As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Chen Clan's hidden valley, Chen Yuheng slipped away from the ancestral hall. The remnants of the clan gathering buzzed in his ears like a persistent insect, but he was eager to retreat into the solitude of his room, where he could contemplate his true abilities away from prying eyes. While others boasted of their Qi cultivation with pride, they remained blissfully unaware of the true power that lay dormant within him.

No longer would he be a mere spectator in this grand play of cultivation and family politics. The testing of the younger generation loomed ominously, but Yuheng had no intention of revealing his strength until the perfect moment arrived. His father’s voice echoed in his mind, a sage whisper reminding him that the path to true power required patience and cunning strategy.

That night, as he lay in the dim light filtering through the paper-covered windows of his room, sleep began to envelop him like a heavy blanket of darkness. But this darkness was more than mere rest; it stirred the remnants of his past life, swirling within his mind like a tempest of forgotten memories. Fragments that had long lain dormant began to surface, vivid and haunting, drawing him into the depths of his own history.

Waking abruptly, his heart raced in his chest, thundering like a war drum in the silence of his room. “I need to find the cause of my death,” he whispered into the stillness, his voice barely more than a breath. “And I will take my revenge.” The determination etched in his words hung heavy in the air, a promise to himself that he would not falter in his quest for answers.

His thoughts shifted to the Eternal Desolation technique—a power embedded in his soul, ancient and formidable. Fragments of its teachings echoed within him, calling for comprehension. He had uncovered little in his secret studies, only enough to understand that it was more than a simple technique; it was a legacy of darkness and strength, a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Reaching for the ancient writings hidden beneath the floorboards, Yuheng carefully unfurled the fragile parchment, the air thick with the scent of old ink and wisdom. The words danced before his eyes, morphing into images of power and destruction. Yet, as he tried to grasp their meaning, a sharp pain sliced through his head like a dagger through flesh.

He winced, clutching his temples as the knowledge threatened to overwhelm him. “Focus,” he muttered through gritted teeth, forcing himself to breathe through the agony. Each attempt to comprehend the fragments came with a price—a headache that felt like hot coals searing his mind. But with each pulse of pain, he understood that the Eternal Desolation was not merely a technique; it was a comprehensive system containing many disciplines, from body refinement to soul manipulation.

In that moment of clarity, he realised that to harness its full potential, he would need both a strong body and an unyielding soul. It was a sobering thought, but one that ignited a fire within him. He had spent years honing his physical form in secret, pushing his limits beyond what any ordinary cultivator would dare to attempt. But now, the stakes were higher than they had ever been before.

As dawn's first light broke through his window, spilling golden rays across his room, Yuheng rose from his bed, invigorated by a newfound resolve. The pain of the night lingered, but it had strengthened his determination. Today would be different; today, he would push the boundaries of his potential even further.

He began his morning routine, a series of body refinement exercises that drew upon the energy of the world around him. Each movement was deliberate and precise, his muscles responding with strength and resilience. The early morning air was crisp and invigorating, filling his lungs with the promise of the day. He felt the familiar rush of energy coursing through him, feeding his resolve as he focused on the horizon beyond his window, where the sun began to rise in glorious splendour.

With the sun fully risen, Yuheng stepped outside into the training grounds, the earth beneath his feet solid and familiar. The sounds of the valley came alive as the birds began their morning songs, but he paid little attention to them. Instead, he pushed himself to the limit, executing each technique with fierce intensity. He visualised the Eternal Desolation technique, feeling the energy within him awaken as he practised, his body becoming a vessel for the power he sought to unleash.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Yuheng’s strength grew, and the shadows of his past began to fade, replaced by the clarity of purpose. He was no longer just Chen Yuheng, the “waste” of the clan. He was a storm gathering strength, and soon, the Chen Clan would learn the true meaning of his potential.

With each passing moment, he felt more alive, more powerful. The pain he had experienced during the night had transformed into a catalyst for his growth—a reminder that even the most profound knowledge came with a cost. And as he continued to train, he felt the Eternal Desolation stir within him, awaiting the day it would be unleashed.