You should not underestimate him."
Rhaegar's expression became colder.
"Then I'll make sure he doesn't have another opportunity to stand above me."
He raised his sword again.
The crimson energy around him intensified.
In another territory, Seraphina Veyr stood inside a spacious cultivation chamber.
Unlike the traditional training grounds, this chamber contained several floating metallic rings arranged at different heights.
Each ring was connected to a series of delicate formations.
Seraphina extended her hand.
The rings began moving.
One rotated slowly, while another shifted several metres to the left. A third suddenly changed direction, passing through a narrow gap between the others.
She adjusted her fingers.
The entire arrangement changed again.
A faint spatial distortion appeared around the rings.
An elderly woman observed her from the edge of the chamber.
"Your control is becoming more precise."
Seraphina lowered her hand.
"The spatial transitions still consume too much energy."
"That is because you're attempting to control every movement individually."
The elderly woman stepped closer.
"Spatial techniques are not simply about moving objects. You must understand the relationship between the space they occupy and the space they are entering."
Seraphina listened carefully.
"Your next objective is to maintain stability while controlling multiple spatial transitions."
Seraphina nodded.
"I'll continue practising."
The elderly woman looked towards the floating rings.
"The upcoming gathering will attract many talented cultivators. Don't assume that your current achievements will be enough."
"I understand."
Seraphina raised her hand again.
The rings began moving.
This time, their movements were smoother.
Beyond the training grounds, preparations continued throughout the hidden territories.
The upcoming gathering was not an ordinary tournament.
It was an opportunity for clans to compare the abilities of their younger generations, exchange cultivation resources and strengthen their political positions.
Representatives would discuss matters concerning territorial boundaries, resource access and the maintenance of formations.
The competition itself was only one part of a much larger gathering.
For the younger cultivators, however, the battles would remain the most important attraction.
A strong performance could bring recognition, valuable resources and opportunities for advancement.
A poor performance could damage a disciple's reputation for years.
And for clans already involved in rivalries, the results could influence future negotiations.
The Separation Accord maintained boundaries between the hidden world and ordinary civilization, but it did not eliminate competition within the cultivation world.
Those rivalries continued behind the formations. Get faster updates on g.com.
Far from the training grounds, inside a secluded chamber, a black-robed cultivator sat within a concealed vessel.
The chamber was dimly illuminated.
A series of symbols moved slowly across the vessel's outer surface. Its internal systems remained active, although no external movement could be detected.
The black-robed figure opened his eyes.
For several seconds, he remained motionless.
Then he looked towards a small display embedded within the vessel.
A faint fluctuation appeared.
It lasted only a moment before disappearing.
The cultivator examined it.
No expression could be seen beneath the darkness of his hood.
After a while, he closed his eyes again.
The vessel returned to silence.
That evening, Vaelorian sat with his family.
His mother placed another serving of food on the table.
"You're eating less these days."
"I'm eating enough."
"That's what you always say."
Vaelorian smiled.
His father looked up from his meal.
"Have you been going to the same place every day?"
"Mostly."
"What exactly are you doing there?"
"Training and studying."
His father nodded.
"Just make sure you don't neglect everything else."
"I won't."
The conversation moved towards ordinary matters.
They discussed household work, upcoming expenses and a few things that needed attention.
Vaelorian listened, occasionally joining the conversation.
For a while, he forgot about cultivation.
He forgot about Energy Perception, the mysterious sensations and the questions that had occupied his thoughts for weeks.
He was simply sitting with his family.
And he appreciated that more than he realised.
The following morning, the hidden territories began receiving their first official representatives for the upcoming gathering.
Ancient clan banners were raised above designated compounds.
Formation gates were activated at authorised passage points, allowing approved visitors to enter.
Each arriving cultivator had already undergone the necessary verification. Some had paid the required resource contribution, while others carried their clan's authorisation tokens.
The passage formations remained active only for the permitted period.
Once the visitors had entered, the routes gradually closed.
Within the central territory, preparations were nearly complete.
Kael Dravorn arrived with his clan's delegation.
Rhaegar Voss entered from another passage shortly afterwards.
Their eyes met across the courtyard.
Neither spoke.
But the tension between them was unmistakable.
Seraphina Veyr arrived later with her own delegation. Her expression remained composed as she observed the gathering grounds.
Around them, cultivators from different clans continued arriving.
Some exchanged greetings.
Others discussed cultivation techniques and resources.
A few watched their rivals in silence.
The gathering had officially begun.
And with it came another opportunity for the younger generation to prove their strength.
Far away, Vaelorian knew nothing about the event.
He was still an ordinary young cultivator in the earliest stage of understanding his abilities.
He had no idea that the hidden world was preparing for a gathering involving some of its most talented young disciples.
For now, their paths remained separate.
But the world beyond his knowledge was becoming increasingly active.
And the competition had only just begun.