Long entered the Forbidden Library, unfazed by the dread that others felt upon crossing its threshold. His eyes scanned the shelves, the scrolls, the titles—yet everything he saw bored him.
"Spirit Fist Technique… laughable."
"Silent Tiger Breathing Style… pathetic."
He moved from one scroll to the next as if browsing a child's toy chest. Then he whispered to himself:
"This is supposed to be forbidden? Feels more like a cradle for infants."
He was about to leave… when his hand suddenly stopped at an old scroll, sealed with a faded mark, its cover worn and brittle—yet his eyes lit up.
He opened it, and the moment he read the first line, a chill ran through his soul.
"Hidden Dragon Arts: Essence Absorption from the Heavens."
An ancient technique, requiring a special body and a rare spiritual affinity. The text was clear:
> "This technique only succeeds when used alongside a second-grade Ruby Flame Herb and a third-grade Black Moon Pill. Without them… the user will die in flames."
Long smiled and closed his eyes.
"Finally… something worth my time."
He returned to the Clan Leader, tossed the scroll in front of him, and said confidently:
"This is what I want."
The leader looked shocked.
"Long, this isn't just a technique—it's destructive. It demands extremely rare resources. We only have one of those herbs. As for the pill… we'll have to search for it."
Long replied with a cold smile:
"You'll find it. Because I will use it. I'll either make your clan's name known across the world… or burn it down with my fire."
The clan leader sighed and ordered preparations for the ingredients.
Days passed. Long secluded himself to prepare for training, but on the night before the ingredients were to be delivered…
A scream echoed throughout the clan.
"Master Long! The ingredients have been stolen!"
Long rushed to the storage room. The guards lay unconscious, the door shattered, and footprints led to a wall scarred with deep claw marks.
Long narrowed his eyes and whispered:
"Foolish is the one who thinks stealing from me won't come at a price."
Then he looked at the moon, his voice low and demonic:
"I haven't even started yet… but you've awakened a demon that was sleeping."