Chapter 5

"Senior, please forgive my boldness in asking. What do you mean by 'resemblance'? I have never felt any hidden power within me," Zhi Hao asked, filled with confusion. "Follow me!" Elder Wi Dar’s voice carried an air of mystery. He then approached a mirror and, in a mesmerizing motion, walked through it as if it were nothing but air. Zhi Hao stood frozen, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Come in, don’t hesitate," Wi Dar beckoned. Uncertainty was written all over Zhi Hao’s face. Though he was baffled by how the mirror could be penetrated, he refrained from asking further questions, determined to uncover the truth. Perhaps behind all this lies the secret of my strength. I must rise—I can no longer see myself as useless, he resolved, his determination burning brightly. Gathering newfound courage, Zhi Hao stepped toward the mirror. In an instant, his world changed—he now stood atop a floating island in an endless sky. "This place is the Tomb of the Destroyer God. He left behind important records, and I am its guardian," Wi Dar revealed, his voice laden with secrecy and mystery. "Look there, open that chest. Its contents will guide you toward an extraordinary power!" Wi Dar smiled mysteriously, his gaze carrying an unspoken challenge. With unsteady yet resolute steps, Zhi Hao approached the coffin, his eyes shining like a beacon of hope in the darkness. With deep reverence, he clasped his fists before his chest and declared solemnly, "If this is truly the destiny written for me, may your power flow into me and become part of the fate I will carve!" In the distance, through the slowly fading reflection in the mirror, Wi Dar watched with glistening eyes, offering his final words, "Good luck, young human!" Breathing heavily, Zhi Hao began pushing the coffin lid open. Its weight was immense, as if questioning his courage and determination. As the lid lifted, an ancient chill and overwhelming power surged toward him, nearly knocking him off his feet. Yet, he stood firm, knowing this moment would forever alter the course of his life. Suddenly, a mysterious figure floated in the air, radiating the remnants of energy left behind by those who had passed. The figure locked eyes with Zhi Hao. "Young one, call me Master!" the voice echoed in Zhi Hao's heart. With great respect, Zhi Hao immediately bowed low, pressing his forehead to the ground. "Zhi Hao greets Master!" His heart swelled with joy, an indescribable exhilaration. "Fate has brought you to me in an extraordinary way," the figure continued, its tone filled with mystery. "Though your true power remains dormant, the manual I possess will guide you to unparalleled greatness. Remember, young one, power is not everything. Be true to yourself." "I will engrave Master's words in my heart," Zhi Hao vowed, his determination ablaze. "I will become a disciple who will not disappoint Master." "You are indeed worthy of this," the Master acknowledged. "The remnants of my soul will not last much longer. Use this time wisely to train." "One more thing you must know," the Master added, his voice growing solemn. "Find the one who has mastered the techniques within this manual. He is the Traitorous Disciple you must face and defeat with your own hands." The words struck Zhi Hao like thunder, igniting his resolve to seek out and confront the traitor, to end the betrayal with the justice his Master had instilled in him. A promise that would reshape his destiny. "But how can I defeat him, Master? He has had a head start in learning it!" Zhi Hao asked anxiously. "There is a complete version of the Heaven-Destroying Manual that I placed in a certain house. If you can master it in its entirety, you will be able to defeat him. However, your cultivation must be high—at least at the level of a Divine King." "Impossible," Zhi Hao murmured, his voice tinged with despair. "I have prepared several important artifacts within this Storage Ring for my successor. Your blood is the key—drip a drop onto the ring on my finger," the Master instructed. These were his final words before his figure began to fade into mist. "Fulfill your promise," his whisper rode upon the gentle breeze. "Yes, Master, I swear to find and destroy him!" Zhi Hao vowed. Bowing deeply, he offered his final respects to his departed Master, whose body was now but a skeleton. His hands trembling, he took the ring from his Master's thumb and bit his own fingertip. A drop of crimson blood fell onto the ring, which instantly absorbed it, radiating a blinding light that illuminated everything around him. Suddenly, the world around Zhi Hao shifted. He now stood in front of a grand house with a vast medicinal garden, a deep sense of tranquility washing over him. "What is this place?" he murmured, standing before the old, weathered house. With a pounding heart, he knocked on the door and called out, but there was no answer. He pushed the door open and was astonished to find it unlocked. His steps were hesitant as he entered the house, which seemed to hold a thousand mysteries. "Is this truly the house Master spoke of?" he whispered, doubt creeping into his heart as he continued forward. In the center of the room, a manual hovered mysteriously, as if awaiting his arrival. "The Heaven-Destroying Manual!" Zhi Hao whispered in awe, captivated. The name alone was heavy with authority and power. Taking a deep breath, he reached out with trembling hands to grasp it. Zhi Hao then sat cross-legged in reverence, inhaling deeply before slowly opening the manual that would shape his fate. "Chapter One. This is about energy refinement..." His heartbeat thundered in his chest as his eyes scanned each word with anticipation, embarking on a journey that would define his future.