The sun hung high over Azure City as Eric, now a Core Disciple of the Azure Dragon Academy and a silent legend among the common folk, made his way back to the Azure Market Guild. The colossal fortune from the Wyvern parts and other monster materials was still being processed by the Guild, but Eric had some lingering, lesser materials he wished to liquidate.
He strode into the familiar, bustling high-value trading section, and the receptionist, now recognizing him instantly, bowed deeply. "Young Master Eric! Welcome! The Supervisor has been expecting you."
He was immediately ushered into the Supervisor's opulent office, where the shrewd, portly man rose with a deferential smile. "Young Master Eric! A true honor! The news of Ironclad Village has spread like wildfire! You are truly the Dragon of the Eastern Plains!"
Eric merely nodded. "Supervisor, I have some additional materials to sell. Lesser ones this time, but still valuable." He placed a few dozen high-grade B-rank cores and some rare spiritual herbs onto the table.
The Supervisor's eyes gleamed as he inspected the new haul. "Magnificent! We'll handle these immediately. But, Young Master Eric, there's something else. The individual who purchased the vast majority of your Wyvern scales and venom sacs... she has expressed a keen interest in meeting you."
"Oh?" Eric raised an eyebrow. The Wyvern scales were among the most valuable items he had sold.
"Indeed," the Supervisor continued, leaning forward conspiratorially. "She is Lady Liandra, from the Imperial Li Clan, one of the most powerful families in the Southern Regions, renowned for their mastery of spiritual alchemy and artifact forging. She is highly curious about your methods. She's currently in a private consultation room, if you'd be willing to meet her."
Eric considered it. The Imperial Li Clan. Their influence stretched across the Empire, deeply intertwined with artifact forging and alchemy. This could be an important connection. "Very well," he agreed. "Lead the way."
The Supervisor escorted him to a luxurious, spiritually shielded room. Inside, a woman of striking beauty sat gracefully, her robes shimmering with intricate spiritual patterns. Her aura, while calm, bespoke immense power, clearly at the Core Formation Stage 4. She had sharp, intelligent emerald eyes that missed nothing.
"Lady Liandra, allow me to introduce Young Master Eric," the Supervisor announced, then bowed himself out, leaving them alone.
Lady Liandra rose, her movements fluid and elegant. She assessed Eric with a piercing gaze, her spiritual sense subtly probing. Eric allowed her to, sensing no malice, merely intense curiosity.
"Young Master Eric," Lady Liandra began, her voice melodious and clear. "It is a pleasure. I am Liandra. I must admit, your acquisition of the Spirit-Absorbing Ancient Beast's materials has fascinated me. I've never encountered such pristine quality, especially from a beast of that rank."
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Liandra," Eric replied, bowing politely.
"Tell me," she continued, her emerald eyes fixed on his, "your method of processing these materials, particularly the venom sacs... it left them remarkably potent. Far more so than the Guild's usual methods. How did you achieve such purity?"
Eric smiled faintly. "Lady Liandra, my methods are... unique. They stem from a certain purity of Qi and a deep connection to spiritual energy. I simply ensured that no potency was lost in the extraction or preservation process."
"A 'purity of Qi'," Liandra mused, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Indeed, your spiritual aura is remarkable. And the speed of your breakthrough... the rumors say you jumped two stages during the Wyvern battle itself. Is this true?"
Eric kept his composure. "Under extreme pressure, and facing an opponent whose nature catalyzed my unique constitution, an accelerated breakthrough occurred. It was not planned, merely a fortunate consequence of survival."
Liandra nodded slowly. "Remarkable. Such a constitution, such talent... Young Master Eric, the Li Clan is always seeking exceptional individuals. We could offer you a position of immense power and influence. You would have access to our vast libraries of alchemical formulas, our grand forging facilities, and the finest resources the Empire can provide. You would be groomed for a position at the forefront of the clan's spiritual research. This offer far exceeds what the Azure Dragon Academy can provide."
Eric listened patiently. It was a tempting offer, one that many would kill for. But his path was his own, and his secrets were his own.
"Lady Liandra," Eric replied, his voice firm but respectful. "I am honored by your offer. It is truly generous. However, my path is currently with the Azure Dragon Academy. I have made commitments, and I believe my current mentorship aligns with my long-term goals. My apologies."
Liandra's emerald eyes held a flicker of surprise, then a hint of disappointment. "A pity. The Li Clan does not often extend such invitations. But I understand. Perhaps our paths will cross again. Should you ever reconsider, our offer will stand." She extended a slender hand. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Young Master Eric. I look forward to seeing the heights you reach."
"Likewise, Lady Liandra," Eric said, shaking her hand. Her grip was firm, her spiritual energy contained but powerful.
Leaving the Guild, Eric made his way directly to his new mansion. He wanted to check on his mother and Lena, to ensure their comfort and happiness before returning to the Academy. The sight of Lena laughing in the expansive garden, and his mother simply sitting by the Qi-gathering pond, a look of profound peace on her face, brought a deep sense of satisfaction.
"Everything is perfect, Eric," Elara said, her eyes shining as he joined her by the pond. "More than perfect. We are so truly blessed."
Eric spent an hour with them, sharing quiet moments, absorbing the serenity of their new home. But as dusk began to fall, a sense of urgency pulled at him. He needed to return to the Academy. He had just stepped out of his new home, a sense of quiet contentment in his heart, when a figure materialized from the shadows near his gate.
It was Master Varian. He stood in his unadorned black robes, his face an impassive mask. His aura was still suppressed, but Eric now recognized the chilling depth of his power.
"Young Master Eric," Master Varian said, his voice as smooth and cold as polished obsidian. "I believe you have some time to spare."
Eric felt a familiar tightening in his gut. This was not a request. "Master Varian. Of course. What do you require?"
"I require a demonstration," Varian stated, his eyes fixed on Eric's. "A more... direct understanding of your 'unique constitution' and your 'accelerated breakthroughs.' Come. We shall go to the Academy's private training grounds."
Eric knew this was a test. A direct assessment of his true power, beyond the rumors and the carefully constructed explanations. He had no choice but to comply. "As you command, Master Varian."
They traveled in silence to a secluded training ground deep within the Academy's restricted zones. It was a vast, open space, its ground reinforced with powerful spiritual formations, designed to withstand the full might of Core Formation cultivators.
"No holds barred, Young Master Eric," Varian stated as they stepped onto the reinforced ground. "Show me your 'unique constitution.' Show me the power that felled an S-rank beast. Hold nothing back." He began to unleash his own spiritual aura, a terrifying force that pressed down on the entire area, causing the very air to thicken and hum. It was the power of a peak Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, raw and immense.
Eric felt the crushing pressure, but his Dragon Spirit pulsed within him, reinforcing his Dantian, allowing him to withstand it without buckling. He took a deep breath and unleashed his full spiritual energy. His Foundation Establishment Stage 7 power exploded outwards, shimmering with a primal, azure light, pushing back against Varian's aura. It was still dwarfed by Varian's, but its purity and density were undeniable, shocking to witness from a 'mere' Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Remarkable," Varian murmured, a faint flicker of surprise in his obsidian eyes. "Your Qi is indeed pure. Very well. Engage."
Varian moved first, a silent, almost ethereal blur. He didn't use flashy techniques, just pure, terrifying speed and overwhelming spiritual force. He struck with a palm, seemingly slow, but imbued with immense Nascent Soul power, aiming for Eric's chest.
Eric met him with a Claw of Might, imbued with every ounce of his draconic power. The impact was deafening, a shockwave rippling outwards that caused the very ground to crack. Eric felt his bones groan, but he held his ground. Varian, too, was pushed back a step, a flicker of genuine surprise on his face.
"Impressive," Varian acknowledged, his voice almost a whisper. He attacked again, a flurry of silent, devastating blows, each one capable of crushing mountains. Eric responded with all he had, unleashing a furious barrage of Claws of Might and Breath of the Azure, his movements becoming a blur of draconic power. He used his Scales of Purity for agility, dodging, weaving, and countering with incredible precision.
The battle raged. Eric was utterly outmatched in raw cultivation, but his draconic resilience, the sheer purity of his Qi, and the profound combat intuition granted by the Dragon Spirit allowed him to withstand, to survive, and even to land a few glancing blows that visibly startled Varian. Varian's attacks were relentless, pushing Eric to the absolute edge of his limits, forcing him to draw on every ounce of his burgeoning power. He felt his spiritual energy churning, stretching, growing stronger with each clash.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Varian suddenly ceased his attack. He stood breathing slightly heavier than before, his robes slightly ruffled, a deep, contemplative look on his face. Eric, battered and bruised, but still standing, was panting, his spiritual energy severely depleted.
"Astounding," Varian stated, his voice now devoid of coldness, replaced by a profound respect. "Your control, your resilience, your innate combat instinct... they are truly unmatched. Your constitution is indeed unique, Eric. And your potential, limitless." He walked closer to Eric, his expression softening. "The Imperial Directorate requires individuals of your caliber. Those who can achieve the impossible, who possess both immense power and unwavering loyalty."
He paused, then met Eric's gaze. "Young Master Eric, I offer you an opportunity. Join the Imperial Intelligence Directorate. You will serve the Empire directly, gain access to resources beyond your imagination, and hone your unique abilities for the greater good of the realm. You will become a direct hand of the Emperor."
Eric looked at the powerful, enigmatic man. This was it. The direct path to understanding the Empire's secrets, to gaining unparalleled trust and influence. It was a calculated risk, but a necessary one to protect his family and to truly understand the dangers threatening his world.
"Master Varian," Eric replied, his voice firm and clear. "I accept your offer. I will serve the Empire."
Varian's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "Excellent. You will be contacted soon with further instructions. Rest now, Young Master Eric. You've earned it." With a final nod, he vanished.
The next morning, Eric awoke to a flurry of commotion outside his new mansion. He stepped out onto his balcony to find a dozen beautiful young women, dressed in elegant robes, standing nervously outside his gate, each holding bouquets of rare spiritual flowers or beautifully wrapped gifts.
"Young Master Eric! Please accept my humble proposal of marriage!" one exclaimed, her voice fluttering.
"No, Young Master Eric, choose me! My family is wealthy and influential!" another cried, pushing forward.
Eric stared, utterly bewildered. Marriage proposals? Here? He had gained immense fame, but this was beyond anything he expected. He quickly retreated back inside, a faint blush on his cheeks. "Mei! Elara! Faelan! We have a situation!"
Mei and the twins, who had just arrived for their morning training, looked out the window, then at each other. Mei's usual calm expression faltered slightly, a hint of exasperation in her eyes. Elara and Faelan, however, exchanged knowing glances, a subtle, competitive fire flickering in their eyes.
"Looks like we have some competition, don't we?" Faelan muttered, a playful smirk on her face.
Eric, utterly flustered, managed to sneak out through a back entrance to avoid the determined marriage hopefuls. He rushed to the Academy, needing to escape the madness.
Later that day, as Eric was in the Academy's private training grounds, a familiar, serene voice called out. "Young Master Eric, a moment of your time?"
It was Lady Seraphina. She approached him, her silver hair shimmering, her expression serene. "My younger sister, Lady Elara, is celebrating her birthday next week. It's a significant milestone for her cultivation. My family is hosting a small, intimate gathering. We would be honored if you would attend."
Eric blinked. An invitation to the Imperial Family's private gathering? This was a rare privilege. "Lady Seraphina, I would be honored to accept. Thank you for the invitation."
"Excellent," she said, her smile gentle. "I look forward to your presence." She paused, her silver eyes holding a hint of curiosity. "And perhaps, a unique gift from the 'Dragon of the Eastern Plains'?"
Eric understood. A gift for the Imperial Family had to be extraordinary. He needed something truly unique, something that spoke of his burgeoning power and his unconventional methods.
"A raw gift, Eric," the Dragon Spirit suggested. "Something forged by your own hands. The Wyvern's core, its scales… they are too powerful to simply give away. But you could use them. Combine them with the spiritual alloys you have gathered. Forge a powerful spiritual weapon, unique to your draconic essence. And seek out the Crimson Moonpetal, a rare spiritual flower. It blooms only under the light of a specific moon, possessing profound healing properties when combined with spiritual alchemy."
Eric nodded inwardly. A spiritual sword, imbued with the essence of the Wyvern. And a rare healing flower. This would be a gift unlike any other. He spent the next few days in the Academy's most advanced forging chambers, unseen, channeling his draconic Qi to purify and meld the incredibly tough Wyvern scales with rare spiritual alloys. He also used his spiritual sense to search the nearby wilderness for the ethereal Qi signature of the Crimson Moonpetal, finally locating a small patch blooming in a secluded, moonlit cavern.
The day of Lady Elara's birthday arrived. The Imperial Family's estate was a marvel of ancient architecture and powerful spiritual formations, far grander than anything Eric had yet witnessed. Powerful cultivators from across the Empire gathered, their robes gleaming with family crests, their gifts shimmering with spiritual energy. Everyone vied for favor with the Imperial Family. Expensive spiritual artifacts, rare elixirs, ancient scrolls – the gifts piled high, each more extravagant than the last.
Eric, dressed in a simple but elegant Inner Court robe, arrived with Mei, Elara, and Faelan (who had been invited as his personal guests). He carried a long, narrow box, its contents subtly humming with contained power. He also carried a small, sealed vial containing the pulverized Crimson Moonpetal.
As he presented his gift, a low murmur went through the room. Lord Xin, who was also present, smirked, clearly anticipating Eric's humble origins would lead to an embarrassing display.
"Lady Seraphina, Lady Elara," Eric said, bowing respectfully. "May your years be filled with joy and prosperity. My gift, forged with my own hands, is a spiritual sword, crafted from the scales of the S-rank Wyvern and infused with pure spiritual energy." He unveiled the sword. It was a thing of breathtaking beauty: its blade shimmered with obsidian and azure hues, its hilt intricately carved with subtle dragon motifs, and its spiritual energy pulsed with a profound, untamed power.
Gasps filled the room. An S-rank Wyvern blade? Forged by a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Even the experienced cultivators present were astounded. The value of such a weapon was incalculable. Lady Elara's eyes widened in awe as she took the sword. "It's... it's magnificent, Young Master Eric! Truly unique!"
But then, Eric's spiritual sense picked up something else, a subtle, almost imperceptible disharmony in Lady Elara's spiritual Qi. It was a chronic illness, deeply embedded, sapping her vitality. He saw the faint pallor beneath her makeup, the almost imperceptible tremor in her hands.
"Lady Elara," Eric said, his voice quiet, drawing the attention of the entire room. "Forgive my bluntness, but I sense a serious ailment within you. A deep-seated imbalance in your spiritual core."
The room fell silent. Murmurs erupted, and several guests looked outraged. To point out a flaw in a member of the Imperial Family, especially the birthday girl, was incredibly disrespectful. Lord Xin sneered openly.
"Young Master Eric!" a stern-faced elder from the Imperial Family exclaimed, stepping forward, his aura flaring. "Such impropriety! To speak of such matters at a joyous occasion is an insult!"
But Lady Elara herself, a young woman with a delicate beauty, looked at Eric, her eyes widening in profound shock. "You... you can sense it? So easily?" She looked at her sister, Seraphina, who now regarded Eric with a mixture of surprise and intense interest. "No one has been able to pinpoint it so directly. The Imperial Physicians have struggled for years."
"Indeed, Lady Elara," Eric confirmed, ignoring the angry glares. "It is a chronic spiritual malady. It's draining your vitality and slowly weakening your cultivation. It can be treated."
"Treated?" Lady Elara gave a bitter, short laugh. "Young Master Eric, with all due respect, every physician, every alchemist in the Empire, has attempted to cure me. None have succeeded. Many have claimed they could, only to fail." She shook her head sadly. "It is incurable."
"I can create a potion that will help," Eric stated, his voice calm and utterly confident. "It will cleanse the corrupted Qi from your core and restore your vitality."
A ripple of scornful laughter went through the room. "The arrogance!" someone scoffed. "A Foundation Establishment cultivator claims to cure what Nascent Soul alchemists cannot!"
Lord Xin chuckled loudly. "This is your downfall, peasant! A blatant lie to gain favor! He's about to make a fool of himself, Lady Seraphina!"
Seraphina remained silent, her silver eyes fixed on Eric, a profound question in their depths.
"Lady Elara," Eric said, ignoring the jeers, his gaze firm. "I assure you. I have encountered such spiritual imbalances before. My unique constitution grants me an understanding of spiritual purity that few possess. The key ingredient for this potion is the Crimson Moonpetal, a rare spiritual flower. I have it here." He produced the small vial.
"This is an opportunity for him to prove his worth, sister," Seraphina finally said, her voice clear, her gaze challenging Eric. "Are you prepared to face the consequences if you fail, Young Master Eric?"
"I am," Eric said, his eyes unwavering. "I stake my reputation, and my life, on this."
A ripple of anticipation, laced with malicious hope from his detractors, went through the room. Eric asked for a small basin of purified water and a few common alchemical components. With precision and confidence, he began to prepare the potion. He crushed the shimmering Crimson Moonpetal into the water, its vibrant red essence swirling. He added a few drops of purified spiritual water from his own Dantian, a subtle, draconic touch. The concoction glowed with a faint, ethereal azure light.
"Drink this, Lady Elara," Eric instructed, holding out the glowing vial.
Lady Elara, her face pale but her eyes filled with a desperate flicker of hope, took the potion and drank it down in one gulp.
A few moments passed. Nothing. Lord Xin began to sneer. "See! A fraud!"
Then, Lady Elara gasped. A deep, guttural cough tore through her, and she retched. A stream of thick, black blood, putrid with corrupted Qi, gushed from her lips, staining the polished floor.
Pandemonium erupted. "He poisoned her!" someone shrieked. "Guards! Kill him!"
Figures in Imperial Guard armor, their spiritual energy flaring, immediately surrounded Eric, their weapons drawn. Lord Xin was already lunging, his eyes blazing with murderous triumph.
"You murderous scum! You dared to harm Imperial royalty!" Lord Xin roared, a bolt of lightning crackling from his hand, aiming directly for Eric's heart.
But before anyone could strike, a weak, yet clear voice cut through the chaos. "Stop! All of you! Stop!"
Lady Elara, though still weak, raised a trembling hand, her eyes fixed on Eric. A profound light was beginning to bloom within them.