The cultivation ranks of a martial cultivator began with the Earth Rank—the foundation stage where chi first awakened and became manipulable. This rank was split into three distinct phases: the early, mid, and late Earth stages. Every cultivator would pass through these before moving forward.
It was in this rank that a cultivator built their base, the very groundwork of their path. If Sky Ling managed a breakthrough, he would ascend to the Sky Rank a rank of higher power.
The dragon materialized before him, its smoky form swirling in the air with a smug sense of self. "Now that your veins are open," it began in a low, dry tone, "and since they're still fresh, your body will drink in chi like a sponge. The enhancements I made to your DNA will make the effect even more... maybe intoxicating. But don't get excited. Power's a ladder. I'm just giving you a boost to the first rung. The climb? That's all you, little prince."
Ling dragged his fingers along his jaw, his gaze settling coldly on the door. He hated confinement. Hated waiting. He had spent his whole life watching from behind invisible bars. "Guess I should thank you for the keys, then," he muttered. "I can finally stop dreaming and start doing."
The dragon yawned, its mouth stretching far too wide for comfort. "You're welcome, I guess. What's the first thing on your grand revenge checklist?"
Ling cracked his knuckles, his voice dropping like the edge of a blade. "Burn the Sky Family. One. By. One. They left me to rot like a dog. Now that I can stand, I'll make them kneel. Even the clan leader won't be spared. And my mother... I know she was poisoned by one of those pampered queens. But back then, I was just the sickly little bastard who could do nothing."
The dragon snorted, plumes of smoke curling in the air. "Cute. Vengeance-driven protagonist. Very original. Just try not to die before it gets good. I sense a buildup in your body, though. Something's about to give way. Care to explain the obvious?"
Ling glanced at the dragon, unimpressed. "Is that you pretending to be wise? Cute. I've almost hit the bottleneck of late Earth Rank. A breakthrough is close. I need chi pills to force the surge and ensure I breakthrough without damaging my core, but since my mother died, I've been cut off. No pills or support by the clan, not even a damn crust of bread from the noble pantry."
"So," the dragon said with a mocking tilt of its head, "a noble and a beggar all in one. You really are special. Want to see your stats, chosen one?"
Before Ling could snap back, the dragon flicked its fingers. A glowing screen blinked into existence.
[Status Information]
Name - Sky Ling
Level - Late Earth Rank
Title - None
Chi - 80
Health - 140
Strength - 50
Speed - 75
Endurance - 90
Ling's brows rose slightly, but his tone remained cold. "Is this accurate?"
"Painfully," the dragon said, looking pleased with itself. "You've got potential. Still soft around the edges, but potential."
Ling turned toward the corner of the room where fresh clothes had been left for him. He picked them up slowly, fingertips brushing the fabric as if it might vanish. The scent of herbs still clung faintly to them, sharp and medicinal. His eyes narrowed.
"Something wrong with the color?" the dragon deadpanned.
Ling's grip tightened, veins popping along his forearms. "Someone's covering their ass. If a traveler really found me, they would've seen the blood on my own clothes. These clothes are clean. Too clean. Mink... that old bastard's up to something."
The dragon drifted closer, its smoky form dimming the lantern light. "So what's the plan? Whine? Sulk? Maybe stab a few pillows to let off steam?"
Ling exhaled through his nose, slow and sharp like a hiss. "I'm going to beat the truth out of him."
The dragon rolled its eyes, or at least gave the impression it would if it had any. "Cute but foolish. You're not ready. You've got a shiny new engine but no steering wheel. And if you make a scene, everyone will know your veins are open. Ever think of that, genius?"
Ling paused. His glare softened slightly into something more calculating. "Yeah... you're right. If they find out, they'll either try to take advantage of me or destroy me. I need time. Power. Skills. If I want revenge, I need to play this smart."
"Finally," the dragon said, slowly clapping. "The brat can think. So what's the next step, oh dark avenger of nobility?"
Ling tied his hair back, pulled on his clothes, and gave the mirror a long look. The boy staring back was still thin, still pale—but his eyes burned.
"It's time for real training," he said.
Just as he reached for the door handle, a violent crash exploded through the room. The door flew off its hinges with a thunderous bang and smashed into Ling's face. He was hurled backward like a ragdoll, crashing into the opposite wall with a sickening crack. Dust choked the air. A deep, echoing grunt escaped his throat as he slid down to the floor.
A boot stomped through the wreckage, followed by the sneering face of a boy with a sharp jaw and dead eyes.
"Training, my ass," the intruder spat, voice like sandpaper. "Did the little waste really think he could say that with a straight face? Sky Ling, the clan's cripple, now babbling about strength? You're still a joke."
Ling groaned, blood trickling from his nose, and slowly pushed himself upright. His vision spun, but there was something new in his expression—not pain, not fear. Amusement.
He wiped his face with the back of his hand, smeared red across his cheek, and laughed. A cold, mirthless sound. "You really picked the wrong day to be a dumbass, didn't you?"
The dragon floated above, watching with detached interest. "Oh good. A warm-up act. Try not to bleed out too quickly, hero."
Ling rose to his feet, fists clenched, chi buzzing faintly beneath his skin like a sleeping storm. The air in the room thickened, humming with rising pressure. His smirk didn't fade.
"You came here to break me," he said, voice low and dangerous. "Let me show you how many pieces I can break you into first, brother"
The temperature dropped. Dust swirled. Chi pulsed like a heartbeat.
The training had just begun.