The forest was quiet, as if nature itself held its breath. Amidst the soft rustle of leaves and distant bird calls, Qian Daoliu stood frozen. His heart pounded like war drums beneath his ribs, not from fear—but from disbelief.
He had spent his entire life chasing one dream.
To ascend. To become a god.
Now, he stood at the threshold—rank ninety-nine. Just one final step remained, a single breath away. And yet… that last step was a chasm. An invisible wall he had never been able to cross, no matter how desperately he reached for it. He had long accepted it might remain forever out of reach.
But fate, it seemed, was not without a sense of irony.
He looked up, eyes wide. "Ancestor… what you said… is it true?"
The one before him, Qian Yu, nodded with serene certainty. "You are of the Spirit Hall. And I am its founder. Helping you—guiding you—is a responsibility I won't turn away from."
Emotion flooded Qian Daoliu's chest. Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee. "Thank you… thank you, Ancestor!"
He bowed deeply, voice trembling with reverence. "What must I do? Tell me, and I'll obey."
But Qian Yu's voice remained as calm as still water. "There's nothing to do right now. When the time comes, I will find you."
"…Understood." Qian Daoliu rose, composed himself, and bowed again. "Then, with your leave, I'll take my departure."
Qian Yu gave a gentle nod.
And just like that, Qian Daoliu's figure faded into the shadows of the trees, as if swallowed by the forest itself.
Qian Yu turned and made his way back to the solitude of his quarters. The night resumed its rhythm, quiet and undisturbed, as if none of it had ever happened.
The Next Day
The morning air was heavy with unease. Tang San's footsteps echoed through the hall as he rushed into the medical ward, carrying the limp form of his teacher—Yu Xiaogang, the man everyone simply called "Grandmaster."
He had found him unconscious, his breathing shallow, body bruised. Without a second thought, Tang San had raced him to the hospital.
Hours passed. Each second was a slow, agonizing drip of time. Then finally, a healer stepped out.
"Doctor!" Tang San called out, hope laced with panic. "How is he? Will my teacher be alright?"
The healer sighed, his expression a mix of relief and regret. "His life isn't in danger… but I'm afraid he's suffered injuries that can't be healed."
Tang San felt the blood drain from his face. "What… what do you mean?"
The man avoided his gaze.
Later, when Yu Xiaogang finally opened his eyes, the weight of everything unsaid hung heavy in the room.
Tang San approached quietly, careful not to disturb the frail man. His teacher's spirit seemed dimmed, as though something deep inside had broken.
"Teacher…" Tang San murmured, kneeling by the bed. "Please… don't lose heart."
Yu Xiaogang didn't speak. He stared past Tang San, face drawn, as if mourning not just pain, but betrayal.
Tang San hesitated. "Who did this to you?"
The silence stretched long before Yu Xiaogang finally spoke. "Xiao San… you're all I have now. It's not that I don't want to tell you… but you're not ready. Not yet. He's too strong."
"Was it Qian Yu?" Tang San asked, already knowing the answer.
Yu Xiaogang gave a bitter nod. "Yes. But promise me… don't seek revenge. He'll crush you."
Tang San's fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. "Why would he do this? What reason could he have?!"
His teacher's voice broke. "I… I don't know. I never wronged him. Maybe… maybe he resented me. Maybe he feared what we might become. Fearing that, together, we'd surpass him."
Tears welled in the old man's eyes.
"I didn't provoke him. I only taught you the best I could. And for that… he destroyed me."
Tang San stood, his body trembling with rage and helplessness. The room seemed to shrink around him.
"I swear to you," he said, voice low and fierce, "I will become strong enough to defeat him. I'll make him pay for what he did to you."
Later That Morning
Back at the dormitory, Qian Yu returned as if nothing had happened. The sunlight streamed in through the open window, warm and inviting. As he stepped inside, Xiao Wu flung herself into his arms.
"Qian Yu-ge!" she cried. "Where did you go last night? You were gone the whole evening!"
He smiled, ruffling her hair with a calm affection. "Just took a walk, nothing special."
"You worried me," she said, pouty but relieved.
He chuckled softly. "Let's go get something to eat."
"Mm!" She nodded, wrapping her arms around his.
As they stepped out, the gentle morning light bathed the path ahead. But then—a figure blocked their way.
A boy, clad in blue, eyes burning with determination. Tang San.
He stood tall, fists clenched, eyes locked onto Qian Yu. "Was it you?" he demanded. "Did you hurt my teacher?"
Qian Yu halted, then met his gaze. "Yes," he said simply. "And what of it? Are you here to take revenge?"
Tang San's jaw tightened. "You may be powerful now. But time changes everything. You know the saying—thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Never look down on someone just because they're young and poor!"
Qian Yu raised an eyebrow. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "What is this, a monologue from Xiao Yan? Spare me."
But then, his tone shifted, laced with amusement. "You never stopped to ask why I did it. Curious, isn't it?"
"There's no need!" Tang San snapped. "You're born with strength. My teacher is only ranked twenty-eight. Why would he provoke you? No—what you fear is not him. It's me. You're afraid that under his guidance, I'll surpass you!"
Qian Yu laughed, quiet and dark. To him, Yu Xiaogang was no more than a petty schemer.
But explanations? No. Tang San didn't deserve them. Not yet.
"Believe whatever you want," he said coolly.
"What's so funny?" Tang San growled.
Qian Yu turned away. "Nothing," he said. "If you're so sure, then work hard. Surpass me if you can."
He glanced down at Xiao Wu and smiled. "Let's go."
They walked off together, Xiao Wu clinging to his side like a gentle moon orbiting the sun. Tang San watched them disappear, heart aching—not just from anger, but from a bitter, tangled jealousy.
"I will surpass you," he whispered to the wind. "No matter what it takes."
Time Passed
Days turned into weeks. Qian Yu remained at Nuoding Academy, training quietly, his strength growing with each passing sunrise. The power of his first soul ring had fully stabilized. It was time to seek the second.
The ordinary Spirit Beast Forest was no longer enough.
He would go to the Great Star Dou Forest.
Before leaving, he visited the Spirit Hall. Despite being nominally just a low-ranked soul master of Nuoding City, his strength—and something deeper, something unspoken—earned him respect that far outweighed his title. Even the likes of Matthew Nuo and Su Yuntao deferred to him, knowing instinctively that Qian Yu was not someone to underestimate.
He requested a carriage. They complied without hesitation.
But he did not take Xiao Wu with him.
She was born in the Star Dou Forest. To return might stir memories—ones better left buried for now. Besides, she was doing well at the Academy. Strong, respected. Safe.
So, he would go alone.
He stepped into the carriage, the city slowly fading behind him.
Ahead lay the forest—and the next step toward godhood.
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