Chapter 20: The Price of Power
Ashen was running, moving so fast — his body like a blur between trees. Each jump landed perfectly, his feet touching branches and rocks without pause. He didn't stop to rest, not even once.
Leaves scattered behind him as he pushed forward, his eyes focused and sharp. His breathing stayed steady, every motion under control. He wasn't running from something — he was training, pushing his body to its limit.
He landed on a high cliff and finally stopped for a short breath. Wind brushed through his hair as he looked over the green expanse below.
His mind drifted back — to that night near the river, when he met the wandering martial master.
The man's voice echoed in his memory.
> "Five months," the old master said back then. "If i can't find the Divine Doctor's whereabouts in five months, then I'll accept your proposal."
Ashen remembered nodding at that time, his tone firm.
> "Then it's a promise."
The memory faded as he looked down at his hands.
> "Five months…" he murmured.
He clenched his fists and jumped down from the cliff.
The training wasn't over — it was just beginning.
---
Ashen stopped near a shallow river that cut through the forest. The sound of water flowing over the stones was calm, but his mind wasn't.
He sat by the riverbank, looking at his reflection on the water's surface. He could see it now — faint traces of fatigue under his eyes, and his breathing was slightly off rhythm.
He remembered what happened at the Azure Sky Sect.
That moment when he grabbed Elder Feng by the throat — when his Qi exploded far beyond what his current realm should've allowed.
He clenched his teeth.
> "That power…" he muttered. "It wasn't free."
Ashen knew the truth.
He wasn't supposed to be able to match someone at the Peak of Martial Master Realm.
He was only in the Mid Stage of Martial Adept Realm. The gap between those realms was huge.
The reason he could break through it, even for a few seconds, was because he had sacrificed something far more precious — his own life force.
Every time he forced his Qi to rise past his natural limit, it burned a piece of his lifespan away.
It was something no one could see, but he could feel it — the faint ache deep in his bones, the heavy pull in his heart.
He picked up a stone and threw it into the river.
The water rippled, distorting his reflection.
> "I can't keep doing that," he whispered. "Not unless I have no choice... again."
Still, there was no regret in his voice — only acceptance.
> "Raizen's poison won't cure itself. If my life is the price, then so be it."
He stood again, letting the wind brush past him. His eyes were calm but fierce.
he stepped away from the river, walking deeper into the forest.
---
For hours, Ashen didn't stop moving.
He sprinted through dense bushes, jumped over cliffs, and climbed steep slopes. Every movement was calculated, every breath measured. He was searching for a place where the flow of Qi was thick and stable — the perfect spot for training.
Finally, after what felt like half a day, he found it.
A small clearing surrounded by massive stone pillars and ancient trees. The ground was covered in moss, but he could feel the energy here — it was dense, almost vibrating.
He dropped his bag, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
Then he began.
---
His movements started slow — simple stances and strikes. But each one was sharp and controlled, like a blade cutting through air.
He punched, turned, and kicked, over and over. The wind began to move around him, carrying the force of his strikes.
Sweat rolled down his face, but he didn't stop. Every motion flowed into the next.
Then, as his speed increased, the air around him started to tremble.
A faint white aura began to rise from his body — not bright, but heavy, like pressure building up in every direction.
The ground beneath him cracked slightly with each step.
Ashen gritted his teeth. His mind started to drift again, and memories flashed before him — dark ones.
He saw flashes of his old world.
The flames.
The screams.
The faces of those who once fought beside him — and died one by one.
His breathing quickened.
The aura around him started to swirl faster, and the air itself seemed to twist.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Dark clouds began to gather above where hes in.
He fell into a deep trance — moving, punching, striking, and channeling every emotion into his training.
Pain shot through his body, but he ignored it. His muscles screamed, his bones ached, but he pushed harder.
> "Not enough…" he muttered between breaths.
"I'm still not strong enough."
Then his Qi erupted.
A massive wave of energy burst from his body, sending dust and leaves flying. The trees around the clearing shook violently, and the ground split slightly beneath his feet.
The storm above him roared, thunder flashing across the sky.
---
Wild Qi pulsed from Ashen like a heartbeat. It wasn't just power — it was raw, unrestrained force that carried years of suppressed emotion.
All across the forest, demonic beasts felt it.
Wolves, boars, and even a black-scaled tiger froze in their tracks.
None dared to approach. They could feel that something terrifying was awakening.
Ashen's eyes glowed faintly white as he continued his strikes. Each punch caused a small shockwave. His aura was changing — stabilizing, growing heavier.
But the pain was also growing.
His muscles burned, veins throbbing under his skin. His breathing turned harsh.
Blood dripped from his knuckles, but his fists didn't stop.
Every motion was a battle between his body and will.
Every breath tested his control.
The thunderstorm above reached its peak.
Lightning flashed through the sky, illuminating the clearing like daylight.
Ashen roared — not in rage, but in effort.
He threw one final punch, channeling everything into it.
The force exploded outward, blasting the nearby trees and creating a deep crater under his feet. Dust and Qi scattered in every direction, shaking the ground.
Then silence.
Ashen stood in the middle of the clearing, chest rising and falling slowly. His clothes were torn, his arms bruised, but his expression was calm. The storm clouds above began to fade.
---
Says without stopping, He collapsed to one knee, catching his breath. His body trembled from exhaustion. But deep inside, he could feel it — the flow of Qi inside him had changed. It was stronger, smoother, more refined.
He reached the Late Stage of Martial Adept Realm.
A small smile appeared on his face.
> "Finally…"
He stayed there for a while, letting his body recover. The demonic beasts that had been watching from afar slowly disappeared back into the forest. None dared to test him.
When he finally stood, his movements were steady again. He looked up at the sky, which had cleared completely. The air felt lighter.
> "This is just the start," he said quietly.
"I'll need more strength if I want to face what's ahead."
He walked back to the river to clean himself. His reflection on the water looked older, sharper. Not in years — but in will.
As he finished, he looked toward the distance — toward the direction of the Azure Sky Sect.
> "Five months," he said softly. ", I will become strong."
Then Ashen continued his training