Veil of the Shattered Heavens

The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, casting shimmering beams onto the damp earth. Xuan Li opened his eyes slowly, the world around him still blurry. He sat up, feeling surprisingly rejuvenated despite his recent ordeal. His body bore no scars, and the injuries he had sustained were completely healed.

Before he could ponder the mystery of his recovery, a faint, commanding presence materialized in front of him. It was Veldris, his enigmatic master, his ethereal form as composed as ever.

"Disciple, you were unconscious for two days. Are you feeling better now?" Veldris asked, his voice calm yet laced with concern.

Xuan Li nodded. "Master, I think I've grasped the basic principles of the constant flow technique."

As if to confirm his words, a faint blue aura enveloped Xuan Li's body, flickering softly like the gentle waves of a serene ocean. Veldris observed his disciple intently before giving a slight nod.

"Good. Now that you are attuned to cosmic energy, it's time to lay down your foundation. However," Veldris said, his tone shifting, "this location is unsuitable. I've found a place more conducive to your cultivation. It's far from here, so you must hurry."

Returning to the City

Xuan Li made his way back to the city, feeling a mixture of relief and trepidation. As he entered, he noticed the wide-eyed stares of townsfolk, who seemed captivated by his appearance. Only then did he realize he was half-naked, his clothing torn and tattered from his previous ordeal.

A flush of embarrassment crept up his face as he muttered to himself, "Lesson learned. Always carry a second set of clothes when practicing outside."

After quickly changing and checking out from the inn, Xuan Li headed west, following his master's instructions. His destination lay in a mountainous region beyond the city—a place unknown yet filled with possibilities.

The Mountain of Red Crystals

By nightfall, Xuan Li arrived at a towering mountain peak. He was left speechless by the breathtaking sight before him. The entire peak was covered in shimmering red crystals. As the moonlight bathed the crystals, they refracted the light into a mesmerizing glow, immersing the entire mountain in a radiant red hue.

Veldris appeared beside him, his face as unreadable as ever. "Disciple, this is the place where you will truly dive into the cosmos."

Xuan Li smiled, his excitement evident. "Master, your choice is truly wonderful."

Veldris, however, remained impassive. "I did not choose this place for its beauty but for the concentrated presence of cosmic energy. In this dimension, cosmic energy is scarce compared to the so-called 'heavenly aura' you once knew. Yet, here, the energy is unusually strong. Sit cross-legged and follow my instructions. Do not lose focus, for the strength of your foundation will determine your future potential."

Xuan Li nodded and obediently assumed a meditative posture. His master's voice echoed in his ears.

"First, feel the connection to the cosmos. All things are intertwined by a mysterious energy—life and death, creation and destruction. It is a force both known and unknown, shaping reality itself. Feel it."

Xuan Li closed his eyes, his breathing steadying as he reached out with his consciousness. Hours passed as he concentrated, his surroundings fading away. In the depths of his mind, an inner shock jolted him.

In his consciousness, the darkness shattered like glass, giving way to a dazzling scene. Galaxies spiraled in an endless expanse of stars. Colorful nebulae stretched across the heavens, their vibrant hues illuminating the vast emptiness. Xuan Li stood in awe, whispering, "So this is the cosmos… beautiful and infinite, like eternity itself."

In the real world, the space around Xuan Li began to distort, faint ripples of multicolored energy swirling as if resonating with his realization.

Condensing the Singularity

"Disciple," Veldris's voice cut through the awe of the moment, "you've established the connection. Now, gather the cosmic energy and condense it at a single point. This will be your singularity, the foundation upon which all else will be built."

Xuan Li nodded inwardly. Following his master's instructions, he began to guide the cosmic energy through his meridians, drawing it toward a central point in his consciousness. In the real world, streams of black and white energy danced around his body, converging toward his core.

"Master, I've gathered the energy. What's the next step?" Xuan Li asked, his voice trembling with the effort.

"When the energy is fully condensed, it must compress further until it explodes into a powerful release. The process will be arduous, and you may face pain. Endure it, for the results will shape your destiny. Stay focused, or the backlash could be severe."

As Veldris finished speaking, Xuan Li felt the energy within him reach a critical mass. He compressed it further, his entire body trembling under the strain. Then, with a deafening hum in his consciousness, the singularity erupted.

The pain was immediate and excruciating. Xuan Li coughed up blood, his veins bulging and his body drenched in sweat. He teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, his vision swimming.

"Disciple, endure!" Veldris's shout rang out. "Damn it, was I too hasty…?"

But Xuan Li's resolve hardened. In his mind, memories of the scorn and ridicule he had faced played out like a cruel reminder of his supposed inferiority.

"Trash? I'll prove you all wrong!" he roared within himself.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, he began to gather the remnants of the cosmic energy scattered throughout his consciousness. Slowly but surely, he condensed it once more, this time with greater control.

The Breakthrough

Eight days later, the night sky over the mountain was pierced by a blinding blue light. Xuan Li's body radiated a powerful aura, ripples of energy crackling around him. The ground beneath him cracked, and the wind howled, carrying his newfound strength into the distance.

Even the beasts in the surrounding mountains felt the overwhelming pressure and fled in fear. A resonant hum echoed through the night as the breakthrough was complete.

In Xuan Li's consciousness, a magnificent black hole spun at the center of a vibrant accretion disk. Radiant colors of blue, purple, and pink swirled around it, representing the raw, untamed power of the cosmos.

In the real world, Xuan Li opened his eyes, a calm yet determined expression on his face. He stood and bowed deeply to Veldris. "Thank you, Master, for your guidance."

Veldris nodded, his gaze piercing. Without a word, he dove into Xuan Li's consciousness, inspecting the foundation. He smiled faintly, his approval clear. "Well done, disciple. You have laid a strong foundation and taken your first true step toward becoming an Apprentice. Now, stabilize your foundation."

He pointed toward a specific direction. "Head there to settle yourself. You'll find challenges to temper your new strength."

The Test of Strength

Following his master's instructions, Xuan Li ventured deeper into the wilderness, where he encountered a massive creature. Standing over 35 feet tall, it was covered in bone-like scales and radiated a malevolent aura.

Xuan Li smirked. "Perfect. Let's see how far I've come."

Dashing forward with incredible speed, enhanced by his mastery of the constant flow technique, he clashed with the beast. The battle echoed through the mountains, each strike shaking the earth.

Minutes later, Xuan Li stood victorious, his body drenched in sweat but his spirits high. However, as he turned to report his success to Veldris, a sudden wave of pain coursed through him. His body convulsed as he collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony.

Veldris appeared, observing calmly. "Your body is adapting to the cosmic energy. Bear it, disciple. This is the price of growth."

And so, Xuan Li's journey continued, his resolve unshaken as he marched ever closer to proving his worth in the eyes of the cosmos.