"In the shadow of betrayal, ancient vows still echo."
It had been twenty-five years since the betrayal that shattered the foundation of Murim. The once-revered Tianyuan Origin Sect, creator of all martial paths, had been declared heretical by the Murim Alliance. The alliance, led by jealous clans of the Central Plains — Namgung, Tang, Zhuge, Han, Baek, and others — had framed the ancient sects, accusing them of conspiring with the emperor.
The first sects — Northern Heavenly Blade Sect, Heavenly Thunder Sect, Heaven Splitting Sect, and Moon Sword Sect — had once vowed to protect the Tianyuan Sect. But when the storm came, they too were forced to flee beyond the wall, hiding deep in the treacherous mountain regions, each master taking with them one final disciple… All but one.
Master Wuheng, the last secret heir of the Tianyuan Origin Sect, had no disciple to protect. He ordered the surviving masters to scatter and never meet again unless summoned — until the day revenge could be served. Alone, Wuheng wandered the lands outside the Central Plains. It was then that fate intervened.
Two years later, he saved the Sect Leader of the Crimson Flame Sect from an assassination attempt by the Ice Palace assassins. The two formed a blood oath, becoming sworn brothers. Shortly after, a cloaked woman appeared at the door of Wuheng's secluded mountain temple — carrying a baby wrapped in thick crimson cloth.
She was the daughter of his sworn brother, the new matriarch of the Crimson Flame Sect. And the child she carried was her son, Tian Xuanzi.
The Promise of a Legacy
She spoke that night in tears, revealing everything. Her brother had turned on her and her child, seeking power. She had no choice but to flee. Her son's father — a man from a distant land, ruler of the fallen Dragonheart Kingdom — had returned to fight a war in his homeland. She entrusted Tian to Wuheng's care and laid three items before him.
"He will come seeking truth one day," she said, voice trembling. "Guide him, but keep his father's identity hidden. If the Murim Alliance learns the truth, they will hunt him."
She left Tian with:
A black blade, forged from meteorite and moon dust — the legacy weapon of the Tianyuan Sect.
A white eastern-style sword, reforged from the bones of a dragon — once wielded by Tian's uncle, who died defending the Azure Dragon's lair.
A bandaged golden sword engraved in dragon language, glowing faintly with azure light — the lost sword of the Dragonheart Kingdom. Wuheng warned Tian never to draw it until he meets his father.
Before she departed, she slipped a ring with a red jewel to Wuheng.
"If Tian ever walks near me, the gem will glow. I must know if my son is near."
Only she and Wuheng knew the truth. Tian would never know — not yet.
Years of Fire and Steel
The next two decades were grueling.
Master Wuheng trained Tian in secret, deep in the mountains. Every bone broken, every drop of sweat spilled, was a test of legacy. He was not just raising a martial artist — he was raising a successor.
"We are not rebuilding a sect," Wuheng once said during sword practice, his voice low and calm. "We are awakening a storm."
Tian learned the Heavenly Origin Palm, the Eclipse Shadow Step, and the forbidden Void Flame Sutra from the Crimson Flame Sect — left by his mother in a sealed scroll.
He would meditate beneath waterfalls, sprint across thin bamboo stems, and engage in sparring matches with wild beasts. One day, a massive white tiger appeared on the cliff above them. But it did not attack.
The tiger spoke, revealing itself as the guardian of the mountains — and that it once spoke with Wuheng.
"The boy carries dragon blood," the tiger said. "When he is ready, my child will walk with him. Until then, I watch."
A year before the fated gathering, the tiger cub was born. Playful, yet bearing a terrifying potential, the cub took instantly to Tian.
The Awakening of the Red Eye and Blue eye
On his nineteenth birthday, Tian collapsed in meditation, trembling in the darkness. He saw visions — memories not his own. A battlefield soaked in flames. His mother weeping beside a dying man clad in golden armor. Then — a massive azure dragon staring down at him.
"Child of two worlds," the dragon's voice echoed. "You carry the will of my kin. The fire of the heavens burns in your blood."
He awoke, his left eye glowing red and his left with azure blue color as his saw the memories of his father and mother and even the heavenely azure dragon in the dragon heart kingdom .
Master Wuheng watched in silence, and finally spoke:
« That… is your mother's and father's legacy. A crimson flame that will never die »
The White Sword and the Gathering
In the days before the gathering, Wuheng took Tian to a forge hidden deep in the Jadefire Valley. There, he melted the dragon bone blade, reforging it into a pure white sword — gleaming like a star. He named it "Dawnpiercer."
The black blade remained wrapped on Tian's back. The golden sword remained sealed.
And so, with blade and tiger, Tian descended the mountain to meet destiny.
One Thousand Lake Gathering
The sacred One Thousand Lake region, hidden beyond the mountains, became the meeting place. A massive lake shimmered in every direction, and in its center stood a stone platform with a long obsidian table.
The ancient sect masters arrived first:
Jang Baekho of the Northern Heavenly Blade Sect.
Han Ryujin, storm-wielder of the Heavenly Thunder Sect.
Lady Seo Myeong, split-mountain master of the Heaven Splitting Sect.
Elder Moon Hwayoung, cold beauty and last matriarch of the Moon Sword Sect.
Each brought their final disciple. They had gathered, waiting. But they had not yet met Tian.
When Wuheng and Tian arrived, the masters rose in silence, heads bowed in respect.
"This is Tian Xuanzi," Wuheng declared. "My disciple. The successor of the Tianyuan Origin Sect."
There was silence. Eyes fell to Tian's red and blue eyes. Whispers spread among disciples.
"He bears strange eyes…"
"Can he truly be the heir?"
Wuheng stepped forward, stone-faced.
"His father is from a distant land. That is all you need know — for now."
But doubts festered. To answer them, the disciples demanded a test.
Tian stood calmly and bowed.
"I accept."
The First Duel
The first challenger, Yu Gwanjeong, tall, muscular, and flame-haired, roared as he stepped forward with his spear.
But Wuheng's voice cut through the wind.
"Tian, you will not use your red eye. Not your blue. Not even your swords. Show them your fists."
Gasps from the masters.
"Only palm and fist?" said Han Ryujin. "He'll die!"
Tian nodded without hesitation.
Yu charged like a crimson storm.
But Tian did not move — until the last second.
He raised one hand, his aura erupting.
"Dragon Fear."
Yu stopped. Trembled. Dropped his weapon.
In a flash, Tian's palm struck his chest. A gust of wind exploded outward. Yu flew across the stone platform, unconscious.
Silence.
Even the lake was still.
To be continued….