The crimson sun sank beyond Longwei City's walls, dyeing the clouds in blood and gold.
The cheering crowds had long dispersed, yet the echoes of the tournament still lingered through the air like a restless spirit.
Within the Longwei clan estate, torches burned bright. Servants moved busily, preparing a feast worthy of their clan's sudden rise.
For the first time in ten years, joy filled the courtyards instead of shame.
In the central hall, Patriarch Longwei Zhen sat in silence. His aged eyes stared at the golden token resting before him — the token of the Youth Champion, bearing the emblem of a coiling dragon.
At the doorway, footsteps approached. Dua Lin entered, his robe still dusty from battle.
"Patriarch," he greeted calmly.
Zhen raised his head slowly. For a long moment he simply looked at the young man before him — the grandson he once thought would bring disgrace to the clan.
Now, the same youth had rewritten their fate in a single day.
Finally, the patriarch exhaled. "You did well, Lin."
His voice trembled faintly. "The Longwei clan's name has returned to the top of the city. Even the Zhao and Han clans will think twice before crossing us again."
"I only did what was necessary," Dua Lin replied. "If the clan regains respect, it's because it learned to fight for it."
Zhen gave a deep laugh, equal parts pride and disbelief. "Your father would have been proud."
Dua Lin's gaze softened for a heartbeat. He bowed. "Thank you, Patriarch."
Before more could be said, a servant rushed in. "Patriarch, a visitor from the Azure Dragon Martial Academy seeks audience!"
The entire hall stirred.
"What? So soon?"
"They rarely send envoys directly!"
Zhen's eyes narrowed. "Invite them in. At once."
Moments later, a tall figure entered the hall.
He wore a robe of deep azure embroidered with faint silver dragons, and an insignia glimmered on his chest — a coiling dragon circling a mountain. His aura was restrained, yet oppressive, like a blade hidden beneath silk.
"Greetings," the man said, bowing slightly. "I am Elder Mu Qing, outer instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy."
The name alone drew quiet gasps. An outer instructor was equivalent to a core elder of a great sect.
Zhen hurried to return the bow. "Elder Mu Qing, what honor brings you to my humble clan?"
The elder's gaze swept the hall and finally rested on Dua Lin. "The Academy's divination mirrors trembled at the moment the champion released his dragon aura. We traced that resonance here."
The room fell silent.
Dua Lin met the elder's sharp gaze without flinching.
Mu Qing continued, "By the decree of the Azure Dragon Academy, the champion of this year's Youth Tournament is invited to join as an Outer Disciple, effective immediately. A spirit carriage waits outside the city."
Zhen's face brightened with pride, but the elder wasn't finished.
"However," Mu Qing added, "the Academy's gates open only to those who withstand the Azure Trial. You will undergo the test before setting foot on academy grounds. Fail, and your qualification is revoked."
Dua Lin's tone was calm. "When do I depart?"
"Tonight," Mu Qing said simply. "The trial is held in three days. Prepare yourself."
Zhen hesitated. "Elder, surely he may rest—"
Mu Qing shook his head. "The trial waits for no one."
When the elder departed, the hall buzzed again. Elders and relatives whispered excitedly, some with admiration, some with envy.
"Outer disciple at his age!"
"Longwei clan will finally stand among the great families of the region!"
But not everyone shared their joy.
At the back of the hall, Elder Han, the patriarch's cousin, narrowed his eyes. His grandson, humiliated by Dua Lin, still lay recovering from shattered meridians.
He bowed stiffly. "Patriarch, forgive my boldness, but sending Lin away so quickly—without full protection—may be dangerous."
Zhen frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The Zhao clan has not forgotten their loss. And the Yun clan's envoy left the arena early. Something is brewing."
Dua Lin's lips curved slightly. "Then let them brew."
Elder Han clenched his fists. "You don't understand the world's cruelty yet, boy—"
Zhen raised a hand, silencing him. "Enough. Lin will leave tonight. Prepare a guard escort until the city gates."
"Yes, Patriarch," Han said stiffly, though his eyes glimmered with resentment.
Later that night, Dua Lin stood in his courtyard under the silver moon.
Lan'er busied herself packing his belongings — a few robes, herbs, and the remaining qi condensation liquid.
"You really have to leave now?" she asked softly, folding the last garment.
"The road to power never waits," he said. "And neither do enemies."
She bit her lip. "Then at least promise you'll return."
He paused. "When I've forged all nine dragon veins, I'll return not as a servant's young master — but as the clan's protector."
Lan'er smiled faintly through moist eyes. "Then I'll wait, even if it takes a lifetime."
Before she could turn away, Dua Lin reached into his sleeve and took out a small talisman.
The rune shimmered faintly with golden light. "If danger ever comes, pour a drop of your blood on this. It will summon a fragment of my qi."
Her fingers trembled as she accepted it. "Young Master…"
"Lan'er," he said gently, "you've earned the right to call me by my name."
She froze, eyes widening slightly. But before she could speak, he turned away, his figure already melting into the night mist.
The Road to the Azure Trial
The journey toward the Azure Dragon Academy was long and perilous. Mountains loomed like sleeping beasts, and rivers roared through endless valleys.
Dua Lin traveled with the academy envoy, Mu Qing, in a floating spirit carriage drawn by a pair of jade-scaled horses.
For most of the journey, the elder remained silent. But when they crossed the third valley, he finally spoke.
"You're not an ordinary youth," Mu Qing said quietly. "When you fought today, your qi pattern shifted twice in a single breath — something impossible for a normal Body Tempering cultivator."
Dua Lin didn't answer. The scenery outside blurred as clouds drifted past.
Mu Qing's eyes narrowed. "The aura you released bore the scent of an ancient bloodline. May I ask… who are you really?"
Dua Lin met his gaze evenly. "Just someone seeking to climb higher."
The elder studied him for a moment longer before chuckling. "Cautious. Good. The Azure Dragon Academy devours arrogance and rewards patience."
Then, his tone turned serious. "Still, beware. The other clans won't let you ascend peacefully. The Zhao clan's young master has already placed a bounty on your life."
"I expected as much," Dua Lin said simply.
"Do you fear death?"
"No," Dua Lin said, eyes calm. "I fear stagnation."
Mu Qing stared for a heartbeat, then smiled faintly. "Interesting. Perhaps the Academy truly needs someone like you."
By dawn, they reached the edge of the Azure Dragon Range, a vast chain of peaks shaped like coiling serpents. Mist rolled down from the heights, hiding the ancient runes carved into the cliffs.
At the base stood a stone gate guarded by armored disciples. Above it hung a single plaque: Azure Dragon Academy.
Even from outside, Dua Lin could feel the spiritual pressure emanating from the mountains — like an ancient dragon sleeping beneath the earth.
Mu Qing gestured toward a secondary path. "The Academy's true gate lies within. But before you may enter, you must complete the Azure Trial."
"What kind of trial?" Dua Lin asked.
The elder's eyes gleamed. "A test of will and blood. You'll enter the Dragon Vein Mirror, where your deepest fears take form. Overcome them, and the mirror will record your essence into the Academy's jade tablets."
Dua Lin nodded. "Understood."
The Azure Trial Grounds
The trial ground was a vast circular arena carved into the side of the mountain.
Hundreds of young cultivators stood within — geniuses from across the region, all bearing clan insignias. Their gazes turned toward Dua Lin as he approached with Mu Qing.
"Is that him?"
"The boy from Longwei City who awakened dragon resonance?"
"He doesn't look so strong…"
Their whispers buzzed like flies, but Dua Lin ignored them.
At the center of the arena stood a massive mirror, ten zhang tall, shimmering with azure light. Within it coiled the faint image of a dragon — half ethereal, half real.
A robed examiner stepped forward. "Those who enter will face the reflection of their dao hearts. Fail, and your spirit will shatter."
Some of the waiting youths paled, but Dua Lin's gaze remained calm.
"Step forward," the examiner called. "Dua Lin of Longwei Clan."
He walked toward the mirror without hesitation.
The surface rippled like water as he pressed his palm against it. In an instant, his consciousness was pulled inside.
Within the Mirror
Darkness.
Then — light.
He stood once more in the ruins of a battlefield, flames devouring the sky.
Metal fragments and shattered drones littered the ground — echoes of Earth, his former life.
In the distance, the reflection of his old self appeared — wearing the uniform of a weapon specialist, holding a rifle that hummed with deadly power.
"So this is the fear I carry," Dua Lin murmured.
The reflection sneered. "You abandoned this world for fantasy. You think dragons and qi will save you? You're still just a soldier running from death."
Dua Lin's expression didn't waver. "No. I became death's teacher."
He raised his hand, and spiritual qi flared around him — the shadows of two dragons coiling, the third flickering faintly.
When the reflection fired its weapon, the bullets dissolved before reaching him.
His fist moved like lightning, striking the phantom's chest. The illusion shattered with a thunderous roar.
From the fragments of the mirror world, a voice echoed:
"Fear conquered. Heart stabilized."
The darkness receded, and Dua Lin opened his eyes back in the real world. The entire arena had fallen silent — even the examiners stared in awe.
The azure dragon carved on the mirror's surface shone brightly, releasing a pulse of light that soared into the heavens.
From within that brilliance, a faint dragon roar answered.
Mu Qing whispered under his breath, "The Dragon Vein Mirror acknowledged him… fully."
As the light faded, Dua Lin stepped down calmly. His aura had changed — deeper, steadier, his qi threads woven tighter around the forming third vein.
Mu Qing approached and clasped his hands. "Welcome, disciple of the Azure Dragon Academy."
Dua Lin returned the gesture. "From this day on, I'll walk the path toward the true Sovereign's peak."
The wind howled through the mountain passes, carrying the faint echo of dragons across the sky.
Somewhere deep within the academy, ancient eyes opened — sensing the arrival of a new contender fated to shake the heavens.