Morning in the Celestial Torrent Sect was usually a time for quiet cultivation and light haze over the training fields. Today, that haze had turned electric. A storm of whispers swept through the disciples' quarters, carried on the wind like sparks on dry parchment.
Kael knew something was off the moment his door slammed open without a knock.
Saria stood in the doorway, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.
"They're activating the Dragon Obelisk."
Kael blinked blearily. "Is that the one that spits fire or judges people's fashion sense?"
"Neither. It ranks the top one hundred disciples in the entire sect."
"…So, the fashion thing."
She rolled her eyes. "Come on. The whole sect is gathering. If you're not there, people are going to think you're afraid."
"Terrifying," Kael muttered, dragging a robe over his bare chest. "Heaven forbid I miss the grand leaderboard ceremony where a bunch of inflated egos get inflated further."
The soul imprint in his mind stirred, a subtle pulse brushing the back of his thoughts.
"The Dragon Obelisk is not a mere artifact. It pierces destiny."
"Fantastic," Kael muttered. "Now I'm being judged by a rock and a ghost."
The Grand Arena stood near the peak of the sect, a vast circular platform suspended between two cliffs by glowing, ancient chains. Disciples lined the outer stands, buzzing with anticipation. Elders floated above on spirit platforms, faces impassive but eyes gleaming with interest.
At the center stood the Dragon Obelisk—twenty feet of jet-black crystal, runes spiraling up its length. With a thunderous hum, it flared to life, light cracking through its core like lightning trapped in stone.
An elder's voice boomed across the arena.
"The Dragon List will now reveal the top one hundred ranked disciples of the Celestial Torrent Sect—based on cultivation level, battle prowess, spiritual resonance, and fate potential."
Kael leaned over to Saria, whispering, "How much fate potential do I get for being sarcastic under pressure?"
"You might crack top fifty for sheer survivability," she replied, biting back a grin.
Around them, the crowd hushed as the first name appeared.
Rank 100: Doran Lei – Lightning Vein Realm, Late Stage
A collective breath was held as more names scrolled up the stone surface, glowing in golden script. Whispers began as familiar names appeared.
Rank 76: Mira Yun – Flame Pulse Realm, Mid Stage
Rank 52: Fen Jao – Torrent Body Realm, Peak Stage
Rank 31: Saria Len – Torrent Body Realm, Peak Stage
Gasps followed. Kael turned toward her.
"Thirty-one? Not bad, Lady Len."
She flushed slightly. "I didn't expect to rank at all…"
"You underestimated how impressive you look while punching people."
Saria elbowed him, but her lips twitched.
The names continued.
Rank 20: Kalen Dro – Tempest Core Realm, Early Stage
Rank 12: Seris Vey – Torrent Soul Realm, Peak Stage
Rank 5: Aeryn Elshade – ???
The crowd erupted.
"Wait, what realm is that?" Kael muttered, eyes narrowing at the triple question marks beside Aeryn's name.
"She's always been... different," Saria said softly. "She doesn't talk about her cultivation. But some say she trained outside the continent. In ancient ruins."
"Of course she did," Kael groaned. "Can't just be powerful. Gotta be mysterious, too."
Just then, the Obelisk flickered.
For a moment, the script stuttered. Glitched. Then:
Rank 11: Kael Draven – Torrent Soul Realm, Early Stage
The arena fell silent.
Then the murmurs started.
"Him? That's a joke."
"Must be a mistake."
"He hasn't even broken through fully!"
"He's cursed, isn't he? Or possessed?"
Kael raised an eyebrow, scratching his head as if trying to make sense of it.
"Well," he said cheerfully. "Guess I made the list."
Saria grabbed his arm. "Kael. That's... impossible."
"Yeah, well. Maybe the rock has a thing for sarcasm."
Above them, one of the elders leaned toward another, speaking in a low tone Kael could barely catch with his enhanced hearing.
"Not seen since the last anomaly… the same resonance pattern…"
"The mark persists," the soul imprint whispered. "Even across lifetimes."
Kael's smirk faltered slightly.
A figure descended from the stands—tall, lean, with hair like fire and eyes like polished steel.
Rank 9: Lian Vorth
He approached slowly, drawing attention like a drawn blade.
"You." His voice cut through the arena. "You don't deserve to be anywhere near the top twenty."
Kael sighed. "Is this the part where you challenge me to an ego contest? Because I left my measuring stick at home."
Lian's aura surged, golden light rippling off his robes. "When the Trial Gate opens next week, we'll see if your tongue can keep up with your fists. I'll break you before the eyes of the sect."
Kael tilted his head. "Well, make sure to send the bill for my medical care to the Obelisk. It's clearly responsible for this mess."
Laughter scattered through the crowd, but it was nervous. No one was sure if Kael was brave or insane.
Maybe both.
Later, back in his private cultivation chamber, Kael slumped against the cool stone wall. The Obelisk's glow still burned behind his eyelids.
Saria sat beside him, silent for once.
He finally broke the silence.
"Why me?"
She looked at him. "You think I know?"
"You're the smart one. I just stumble into things and try not to die."
"You're more than you admit, Kael." She paused. "And more than the rest of them can understand."
He looked away, lips tight. "That's what I'm afraid of."
"Because you are not just Kael," the soul imprint said within. "You are the heir of a broken throne. And the chains that held your power… are rusting."
He winced. "Thanks for the pep talk, ghost."
"Soon, they will try to bind you again. And not all bindings are visible."
He felt a chill run through him.
That night, in the highest chamber of the sect, the Grand Elder stood before the flickering remains of the Obelisk.
A voice echoed from the shadows.
"So. The cursed child has risen again."
The elder nodded grimly. "The Dragon List does not lie."
A pair of glowing violet eyes blinked open in the darkness.
"Then the prophecy moves… and we must decide. Will he be weapon, or ruin?"