The moment Elder Taron gave the signal, Rylan moved
His sword flashed forward with practiced speed
Aether energy flowed along the blade, making it glow faintly red
Kael stepped back instantly
The sword sliced through the air where his chest had been
Fast
Much faster than beasts
"So this is the difference between cultivators and monsters," Kael thought.
Rylan attacked again
Two quick strikes
Kael dodged both
The watching disciples murmured
"That kid is fast."
Rylan frowned slightly
He increased his speed
His sword technique flowed smoothly now
Three strikes
Four
Five
Each attack forced Kael to move faster
But Kael's movements remained calm.
Controlled
Inside his mind, the Primordial System tracked everything
Combat Analysis Active
Opponent Speed: Moderate
Recommended Skill: Origin Rush
Kael's legs suddenly glowed faintly blue
"Origin Rush."
His speed doubled instantly
Rylan's eyes widened
"What—?"
Kael vanished from his sight for a moment
Then reappeared beside him
The watching disciples gasped
"So fast!"
Kael raised his fist
Rylan reacted quickly and blocked with his sword
Kael struck
"Origin Strike!"
BOOM!
The impact exploded like thunder
Rylan was thrown backward across the courtyard
He slid several meters before stopping
The disciples watching froze in shock
Silence filled the training ground
Rylan slowly stood up again, gripping his sword tightly
His eyes were wide
"You… really are strong."
Elder Taron watched the scene quietly
Inside his mind, many thoughts moved quickly
This boy had no Aether
Yet his physical power rivaled cultivators
And that strange energy inside his body…
The elder finally spoke
"That's enough."
The duel stopped immediately
Rylan lowered his sword
Kael relaxed his stance
Elder Taron walked forward slowly
"Interesting," he said
He looked directly at Kael
"You have no Aether… yet your strength surpasses ordinary outer disciples."
The watching cultivators whispered among themselves
"Who is that guy?"
"I've never seen him before."
Elder Taron's voice carried authority
"From today onward…"
"You will remain at the Iron Flame Sect."
Kael's eyes sharpened slightly
"Not as a servant."
"Not as a guest."
The elder paused briefly
"But as a special trainee."
The disciples gasped again
Even Rylan looked surprised
Special trainees were extremely rare
They were personally observed by elders
Kael bowed slightly
"Thank you, Elder."
But inside his mind, the Primordial System flashed again
Main Quest Updated
Break the Mortal Limit
Objective: Awaken the Origin Core
Location Hint: Iron Flame Sect Ancient Ruins
Kael's heart beat faster
Ancient ruins
Inside the sect
Perhaps that was where his true cultivation path would begin
And far above the mountains…
Unknown forces were already beginning to watch
The rise of a new power had quietly begun.