Eric moved like a whisper through the dense foliage, his spiritual sense guiding him with unerring accuracy. The screams had grown more desperate, painting a vivid picture of struggle. He burst into a small clearing, the scene before him a stark tableau of peril.
Two girls, their Academy robes torn and stained, fought desperately against a monstrous Crimson-Maned Lion, a fearsome C-rank beast whose spiritual energy pulsed with raw aggression. The lion, its crimson mane bristling, swiped a clawed paw, forcing one of the girls to stumble back, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. The other girl bravely engaged, her sword glowing with faint Qi, but her movements were sluggish, clearly nearing exhaustion. Nearby, a boy lay sprawled, his blood a dark stain on the earth. His Qi signature was barely a flicker.
"Get away from them!" Eric's voice, surprisingly resonant, cut through the roar of the beast and the girls' cries.
The Crimson-Maned Lion paused, its predatory gaze swiveling towards this new, unexpected threat. It assessed Eric, sensing his suppressed aura, likely dismissing him as another weakling.
"Act swiftly, Eric. The boy is fading. One of the girls is almost spent," the Dragon Spirit urged. "Unleash Breath of the Azure to create an opening, then a swift Claw of Might to its vulnerable neck."
Eric didn't hesitate. He gathered his Qi, not a wide arc as before, but a concentrated, piercing beam of brilliant blue light that erupted from his palms. The Breath of the Azure struck the Crimson-Maned Lion directly in its exposed flank, creating a searing wound. The beast roared in agony and surprise, its attention wholly diverted.
Before it could recover, Eric was upon it. His movements were a blur, infused with the fluid grace of the Azure Dragon. He dodged a wild swipe of its massive paw, then, with a precisely aimed Claw of Might, his fist glowing faintly with condensed power, he struck the beast's neck. The impact was deafening, a sickening crunch of bone and muscle. The Crimson-Maned Lion convulsed once, a final, guttural gurgle escaping its throat, before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud, its life force extinguished.
The two girls stared, wide-eyed and panting, at the fallen monster, then at Eric, their saviour. Disbelief warred with relief on their faces.
"Are you alright?" Eric asked, rushing towards them. He quickly assessed their injuries with his spiritual sense. Scratches, bruises, and spiritual exhaustion, but nothing life-threatening. He then knelt beside the unconscious boy. His Qi was dangerously low, his breathing shallow, and he was losing blood rapidly from a deep gash on his leg.
"He requires immediate healing, Eric," the Dragon Spirit stated, its voice calm and clear. "I can impart a basic healing technique. It draws upon the life essence of nature and your own refined Qi to accelerate regeneration. Focus. Imagine your Qi as warm, revitalizing spring water."
Eric closed his eyes for a moment, absorbing the knowledge. He placed his hands gently over the boy's wound, channeling his Qi. A soft, ethereal blue light emanated from his palms, enveloping the gash. The girls gasped as, before their very eyes, the wound began to close, the blood congealing, the flesh knitting itself back together with astonishing speed. Within minutes, the deep cut was a mere faint scar. The boy's breathing deepened, his Qi signature, though still weak, stabilized.
"He's... he's healed!" one of the girls exclaimed, her voice trembling with shock and awe. "What... what kind of technique was that?"
Eric opened his eyes, feeling a slight drain on his spiritual energy, but the satisfaction was immense. "It's a spiritual healing technique. He's stable now, but he'll need rest." He looked at the two girls. One had striking emerald eyes and long, braided brown hair; the other had sharp, intelligent grey eyes and short, practical black hair. Their robes were the same as his – Outer Court Academy issue.
"We're from the Academy too," the girl with the braided hair said, her voice still a little shaky. "I'm Elara, and this is my sister, Faelan." She gestured to the girl with short hair. "And this is our friend, Borin." She pointed to the unconscious boy. "Thank you. You... you saved us. Who are you?"
"I'm Eric. From Ironclad Village," he replied, keeping his tone calm. "What happened here?"
"We were gathering herbs," Elara explained, gesturing to a small pouch. "To sell. Tuition is so expensive, and cultivation resources... they're impossible to afford. Borin said he knew where to find some valuable ones, but... he overestimated his abilities, and we ran into that lion." Faelan nodded grimly, her grey eyes filled with despair. "We've been here for two years, struggling. It's so hard to progress without money. We can't go back home without achieving something, not after all the sacrifices our families made."
Eric felt a pang of empathy. Their story mirrored his own struggles, amplified by two years of grinding poverty and desperate hope. He remembered his own decision to leave his family with enough to thrive.
"I understand," Eric said, his voice softer. "I also come out here to gather. It's difficult, but necessary." He paused, a thought forming. "Listen, I can help you both. I've developed some... unconventional hunting and gathering methods that have proven quite effective." He knew with their combined strength, especially after he helped them grow, they could be invaluable in tackling even stronger beasts and finding rarer materials. "If you're willing to work hard, and follow my guidance, I can train you. And in return, you can help me gather and sell. It'll be more efficient, and safer."
Elara and Faelan exchanged looks, then their eyes widened with a flicker of hope. "You'd do that? Train us? But... you're a new student, and you just got here..." Faelan began, skepticism warring with desperate hope.
"I have my reasons," Eric said, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. "And I assure you, my methods work. We can discuss the details later. For now, you need to get him back to the Academy's infirmary." He then reached into his Spatial Pouch, pulling out a small pile of the newly acquired, raw spiritual herbs he'd gathered, even a couple of the less valuable Azure Shard Crystals. "Take these. Sell them. It should cover your tuition for a while and buy you some good resources."
Elara and Faelan stared at the glistening herbs and crystals, their eyes brimming. Such raw, high-grade materials were impossibly expensive.
"This... this is too much," Elara whispered, tears welling in her emerald eyes.
"No, it's not," Eric stated, pressing the items into their hands. "Consider it an investment. Now go. Get him back."
The tears spilled freely down Elara's and Faelan's faces. "Thank you, Eric! Thank you! We... we don't know how to repay you!"
"Just prove yourselves in training," Eric said, offering a rare, genuine smile. "And keep this quiet. Don't tell anyone where you got these. Just say you found a fortunate patch."
They nodded, wiping their tears, newfound hope blazing in their eyes. With Eric's help, they managed to carefully carry the still unconscious Borin back towards Azure City. Eric remained behind for a moment, extracting the Crimson-Maned Lion's core, then slipped away, disappearing into the wilderness.
Eric returned to the shabby Outer Court dormitory that evening, feeling a deep weariness, but also a quiet satisfaction. He pushed open the door to his room, and immediately noticed a commotion in the hallway.
Theron's room was open, and he was inside, slumped on his cot, his arm in a crude spiritual cast, his face bruised and swollen. Kael, his roommate, was applying a soothing balm.
"What happened?" Eric asked, concern in his voice.
Theron looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. "It's those Inner Court snobs! They challenged me to a sparring match, just 'for fun'. Said they wanted to 'teach a village bumpkin a lesson'. They broke my arm!" His voice was choked with humiliation and pain. "They just laughed at me! Said I was weak, pathetic!"
Eric felt a surge of cold anger. The hierarchy of the Academy, the stark disparity between the rich and powerful and those like Theron, was a constant, brutal reality. He remembered the young man who had put Theron in his place on their first day.
"Did you report it?" Eric asked.
"What's the point?" Theron scoffed bitterly. "They're from the Grand Clans. Their word means more than mine. I'd just get punished for 'provoking' them." He clenched his uninjured fist. "I hate this place! I hate being weak!"
Eric remained silent, a silent promise forming in his mind. He would not allow himself, or those who truly sought strength, to suffer such humiliation.
The next day in the grand lecture hall, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation. A senior instructor, a formidable cultivator at the Core Formation Stage, stood at the podium.
"Attention, students!" his voice boomed, resonating with spiritual energy. "As is customary every season, the Azure Dragon Academy will be hosting its Autumn Tournament! This tournament is not merely for glory. It is to identify the most promising talents in the Outer and Inner Courts who will represent our Academy in the upcoming Inter-Academy Competition across the Green Valley Province!"
A ripple of excitement went through the hall.
"The prizes," the instructor continued, "are substantial. Spiritual stones, advanced cultivation techniques, rare spiritual herbs, access to high-level training chambers, and for the top ten, a chance to be directly mentored by a Core Formation or even Nascent Soul Elder! Furthermore, the top three Outer Court contestants will be granted immediate promotion to the Inner Court!"
The hall erupted in cheers. Promotion to the Inner Court. That was the dream of every Outer Court disciple. It meant better resources, better treatment, and a direct path to true power.
"The tournament will commence in four weeks," the instructor announced. "Sign-ups begin today. Prepare yourselves!"
Eric felt a surge of adrenaline. This was it. This was his chance to break through, to secure his place, and to ensure his family's future.
Later that day, as Eric walked through the training grounds, he spotted Elara and Faelan. They rushed towards him, their faces radiant.
"Eric! We sold the herbs!" Elara exclaimed, her voice filled with joyful disbelief. "It was enough! More than enough for tuition and resources!"
"Thank you, Eric, truly," Faelan added, her sharp eyes glistening. "We're ready to train. Tell us your methods."
Eric led them to a secluded part of the grounds. His spiritual sense analyzed them, pinpointing their strengths and weaknesses. Elara, with her inherent empathy, had a natural affinity for supportive Qi techniques and flexible movements. Faelan, with her analytical mind, was suited for precise, piercing attacks and defensive formations.
"Elara possesses a Mending Heart Constitution, suitable for supportive and flexible techniques. Faelan has an Iron Will Constitution, perfect for precise and resolute offensive abilities," the Dragon Spirit confirmed. "Guide them towards these innate strengths. Build upon their foundations."
He didn't teach them the Azure Dragon Scripture, that was his secret. But he taught them the principles behind it. He showed Elara how to make her Qi flow like water, adaptable and gentle for defense, yet powerful enough to flow around obstacles. He taught Faelan how to condense her Qi into sharp, piercing points, enhancing her offensive strikes. He drilled them relentlessly, pushing them beyond their perceived limits, making them understand the essence of their Qi, rather than just the rigid forms of techniques.
Weeks blurred into a whirlwind of training. Elara's movements became incredibly fluid, her Qi capable of deflecting blows with surprising ease. Faelan's attacks became devastatingly precise, capable of punching through layers of defense. Their spiritual senses, guided by Eric, sharpened dramatically.
In two weeks, Elara jumped from Qi Condensation Stage 4 to Stage 7. Faelan, from Stage 4 to Stage 8. Their cultivation base hadn't just increased; the quality of their Qi had drastically improved. They were now capable of easily dispatching C-rank monsters in the Spirit Hunting Grounds, their teamwork honed to perfection.
Their rapid ascent didn't go unnoticed. Other students, even some Inner Court disciples, began to look at them with a mixture of curiosity and grudging respect. Their rank and status in the Outer Court began to visibly shift.
Eric, meanwhile, pushed himself further. With the girls' help, the efficiency of their hunting trips skyrocketed. They targeted C-rank monsters in quantity, quickly generating a steady stream of spiritual stones. But Eric himself, now easily dispatching C-ranks with minimal effort, began venturing into the Inner Hunting Grounds, a perilous zone outside the city, where B-rank monsters roamed. These powerful beasts, requiring far more spiritual energy to defeat, yielded rarer cores and higher-value materials.
Their discreet sales continued, handled by the girls who, having experienced poverty, were excellent at finding the right, quiet merchants. But the sheer volume and quality of the rare materials they brought in eventually caught the attention of some shadier elements in the city's black market.
One night, as Eric, Elara, and Faelan were leaving a secluded merchant's den after a particularly lucrative sale of B-rank cores, they were ambushed in a dark alley. Three figures, their spiritual auras radiating low-level Foundation Establishment power, materialized from the shadows.
"That's a nice Spatial Pouch you have there, little cultivators," the leader sneered, his eyes glinting with greed. "Hand over your wares, and maybe you'll only leave with a few broken bones."
Elara and Faelan tensed, their spiritual energy flaring instinctively, ready to fight despite the odds.
"You don't want to do this," Eric said, his voice dangerously calm. His aura remained suppressed, but a chilling pressure emanated from him, subtle, yet profound.
"Oh, a brave one, are we?" another thug scoffed, lunging forward, his fist glowing.
Eric moved. It was a blur. He didn't unleash a full Breath of the Azure, nor a devastating Claw of Might. He simply shifted, using his Scales of Purity to become impossibly fast, appearing behind the thug in an instant. A precise, non-lethal strike to a pressure point rendered the thug unconscious before he even realized what happened.
The other two froze, their eyes wide. Their spiritual sense, though rudimentary, could sense the sheer, raw power that had just been unleashed, even if they couldn't fully comprehend it.
"I gave you a warning," Eric said, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. "Tell your employer that if he ever targets me or my friends again, I will hunt him down. And his fate will be far worse than yours."
The remaining two thugs, terrified, scooped up their unconscious companion and fled into the darkness, leaving a trail of hurried footsteps.
"Effective, Eric," the Dragon Spirit approved. "A display of subtle power. Now, the merchant. He must learn his lesson."
The next morning, Eric, leaving the girls to their classes, tracked down the shady merchant who had hired the thugs. He found him in his usual, dimly lit den. The merchant's face paled when he saw Eric, remembering the chilling aura from the previous night.
"I believe we need to have a talk," Eric said, his voice quiet, yet resonating with an unspoken threat. "About those 'unconventional' methods of yours."
The merchant stammered, sweat beading on his brow. "I... I don't know what you mean, young master..."
Eric's spiritual energy flared, just for a moment, an oppressive pressure that made the merchant gag, falling to his knees. "Someone tried to rob me last night. I believe you know who sent them. Let me be clear: this is a warning. If it ever happens again, I will dismantle your entire operation. And I will make sure you disappear without a trace."
The merchant's eyes were wide with terror. "Yes! Yes, young master! It won't happen again! I swear on my cultivation!"
"Good," Eric said, the oppressive pressure receding. He turned and walked out, leaving the trembling merchant to contemplate his newfound fear.
The day of the Autumn Tournament dawned, a crisp, cool morning. The grand arena of Azure Dragon Academy buzzed with thousands of students, instructors, and even a few cloaked figures from the powerful families. Eric stood among the Outer Court disciples, calm and composed, his suppressed aura a silent secret. Beside him, Elara and Faelan stood tall, their eyes gleaming with newfound confidence, their cultivation bases radiating with a strength that now belied their Outer Court status.
The long-awaited battle for glory, for status, for destiny, was about to begin.