Blood.

With the first light of dawn, Bai Xuebing sealed his connection with the star. A wave of comprehension swept through him, deep and overwhelming. This was not like when he awakened his origin or formed his core; it was something different, as if the invisible chains that limited his being had broken, releasing a raw, unrestricted power.

As he opened his eyes, the world seemed more alive, sharper. A new energy, dense and vibrant, coursed through his body. It was more than the primordial essence of the earth; it was the very breath of the cosmos flowing within him. Every fiber of his being resonated with a vitality that seemed capable of defying any limit.

—So this is being a cultivator, this is transcending human limits.

But he did not allow himself to get lost in the emotion. He knew this was just the beginning. The strength of the star, as ferocious as it was limitless, needed to be controlled. It was not enough to absorb it; he had to stabilize it. His newly formed origin core, the bridge between his body and the star, was still fragile.

This core not only contained energy; it was the channel connecting his existence with the natural energy. With each breath, the earthly essence flowed into him, while the star energy slowly integrated into his being. If the balance were broken, if he failed to master the flow... the consequences would be catastrophic.

Taking a deep breath, Bai Xuebing closed his eyes and directed the energy towards his core. The earthly essence and the star power clashed like raging rivers, but his will remained firm, taming the voracity of the star. Time faded as the balance hung by the edge of a sigh.

Finally, he succeeded. The natural energy flowed within him, shaping itself to his will, merging with his being. The origin core glowed intensely, functioning as a perfect bridge between his body and the cosmos. Now, power was not something unattainable, but an extension of himself.

—Tedious, but worth it.

He felt the core pulse, accumulating natural energy and transforming it into a force ready to be used. With each step he took, he better understood his role: to nourish himself from the earth, channel its essence, and prepare for a future where he would depend solely on the power of the stars.

This was just the beginning. Bai Xuebing knew that.

He opened his eyes, gazing at the vast horizon and the power now dwelling within him. But one question struck him like a lightning bolt: What secrets does my star hide?

He recalled the ancient teachings, those that spoke of the stars as guides and determiners of the cultivator's path. If he wanted to master his destiny, he needed to understand the essence of the star that had chosen him.

With a gaze full of determination, Bai Xuebing made his next decision. The true journey had just begun.

The first star marked the cultivator's destiny, and Bai Xuebing knew he had to discover its true nature. Was it an offensive and devastating power, or a defensive and controlling force? That knowledge would define his path.

Without hesitation, he closed his eyes and channeled the energy of his origin core towards the star. According to the teachings, the collision between the two forces should provoke a vibration that would reveal its essence, its hidden potential.

For a moment, everything was still, as if time had stopped. Bai Xuebing waited, holding his breath, for the spark that would show him his destiny. But nothing happened. No flash, no vibration, no sign of power.

He opened his eyes, confused. The flow of energy was still there, tangible and latent, but empty.

—Nothing...? —he murmured, clenching his fists.

Then, a troubling idea struck him: his star was of the pure type. Without attributes, without elements, without predetermined abilities. An empty star, extremely rare, offering both the promise of freedom and uncertainty.

A twisted smile appeared on his face.

—A blank canvas... how ironic.

The pure star did not provide him with immediate advantages, but it also did not limit him. He could fill it with any attribute, any style he chose. It was a unique and dangerous opportunity. The process of shaping it required intertwining mind, spirit, and energy in a perfect bond. But one mistake could destabilize his core, even destroy his origin.

Bai Xuebing lifted his gaze towards the horizon, contemplating the vast emptiness of his star.

—If heaven denies me a destiny, I will forge it myself. If this star lacks purpose, I will give it one. The void is nothing but a challenge.

With determination, he began to shape it. He knew the most direct method to bestow attributes onto a pure star was to link it with another already imbued with power. This approach, common in sects and clans, allowed transmission from master to disciple or from one generation to another.

But Bai Xuebing did not need inheritances. This void would be his, and his star would reflect his will and ambition.

The path was uncertain, but Bai Xuebing had already made his decision: if the star had no power, he would infuse it with his own.

Another method, more complex and meticulous, was to link the pure star with the natural energies of the planet. If a cultivator sought the lightning attribute, they must connect with the essence of a roaring storm. The power obtained depended on the strength and nature of the chosen energy; the more intense the connection, the greater the imbued attribute.

The same applied to styles, but in this case, he would need to learn them manually or receive them from someone else.

However, there was a third method, one that few even considered: the soul method. This approach involved infusing the cultivator's vital essence directly into the star, intertwining their spirit and energy in a deep and dangerous bond. The star absorbed the cultivator's essence and, in return, acquired an attribute, though an uncertain one.

It was an enormous risk. At best, it could yield a unique, unparalleled power, a manifestation exclusive to the cultivator. But at worst, the result could be a useless attribute or even the complete loss of vital essence, meaning a fate worse than death.

For Bai Xuebing, there were no alternatives. He had no master to lend him attributes, nor access to the planet's natural forces. His pure star offered him nothing but emptiness; if he wanted to progress, he had to bet everything on the soul method.

—It's ironic... —he murmured, staring intently at his star. A bitter smile curved his lips — I never trusted luck, but here I am, betting everything on it.

The emptiness of the star reflected his own situation: someone who had lost everything and, despite it all, remained standing. His laugh was soft, dry, full of disdain and acceptance.

—If the heavens want to play with my destiny, let them. I will force them to follow my will.

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he tried to calm the frantic beat of his heart. The risk was real; there was no turning back. But if there was one thing he had learned, it was that luck was not something to wait for, but something to force.

When he opened his eyes, his determination burned like an unquenchable flame.

—This empty star will be mine... and I will be the one to fill it.

He prepared to begin the process, aware that his very life was at stake. But Bai Xuebing did not fear the void, because to him, the void was not the end, but the beginning of everything.

The process had begun. This time, he not only felt the resistance of the star but something deeper: a connection that went beyond the physical. The star was not simply being forced to accept his essence; it was as if it had chosen him. It knew who he was, what he had done, and what he still had to do.

As his soul merged with the star, images of the past began to resurface, freed like specters from a prison. The faces of his brothers, his father, the blood spilled… Everything returned to him with devastating clarity. The soft, fragile skin of his younger brother, now covered in a dark red, almost black. The echo of his name ringing in his ears, as if it still called to him, seeking the help he could never give.

The house, his home, burning like a funeral pyre, consumed by raging flames. The screams of his brothers filled the air, mixing with the roar of the fire.

He was there, watching helplessly, as everything he loved was devoured. His hands, which should have protected them, were stained with the blood of those he held most dear.

The weight of that helplessness suffocated him. Each memory was a knife twisting in his chest, amplifying a pain that never diminished. But with each sting, something else grew within him: an inhuman fury, a searing hatred.

Within that whirlwind of emotions, something broke.

—I will never forgive them... —he murmured, his voice cold and sharp. The words were not a promise, they were an oath — I swear I will kill each and every one of them.

There was no doubt, no regret in his declaration. It was sincere, terrifying in its conviction.

—I will make them pay, they will feel what I suffered. They will live my pain... and in their suffering, my vengeance will be fulfilled.

His fate had been to die with them, but here he was, still breathing. Why? Because his fate was in no one else's hands.

—I will take the reins... I will decide what I am... what I can do. No one will control me. In the end, I will win.

He felt the energy of the star intensify. His being fused with it, and as it did, something in its essence began to change. The star, once a white, empty sphere, began to turn red, as if his hatred and pain had been etched into its core.

—I did it... —he whispered as his origin core glowed intensely, radiating power. Within it, a subspace began to form.

A gray and oppressive sky loomed above me. Beneath my feet, an infinite ocean of blood stretched in all directions, vibrant, alive. In the center of this abyss floated my star, beating in unison with my soul.

—This is my power. My revenge.

The sound of the star resonated in my chest, deep and constant, like a heartbeat I felt not only in my body, but in the very depths of my being. This power was not merely a tool; it was an extension of my hatred, of my purpose.

—Everything I had lived— the pain, the rage, the despair— had transformed into this force. And I would not stop. I will not.

I looked at my star, now bathed in a crimson red that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. I raised a hand towards it, feeling how it responded to my touch, to my will. ___

The Origin Core Domain is the reflection of the cultivator's essence, in symbiosis with the first star. This initial bond defines their primary attribute and sets the foundation for their power. The essence of the star flows into the core, merging in an irreversible connection that transforms the core into a unique space where the cultivator explores and refines their cultivation.

The domain's environment reflects the star's attributes: a landscape of flames, an ocean of calm, or eternal shadows. Over time, the domain can expand with more stars, each enriching its power and abilities. This space is both a fortress and a place of self-discovery.

When Bai Xuebing completed the final stage of this process, Definition, his domain took form. The landscape was a perpetual gray sky over an endless sea of blood. In the horizon, crimson mist blended with the water, creating an oppressive atmosphere. In the center, floated his star.

Once crystalline, now it radiated a deep red, as if it had absorbed Bai Xuebing's hatred. Fine threads of blood emanated from its surface, dripping into the sea. Each drop broke the stillness with ripples that slowly expanded, disturbing the reflection of the star.

Bai Xuebing remained in front of it, motionless, his gaze fixed on its center. He raised a hand, and his lips pronounced a name that resonated like an oath.

—Your name is… Xuètán Xīwàng —he declared solemnly. "Hope in the Spilled Blood."

With those words, the bond was sealed. The star, now marked with his essence, responded by vibrating violently. A dark red glow bathed the domain, intensifying its infernal atmosphere. Bai Xuebing felt the power seeping into him, and a manic laugh escaped his lips.

The laughter echoed in the domain, an announcement of his challenge to the world.

—This is just the beginning... —he murmured, his voice low and sharp like a sword.

He knew his path was just beginning. The monsters that had destroyed his life belonged to higher realms, far beyond his current understanding.

—I'm an ant compared to them... —he admitted, clenching his fists as the rage boiled inside him.

But his determination was unwavering. His domain, his star, and his hatred would be the tools with which he faced the impossible.

– I'm in the first realm, at the initial stage. I've barely surpassed the limitations of an average human.

Compared to other cultivators... I'm weak. A mere insect, without power or influence. But that will change.

Bai Xuebing's voice hardened. The laughter, which had once seemed like a cry of madness, transformed into a cold and calculated determination. He knew his path would be filled with shadows and dangers, but he would not retreat. Inside, he had already accepted the dark path he had chosen, a path full of unknown power that he himself would decide how far it would take him.

– No matter how long it takes —he murmured, his gaze fixed on the horizon of his domain, where the blood star shone intensely, injecting dark energy into his being— What matters is that this is just the beginning.

Days after his awakening as a cultivator, Bai Xuebing began to understand the attribute his star had granted him. Although he still couldn't imbue it with a defined style due to his lack of knowledge, he had acquired something more valuable: a genuine attribute.

The method he used to infuse an attribute into his star was known as the soul method. It was risky, with unpredictable results that could be catastrophic. Most cultivators obtained useless attributes, manifestations with no practical purpose. But, on rare occasions, the method produced unique attributes capable of redefining the cultivator.

For Bai Xuebing, the result was one of those rare attributes: the blood attribute, something never seen in the world of cultivation. This unexplored power placed him on unknown ground, forcing him to discover his own limits.

When trying to materialize his star's power for the first time, Bai Xuebing channeled the energy accumulated in his core. He closed his eyes and visualized a shape: an imposing, sharp, lethal axe. He concentrated every thought on its weight and sharpness, pouring all his intention into forming it, ignoring his inexperience and relying solely on a book of basic theories.

But as he channeled the energy from his star, he felt a violent pull in his right arm. Blood began to flow from his veins like a dark torrent, forming a whirlpool in the air that slowly took the shape of an axe. The pain was unbearable, as if his flesh were being torn and twisted from the inside.

—Dammit! —he screamed, his voice echoing through the bamboo forest.

He looked at his arm in horror: pale, withered, as if all its vitality had been drained. He could barely stand, but upon seeing the blood-soaked axe floating before him, he felt a mixture of agony and satisfaction.

Bai Xuebing gritted his teeth and began channeling his blood back into his arm, forcing his vitality to flow into the limb. Slowly, the arm regained some of its strength, though the pain persisted. He breathed with difficulty, but in his mind, a truth became clear: his attribute was not just a power; it was a weapon that demanded sacrifices.

He had learned something crucial: his star didn't grant him power without a price. Every drop of blood he gave fueled his strength, but it also tested his endurance and will. Bai Xuebing knew his path would be harder than any other cultivator's. But he didn't care.

—If this is the price of power, I'll pay it over and over again —he murmured, his eyes fixed on the floating axe.

The blood attribute would be his greatest advantage and his greatest curse, and he was willing to carry both as he moved forward toward his destiny.

First, Bai Xuebing understood something crucial: his attribute demanded a unique sacrifice. To materialize his star's power, he had to offer his own blood. The energy from his core, while essential, acted as a catalyst, but it was not enough on its own. His blood became the physical medium that converted the latent power into a tangible reality. Every use of his ability came with a price, a constant that would mark his path.

Secondly, he began to unravel the true nature of his core's energy. He recognized that what it housed was natural energy, not necessarily aligned with his attribute. If he wanted to release his star's power without relying on his own blood, he would need to harmonize the energy of his core with the essence of his attribute.

To understand this better, Bai Xuebing reflected on other cultivators. For instance, someone with the lightning attribute needed lightning energy in their core to effectively unleash their power.

If his core contained energy of an incompatible nature, like fire or water, his body would only serve as a conduit to generate basic energy, limiting his ability to manifest his attribute. In such cases, the star treated the cultivator like a battery, using their body to simulate the necessary conditions to release the power.

In his case, the absence of energy compatible with the blood attribute meant his star directly resorted to his blood as a conduit. It was an exhausting and dangerous cycle. Blood, to him, was not just a physical component, but the core of his power.

As they say, the first star determines the cultivator's path. Bai Xuebing knew that to advance, he needed to find energy that resonated with his attribute. Just as a fire cultivator requires fiery energy, he needed a source of energy connected to blood. Without that connection, he couldn't progress efficiently.

Lost in thought, he came to an unsettling truth: he couldn't seek "blood" like one might seek water or fire in nature. Blood was life, and its essence was deeply connected to living beings. How could he harness that energy without losing himself in the process?

After reflecting, Bai Xuebing had an epiphany. Blood, like wind, fire, or lightning, contained inherent energy. He didn't need to seek an external source; the blood itself was the energy he had to cultivate. Not his blood, but the blood of other living beings.

—Blood is life, and life is energy —he murmured, as a spark of understanding lit up his mind.

Determined to test his theory, he hunted a small animal. As he drained its blood, he felt something different: a subtle energy emanating from life itself. Though the amount he obtained was minuscule, it was enough to confirm his hypothesis. Blood contained a source of power that could be stored, used, and cultivated.

With the accumulated energy, he visualized a simple object: a small needle. He activated his star's power, and this time, he noticed something different. His own blood was not consumed; the energy extracted from the animal had taken that role.

Bai Xuebing looked at the floating needle, as sharp as his resolve, and a dark smile appeared on his face. He had taken a crucial step on his path.

—This is just the beginning.

His understanding of his attribute had opened a new horizon. His path would not be easy, nor morally acceptable to many, but he didn't care. He had decided to use everything at his disposal to dominate his destiny, even if it meant cultivating the blood of other living beings.