shadow Ascendants

The moon hung high over the Ardent Clan's estate, casting long shadows across the training ground. Tonight was supposed to be Ren Ardent's moment of glory—a coming-of-age ceremony where noble children awakened their mana cores.

Yet, as he stood in the center of the ritual circle, surrounded by elders, nobles, and his own father, silence filled the air.

Nothing happened.

No burst of energy, no glowing aura—just emptiness.

"This can't be right…" Ren clenched his fists, sweat beading on his forehead. He had trained, studied cultivation theory, and dreamed of proving himself worthy of his lineage.

A cold voice shattered his hopes.

"Ren Ardent, your mana core is… broken."

The elder's words echoed like a death sentence.

Laughter erupted from the crowd. Nobles whispered, eyes filled with pity and disdain. His father, Lord Darius Ardent, stepped forward, face unreadable.

"Pathetic." His voice was colder than ice. "A son of the Ardent Clan, unable to cultivate? You bring shame upon our bloodline."

Ren's chest tightened. He turned to his older brother, Leon Ardent, a cultivation genius who had awakened a high-tier mana core. Leon smirked, stepping closer.

"Looks like the heavens have spoken, little brother," Leon sneered. "You were never meant to stand beside me."

The humiliation was unbearable. His rival, Gale Vermillion, heir to another noble family, laughed the loudest.

"The 'genius' of the Ardent Clan? More like the greatest disappointment in Eldoria's history!"

Ren's fingernails dug into his palms. He wanted to scream, to fight back—but what could a cripple do?

His father's next words sealed his fate.

"From this day forth, Ren Ardent is no longer my son. You are banished from the Ardent Clan."

The world crumbled around him.

Exiled and Broken

Hours later, Ren wandered the outskirts of Eldoria, his fine robes tattered, his spirit crushed. The grand city lights in the distance were a reminder of what he had lost.

He clenched his fists.

"This isn't fair. Just because I was born weak, I lose everything?"

As he walked aimlessly, a deep rumbling shook the ground. A gust of eerie wind passed through the valley. Before him, an ancient ruin revealed itself—a dungeon long forgotten.

A strange pull urged him forward.

With nothing left to lose, Ren stepped inside.

Little did he know, this choice would change his fate forever.