In a small cottage, a child was stopped by his parents as he prepared to leave. His mother hugged him tightly, her eyes filled with pride and worry.
"Zhen Wu, listen carefully," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Study well at the academy. You are the only one in our clan with talent for cultivation. You are our pride. Don't make any mistakes that might anger the formation masters, okay?"
The child named Zhen Wu grinned confidently, his eyes sparkling with youthful ambition. "Yeah, yeah, Mother, don't worry! I will work hard. I'll make you both proud, and in the future, you'll have to call me 'Wang'!"
Hearing this, his parents laughed, their fears momentarily eased by their son's enthusiasm. The firelight flickered in the small, humble room, casting warm shadows on the walls as they shared a brief moment of family warmth before his departure.
Meanwhile, in the grand corridors of the Wang clan's main hall, the clan leader walked alongside the second elder, Wang Kai. Their footsteps echoed off the polished stone floors, a stark contrast to the warmth of the cottage.
"Elder Wang Kai," the clan leader said, his tone calm yet commanding, "you should prepare to depart. This year, we've produced a promising batch of disciples. This generation might even produce a future elder."
He stroked his beard, a habitual gesture whenever he was deep in thought. Wang Kai nodded, a glint of ambition flashing in his eyes.
"Leave this matter to me, Clan Leader," he replied. The two men shared a knowing glance before Wang Kai turned to leave.
As the elder's footsteps faded down the hallway, the clan leader turned to gaze out of a large window, his eyes fixed on the distant, mist-covered peaks. His thoughts drifted to a certain young disciple.
"Wang Ming," he whispered, his voice low and sharp. "My hopes are on you. Do not disappoint me, or..." His eyes narrowed, and a cold expression crossed his face. "...don't blame me for showing my second face. Since I have chosen to invest in you, you should remember to return the favor."
With a final glance at the horizon, the clan leader turned and walked back into the depths of the hall, his robes flowing behind him like the shadow of a mountain.
In his own quarters, Wang Ming sat cross-legged, his breathing steady and controlled. The air around him felt heavy, as if the entire world held its breath. Suddenly, a soft knock echoed from his door.
"What is it?" Wang Ming's voice was cold and sharp, his eyes remaining closed as he continued his silent cultivation.
"Young master," his maid's voice came from the other side of the door, respectful yet tinged with urgency. "The academy has sent guards to pack up your belongings for the move to the academy hostel."
Wang Ming's eyes opened slightly, his gaze sharp . After a moment of silence, he responded, "Alright. Do as you wish. Just make sure it is done before I leave."
"Yes, young master," the maid replied, her footsteps quickly fading down the corridor.
As the quiet returned, a slight smirk appeared on Wang Ming's lips. His thoughts turned inward, reflecting on the path that lay ahead.
"The academy... This will be my battlefield for the next two years. This is the place where every child with awakened talent is trained to become a formation apprentice. It is a crucial step for those who wish to walk the path of true cultivation. Without passing through its gates, no one can step onto the path of power, regardless of their background in Wang clan."
He paused, his eyes gleaming with a hidden fire.
"I didn't cultivate beforehand for a reason. Before becoming a rank one formation apprentice, no one can hide the traces of their initial cultivation, the so-called 'zeroth stage.' Even with my knowledge from my previous life, it would take at least one to two months to reach a stable foundation, so I controlled my desire to start cultivation as I would have been caught by the higher ups, and this would have been very bad for me. But now..."
His fingers tightened slightly, the air around him growing colder.
"Now, I can finally begin my true cultivation."
With that, Wang Ming closed his eyes once more, his mind sinking into the vast, boundless sea of potential that awaited him. His journey had truly begun.