Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Breaking of the Seal
The moon hung high in the night sky, its silver light casting an ethereal glow over the Azure Sky Sect. A cold wind whispered through the mountains, carrying with it an air of anticipation. Deep within his secluded room, Mo Xiu sat cross-legged on the floor, his body shrouded in a faint golden light.
For months, he had toiled tirelessly, practicing the Nine Heavens Resonance technique. Each night had been a grueling test of endurance and willpower, but now, at long last, the final barrier to his power was beginning to weaken.
Beads of sweat rolled down his face as he concentrated, his mind focused entirely on the intricate seal that bound his powers. The once-immovable barrier now quivered, cracks forming like spiderwebs across its surface.
"It's time," Mo Xiu murmured, his voice steady despite the storm of energy building within him.
He pressed his hands together in a series of rapid seals, channeling what little spiritual energy he could muster into the core of his being. The room grew heavy with pressure as a faint rumble echoed in the distance.
The Moment of Release
The seal, ancient and intricate, resisted fiercely, its divine runes flaring with a desperate intensity. Mo Xiu's body trembled under the strain, but he refused to relent. With one final push, he focused all his energy into the cracks, shattering the seal with a resounding crack.
The moment the seal broke, a tidal wave of power surged through his body. Mo Xiu gasped as the suppressed divine energy erupted within him, flooding every fiber of his being with an overwhelming force.
The room was bathed in golden light as his demigod aura resurfaced, no longer bound by mortal constraints. His bloodline awakened fully, its dormant might roaring to life.
But the awakening did not go unnoticed.
Heavenly Thunder Descends
The skies above the Azure Sky Sect darkened, the once-serene moon now obscured by ominous storm clouds. Bolts of golden lightning crackled through the heavens, illuminating the mountain peaks with an otherworldly glow.
In the main hall, Elder Lan and several senior disciples rushed outside, their faces etched with shock and confusion.
"What is happening?!" Elder Lan exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly.
"This… this is a heavenly tribulation!" one of the senior disciples stammered. "But who—?"
Their question was cut short as a deafening roar echoed through the mountains, followed by a bolt of golden lightning that struck the ground mere meters from the disciples.
Mo Xiu Faces the Tribulation
Within his room, Mo Xiu's expression remained calm despite the chaos brewing above. He knew this moment would come. The breaking of the seal and the reawakening of his divine bloodline had drawn the attention of the heavens.
"The heavenly tribulation," he muttered to himself. "I suppose it was inevitable."
Stepping outside, he ascended to the peak of a nearby cliff, his figure illuminated by the crackling lightning above. The winds howled around him, but his gaze remained steady.
Golden lightning coiled and danced across the storm clouds, each bolt carrying a power capable of annihilating even the most formidable cultivators. But Mo Xiu stood tall, his aura blazing with defiance.
"This is your judgment for a demigod?" he said softly, his voice tinged with both amusement and challenge. "Then come."
The First Strike
The first bolt of lightning descended with terrifying speed, splitting the air with a deafening roar. Mo Xiu raised his hand, channeling the divine energy coursing through him.
The bolt struck him directly, but instead of obliterating him, it was absorbed into his body. Mo Xiu's bloodline, now fully awakened, thrived on the divine energy of the tribulation, growing stronger with each strike.
A second bolt followed, then a third, each more powerful than the last. Mo Xiu gritted his teeth, enduring the relentless assault. His body ached under the strain, but his resolve never wavered.
A Spectacle for the Sect
By now, the entire Azure Sky Sect had gathered to witness the phenomenon. Disciples and elders alike stared in awe as the heavenly lightning descended upon the lone figure on the cliff.
"Who is that?" someone whispered.
"It can't be… Is it one of the new disciples?" another muttered.
Elder Lan's eyes narrowed as she observed the figure. "Whoever it is, they are no ordinary cultivator. To withstand a heavenly tribulation… this is unprecedented."
Among the crowd, Chen Wu and Zhang Hao recognized their friend's silhouette.
"That's Mo Xiu!" Chen Wu exclaimed, his voice filled with both worry and admiration.
Zhang Hao's fists clenched. "What is he doing? This kind of power… it's beyond anything we've ever seen."
The Final Bolt
As the tribulation reached its peak, the storm clouds churned violently, gathering their remaining energy for one final strike. The air grew thick with tension as a colossal bolt of lightning began to form, its power dwarfing everything that had come before.
Mo Xiu stood at the center of the storm, his expression resolute. He could feel the immense energy building above him, a force that would test the limits of his reborn body and divine bloodline.
"This is it," he murmured.
The bolt descended, splitting the sky with a blinding light. Mo Xiu raised both hands, channeling every ounce of his strength to meet it head-on. The collision shook the mountain, sending shockwaves that rippled through the sect grounds.
For a moment, it seemed as though the world itself held its breath. Then, as the light faded, Mo Xiu emerged from the storm, his body unscathed and his aura radiating with newfound strength.
A Silent Victory
The storm dissipated, and the night sky returned to its tranquil state. Mo Xiu stood alone on the cliff, his clothes tattered but his gaze unwavering. His power had returned—no, it had grown even stronger.
He turned back toward the sect, aware that his display had drawn attention. But as he descended the cliff, his expression remained calm.
For now, his identity as a demigod would remain hidden. Let the world speculate.
"This is only the beginning," Mo Xiu whispered to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips.
As the final echoes of thunder faded into the distance, the Azure Sky Sect remained eerily silent. The disciples and elders, still gathered in the courtyard, stared at the dissipating storm clouds in awe and disbelief. Such an event was rare, even in a realm teeming with powerful cultivators.
Elder Lan stepped forward, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "Everyone, return to your quarters. This matter will be investigated by the elders. Do not speak of what you have witnessed here tonight until further notice."
Reluctantly, the disciples dispersed, whispering amongst themselves. Chen Wu and Zhang Hao exchanged a glance, both worried and intrigued.
"We need to check on Mo Xiu," Zhang Hao said, his tone urgent.
Chen Wu nodded. "I have a feeling he's involved in this somehow."
Mo Xiu Returns to His Room
Mo Xiu quietly slipped back into his room, his movements swift and deliberate. His clothes were singed and tattered, but his body emanated a newfound strength. Sitting cross-legged, he took a deep breath and assessed his condition.
The tribulation had been grueling, but it had also been transformative. His divine bloodline, now fully awakened, coursed through his veins like a raging river. He could feel the power radiating from within, a stark contrast to the months of suppression he had endured.
"I didn't expect the tribulation to be so fierce," he muttered to himself, "but it's a small price to pay for regaining my strength."
Despite the exhilaration of his return to power, Mo Xiu knew he had to be cautious. The sect—and perhaps even the gods and demons—might begin to take notice of his unusual abilities.
A Visit from Friends
A soft knock at the door pulled Mo Xiu from his thoughts. Before he could respond, the door creaked open, revealing Chen Wu and Zhang Hao.
"Mo Xiu!" Chen Wu exclaimed, stepping inside. "Are you okay? We saw the lightning… It was you, wasn't it?"
Zhang Hao followed, his expression a mix of concern and awe. "That kind of power… Mo Xiu, what's going on?"
Mo Xiu gave them a faint smile. "Relax. I'm fine."
Chen Wu crossed his arms. "Don't try to brush this off. That wasn't just normal cultivation—you were facing a heavenly tribulation! Only those breaking through major realms or awakening extraordinary bloodlines experience something like that."
Mo Xiu's smile didn't waver. "Let's just say I've been working on something… unique. As for the tribulation, it was unexpected, but I handled it."
Zhang Hao frowned. "Handled it? You looked like you were about to tear the heavens apart!"
"Enough," Mo Xiu said, his tone firm but not unkind. "I appreciate your concern, but this isn't something I can explain right now. Trust me when I say I have everything under control."
Though reluctant, Chen Wu and Zhang Hao nodded, their trust in Mo Xiu overriding their curiosity.
Sect-Wide Speculation
The next day, the sect was abuzz with speculation. Rumors spread like wildfire, with disciples theorizing about the cause of the tribulation.
"It must have been an elder breaking through to a higher realm," one disciple suggested.
"Impossible," another countered. "The power was too wild, too raw. It felt… ancient."
Even the elders were divided in their interpretations. Elder Lan, however, remained silent, her thoughts focused on the mysterious figure she had seen on the cliff.
Mo Xiu's Plans
Meanwhile, Mo Xiu began to strategize his next moves. Now that his powers were restored, he needed to focus on two key objectives: regaining his full strength and protecting the mortal realm from the brewing conflict between the gods and demons.
Sitting in his room, he unfurled an ancient map he had retrieved from the sect library. The map depicted various locations across the mortal realm, including hidden ruins, ancient battlefields, and long-forgotten sects.
"These places hold the remnants of power from the ancient era," Mo Xiu mused. "If I can harness their energy or uncover their secrets, I'll be better prepared for what's to come."
His first target was the Cavern of the Fallen Star, a site rumored to contain fragments of celestial energy. However, traveling to such a location would attract attention, so he needed to proceed with caution.
A New Challenge
As Mo Xiu finalized his plans, a sect messenger arrived at his door.
"Disciple Mo Xiu," the messenger said, bowing. "Elder Lan requests your presence in the main hall."
Mo Xiu raised an eyebrow. "Did she say why?"
"No, only that it's urgent."
Suppressing a sigh, Mo Xiu followed the messenger to the main hall. Elder Lan stood at the center, her sharp gaze fixed on him as he entered.
"Mo Xiu," she began, her tone measured, "you've been performing well in your training. However, recent events have raised questions. I need to know: were you involved in the tribulation last night?"
Mo Xiu's expression remained calm. "I was meditating when the tribulation occurred, Elder. I felt its power but was not directly involved."
Elder Lan studied him intently, searching for any sign of deceit. After a long pause, she nodded. "Very well. But be warned—if I find out otherwise, there will be consequences."
Mo Xiu bowed respectfully. "Understood, Elder."
As he left the hall, his thoughts turned dark. I must tread carefully. The slightest slip could expose my true identity.