Divinity

Blue Lava

A week had passed, and Bia Xiao hadn’t been seen for days. Among the Bia tribe, whispers grew into a grim conclusion: Bia Xiao was dead. Most had seen him venture into the forest on the very day a fierce fire had broken out. Adding to their suspicion was the fact that members of the Gue family had been lurking in the forest’s vicinity. It wasn’t hard to imagine that either the flames or the Gue family had claimed his life.

Rumors only fueled the fire. Days prior, the tribe discovered that the Gue family had held a coming-of-age ceremony for their youth. This was the reason for the young Gue members’ presence near the Bia tribe’s boundaries. When the full details came to light, rage swept through the tribe. The elders were furious, and the members followed suit.

"They must think we fear them!" Elder Bia Suyu roared, his fist slamming onto the table in the great hall, shattering it in two. His outburst reverberated among the seven other older figures, seated solemnly around him. At the head of the gathering sat Bia Anue, Suyu’s father, and the tribe's leader.

“That Gue Fenlong boy was lucky this time,” Suyu continued, his voice thick with contempt. “But his grandfather has some nerve, thinking they can act without consequences.”

Bia Anue’s gaze sharpened. He was not a man of restraint, a fierce leader who valued strength above all. Weakness had no place in his tribe, a core value that had kept the Bia tribe among the major powers in the region, even if they were subordinate to the larger clans.

“If it's a contest for the younger generation they want, we’ll give it to them. Prepare Bia Long and the others. In the next few days, they’ll have their chance for a good hunt,” Bia Anue declared. His cold tone left no room for doubt. “Understood, father. We’ll be ready,” Bia Suyu nodded. He would ensure their retaliation was swift and decisive. If the Bia tribe didn’t act, their reputation would suffer, and the smaller powers would begin to view them as easy prey.

At that moment, another elder rose—an elder known as Elder Blue, who had been listening quietly thus far. “What about the boy, Bia Xiao? Should we send a search party for him?” His voice, though calm, carried weight. Elder Blue was a top-ranking member of the tribe, though not born into the Bia family. His origins were tied to an encounter with Bia Anue some four hundred years ago, which blossomed into a rare friendship. Despite this, his status as an elder was earned through his own strength and contributions. He was a master realm expert at the 5th level, more powerful than Bia Suyu, though few truly knew his full abilities. Not even Bia Anue.

In truth, Elder Blue had another tie to the tribe, one few were aware of. He had been a close friend of Bia Xiao’s father, Bia Tang. When Bia Xiao’s family was attacked and killed, Elder Blue had been ready to intervene. But a single look from Bia Tang had stayed in his hand. They were too deep in their situation to be saved. In the years that followed, Blue silently watched over Bia Xiao, ensuring no harm came to him, though he never interfered with the boy’s hardships. It was his way of ensuring the child grew strong and self-sufficient.

Bia Anue, ever observant, had noticed the connection but said nothing. Elder Blue was a free man, not bound by the Bia name, and Anue saw no reason to restrict him. “The boy’s probably dead,” Bia Suyu interrupted with a dismissive wave. “There’s no point in looking for him.”

Suyu’s disdain for Bia Xiao was palpable, rooted in his hatred for the boy’s father, Bia Tang, whose actions had led to the forced enslavement of hundreds of the tribe’s members. If Bia Tang had simply handed over his son, fewer would have been taken.

“You blame the child for the father’s deeds? A man of your status should have more pride than that,” Elder Blue remarked, his voice cold. The words landed like a slap, and Bia Suyu’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment.

“How dare you!” Suyu bellowed, rising from his seat. “Know your place, Elder Blue!”

But Elder Blue was unfazed. He didn’t waste his breath on fools. “Young man, do not overstep. Tribe Leader Bia, I’ll be leaving for a few days. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call.” Without so much as a glance at Suyu, Blue turned and left the hall, his departure punctuated by the echo of his steady footsteps.

“Father, you must deal with him!” Suyu raged, his fists clenched in fury. “We can’t allow such disrespect!”

Bia Anue remained calm, his eyes never leaving Elder Blue’s retreating figure. “Be warned, son. He could kill you ten times over before you could lift a finger.”

“What?” Suyu gasped, his shock mirrored by the other elders. It was no secret that Bia Suyu was a Master realm expert at the 2nd level, and his combat prowess was among the best. Few in the tribe could rival him, save for his father.

“Are you sure, tribe leader?” Bia Jin, Suyu’s cousin, asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

“I’m not certain,” Anue admitted. “But the feeling he gives off... It’s hard to explain. He’s lived for over 500 years, and only those at the 3rd level of the Master realm or above can extend their lifespans that far.”

A murmur rippled through the elders. It was well known that only martial artists who surpassed the 3rd level could live beyond 300 years. Bia Suyu, at 259 years old, was approaching a critical juncture. If he didn’t break through soon, his body would begin to age, and he would face his final years.

“No wonder…” Bia Jin muttered. The pieces were falling into place.

“Leave him be,” Bia Anue said, his tone final. “He’s no threat to us. As for the matter of Xiao... tread carefully, Suyu. That boy is more than he seems.”

Meanwhile, Elder Blue stood at the edge of the scorched forest, his expression grim as he stared into the charred remains of the trees.

“Have I truly failed you, old friend?” he murmured. With a heavy sigh, he stepped forward, his movements swift and precise, covering dozens of meters in mere moments as he ventured deeper into the forest.

Far beneath the surface, in a hidden cave, Bia Xiao struggled through another round of cultivation. The intense heat had driven out the impurities from his body, but no matter how hard he tried, he still couldn’t connect with the elemental energies in the air. The feeling of rejection was overwhelming.

“Still can’t connect to the elements. What the hell is wrong with me?” he muttered in frustration. His eyes drifted to the pool of molten lava just a few feet away, an idea forming in his mind. Taking a deep breath, he raised his foot and stepped into the lava. Instantly, a searing pain shot through his leg, his flesh burning and blackening. The stench of burned skin filled the air, and Bia Xiao screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground and writhing in pain. The torment was unbearable, and darkness soon claimed him. When he awoke, he couldn’t feel the pain anymore. Dazed, he looked down at his leg.

“This…!” His eyes widened in shock. His leg had healed, the flesh glowing with a strange blue hue. He could feel the power surging through it, far stronger than before.