The eye beneath the Golden Pond glared at them ancient, primal, pulsing with elemental authority.
A wave of spiritual pressure rolled across the grove.
Elena grabbed Ethan's arm. It's not just a guardian it's a remnant of a dragon beast's spirit, bound to the marrow of this place.
Vane flinched.
It knows Ethan carries the Dragon Vein. That's why it's stirring.
From the pond, a massive serpentine shape surged upward its translucent golden body coiling with divine markings. Despite lacking flesh, the spirit-dragon pulsed with real power, its roar shaking the cavern.
It lunged at Ethan.
But Ethan didn't run.
He stood firm his hand gripping the hilt of the Dragon Slayer Sword, his eyes burning with will.
I don't want to steal this place, he said aloud, voice steady. I just want to live. I want to fight to protect someone.
The spirit paused mid-strike, shimmering tendrils halting inches from his face.
It hissed then circled him once.
Ethan dropped his sword.
The spirit roared, and the pond erupted raining golden mist down like a storm. The needles in Ethan's body vibrated and shot out, his meridians lighting up.
The spirit dragon vanished back into the water, a single scale left behind, glowing and spinning before floating to Ethan's palm.
Aeliria whispered:
It acknowledged you.
Vane stepped forward in disbelief.
It submitted?
Elena smiled faintly.
It respected him.
Suddenly, cracks formed in the grove walls.
Vane cursed,
Too much spiritual discharge. The tomb's collapsing!
The trio dashed back the way they came, Ethan's strength already returning.
Behind them, the grove crumbled burying the pond and its guardian beneath layers of stone and silence.
They burst out through a hidden tunnel exit into a rocky valley, just as streaks of lightning flashed in the distant sky the Thunder Sect still combing the mountain for them.
Vane activated a teleportation talisman he'd kept hidden for emergencies.
A portal flared.
In seconds, they were gone.
Their hideout was deep in a remote mountain range a secluded courtyard surrounded by spiritual trees and blooming herbs.
Elena brewed a medicinal bath while Vane laid out protective arrays.
Ethan sat quietly, holding the dragon scale in one hand and a glowing silver-blue fruit in the other harvested from the grove before their escape.
"A Heaven's Tear Fruit,"
Elena said softly.
It only grows where dragon marrow and celestial mist overlap.
It feels alive,
Ethan said, eyes flickering with golden light.
He consumed the fruit.
A surge of Qi thundered through him like a second awakening.
His damaged meridians repaired.
His energy core revitalized.
His Dragon Vein ignited.
Golden flame spiraled from his skin as the energy flowed through him.
Vane backed away. He's doing it. He's pushing past Level 5!
Cracks split the stone beneath him as spiritual force coalesced.
BOOM!
A thunderous pulse erupted, shaking the residence.
A wave of blinding golden light passed through the valley.
When it cleared, Ethan stood tall calm, centered, and breathing evenly.
Foundation Phase Level Six.
The Dragon Vein within him glowed like a second heart.
Elena approached slowly, awe in her eyes. You broke through in one breath.
Ethan exhaled, clenching his fist.
I'm just getting started.
But before the moment could settle, a shadow passed over the moon above them.
A black bird dropped a bloodstained scroll at their feet.
It bore the mark of the Blue Moon Sect.
Elena picked it up and her face drained of color.
They've taken a hostage,
she whispered.
And they want Ethan.