The silence in Principal Xiao's office stretched, thick and suffocating. The air hummed with unspoken power, with the crushing presence of Master Varian's suppressed, yet utterly dominant, aura. Eric felt the keen edge of the man's perception, sharper than any blade, dissecting his every fiber.
"Young Master Eric," Master Varian repeated, his voice still smooth, chillingly devoid of emotion. "An S-rank Wyvern, a creature of immense power, dispatched by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, alongside three students who, by all official accounts, are Qi Condensation stage cultivators. This is not merely 'pushing limits.' This is impossible by conventional means. The Imperial Intelligence Directorate has an interest in understanding how such an 'extraordinary' feat was accomplished."
Eric met Varian's gaze head-on, his own expression calm, his spiritual aura carefully suppressed, trying to maintain the illusion of his acknowledged Foundation Establishment Stage 7 (though he was secretly higher). He knew a direct lie would be instantly detected by a Nascent Soul expert. He had to weave truth with profound omission.
"Master Varian," Eric began, his voice clear and steady. "I understand your skepticism. What transpired at Ironclad Village was indeed extraordinary, even for us. However, there was no 'impossible' means, no forbidden artifact, no dark pact."
"Then enlighten me," Varian interjected, his voice still soft, but with an underlying current of steel. "Explain, in precise detail, how four individuals, none of whom possessed the cultivation base to even threaten an S-rank beast, managed to not only defeat, but annihilate a fully grown Wyvern. And how you, in the process, apparently jumped two cultivation stages in a single battle."
Principal Xiao, who had remained silent, now spoke, his voice a low rumble. "Varian, the boy is under my mentorship. He is a talent, and he is loyal to the Academy and the Imperial Family. He risks his life for the common people."
"Loyalty is best demonstrated through transparency, Principal," Varian countered, his gaze never leaving Eric. "Especially when dealing with powers that defy natural law. Such events can destabilize provinces, or worse, lead to dangerous cults and rogue cultivators."
"My loyalty is beyond question, Master Varian," Eric asserted, a flicker of his suppressed draconic essence momentarily escaping, a subtle ripple in the air that only a Nascent Soul cultivator could detect. Varian's eyes narrowed fractionally. "I would never endanger the Empire. What happened was a direct result of pushing beyond what was believed possible, combined with unique circumstances."
"Unique circumstances?" Varian pressed, his voice sharper. "Be specific, Young Master Eric. My time is valuable."
"My spiritual constitution, as Elder Bronn noted, is indeed unique," Eric began. "It allows for a far greater purity and density of Qi than typical. This purity, when pushed to its absolute limits, can act as a catalyst. In the presence of extreme danger, my Dantian was able to absorb ambient spiritual energy at an unprecedented rate, and through a process of rapid refinement, convert it into pure, usable Qi."
"A spontaneous breakthrough," Varian murmured, a hint of disdain in his tone. "Convenient."
"Not spontaneous, Master Varian," Eric corrected calmly. "Accelerated. The Wyvern was a Spirit-Absorbing Ancient Beast. It fed on spiritual energy. When it absorbed our attacks, and the residual Qi from the battlefield, my constitution, being pure and resilient, did not allow its corrupted Qi to infiltrate. Instead, it was able to draw in and refine the ambient, powerful Qi that surrounded the Wyvern. The extreme pressure of facing an S-rank, combined with this unique refinement process, forced my body to rapidly ascend."
Varian's obsidian eyes flickered. "A Spirit-Absorbing Ancient Beast... An intriguing variable. But such refinement, at such speed, implies a constant, continuous, and utterly stable core for purification. Your Dantian, your meridians, should have shattered under such immense pressure."
"That, Master Varian, is the nature of my unique constitution," Eric responded, maintaining his steadfast composure. "It grants me an unparalleled resilience, an inherent purity of Qi that can withstand pressures far beyond what is typical for my cultivation stage. It is why I was able to stand against the Wyvern's overwhelming pressure, and why my Qi, though still of a Foundation Establishment stage, carries a unique density that allowed it to actually injure the creature."
"And your companions?" Varian's gaze shifted slightly, but the pressure remained. "Their Qi also saw significant, unnatural surges."
"My companions and I have developed a unique, almost symbiotic teamwork," Eric explained, a calculated risk in his words. He was referring to the Dragon's Synchronicity, but without revealing its true source. "In the face of overwhelming odds, I was able to temporarily link our spiritual energies. Their pure Qi, refined by my own constitution, allowed for a momentary surge of combined power that pushed them far beyond their individual limits. It was a desperate gambit, a last resort against an S-rank that was otherwise invulnerable. It was a technique born of shared desperation, not forbidden magic."
Principal Xiao interjected again, his voice firm. "Varian, you saw their performance in the competition. Their teamwork is indeed exceptional. And their personal constitutions, while not as unique as Eric's, are of high quality. It is plausible that, under extreme duress, with Eric's catalytic presence, they could have achieved such a feat. Desperation can forge miracles."
Varian was silent for a long moment, his gaze unwavering, dissecting Eric's every word, searching for any tremor, any hesitation, any hint of deception. Eric held firm, relying on the truth within his statements, however selectively chosen. He hadn't lied, only omitted the core, draconic truth.
"And the source of this 'unique constitution'?" Varian finally asked, his voice now lower, more dangerous. "A chance encounter? A natural birth?"
Eric chose his words with extreme care. "It stems from an incident in my youth, Master Varian. A near-death experience that transformed my spiritual core. It was not sought out, nor cultivated through external means. It is simply a part of who I am now." He offered a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "A gift, perhaps, from the heavens, allowing me to defend those who cannot defend themselves."
Varian stared at him, then at Principal Xiao, then back at Eric. He knew there were hidden depths to Eric's explanation, unstated truths, but he also sensed no malice, no insidious corruption. The boy's Qi, though overwhelmingly powerful, was utterly pure. His conviction, absolute.
"Very well," Master Varian finally stated, his voice still cold, but with a hint of acceptance. "Your explanation, while... remarkable, has a certain coherence, given the unique variables. The Spirit-Absorbing Ancient Beast is a plausible catalyst for an individual with an already 'unique' constitution and resilience. The Imperial Directorate will continue to monitor your progress, Young Master Eric. Understand that any deviation from the righteous path, any hint of forbidden practices, and the full might of the Empire will descend upon you. We value loyalty and strength, but transparency is paramount."
"I understand, Master Varian," Eric replied, his voice firm. "And I welcome the scrutiny. My actions will always speak for themselves."
Varian gave a short, curt nod. "Good. Principal, I have concluded my inquiry for now." He turned, and with a silent, almost ethereal movement, he slipped out of the room, leaving behind a lingering chill.
Principal Xiao let out a long breath, slumping slightly in his chair. "He is one of the Empire's keenest blades, Eric. To satisfy him, even partially, is a testament to your composure and the purity of your spirit." He looked at Eric, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and concern. "Your secret... it is a powerful one. And dangerous. Master Varian will be watching you closely. Every success, every breakthrough, will be scrutinized."
"I understand, Principal," Eric said. "I am prepared for that."
"Good," Principal Xiao said, his gaze softening. "Your defense of Ironclad Village has also reached the highest echelons of the Imperial Court. While Varian's methods are... direct, the Empire values those who protect its people. You have earned considerable merit." He paused, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "And your display of healing for Lord Xin, despite his insolence, did not go unnoticed. Such compassion, coupled with such power, is rare."
Eric merely nodded, offering no explanation for his healing abilities.
"Now," Principal Xiao continued, his voice returning to its normal, authoritative tone. "Let us discuss your status. You have brought unprecedented glory to the Azure Dragon Academy. Your victory at Ironclad Village, combined with your performance in the competition, has elevated you far beyond any normal Inner Court disciple."
He picked up a new, golden token from his desk. "This token grants you unfettered access to all Academy resources, including the most advanced training grounds, the restricted cultivation chambers on the third floor, and the entirety of the Grand Library, including the very restricted Imperial Lineage Scrolls." He handed Eric the token. "It also grants you the status of a Core Disciple. You will report directly to me or Elder Bronn. Your new residence in the Inner City is also now officially recognized as a Core Disciple residence, and will be guarded by Academy formations."
Eric took the token, his eyes widening slightly. Core Disciple. This was a rank usually reserved for those born into the Grand Clans, or those already at the Core Formation Stage. It was an immense honor, and it offered resources beyond his wildest dreams. The Imperial Lineage Scrolls might hold even deeper secrets than the Sacred Scrolls.
"Thank you, Principal," Eric said, a genuine warmth in his voice. "I will not disappoint you or the Academy."
"I believe you," Principal Xiao said, a rare, genuine smile gracing his lips. "Now, go. Continue to cultivate. The future of our world will rely on talents like yours."
Eric left the Principal's office, the weight of his new status and the intensity of Master Varian's scrutiny settling upon him. The path ahead was clear, but also fraught with unseen dangers. His new wealth, his new status, and his undeniable power would inevitably attract both allies and enemies.
He returned to his new mansion in the Inner City, a sense of quiet satisfaction washing over him. The opulent furnishings, the spacious rooms, the tranquil spiritual garden – it was a true home, a sanctuary for his family. Elara and Lena were already reveling in their new surroundings, their faces alight with unbridled joy.
"Eric! Look at this!" Lena exclaimed, dragging him to a massive, intricately carved wooden cabinet. "It's so big!"
Elara, her eyes still sparkling, gave him a warm hug. "It's truly wonderful, my son. We never dreamed of such a place."
"This is just the beginning, Mother," Eric said, his gaze sweeping over his family, a silent promise in his heart. "From now on, you will live in comfort and safety."
He then spent the next few days immersing himself in the vast resources of the Academy. He delved into the Imperial Lineage Scrolls, devouring ancient knowledge on cultivation, formations, and the history of powerful clans. He sparred in the most advanced training chambers, testing his growing strength against high-level automated spiritual dummies. He also devoted time to Mei, Elara, and Faelan, sharing insights and refining their techniques, pushing them to new heights of power. They, too, felt the positive impact of his elevation, as they were now able to access more resources, their progress accelerating significantly. Mei's Foundation Establishment Stage 1 was solidifying, and the twins were truly on the cusp of breaking through to Foundation Establishment themselves.
He knew that Lord Xin's hatred would only grow. He knew Master Varian would be watching. But he also knew that with every step, every breakthrough, he grew stronger, more capable of protecting what he held dear. The world was vast, dangerous, and full of hidden depths. And Eric, the boy from Ironclad Village, with the heart of a dragon, was ready to explore them all.