The morning sun rose with a golden brilliance, yet the Heaven Defying Academy remained shrouded in its own divine glow. Today marked the beginning of something legendary—the first class in the mysterious academy created by the Dao Ancestor himself.
The four newly awakened students—Ashwin, Rika, Yuvan, and Bala—gathered at the central training arena, which looked more like a celestial coliseum than any normal training ground. Ancient formations were etched into the ground in glowing runes, swirling slowly, humming with power.
They stood silently, still digesting what had occurred last night.
Ashwin kept clenching and unclenching his fists, feeling the power of the Eternal Determination Lotus thrum through his meridians.
Rika's eyes burned with battlelust, her Phoenix Heart pulsing warmly.
Yuvan held an ancient book he'd found in his room—only he could read its shifting letters.
And Bala… stood barefoot on the stone, lightning flickering beneath his feet like it obeyed his will.
Suddenly, a powerful wind swept across the field. It wasn't natural—it carried laws.
At the edge of the field, a man with sharp eyes and a black robe embroidered with stars appeared. He looked ordinary, but the oppressive aura he released made all four instinctively bow their heads.
He was Elder Han, but to them, he was now their first true teacher.
"You four… have been chosen," Elder Han's voice boomed without him opening his mouth. "This is not an honor. This is a responsibility."
He waved his hand, and a floating scroll appeared in front of each student.
"These are your cultivation paths. Customized by the Founder himself—Lord Dev Yadav, the Dao Ancestor."
The four were stunned.
They opened the scrolls, only to see a shocking sight.
Each scroll contained thousands of daos, arranged into stages. These were not techniques—they were paths. The very essence of cultivation for each of them.
Ashwin's scroll: Dao of Unyielding Will, Body Forging of Eternal Flame, Lotus Meditation Law, Indestructible Resolve Physique.
Rika's scroll: Dao of War Flames, Battle Soul Symphony, Phoenix Rebirth Doctrine, Crimson Sky Spear Arts.
Yuvan's scroll: Dao of Absolute Logic, Mind Palace Construction, Rune Language of the First Gods, Star-Dream Library Access.
Bala's scroll: Dao of Chaotic Elements, Thunder-Fire Merger Body, World-Devouring Physique, Storm Origin Incantations.
Their knees weakened just from reading the names.
"These are not manuals. These are living daos. They will resonate with you and grow as you grow."
Elder Han then snapped his fingers. Four small orbs floated before each of them. They were barely visible, wrapped in swirling laws.
"Swallow this. It is your access to the Academy's Internal Realm."
Without hesitation, they obeyed.
The moment they swallowed the orbs, the world shifted again.
They stood in a pocket realm—a vast land containing mountains made of spirit stones, rivers of qi, celestial beasts flying overhead, and strange artifacts floating in the skies.
"This is the Inner Realm of Heaven Defying Academy," a voice echoed across the space.
They turned.
The young man from the entrance—the lazy one who had been sleeping—stood atop a distant cliff, his hands behind his back.
"You four are the first," he said lazily, "Let's see what you make of this place."
Bala's jaw dropped. "Isn't that the guy from the tree? Who gave me an apple?"
Ashwin's eyes widened.
Elder Han bowed deeply toward the cliff.
"We give respect to the Eternal Founder of the Heaven Defying Academy—Lord Dao Ancestor Dev Yadav!"
But when they looked back, the young man was already gone—vanished into wind, leaving behind only his gaze in the sky, watching.