——Where Shadow and Thunder Collide
The first rays of dawn painted the sky in gold and crimson, but Shawn's mind was clouded with unanswered questions.
Every morning, he spent an hour meditating—sitting cross-legged, hands resting on his Lower Dantian, focusing on key acupoints, and breathing deeply. He recited the ten formulas: Yan, Jin, Mi, Pi, Ji, Ba, Ya, Yin, Hua, and Ding.
This was the first stage of Meta-Origin Kung Fu, as taught by Mr. Ranzi.
Though he had only practiced for three days, he could already feel the Thunder Arcane Core aligning with his inner energy. That newfound harmony filled him with a deep sense of accomplishment—a rare, genuine joy.
Mr. Ranzi had said, "True power is not forced. It flows naturally, like water finding its path through stone."
But what if his power was no gentle stream? What if it was a raging storm, unpredictable and uncontrollable?
And then——
A sudden disturbance in the air snapped him out of his thoughts.
The atmosphere shifted; something was terribly wrong.
Shawn sprang to his feet and scanned the courtyard.
The morning stillness was gone, replaced by a tense, suffocating silence.
He saw them.
Shadows slithered across the temple walls, twisting unnaturally. Figures in dark cloaks moved like specters, barely distinguishable from the dim morning light.
At their center stood a man whose eyes gleamed with cold amusement.
"We finally found you, Shawn," the man said, his voice hard and unyielding—like steel against stone.
Shawn's pulse raced. These were no ordinary assassins.
The O.S.S. had come for him again.
A hooded figure lunged, blade gleaming as black as midnight. Shawn barely had time to react.
He twisted aside, the knife slicing through empty air where his neck had been a heartbeat before.
Instinct took over. His Arcane Core flared, lightning crackling through his fingertips.
Before he could counter, a burst of energy exploded from behind him.
It was Mr. Ranzi.
With a single, fluid gesture, Ranzi sent an invisible force crashing into the attackers, knocking them back.
"Go!" he commanded urgently. "You are not ready for this battle!"
Shawn hesitated for a split second, then saw more figures emerging from the darkness—bodies shifting and twisting until they were no longer human. Black Shadowblades—the engineered killers of the O.S.S.—descended upon Laozi Palace like a swarm.
Chaos erupted.
Origin Wardens surged from the surrounding halls. Steel clashed with energy, and the air buzzed with the scent of burned ozone.
Then, the sky split open.
A monstrous shape descended—a Shadowborn Fiend, a creature of pure darkness summoned from the Abyss. Its empty eyes and elongated fingers, dripping ethereal black mist that corroded stone, sent a shiver down Shawn's spine.
This was no ordinary attack. They had come prepared.
Mr. Ranzi stood his ground. His hands moved in graceful, deadly motions as ancient symbols materialized and pulsed in the air around him.
Shawn knows that it's Meta-Origin Kung Fu
"Shawn, leave this to me. You must escape!" Ranzi bellowed over the din.
Shawn clenched his fists. Every instinct screamed to fight—but deep down, he knew he was outmatched.
A young monk rushed to his side. "Come! There is a hidden path under the temple!"
With no other choice, Shawn stole a final glance at Ranzi and ran.
The hidden passage twisted deep beneath the temple, its walls lined with ancient carvings that whispered forgotten secrets. The monk led the way through the dim corridor.
"Where does this lead?" Shawn gasped between labored breaths.
"To the outer mountains," the monk replied. "Mr. Ranzi knew they would come. He prepared this route in advance."
Shawn's heart pounded. How much had Ranzi anticipated? How long had he been expecting this moment?
Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed through the tunnel. The walls trembled as dust and debris rained down.
"They're coming," the monk whispered, his face ashen.
Shawn turned just in time to see black tendrils of shadow seeping through the cracks. They weren't merely chasing him—they were hunting him.
The tunnel opened into a cavern where a stone bridge spanned a chasm.
The wind howled like dying souls.
On the far side, a figure in midnight-blue robes stood motionless.
The monk gasped. "You… You shouldn't be here."
The robed figure stepped forward, and Shawn's blood turned to ice as he recognized the face.
It was Quinn—the Secretary General of Kapteyn's Star Meta-Origin Order.
"You're working with them?" Shawn whispered, voice trembling.
Quinn sighed. "Shawn, you don't understand. This is bigger than you or me."
Shawn's fists tightened. "You betrayed the Meta-Origin Sect."
"No, Shawn," Quinn replied quietly. "I'm protecting it." Before Shawn could respond, a surge of energy slammed into him. He barely raised his arms as the force crashed into his chest, pain exploding through his ribs.
But something stirred within him.
His Arcane Core flared again, sparks dancing across his skin as his vision sharpened.
Quinn's gaze darkened. "So, you've finally started to awaken."
Staggering to his feet, Shawn felt different—stronger, more attuned. Quinn stepped forward. "Come with me, Shawn. You have no idea what you're caught up in."
Shawn's mind raced. He craved answers—why was the O.S.S. after him, and why had he been chosen?
One thing was clear: Quinn was no longer his ally.
Lightning crackled around Shawn's fingertips. His voice rang out, steady despite the turmoil. "No."
Quinn's eyes narrowed. "So be it." With a flick of his wrist, dark energy erupted from his palm.
Shawn barely had time to react as the battle erupted around him.
Shawn's crackling blue lightning clashed against Quinn's swirling darkness, illuminating ancient carvings that seemed to pulse in response. As stone shattered and energy surged, Shawn realized with terrifying clarity: this was no longer just about survival.
Somewhere between the thunder of his Core and the whispers of those long-dead carvers, the truth lay waiting.
And if these shadows wanted him so badly...perhaps he was meant to become something far brighter than prey.
Lightning answered his unspoken call as the first true storm of his awakening began.