The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Central Awakening Federation's Meeting Hall, scattering golden light across the polished obsidian table. Inside, the city's top academy principals sat in tense silence — Tianxuan, Qingyun, Linghai, and Xuanyin. Only the seat of Zhaotian Academy remained empty, their principal absent as always, claiming "holy duties." Everyone present knew it was simply a convenient excuse to stay above the politics of the mortal realm.
Principal Zhao of Linghai Institute broke the silence first. His silver hair shimmered faintly as he placed a glowing data crystal on the table.
"It's confirmed," he said in a calm tone. "An SSS-rank awakening appeared at Tianxuan Academy. The results are verified directly by the Federation."
The words hit the room like a shockwave.
Principal Liu of Qingyun Academy leaned forward, his brows furrowing. "SSS-rank? That's… absurd. Are we sure the readings aren't corrupted? The last SSS awakening in this region was over a century ago."
Principal Zhao met his gaze. "The boy's name — Ye Fang. Eighteen years old."
Murmurs broke out instantly.
The others exchanged uneasy glances.
Principal Liu's voice grew low. "If Tianxuan Academy gains an SSS-rank powerhouse, it could tilt the balance of the entire city. Sponsors, resources — everything would shift in their favor."
For a brief moment, an invisible tension filled the room. The existence of an SSS-rank was enough to disrupt power itself.
Then Principal Zhao spoke again — this time with a faint smirk.
"You don't have to worry so much. The boy's awakened ability isn't nearly as terrifying as you're imagining."
The others looked up sharply.
"What ability?" Principal Liu asked.
Zhao let out a quiet breath. "Dragon Tamer."
Silence followed. Then, laughter.
Principal Mo shook his head, a hint of amusement on his face. "Dragon Tamer? You can't be serious. That extinct branch of the dragon lineage? A child's dream."
Principal Liu chuckled. "A pity, really. To awaken SSS rank only to receive the most useless ability known. No one has ever succeeded in taming a real dragon — not in centuries. Even if he did, who would trust such a being?"
"Indeed," another principal added, his tone almost mocking. "If it had been "Dragon Knight" or "Draconic Mage", Tianxuan would've already been celebrating. But Dragon Tamer? Hah… fortune gives, fortune takes."
The tension quickly faded. The mood in the room shifted from alarm to amusement.
Principal Zhao gave a final sigh. "Still, I'll say this — SSS-rank potential shouldn't be underestimated. The heavens rarely make mistakes. Keep an eye on the boy… quietly."
But the others had already dismissed the thought. The laughter, faint yet sharp, echoed through the hall — unaware that the "useless" Dragon Tamer would soon rise beyond them all.
–––
A crimson light surrounded Ye Fang as he stepped through the teleportation gate into the Ember Valley Secret Realm.
The air changed instantly — thick, hot, and shimmering with the scent of molten earth. Rivers of lava cut across the land like glowing veins. Ash drifted lazily through the air, painting the world in shades of red and gold.
Ye Fang narrowed his crimson eyes. "So this is Nightmare difficulty…"
There was no fear — only a calm determination.
He raised his hand slightly. "Come out, Yanhua."
A pulse of red light appeared beside him as a small dragon emerged, her body slender and radiant, covered in scales that burned like liquid fire. Her eyes were a deep amber, and her wings shimmered with faint traces of gold.
She looked around curiously before fluttering up to Ye Fang's shoulder, her warmth comforting against his neck.
"Stay close," Ye Fang said quietly.
Yanhua gave a soft chirp of acknowledgment, curling her tail lightly around his arm. Together, they moved through the glowing forest, the faint crackle of fire beneath their feet.
Soon, low growls echoed from ahead.
A pack of beasts emerged through the haze — wolves made of flame and ember. Their fur smoldered, and heat waves rippled around them.
A faint glow appeared before Ye Fang's eyes — the familiar system panel.
[Beast Identified: Ember Wolf]
[Level: 1]
[Type: Fire-type]
[Strength: 35]
[Defense: 20]
[Spirit: 15]
[Constitution: 25]
Ye Fang's lips curved slightly. "Good. Let's test this body."
He vanished.
A single step, and his form blurred through the air — faster than any normal level-one could hope to see. His fist slammed into the skull of the first wolf. The beast hit the ground with a loud crack, its body bursting into embers.
[You have slain Ember Wolf – Level 1]
[EXP Gained: 30]
The others howled in rage, flames surging around their bodies as they rushed toward him from all directions.
Ye Fang ducked under a fiery claw, twisted, and countered with a sharp kick that shattered another wolf's spine. Sparks burst around him as molten ash filled the air.
He weaved through them like a phantom, every strike precise — each punch a thunderclap.
[You have slain Ember Wolf – Level 1]
[You have slain Ember Wolf – Level 1]
[You have slain Ember Wolf – Level 1]
The ground soon became a battlefield of burning shadows.
Yanhua watched quietly from above, her golden-red eyes glowing as she sensed her master's aura. The connection between them pulsed gently — firm and steady.
Ye Fang moved like the wind. His fists tore through flame, his steps left faint craters in the molten soil. When the last wolf lunged, he twisted midair and brought his heel crashing down.
The beast shattered into sparks.
[You have slain Ember Wolves (x10)]
[Level Up!]
A faint golden aura flickered around his body. His qi thickened, the flow stronger and smoother.
"Level two," he murmured softly.
He opened his status window.
[Name: Ye Fang]
[Talent: Dragon Tamer (SSS)]
[Level: 2]
[Strength: 90]
[Defense: 90]
[Spirit: 90]
[Constitution: 90]
[Free Points: 4]
He exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. "Still early."
More growls echoed through the burning forest. Dozens of glowing eyes appeared in the dark — another pack, larger and fiercer than before.
Ye Fang smiled faintly. "Come then."
The battle began again.
He charged forward, his body a blur. Every punch sent ripples through the ground, every impact exploding with dust and flame. The Ember Wolves surrounded him, but none could touch him — his movements were too sharp, too fluid.
Within minutes, the clearing was filled with smoldering ash and broken earth.
[You have slain Ember Wolves (x20)]
[Level Up!]
His aura pulsed once more — brighter this time. His qi circulation refined itself naturally, and even Yanhua could feel her master's strength climbing.
He checked his panel again.
[Strength: 100]
[Defense: 100]
[Spirit: 100]
[Constitution: 100]
[Free Points: 8]
Satisfied, Ye Fang deactivated the window and gazed toward the horizon where molten mist shimmered over the valley.
Yanhua fluttered down from a charred branch and landed softly on his shoulder. She tilted her head, letting out a small trill as if asking for her turn.
Ye Fang chuckled quietly. "Not yet. Soon."
She responded with a gentle puff of flame, resting against his neck.
The air trembled faintly — a distant roar echoed across the valley.
Ye Fang's gaze sharpened, a small smirk forming at the corner of his lips.
"Looks like the real hunt begins now."
With calm, steady steps, he walked deeper into the Ember Valley, his figure fading into the burning light — the quiet prelude of a storm that none could foresee.