When Dua Lin left the martial courtyard, the whispers of the clan still followed him.
Some filled with awe.
Some with envy.
And some — with fear.
But Dua Lin didn't care.
His steps were calm as he returned to his small courtyard on the east side of the estate. The sunlight glimmered off the tiled roofs, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of morning dew. For the first time in years, the servants he passed bowed properly.
"Young Master Lin."
"Greetings, Young Master."
He gave a light nod in response, but his mind was elsewhere — within his dantian, where the faint dragon shadow coiled like a sleeping beast.
"The first vein has awakened," he muttered to himself. "But that was only a spark. I need to refine more essence, to temper my blood completely."
As he stepped into his courtyard, a soft voice called from inside.
"Young Master Lin."
A girl stood by the doorway, holding a wooden basin. She wore plain gray servant robes, but her face was delicate — clean and calm, with a trace of shyness in her eyes. Her long black hair was tied into a simple ponytail.
She lowered her head slightly. "The Patriarch has ordered that I serve as your personal attendant from now on."
Dua Lin blinked. "You are?"
"Lan'er," she said softly. "From the inner servant hall."
So they've sent someone to keep an eye on me, Dua Lin thought. Typical clan politics.
But when his gaze met hers again, there was something pure and untainted about her expression — too innocent to be a spy. He let the thought go.
"Very well," he said lightly. "Bring some tea."
"Yes, Young Master."
Lan'er quickly set the basin down and disappeared into the kitchen. When she returned, her movements were graceful, practiced, yet cautious — like a bird testing its wings.
Dua Lin sipped the tea. "You're new?"
"Yes. My family served the main branch before…" she paused briefly, "before the rebellion ten years ago."
Her tone held no resentment, only calm acceptance. Dua Lin nodded. "Then from today onward, you serve me. You'll assist with my training, and I'll provide your meals and protection. Agreed?"
Lan'er's eyes widened slightly. "I—I'm not worthy of such generosity."
"Then work hard," Dua Lin said. "I don't like lazy people."
Lan'er nodded firmly. "Yes, Young Master!"
That evening, Dua Lin sat cross-legged on a jade mat once more, focusing his breath.
The Nine Dragons War Sovereign Art began circulating slowly, drawing qi from the surrounding air. The faint sound of a dragon's heartbeat pulsed through his meridians.
Each rotation of energy strengthened his muscles, refined his bones, and sharpened his perception.
He could feel it — the slow awakening of his ancient bloodline.
But cultivation never came without pain.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as the dragon qi rampaged through his veins. His body trembled slightly; the essence of heaven and earth was violent, unyielding, and full of primal power.
Then — warmth.
A cool cloth pressed gently against his forehead.
Lan'er knelt beside him, worry filling her delicate eyes. "Young Master… your body is burning. Should I call a healer?"
Dua Lin opened his eyes slowly. The faint golden light in his pupils flickered, then vanished. "No need. This is part of the process."
"But you're trembling—"
"Pain means progress," Dua Lin interrupted, voice calm but steady. "If you fear pain, you'll never touch power."
Lan'er bit her lip, unsure how to reply. She only sat quietly beside him, occasionally wringing the damp cloth in her hands.
When Dua Lin finally exhaled a long breath, the air around him trembled faintly. His cultivation had broken through.
"Second stage of Body Tempering," he said softly.
The progress was small, but to him, it was everything. The dragon shadow within his dantian had grown clearer — its scales shimmering faintly, its eyes half-open.
Lan'er's eyes widened in awe. "You broke through so quickly?"
Dua Lin smiled faintly. "You'll see many such things in the days ahead."
He stood, rolling his shoulders as faint cracks echoed from his bones. His body felt lighter, stronger — every breath filled with a faint metallic energy.
Lan'er looked at him as if seeing a deity. Her cheeks turned faintly red. "Young Master Lin… are you really human?"
Dua Lin chuckled. "That's a strange question."
"You… you don't seem like the others," she whispered. "When you cultivate, it feels like something ancient is breathing through you."
Dua Lin's expression turned serious. "If you value your life, never speak of what you see. Not even to yourself."
Lan'er lowered her head instantly. "Yes, Young Master."
The next morning, a servant arrived from the main hall.
"Young Master Dua Lin, the Patriarch requests your presence."
When Dua Lin entered the ancestral hall, several elders were already waiting. The air was heavy with authority.
Patriarch Longwei Zhen sat on the main seat, expression unreadable. "Lin, I have a task for you."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"You've awakened your bloodline, but the clan's foundation is still unstable. The City Lord's Manor is holding a youth selection tournament in three days. The winner will receive a Grade Eight Essence Pill and the right to enter the Azure Dragon Martial Academy."
A murmur went through the elders.
Dua Lin's gaze sharpened. "You wish for me to represent the clan?"
"Yes. It's time the Longwei name regained its pride."
Elder Han frowned. "Patriarch, this boy has only reached the second stage of Body Tempering! The other clans' youths are far ahead."
Longwei Zhen's tone remained calm. "You saw what he did to your grandson."
The hall went silent.
Dua Lin clasped his fists. "I accept."
As he left the hall, his expression was calm, but deep inside, something stirred.
"Azure Dragon Martial Academy," he murmured. "If I can obtain that Essence Pill… the second vein may awaken."
That night, under the moonlight, Dua Lin stood in the courtyard, practicing forms.
His movements were sharp yet graceful — like flowing water hiding hidden blades. Each motion carried a faint echo of a dragon's roar.
Lan'er watched quietly from the steps, her heart pounding for reasons she couldn't explain.
"Lan'er," Dua Lin said suddenly without looking back. "Prepare three jade bottles."
"Yes, Young Master. For what purpose?"
"I'm refining qi condensation liquid. You'll assist me."
Her eyes widened. "But… you know alchemy too?"
Dua Lin smiled faintly. "A little."
To him, forging weapons, crafting pills, and inscribing sigils were all second nature — remnants of his past life as Earth's greatest weapon specialist.
To this world, though, such skills were divine.
As he began to heat the small cauldron, a strange light flickered in his eyes — the mixture of science and spiritual instinct merging perfectly.
When the cauldron's lid finally opened, faint golden mist escaped, filling the courtyard with a refreshing scent.
"Take it," Dua Lin said. "A single drop will strengthen your bones and clear impurities."
Lan'er hesitated. "I… I can't accept such a precious thing."
Dua Lin glanced at her. "I don't waste my efforts on people who refuse them."
She nodded quickly, taking the vial with trembling hands. "Thank you, Young Master."
Dua Lin turned his gaze toward the distant city walls, where the wind carried faint echoes of drums.
"Three days," he whispered. "Let's see what kind of geniuses this world holds."
Behind him, the dragon shadow in his dantian coiled tighter, its eyes now glowing faintly gold.