Ashes of the star forge

They ran.

The death of the black-plated monster had drawn far too much attention. Hunting cries echoed from multiple directions as new signatures closed in across the broken plateau. Some felt similar to the beast Elara had just killed. Others were different — heavier, faster, or carrying strange energy fluctuations that made Lian’s skin prickle. They had never even gotten the chance to scan the corpse. In the chaos of the killing blow and the immediate need to flee, the opportunity had been lost.

Behind them, the ground trembled under the weight of approaching predators. Ahead, the maze of jagged rock spires offered only temporary cover. Lian’s body protested every step. Blood still ran from the gash along his side. Elara’s shoulder wound had sealed poorly under the planet’s pressure, and dark fluid streaked her alloy plating. Neither of them had the strength for another prolonged fight.

The monsters were closing in.

Suddenly a familiar voice spoke directly into both of their minds.

“Master.”

Lian and Elara both recognized it instantly.

“Lirien,” Lian answered, hope cutting through the exhaustion. He assumed she was finally intervening.

Instead, her next words left them both stunned.

“I have been wondering... why have you both started flying? You are Stellar Circuit Star 1, while Elara is Core Condensation Realm — Peak Stage.” There was a slight pause. “She broke through while on the ship. And she is already more powerful than her original realm would suggest.”

In the middle of a life-or-death chase, the question was so unexpected that Lian nearly stumbled. He was about to shout back in frustration, then forced himself to stay calm.

“We never got anyone to teach us how,” he answered through gritted teeth. “And this is a really good time to be asking.”

The unspoken message was clear: if she was going to help, she needed to hurry.

Lirien was not bothered by the urgency in his tone.

She simply sighed, the sound carrying a note of genuine disappointment.

“You are so weak compared to others in your realm,” she said. “Or perhaps the people you have been meeting were simply weak. Or they have been hiding their true strength. At Stellar Circuit Star 1, a cultivator should be able to shatter mountains with focused force, project energy beams capable of piercing fortified structures, and manipulate Qi externally with far greater freedom than you currently display. Flight is one of the most basic applications. The fact that neither of you has achieved it yet is... surprising.”

Before she could continue, the surrounding rock burst open.

Stone exploded outward in a violent spray. From the newly created gap, a group of smaller, skittering creatures poured out — low-level scavengers drawn by the noise and blood. But they were not the real threat.

A figure hovered into view above the chaos.

The being was tall and powerfully built, with deep indigo skin marked by natural crystalline ridges along the arms and shoulders. Four eyes glowed with steady amber light, and a long, flexible tail tipped with a bone blade swayed behind him. His presence was solid and controlled — Stellar Circuit Star 1, the same level as Lian, yet carrying the unmistakable weight of real combat experience. He looked down at the two bloodied cultivators and the approaching swarm of predators with calm assessment.

“What are you doing here,” the stranger asked, his voice deep and resonant, “on this planet?”

Lian’s mind raced. Truth or lie? A wrong answer could turn a potential ally into another enemy. He chose a version of the truth that implied protection.

“We are here for training.”

The four-eyed cultivator studied them for several long seconds. The implication that someone higher was supervising their presence on Veythara’s Grave seemed to register. Finally he gave a slight nod.

“My name is Ryzek Vorn of the Veyrani,” he said. “What are yours?”

“Lian.”

“Elara.”

Ryzek Vorn’s gaze lingered on their injuries and the monsters still closing in from multiple directions.

“Follow me,” he said. Then, with the same blunt curiosity Lirien had shown, he asked, “Why aren’t you flying?”

Shame flickered across both their faces.

“We don’t know how to,” Lian admitted.

Ryzek Vorn’s four eyes blinked in mild surprise. He did not waste time with mockery.

“Flight at your level is not true atmospheric mastery,” he explained quickly. “It is directed Qi propulsion. Gather your energy beneath your feet and along your spine. Compress it, then release it downward in a continuous stream while maintaining balance with your core. Do not think of lifting your body. Think of pushing the world away. The pressure of this planet will resist you, but once the flow stabilizes, it becomes sustainable. Watch.”

He demonstrated with a short, controlled ascent, hovering a few meters higher before dropping back to their level.

Lian and Elara both focused instantly. The explanation was simple, direct, and practical. Under the immediate threat of death, their minds locked onto the method with perfect clarity. Lian felt the black liquid and his Qi respond together. Elara’s Peak Core Condensation energy — stronger than before her breakthrough — flared under her control.

Within moments, both of them rose unsteadily off the ground.

It was rough. It was inefficient. But it was flight.

Ryzek turned and shot forward through the rock spires. Lian and Elara followed as quickly as their new, clumsy control allowed, leaving the closing pack of monsters behind in the dust and blood of the plateau.

Power Scale / Cultivation Realms (Quick Reminder)

Foundation Realm (Layers 1–9): Body forging, no external Qi.

Circuit Awakening Realm (Early–Peak): First Qi loop, internal bursts.

Core Condensation Realm (Early–Peak): External Qi release, short flight.

Stellar Circuit Realm (1–9 Stars): True flight, Qi armor, energy projection.

Nebula Dominion Realm and higher: Domain control, galaxy-level power, etc

Power Scale Reminder

Lian Yu: Stellar Circuit Star 1.

Elara Voss: Core Condensation Middle

Keep it as reminders

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