---
**Early Morning – Training Grounds, Cloud Vein Sect**
The mist over the grass was still fresh. Disciples had barely begun their stretches when a group of robed figures moved silently through the outer training ring.
At the center of them was **Shen Liu** — an Inner Sect disciple, known for his spirit-soul techniques.
He walked with purpose… toward **Zeravon**.
> "There he is," one muttered.
> "Instructor Wei said he may be… unstable."
Shen Liu's eyes narrowed.
> "We'll see what truth he hides."
---
**Zeravon – Still Meditating by the Cliff**
Zeravon's eyes were closed. But inside his mind, **whispers danced like distant thunder**.
> *"He's coming."*
> *"He wants to peer into the depths."*
> *"Should we show him… the bottom?"*
He said nothing aloud.
But one word repeated in his mind.
> *Oblivis…*
---
**Moments Later – Shen Liu Approaches**
> "Zeravon," Shen said, "you are requested for soul-examination."
Zeravon opened his eyes slowly.
He said nothing.
> "It's harmless," another voice said. "Just a technique to test stability of spirit for advanced sect evaluations."
Zeravon nodded slowly.
> "Do what you must."
---
**Forbidden Technique — Soul Threading**
Shen Liu stepped forward and placed his palm on Zeravon's forehead.
Green light began to pulse from his fingers — spirit-sensing tendrils entered Zeravon's spiritual sea…
> "Let's see what you're hiding…"
But the moment the tendrils touched the seal inside—
**They shattered.**
---
**Inside Shen Liu's Mind**
He stood in darkness.
Alone.
Until a voice whispered:
> *"You shouldn't be here."*
A figure stepped out.
Not Zeravon.
But **Oblivis** — draped in black fog, eyes glowing with reverse-gold.
> "What… are you?" Shen Liu gasped.
> *"I am what the seal was made to contain."*
> *"You opened the lid. Now drown."*
---
**Reality – Sect Grounds**
Shen Liu's body jerked. His eyes rolled back.
Then — blood **erupted** from his ears, nose, mouth.
He screamed.
> "MAKE IT STOP—!"
Then collapsed.
Dead.
Face frozen in eternal fear.
The other disciples stumbled back, horrified.
> "Wh-What happened?!"
Zeravon sat motionless. His eyes still… until they opened.
The pupils were back to normal — but for a brief moment…
**They had no pupils at all.**
Just **empty glowing rings**.
---
**Moments Later – Emergency Meeting Hall**
Elder Lin banged the table.
> "You let them probe **Zeravon's soul**?!"
Instructor Wei sighed.
> "It wasn't official… Shen Liu took it upon himself."
From the shadows, the masked figure stepped out again.
> "And now, the soul-thread is broken. Shen Liu is dead. One of your best."
Lin gritted his teeth.
> "What did he see in there?"
> "Not what," the figure said.
> "**Who.**"
---
**Yueyin's Pavilion – Nightfall**
Yueyin stared at a scroll she had received from the Upper Realm.
A single line shimmered in silver script:
> *"If the Oblivis seal pulses twice… remove him from the sect."*
She closed her eyes.
> "It already has."
---
**Zeravon – Back in His Room**
Zeravon lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
The rune on his arm flickered… then stabilized.
> *"One more time…"*
> *"And the second gate will open."*
A cold breeze passed through the shut window.
And in its sound, the voice whispered again:
> *"Oblivis remembers…"*
> *"…but will you?"*
---