The morning sky stretched above Tang Yan, a soft tapestry woven from shimmering gold and ethereal pale blue, yet he felt none of its warmth seep into his heart. He stood precariously on the ledge, his gaze drifting over the sprawling forested valley below, where the emerald treetops danced in the gentle breeze. The wind caressed his cheeks like an invisible ghost, whispering secrets of a world that continued on without him. A singular, jarring note resonated in his mind—Silence.
Tang San was gone.
There had been no farewell, no final words exchanged; only the hollow echo of absence reverberating in the pit of Tang Yan's stomach, where his twin brother's vibrant presence once thrived. Before him lay a faint indentation in the grass—where Tang San had sat laughing the night before—merely a delicate imprint, like a fleeting memory dissolving into the void. It felt as impossible as trying to hold water in cupped hands, watching it slip away.
Footfalls broke the weighty silence, soft yet deliberate. He felt the familiar warmth of Tang Hao's large, calloused hand settle on his shoulder. "He didn't leave you behind," his father's voice rumbled, steady and comforting. "He's just walking his own path."
Tang Yan remained silent, his fists tightening involuntarily. Memories surged within him—he hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye…
Ah Yin stepped beside her husband, her expression a blend of gentleness and resolute strength. "Your path… it won't be easy either, Yan'er," she reminded him softly, as if acknowledging the storm brewing inside.
"Yeah, no pressure or anything," chirped the System in his mind, the voice almost gleeful in its taunting tone. "Just the entire world is watching you, half a dozen divine beasts trailing your growth, and a twin brother who's y'know, definitely going to become a god. You're doing just great!"
Tang Yan huffed in exasperation. "Shut up."
A cooler, smoother voice chimed in, laced with a hint of amusement. It was Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, its lazy demeanor evident even now. "You know, for someone who just hit level thirty and possesses the potential to annihilate entire realms, you're surprisingly broody."
"Fantastic," Tang Yan muttered under his breath. "Now I've got both of you talking."
"Relax, I'll just take a nap during the boring moments," Tianmeng replied nonchalantly. "Unless something explodes—then I'll be wide awake."
The adults began to step back, granting him a semblance of space, and it was then that the sky shimmered, a silvery ripple slicing through the air like a curtain parting. From behind this ethereal veil emerged Gu Yuena, radiant in a gown spun from moonlight and shimmering scales that glimmered with an array of elemental hues.
Di Tian stood behind her, nodding respectfully, his presence exuding authority. The Three-Headed Dog Mastiff bowed its enormous heads in submission, while Bi Ji glided nearby, a soft glow of healing energy emanating from her.
"You are not meant to linger in the shadow of Tang San," Gu Yuena spoke, her voice cool and melodic, reminiscent of a silver wind sweeping through a wintry landscape. "You are not a mere imitation. You are a convergence."
Tang Yan blinked, confusion creasing his youthful brow. "Convergence?"
"Yes," she stepped closer, her luminous eyes aglow with ancient wisdom. "The Dragon God once stood at the pinnacle of divine power, wielding every element as his limbs, breath, and will. Yet even he encountered limits."
The air stilled around them, heavy with anticipation. Her next words flowed like a whisper, imbued with a sense of both urgency and promise: "My vision for you, Tang Yan, is to surpass him. To rise above the realm of God Kings and shatter the ceiling that binds divine cultivation."
His heart thundered in his chest, the weight of her words sinking in. "Me? Surpass… the Dragon God?"
"Why not?" the System interjected with a mocking tone. "All it entails is defying reality, logic, and a millennium of established hierarchy. Easy peasy."
"Can't even boil water properly yet," Tianmeng drawled, an unimpressed lilt in its demeanor. "Sure, let's aim to be the supreme cosmic annihilator. Love the ambition."
Tang Yan shot a glare toward the heavens, frustration bubbling within. "Definitely not helping."
"Actually, we are," Tianmeng retorted lazily. "Sarcasm is just a sign of affection."
Raising a hand, Gu Yuena disrupted the very fabric of space, causing it to split like fragile glass under immense pressure. Beyond the rift lay a realm untouched by the known world. Islands floated serenely in the air, akin to jigsaw pieces from a shattered reality. Rivers flowed upward defying gravity, fire twisted and danced in frozen geysers, and thunder reverberated through solid rock. Above them, twelve elemental orbs pulsated with implacable energy—each representing a distinct force: Fire, Water, Earth, Ice, Wood, Metal, Light, Darkness, Wind, Space, Power, and Destruction.
"This is the Elemental Convergence Realm," Gu Yuena explained, her voice steady and enchanting. "This divine training ground is unlike any other. Here, elements do not bow to your will through soul power—they must recognize you."
Stepping forward, Tang Yan felt an overwhelming force as he crossed the threshold—nearly collapsing under the sheer weight pressing upon him. The air was suffocating, each element tugging at his very essence, demanding acknowledgement, recognition, and submission.
"You are not a mere guest here," Gu Yuena declared, her voice unwavering. "You are a challenger."
Bi Ji floated closer, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, her expression warm and encouraging. "Be patient with yourself."
"Or don't," the System piped in cheerfully. "Let's see what happens when your eyebrows catch fire."
"...You're really annoyingly unhelpful."
"Why, thank you!" the voice sang.
"Honestly, I do appreciate your eyebrows," Tianmeng murmured, its tone half-serious. "Please don't roast them off. Symmetry is paramount."
Gathering his resolve, Tang Yan stepped fully into the Elemental Convergence Realm—but as the portal vanished behind him, he was struck with a profound sense of insignificance.
This place was alive, each element a distinct presence that vibrated in harmony. Thunder rumbled deep beneath his feet, a primal roar, while fire growled like a caged beast, restless and eager. Water surged from all directions, carving its own pathways. Space warped and folded, defying logic.
Desperate to connect, he reached for his martial soul—the Blue Gold Warlord Trident—but its resonance felt faint, almost ghostly. Here, the elements did not capitulate to weapons or desires.
Determined, he approached the Fire Node—a glowing furnace levitating above a field of cracked obsidian. As he stepped closer, the fire flared to life.
BOOM!
The searing heat hit him like a freight train, knocking him off his feet. The flames scorched his clothes, singed his skin, and shattered his pride in one swift motion.
"Yikes!" the System whistled in surprise. "Congratulations! You just got roasted by a campfire with divine insecurities."
"Next time, bring marshmallows," Tianmeng added helpfully, its tone unbothered by the chaos.
Tang Yan groaned, teeth clenched against the sting of his wounds. "Again," he managed, determination re-seizing him.
Gu Yuena watched, unwavering, the slightest hint of a smile dancing on her lips, as the world around him began to shape his destiny.
The morning sky was soft with hues of gold and pale blue, but Tang Yan felt none of its warmth.
He stood on the ledge overlooking the forested valley below, the wind brushing against his cheeks like a ghost. A single note fluttered in his mind—Silence.
Tang San was gone.
No farewell, no final words. Just the hollow echo of absence where his twin's presence used to be. A faint indentation in the grass where his brother had sat last night, nothing more. It was like trying to hold water in his hands.
From behind, soft footsteps approached. Tang Hao's large, callused hand landed on his shoulder. "He didn't leave you behind," the man said. "He's just walking his path."
Tang Yan didn't answer. His fists clenched. He didn't even say goodbye…
Ah Yin stepped beside her husband, her gaze gentle but firm. "Your path… it won't be easy either, Yan'er."
"Yeah, no pressure or anything," the System chirped inside his mind. "Just the whole world watching you, half a dozen divine beasts following your growth, and a twin brother who's definitely going to become a god. You're doing great!"
Tang Yan grunted. "Shut up."
"Heh," came another voice—cooler, smoother. Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, sleepy and faintly amused. "You know, for someone who just hit level thirty and has the potential to blow up the heavens, you're surprisingly mopey."
"Wonderful," Tang Yan muttered. "Now both of you are talking."
"Don't worry, I'll nap during the boring bits," Tianmeng yawned. "Unless something explodes. Then I'm wide awake."
As the adults began to retreat, giving him space, the sky shimmered. A silver ripple tore through the air in front of him like a curtain being drawn back. From that veil stepped Gu Yuena—resplendent in a gown of moonlight and scales that shimmered with countless elemental hues.
Di Tian stood behind her, nodding respectfully. The Three-Headed Dog Mastiff bowed, while Bi Ji fluttered nearby with a soft glow of healing energy.
"You are not meant to follow in Tang San's shadow," Gu Yuena said, her voice cool and melodic, like silver wind in winter. "You are not a copy. You are a convergence."
Tang Yan blinked. "Convergence?"
"Yes," she stepped forward, her eyes glowing with ancient knowledge. "The Dragon God once stood at the peak, wielding all elements as his limbs, his breath, his will. But even he fell short."
The wind stilled. Her next words were a whisper, a decree, a challenge:
"My vision for you, Tang Yan, is to go beyond him. To step above the realm of God Kings and shatter the ceiling that binds divine cultivation."
His heart thudded in his chest. "Me? Surpass… the Dragon God?"
"Why not?" the System snorted. "All it takes is defying reality, logic, and a thousand years of established hierarchy. Easy peasy."
"Can't even properly boil water yet," Tianmeng drawled. "Sure, let's aim for supreme cosmic annihilator. Love the ambition."
Tang Yan shot a glare skyward. "Still not helping."
"Sure we are," Tianmeng said lazily. "Sarcasm's just a sign of affection."
Gu Yuena raised a hand, and space split like glass under pressure. On the other side was a realm not of this world.
Islands floated in the air like puzzle pieces of a broken world. Rivers ran upward, fire danced in frozen geysers, and thunder pulsed in stone. Elemental orbs floated far above—twelve in total—each one radiating a unique pulse: Fire, Water, Earth, Ice, Wood, Metal, Light, Darkness, Wind, Space, Power, and Destruction.
"This is the Elemental Convergence Realm," Gu Yuena said. "A divine training ground. Here, elements are not bent to your will through soul power—they must recognize you."
Tang Yan took a step forward—and nearly collapsed. The pressure was suffocating. Each element pulled at his soul, demanding attention, recognition, submission.
"You are not a guest here," Gu Yuena said. "You are a challenger."
Bi Ji floated over and gently rested a hand on his shoulder, giving him one last warm smile. "Be patient with yourself."
"Or don't," the System added cheerfully. "Let's see what happens when your eyebrows catch fire."
"...You're really annoying."
"Why thank you."
"Technically, I like your eyebrows," Tianmeng murmured. "Please don't roast them off. Symmetry is important."
Tang Yan stepped fully into the Elemental Convergence Realm, and the portal vanished behind him.
He felt instantly insignificant.
This place was alive. It breathed. Thunder rumbled beneath the earth. Fire growled like a caged beast. Water surged from nowhere and everywhere. Space fractured and folded with impossible logic.
He tried to draw on his martial soul—his Blue Gold Warlord Trident—but its resonance was faint. Here, the elements did not bow to weapons.
He stepped toward the Fire Node—a glowing furnace hovering above a field of cracked obsidian.
The fire flared.
BOOM!
A wave of searing heat knocked him off his feet. His clothes smoldered, his skin scorched, and his pride shattered.
"Yikes," the System whistled. "Congratulations. You just got roasted by a campfire with divine insecurities."
"Next time, bring marshmallows," Tianmeng added helpfully.
He groaned, teeth gritted. "Again."
Gu Yuena watched quietly from the sky, her arms crossed. She didn't offer assistance, only presence.
Next, he tried Water—a glacial sphere surrounded by an inverted whirlpool. As he reached for it, currents of pressure surged and pulled. He was dragged under, his lungs burning for air.
It was like drowning in his own soul.
He gasped awake moments later, water trailing from his mouth.
"This is impossible," he muttered.
"Nothing worth becoming ever comes easily," Gu Yuena replied. "The elements aren't here to serve you. They are you. You must earn their trust. One by one."
"Great," Tianmeng yawned. "Go ahead and spiritually bond with the elements. I'll be over here, snacking on frozen dreams."
Night fell in this timeless realm.
Tang Yan sat cross-legged before the fire node, singed and silent. He didn't try to control the fire anymore. Instead, he breathed. He listened.
He listened to its rhythm. To its pain. To its rage. And… its warmth.
Hours passed. The fire pulsed. Once. Twice.
Then a flicker of flame reached out—like a curious finger—and danced above his open palm. It didn't burn.
The fire accepted him.
It wasn't much. But it was a beginning.
As he opened his eyes, Gu Yuena smiled faintly. "You've taken your first step."
The System added: "Cool. Now do that eleven more times without exploding."
"Try not to die," Tianmeng added, then paused. "Actually… if you're going to die dramatically, do it in a cool pose."
Tang Yan smirked despite himself.
Even in a realm that wanted to tear him apart, he was still standing.
And for the first time since his brother left…
He wasn't looking backward.