The first rays of sunlight broke through the towering trees of the Azure Forest, scattering golden light across Ashwood Village.
Morning had arrived.
For everyone else, it was another ordinary day of rebuilding after the beast tide.
For me…
Everything had changed.
I stood atop the small hill overlooking the village, taking a slow, deep breath.
The air felt different now.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
Alive.
Countless pale blue particles floated through the atmosphere like tiny stars.
They drifted between the trees, danced over the rooftops, and gathered around the ancient monument at the center of the village.
Yesterday, I would have seen nothing.
Today…
I could finally perceive the world’s spiritual energy.
“So this is…
Origin Sense.”
I closed my eyes.
The countless points of light became even clearer.
Some were bright.
Others were faint.
They moved with the rhythm of the wind, flowing like invisible rivers across the land.
The Origin Core quietly displayed a notification.
Origin Sense
Current Rank: Basic
Detection Radius: 15 meters
Functions Available:
Detect Spiritual Energy.
Sense Living Auras.
Identify Minor Energy Disturbances.
Synchronization: 24%
“Only fifteen meters…”
It wasn’t much.
But considering I had only opened part of my First Origin Meridian, it was more than enough.
A smile appeared on my face.
For the first time since arriving in this world…
I wasn’t completely helpless.
“Kael!”
Hunter Milo’s loud voice echoed from below.
“There you are!”
I looked down to see him waving a wooden spear over his head.
“If you plan on joining the Pavilion one day…”
“You’d better start training before breakfast!”
I laughed.
“I’m coming!”
The training ground was already crowded.
Several young hunters had gathered before sunrise.
Some practiced archery.
Others sparred using wooden swords.
The atmosphere was filled with determination.
Hunter Milo tossed me the same practice spear from yesterday.
“Show me what you remember.”
I nodded.
Taking a deep breath, I settled into the stance he had taught me.
Left foot forward.
Shoulders relaxed.
Grip firm.
Then—
Thrust.
Recover.
Step.
Turn.
Again.
Again.
Again.
After nearly twenty repetitions, Milo raised his hand.
“Stop.”
I immediately lowered the spear.
He walked around me, carefully observing my posture.
Finally…
He smiled.
“Much better.”
Hunter Daren crossed his arms.
“Your footwork still needs work.”
“But you’re no longer fighting the spear.”
I blinked.
“What does that mean?”
Milo tapped the wooden shaft.
“Yesterday you were trying to control it.”
“Today…”
“You’re moving with it.”
The words sounded simple.
Yet somehow…
They made perfect sense.
Training continued for another hour.
Sweat dripped from my forehead.
Every muscle ached.
But unlike yesterday…
I wasn’t simply repeating movements.
I could feel the flow of my body.
The movement of my balance.
The path of every breath.
Without realizing it, Origin Sense was helping me correct small mistakes before the hunters even pointed them out.
The blue window appeared once more.
Basic Spear Technique
Mastery:
15% → 22%
Evaluation:
Grip: Good
Balance: Improving
Combat Awareness: Increased
Recommendation:
Continue Practical Training.
Hunter Milo whistled.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you…”
“But you’re learning faster than anyone I remember.”
I smiled awkwardly.
“If only you knew…”
After training, the hunters gathered beneath a large oak tree for breakfast.
Fresh bread, roasted meat, and hot herb tea were passed around. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Hunter Bran took a large bite before speaking.
“So…”
“When are you leaving?”
The question caught me off guard.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
Hunter Daren shook his head.
“You’ve already decided.”
“You just haven’t admitted it.”
Silence settled over the group.
Finally, Milo spoke.
“When I was young…”
“I wanted to leave too.”
“What stopped you?”
“My family.”
He smiled toward the village.
“And eventually…”
“I realized protecting this place wasn’t settling.”
“It was my choice.”
He looked directly at me.
“But your road is different.”
“If fate has opened a door…”
“You shouldn’t fear walking through it.”
I quietly nodded.
Deep down…
I already knew.
Ashwood wasn’t my destination.
It was my beginning.
As breakfast ended, Elder Rowan approached.
In his hands was a rolled parchment sealed with dark blue wax.
“I almost forgot.”
“This arrived before dawn.”
“For me?”
He nodded.
“A messenger hawk delivered it.”
My heartbeat quickened.
Very few people even knew Ashwood existed.
Who would send a letter here?
The seal carried the image of a silver sword surrounded by clouds.
The Azure Sword Pavilion.
I carefully broke the seal.
Inside was only a single sheet of paper.
Written in elegant handwriting were just a few lines.
To Kael of Ashwood Village.
If you truly seek the path of cultivation, come to the Azure Sword Pavilion before the first snowfall.
Bring no recommendation.
Bring only your resolve.
Someone will be waiting.
No signature.
No explanation.
Only those words.
The hunters exchanged confused glances.
Hunter Bran scratched his head.
“That’s…
surprisingly short.”
Elder Rowan’s expression became serious.
“The Pavilion never sends invitations to ordinary people.”
I folded the letter carefully.
Neither did I.
But one thing had become certain.
The road to the Azure Sword Pavilion had just opened.
And somewhere beyond those distant mountains…
Someone already knew my name.
The letter felt unusually heavy in my hands.
It was only a single sheet of parchment, yet the words refused to leave my mind.
Bring no recommendation.
Bring only your resolve.
The Azure Sword Pavilion…
One of the most prestigious cultivation sects in the Azure Region had invited someone from a forgotten village.
No.
Not someone.
Me.
Hunter Milo scratched his beard before breaking the silence.
“Looks like you’ve caught the attention of some very important people.”
Hunter Bran let out a whistle.
“I’ve heard thousands of young cultivators travel for months just to stand outside the Pavilion’s gates.”
“And most of them are rejected.”
Hunter Daren folded his arms.
“Whatever happened during the beast tide…”
“…they saw something in you.”
I forced a smile, but inside my thoughts were racing.
Was it because of the Origin Core?
Or because of the silver-haired swordswoman?
The more I learned…
The more mysterious everything became.
Elder Rowan gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
“The invitation says before the first snowfall.”
“That gives you some time.”
“Don’t rush your departure.”
“Spend these days becoming stronger.”
I nodded.
“I will.”
“The world outside Ashwood isn’t forgiving.”
“It won’t care about your determination if your strength can’t support it.”
His words were harsh.
But they were true.
Determination alone couldn’t defeat powerful cultivators or Spirit Beasts.
I needed real strength.
That afternoon, I returned to the ancient monument.
Unlike the previous night, the village was full of life.
Children chased each other between the houses.
Women washed clothes beside the well.
Hunters repaired broken weapons while discussing new patrol routes.
Ashwood was healing.
Slowly…
But surely.
I rested my hand against the cold stone.
Nothing happened.
The monument remained silent.
“So…”
A familiar blue window appeared.
Origin Core
Daily Training Available.
Current Objectives:
• Reach Body Tempering Realm – First Stage.
• Increase Spear Technique Mastery to 30%.
• Strengthen the First Origin Meridian.
Bonus Objective:
Explore the underground energy source beneath Ashwood Village.
Reward:
Hidden
I frowned.
“Explore?”
How?
There wasn’t a single cave beneath the village.
At least…
None that I knew about.
“Kael.”
I turned to see Grandma Mira carrying a woven basket filled with herbs.
“There you are.”
“I’ve been looking everywhere.”
She smiled warmly.
“I need some help gathering medicine.”
I accepted the basket without hesitation.
“Of course.”
The two of us walked toward the outskirts of the forest where medicinal plants grew beneath the shade of ancient trees.
Along the way, Grandma Mira pointed out different herbs.
“This one helps with fever.”
“This flower is poisonous unless it’s dried properly.”
“And these leaves…”
“They stop bleeding.”
Kael’s memories recognized many of them, but now I listened carefully, committing every lesson to memory.
Knowledge could save a life just as surely as a weapon.
While searching for herbs, Origin Sense suddenly activated on its own.
My steps stopped.
A faint golden glow flickered behind a cluster of moss-covered rocks.
Grandma Mira continued gathering plants, unaware.
Curious, I quietly walked closer.
Hidden beneath the roots of an old oak tree was a small stone slab almost completely buried by soil and vines.
Unlike ordinary stone…
Ancient runes were carved across its surface.
The moment my fingers brushed against it—
A powerful pulse erupted beneath the earth.
Thump!
Golden symbols flashed for only a heartbeat before disappearing.
The Origin Core immediately reacted.
Ancient Origin Seal Detected.
Status:
Dormant
Integrity:
98%
Recommendation:
Do Not Force Activation.
Host’s cultivation is insufficient.
I quickly withdrew my hand.
“So there really is something beneath the village…”
Whatever had been hidden here…
It was far older than Ashwood itself.
Before I could investigate further, Grandma Mira called out.
“Kael!”
“I found enough herbs.”
“We should head back before sunset.”
I took one last look at the buried stone.
“I’ll come back.”
I whispered so quietly that even I barely heard it.
That evening, Hunter Milo resumed my spear training.
This time, instead of teaching new movements, he focused entirely on repetition.
“Again.”
The spear thrust forward.
“Again.”
I corrected my footing.
“Again.”
Sweat rolled down my face.
Every strike became cleaner.
Every movement more natural.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Milo finally nodded with satisfaction.
“That’s enough.”
A blue notification appeared.
Basic Spear Technique
Mastery:
22% → 30%
Evaluation:
Combat Fundamentals Established.
New Combat Bonus:
Increased Accuracy
I smiled.
Little by little…
I was improving.
Not through miracles.
But through effort.
Night settled over Ashwood once more.
Standing outside Grandma Mira’s cottage, I looked toward the distant mountains where the Azure Sword Pavilion awaited.
In my pocket rested the invitation.
Beneath my feet slept an ancient secret.
Inside my chest beat the mysterious Origin Core.
My peaceful days in Ashwood were slowly coming to an end.
Far beyond the Azure Forest…
Inside a vast underground hall illuminated by countless crystal lamps…
Several figures sat around a circular stone table.
Each wore a black cloak embroidered with a single golden star.
One of them slowly opened an ancient scroll.
“The Origin Seal beneath Ashwood…”
A long silence followed.
Then another voice spoke.
“It has begun to resonate.”
The oldest figure in the room closed his eyes.
“After ten thousand years…”
“…the Heir has finally taken his first true step.”
Outside the hidden hall, a shadow disappeared into the darkness.
Its destination…
Ashwood Village.