Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: Unrest

“Wait a minute, what do you mean by ‘after’?” Suddenly sensing a hidden meaning in Mu Qing’s words, Mo De raised his head warily and looked over.

“Come here, sit on this side.” Mu Qing shifted her position and patted the edge of the bed, signaling for Mo De to approach.

The scent of floral shower gel mingled with a faint sweetness, making Mo De’s nose itch slightly.

“The reason I said most of the hidden dangers have been eliminated is that the black flame within me hasn’t completely disappeared. Get ready, I want to test something.” Mu Qing’s voice lost some of its languor, becoming more serious. When Mo De nodded to indicate he was ready, Mu Qing took a deep breath and voluntarily removed her amber-tinted sunglasses.

As the sunglasses came off, what had been a clear view instantly plunged into darkness, and in that darkness, black flames ignited. The familiar burning sensation erupted from her pupils, spreading throughout her body in an instant, flooding her sensory world with scorching streams of fire.

“Help me.” Mu Qing bit her lip, maintaining her composure. Compared to before, this outbreak of black fire was still within her tolerance.

Mo De reached out, suddenly noticing that only the black thread remained on his right wrist; the copper clasp was gone. There was no time to dwell on it. Seeing Mu Qing’s face, shrouded in black flames and contorted in pain, Mo De no longer hesitated and reached out directly.

In the pitch-black, burning world of sensation, Mu Qing suddenly felt the shape of a hand. The palm was cool and not broad, but strong, gently soothing the restless black flames. The boundless sea of fire ceased its turbulence, burning quietly, then being drawn out strand by strand from Mu Qing’s body.

Touching the black fire again, Mo De felt no discomfort. Instead, he sensed a wave of heat surging from Mu Qing’s body, gathering at his wrist. The black thread there transformed from solid to ethereal, unhesitatingly absorbing all incoming black fire.

This time, the passage of fire did not last long. The illusory black flames swirling around Mu Qing’s body quickly extinguished. Mo De looked at Mu Qing’s face; now, without white bandages or amber sunglasses to obscure it, her exquisite eyes were devoid of spirit, as if residual embers still lingered deep within them.

“That’s enough. As expected, the effect of passing the fire is much weaker this time.” Her voice was faint, exhausted. Mu Qing groped around, searching for her sunglasses.

The black thread on Mo De’s wrist solidified once more. He supported Mu Qing with one hand to prevent her from falling, and with the other, retrieved the sunglasses and gently put them back on her.

“You’re pretty observant.” Regaining her vision, Mu Qing couldn’t hide her fatigue in her tone. Two passes of the fire in one day was simply too much for her. “Simply put, you’ve entered the ‘Phase of Alteration.’ If you focus, you’ll understand what’s happening inside you. Still, reaching the Phase of Alteration at your age is quite impressive, little one.”

“I can’t hold on any longer. I’m going to sleep.” Mu Qing yawned, burrowed under the covers, and fell asleep in a second. Gentle snores arose; she was truly exhausted.

Mo De took out his phone and finally realized it was past midnight. After setting the alarm for five-thirty, he walked to the bathroom, intending to shower quickly and rest.

He took off the shirt stained with small spots of blood and tossed all his clothes into the washing machine provided in the bathroom. Closing the lid, he set the wash and dry program, then turned on the shower and began to bathe.

He didn’t notice that there was already a set of clothes freshly dried inside the machine.

Adjusting the water to cool, the chill relaxed his body and mind. Today’s events had been too numerous and chaotic. He sighed, frustrated that the clues concerning that man had once again gone cold. Raising his wrist, he saw the copper clasp had vanished, leaving only the black thread lying quietly, indistinguishable from any ordinary silk.

Clearing his mind, Mo De slowly took deep breaths.

Exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale...

Gradually, the sound of water seemed to fade away. Body and mind entered a vast tranquility.

A subtle alteration quietly began to gestate—like a chick breaking its shell, a budding flower, a stumbling beast. It was exceedingly faint, but undeniably real.

As if blessed by intuition, everything fell into place. The strange sensation within him felt so foreign, yet so rightfully present. The unprecedented sense of contradiction and division made Mo De realize he had pushed open the first door of awakening, stepping into the “Phase of Alteration,” and had officially become an Awakened.

The world of Awakened ones: two awakenings, six stages. The first awakening is divided into three realms—Alteration, Inspiration, and Embodiment. Among them, Alteration is the foundation of all.

The Dao is fifty; Heaven evolves forty-nine; Man leaves one behind. Man is the singular alteration between Heaven and Earth.

The human body, a microcosm, bears both yin and yang. One alteration catalyzes myriad arts. Some call it “qi”; some, “magic”; others, “immortal essence”; some, “vital blood”; some, “mana bar”...

No matter how doctrines and traditions shift and diversify, all origins trace back to that minuscule alteration. To find the root of all arts, the source of all powers, one must step into the Realm of Alteration.

The first realm of awakening is “Alteration.” Pursue that subtle alteration within oneself, obtain information from it, learn and imitate, then absorb it—cultivating the “seed of alteration” into the “flower of power,” thus gaining true strength of one’s own. Pursuit, insight, and learning comprise the cultivation of Alteration for the Awakened.

The second realm is “Inspiration.” Inspiration is the process of repeatedly sketching and rewriting the newly generated, faint power within, gradually solidifying it into a complete mental image, achieving “inward inspiration, outward manifestation.” During Inspiration, the Awakened’s five senses sharpen and mental strength grows rapidly, allowing preliminary use of their power.

The third realm is “Embodiment.” The mental image, inspired within, is cast onto the body. Based on the progress of Inspiration, the fledgling mental image is projected onto the flesh. Power finally shifts from “simulation” to “application.” The ability to summon wind and fire, conjure lightning—such extraordinary feats are possible for those in Embodiment. At this point, the gap between the Awakened and the unawakened becomes absolute.

As for the second awakening, it is a chasm for any Awakened. To leap across is to ascend to the gates of heaven. Fail, and one may never recover. Those who fail suffer from confusion and bodily ruin at best; at worst, death and oblivion. Yet those who succeed enter a brand-new world.

The realms of “Gate Mastery,” “Beyond Form,” and “Wish Fulfillment” transform the Awakened at the very level of existence. Different schools and traditions gradually reveal the mysteries of their powers after the second awakening, and the strength of individuals soon outweighs the power of numbers. It is said that the strongest at Wish Fulfillment’s peak can battle entire armies alone.

The two awakenings are not the end of cultivation. Should one survive the third awakening, one is called a “Venerated,” able to shift mountains and fill seas at will, wielding great powers.

Above “Venerated,” lies the “Throne.”

In this world, the Throne is the pinnacle of strength.

As for whether there is a level beyond the Throne, the man never told Mo De directly; he only smiled and teased, “When the time comes, see it for yourself…”

“Now, I’ve finally become an Awakened. This body will no longer be my only trump card.”

“I’m very interested in what you spoke of. As you wish, I will see with my own eyes what lies beyond the Throne.”

Turning off the shower, brushing back his damp hair, the youth closed his eyes and murmured to himself.

His expression was calm, his posture straight, his tone resolute.

As if making a solemn promise to someone.