The Cloud Vein Sect's eastern bell rang at dusk — three short gongs.
It wasn't a training call.
It wasn't meditation.
It was a **mission summon**.
Disciples emerged from their quarters with curious whispers.
> "Treasure hunt?"
> "It only happens once every few years."
> "Who'll get picked this time?"
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### **Outer Quarters – Gathering Point**
Instructor Wei stood atop a stone dais, hands behind his back.
"Ten outer disciples have been selected," he announced. "You will journey into the **Silent Bone Valley** — an uncharted region filled with spiritual residues and ancient remnants."
> "Inside, you may find old scrolls, items, or artifacts. Whatever you bring back will be assessed by the elders."
He paused, then looked at the scroll floating beside him.
Names began to burn into the air.
> "Zeravon."
Some disciples looked confused. Others laughed lightly.
> "Him?"
> "Why him?"
> "He lost in the first round…"
But Zeravon didn't react.
He stepped forward and joined the other selected disciples — most of whom had actual combat rankings.
One among them was a silent girl with silver streaks in her hair — **Yueyin**.
She glanced once at Zeravon… and looked away.
> *He's still holding back,* she thought.
> *But something about him feels like… it's waiting.*
---
### **Three Days Later – Silent Bone Valley**
The valley was mist-covered, eerie, and broken.
Twisted trees stood lifeless. Strange stone tablets were half-buried in the soil. A quiet hum passed through the ground like forgotten breathing.
"Spread out," said Senior Disciple Bo Lin. "We have two days. Don't stray too far."
Zeravon moved quietly toward the shaded edge of the valley. He had no map. No plan.
He simply **followed the pull**.
It wasn't strong — just a whisper. But it led him to a cracked obelisk, overgrown with black moss.
He knelt beside it, brushing the moss away. Beneath it was a **small wooden box** — rotten with age, sealed with a golden thread.
> *Why does this feel… familiar?*
He touched the thread.
And something **inside his chest hummed.**
---
But before he could open it—
> "Oi! What did you find?"
It was **Qin Fei**, a disciple from another group, accompanied by two others.
They saw the box and smirked.
> "That's ours now."
Zeravon stood.
"I found it," he said calmly.
> "Then you can die with it."
---
**Fight broke out instantly.**
Zeravon dodged the first strike, but he wasn't ready for three-on-one. He blocked, evaded — but took a deep blow to the ribs. His body staggered.
> *I… can't fight them all.*
But before he could think of retreat, one of the disciples struck him square in the chest with a **Qi-palm**, sending him **flying over the cliff** at the valley's edge.
He fell into **darkness**.
The world twisted.
And then… silence.
---
### **Unknown Depth Below the Valley**
Zeravon lay broken among stones. Blood trickled from his mouth.
He couldn't move.
His breath was shallow. His vision blurred.
> *This is… the end?*
> "You're a fool," a voice said gently.
Soft footsteps echoed through the cave-like depth.
A glowing lantern lit the area… and a girl's silhouette appeared.
Her robe wasn't of the Cloud Vein Sect.
Her aura was **far higher than anything Zeravon had ever felt**.
She knelt beside him.
> "Don't die here," she whispered.
She pressed a glowing blue stone to his chest. The energy surged into him — not healing completely, but **stabilizing** the wound.
Then, she looked into his half-open eyes and smiled faintly.
> "Rest, Zeravon… You'll need strength soon."
---
### **Meanwhile – Above the Valley**
Yueyin stood alone near the edge of the cliff.
Her expression was unreadable.
She looked at the faint trail of Qi that disappeared into the chasm.
> "I wasn't fast enough…"
She turned around and walked away, her presence fading.
But the **Upper Realm artifact** she had placed inside the box… was now **active**.
It would protect him…
And awaken his cultivation soon.
---