High above the skies of the Celestium Continent, where wind currents carry the whisper of power, the Dao Temple forged by the powers of Orion and Lyra floated among luminous clouds.
The sky around it shone in golden and silver hues, as rays of light glittered through the clouds, creating arches and spirals that seemed to draw the very Dao in the firmament.
The clouds below formed a tranquil sea, from which ethereal hills and mountains emerged, distant and almost unreal, like visions of a world beyond mortal comprehension.
The air there was charged with ancient and potent energy, reverberating like the echo of countless eras of cultivation.
At the center of this celestial scene hovered a gigantic palace of white jade, its walls adorned with shimmering runes that narrated the history of immortal conquests.
In the main hall—the Hall of Dao Emperors—a vast courtyard opened up, with thrones arranged in a circle. Each throne was unique, carved from sacred and rare materials, representing the power and identity of its occupant.
An atmosphere of solemn silence hung in the air, broken only by the gentle breeze carrying fragments of conversation.
Seated upon these thrones were the masters of the Dao Temple from the Imperial Academy of Eryndor. They watched the skies and the realms below from above, their penetrating gazes full of wisdom, traversing the vastness of worlds.
On the throne of Stellar Crystal, the Great Sword Master maintained an austere posture. His robes flowed like shooting stars around his slender frame, and his sword rested by his side, exuding an aura as sharp as space itself. He was the first to speak, his voice cutting the air like a blade.
"The students are... acceptable" he said, his eyes narrowing as if calculating every detail of the disciples.
"But few truly comprehend the essence of the Dao of the Sword. They brandish their weapons with strength, but lack the true heart of a blade. Only when the sword becomes an extension of the soul will they reach their true potential."
On the throne of Eternal Flames, the Matriarch of the Dao of Primordial Fire sighed. Flames around her danced in a serene yet impetuous rhythm, reflecting the untamable nature of her power. Her eyes, red as embers, gleamed with intensity.
"The raw potential is abundant, but control is what's missing. My students are like wildfires, but they need to learn to channel that fury into a refined flame. Those who cannot master the fire become consumed by it. I have seen one or two who may be able to master true Primordial Fire, but the journey will be long."
Beside her, on the throne of Lunar Lotus—made of silver lotus blossoms and bathed in soft moonlight—sat the Lady of the Dao of Mind. Her countenance was as calm as the surface of a lake at night, but her eyes glimmered with unfathomable wisdom. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper blending with the wind.
"The spirit is the thread that connects everything" she said, her gaze distant. "Many of our students have restless spirits, and few possess the serenity needed to hear the universe's melody. The haste to attain power obscures the true path. However, there are those already beginning to hear... and those few are promising."
On the throne of Divine Thunder—carved from crystallized lightning—the Lord of the Dao of Lightning smiled confidently. Bolts of lightning coiled around his body, crackling in the air with raw, indomitable energy. He crossed his arms, his voice reverberating like distant thunder.
"My disciples are like storms ready to erupt. The raw force they have is impressive, but control is the real test. Some have begun to learn to tame the lightning within themselves, but they have a long way to go before becoming a true immortal storm. I see potential, but the road to mastering the Dao of Lightning is treacherous."
The discussion among the masters intensified as each defended their students' approach and potential. The air around them vibrated with the collision of powerful auras, yet there was mutual respect among these ancient cultivators.
On the central throne stood Orion, whose aura seemed to connect all the Daos around him. He was the final voice and supreme presence in the Temple. His eyes shone like twin oceans, and when he finally spoke, his voice was like the sound of mountains shifting.
"Every teaching brings challenges and opportunities" he said in his calm yet authoritative tone. "But remember, my lords, the Dao is an endless journey. There is no final destination, only evolution. Watch your students closely, but guide them with patience. The multiverse does not forgive the reckless, but rewards the determined."
With those words, a new silence settled over the hall.
Meanwhile, the academy's disciples gathered in the legendary Coastal City on the shores of the ocean that separated this continent from Aeternum. The city floated above the sea, sustained by pillars of pure energy.
Colossal statues of ancient gods and cultivators gazed toward the horizon, guarding the gates.
Carrying the Divine Cube—an artifact bestowed by Orion—each student made their way to the golden platform at the city's entrance. One by one, they placed their cubes before them and recited the activation incantation.
The runes glowed intensely.
In an instant, a vortex of light enveloped them.
They felt their bodies being pulled by a force beyond comprehension, and then… the world changed.
The ground was now crystalline, reflecting the golden skies. Mountains floated in the distance. Conscious winds danced with living jade trees.
At the center, Orion and Lyra awaited.
Orion wore celestial armor of gold and jade. Lyra donned robes woven from cosmic silk, her immortal beauty shimmering.
Around them, the masters watched their disciples with sharp yet hopeful eyes.
Orion took a step forward.
"Welcome to the Celestium Continent. This will be the arena where you forge your destinies. Here, you will prove your worth—or be consumed by the forces of this land."
Lyra smiled.
"Many will fall. But those who triumph will touch true ascension. The Dao is not just power—it is balance, understanding. Be worthy."
The disciples knelt, silent, solemn. A vow was made in that moment.
"You will have guardians, but no tutors" Orion continued. "I will found a sect here, but your journey will be solitary. In ten thousand years, I expect you to return stronger than any being on this continent. Only then may you return to Eryndor—as true cultivators of destiny."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" they answered in unison.
Later, high among the clouds, Orion and Lyra floated alone.
"This is the battlefield where they will prove their worth…" Lyra mocked, imitating Orion in a dramatic voice, then laughed. "So serious… a true emperor of the theater."
"I had to follow the script!" Orion grumbled, crossing his arms, cheeks reddening.
"The masters you chose are the strongest in this universe… what will be left of this world?" Lyra said between laughs.
"Hey, it was meant to be symbolic!" Orion defended himself.
"All right, paper emperor," she teased with a playful push. "And now?"
"Now… we create our new sect. Then, we embark on another adventure," he replied, already imagining their next plans.
The place Orion chose to found the sect was a hidden valley, surrounded by colossal mountains and ancient forests. The aurora borealis constantly crossed the skies. There, he established the Celestial Aurora Sect.
At its center rose the Aurora Temple, built of living stone and divine crystal. At its top, a dome of light reflected the sky, emanating serenity.
Around it, specialized cultivation pavilions for each element. Celestial gardens bloomed with mystical plants. In the Hall of Geniuses, masters from across the multiverse would train the most promising. An infinite library housed ancient secrets. Finally, the Grand Portal connected the sect to other worlds.
"It's ready," Orion said, observing the creation with pride.
"It's beautiful," Lyra replied, her eyes shining.
He then created a copy of himself—another "Self" to lead the sect.
"Come, my love. Our journey continues," said Orion, opening a portal between dimensions.
Hand in hand, smiling, they crossed the veil of reality, heading toward their next destination—together, eternal, invincible.