After the Rite of Awakening, Wu Li fell into a deep slumber, his body seemingly at peace. Yet beneath the surface, his spiritual energy remained unstable, as the dual forces of Dao energy and arcane magic struggled for dominance. The spiritual seal placed upon him by Archē Telous was a temporary solution. Wu Li was not yet ready to control the vast powers within him, and neither was the world prepared for the consequences of his awakening.
Though the Cosmic Dao Sect stood as his sanctuary, it was becoming clear that this would not be enough. As Wu Yan and Ye Xuan waited anxiously for their son to wake, they knew the forces of the outside world had already begun to stir.
The Arrival of a Visitor
Three days after the Rite of Awakening, a figure arrived at the gates of the Cosmic Dao Sect. Unlike most envoys from neighboring factions, this one had no pretense of diplomacy or goodwill. His purpose was far clearer—he came not to offer help, but to claim what he believed to be his due. Kong Zhen, a high-ranking member of the Arcane Magus Alliance, stood before the sect with a direct and unwavering resolve.
The Arcane Magus Alliance had always been a faction driven by the pursuit of power, and the birth of Wu Li, a child with the potential to wield both Dao and arcane magic, had not gone unnoticed. To them, Wu Li represented the key to unlocking ancient arcane knowledge. Kong Zhen's arrival was neither a request nor a plea—it was an assertion of claim.
"Sect Master Wu Yan," Kong Zhen's voice rang out as he entered the hall, his posture rigid with the confidence of someone used to power. His robes were adorned with the sigils of the Arcane Magus Alliance, and his aura resonated with raw magical energy. "I come to discuss the fate of your son. His powers are unparalleled. We of the Arcane Magus Alliance have long sought to unlock the secrets of dual magic. With Wu Li's awakening, that opportunity is within our grasp."
Wu Yan felt a pang of tension at the words. The Arcane Magus Alliance was a faction known for its ruthless pursuit of power, and he could sense their intentions were anything but benevolent. Still, he did not flinch.
"What do you want from us, Kong Zhen?" Wu Yan's voice was firm, but he kept his calm.
Kong Zhen smiled coldly, the sharp edge of ambition in his eyes. "What I want is simple." His tone shifted to one of undeniable authority. "We have studied Wu Li's birth. His powers transcend both the Dao and arcane magic. Such potential cannot be allowed to remain untapped. The Arcane Magus Alliance demands that Wu Li join us to help us unlock the true potential of dual magic. In exchange, we will offer him a place of prominence in our ranks. The child will never lack for resources, knowledge, or power."
Ye Xuan stepped forward, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "We did not raise our son to be a pawn for your interests."
Kong Zhen's smile widened, unperturbed. "You misunderstand, Matriarch. It is not a request. It is a mutual agreement. If you refuse, we will take Wu Li by force. The world is full of people willing to train him in the ways of both the Dao and magic."
The tension in the room grew thick, but Wu Yan remained resolute. The Cosmic Dao Sect was built on balance and enlightenment, but their power was not to be traded so easily. "We will not allow you to manipulate him."
Kong Zhen's eyes darkened slightly. "Then we will see if the world agrees with your sentiment, Sect Master. Know that there are others—those from the Eternal Sect of Stars, as well as... darker factions, who will soon make their own moves."
He turned, preparing to leave, his words leaving a heavy threat hanging in the air. "The child's fate is intertwined with the world's. If you do not act quickly, forces beyond your control will come for him. And no one will be able to protect him."
The Struggle Within
As Kong Zhen departed, Wu Yan and Ye Xuan were left in the quiet tension of the aftermath. Their son's awakening had already caught the attention of the most powerful factions in the world. With Wu Li's powers as they were, there was no way to keep him hidden for long. He would need training—powerful, controlled training—and they had no choice but to prepare him for the battles that were sure to come.
But the danger was ever present. Dao cultivation, while a path of balance and enlightenment, was not without its own risks. Arcane magic, on the other hand, was raw, untamed, and inherently dangerous. Training Wu Li in both would be an act of profound risk.
Even with the seal placed on his dual powers, the forces within Wu Li were still volatile. He would need a mentor who could walk the fine line between discipline and freedom—the Dao was slow and methodical, while arcane magic demanded rapid, instinctive action. The two were at odds, and yet he had to master both.
Wu Yan and Ye Xuan began to consider their options.
Zhi Rong, the eldest and wisest elder of the sect, would continue to guide Wu Li in the ways of Dao cultivation—a slow, careful process that required deep meditation and control. But they would need someone else to guide him in arcane magic—someone capable of teaching him the finesse required for such volatile power.
They knew they could not trust the Arcane Magus Alliance, but there was another figure in the Myriad Immortal World, one who could teach Wu Li in the ways of arcane magic while not being driven solely by his own ambitions.
The Watchful Eye
Unbeknownst to the Cosmic Dao Sect, the forces around them were not only comprised of arcane mages and mystics, but also secretive factions like the Hidden Shadows, who had remained in the shadows for centuries. Their motivations were clear: control, manipulation, and secrecy. They could not allow Wu Li's existence to disrupt the careful balance of the world.
Though Kong Zhen's words had stirred the Cosmic Dao Sect into motion, it was just one step in the larger game being played. The Arcane Magus Alliance, the Eternal Sect of Stars, and the Hidden Shadows had all recognized Wu Li's potential. The world would soon learn just how much power lay within this young boy.
The question remained: Would Wu Li be able to control the immense forces inside him? Or would the world tear him apart, seeking to claim him for its own purposes?