The morning sun bathed Jade Creek in hues of amber and gold, signaling the dawn of Tianyu's **Age Ceremony**. It was a day of celebration and bittersweet goodbyes—a day that marked the transition from childhood to adolescence and, for Tianyu, the beginning of his journey beyond the village.
Wen Qiang and Wen Mei were up before the sun, bustling about the house in preparation for their son's big day. Wen Mei fussed over Tianyu's new clothes, making sure every stitch was perfect. "You're going to look so handsome, Yu'er," she said, her voice tinged with both pride and sadness.
Wen Qiang stood nearby, carving a new pendant for Tianyu to take with him on his journey. "It's not much," he said, handing it to his son later that morning, "but it'll remind you of home."
Tianyu accepted the pendant, his heart heavy yet resolute. "Thank you, Father. I'll treasure it always."
The village had gathered in the square to celebrate the ceremony, filling the air with laughter, music, and the aroma of freshly baked bread. Tianyu stood at the center, his parents on either side, as the elder bestowed blessings upon him.
"You are no longer a child, Tianyu," the elder said solemnly. "May your path be bright, and may the heavens watch over you."
Amidst the festivities, whispers of the **Thousand Peaks Sect** reached Tianyu's ears. The sect, renowned for its power and influence, was recruiting young disciples from across the empire. Trials were to be held in the largest city, **Silverleaf**, promising an opportunity to those who showed exceptional talent in cultivation.
Early in the morning, Tianyu stood at the edge of the village, his belongings neatly packed and slung over his shoulder. His father, Wen Qiang, and his mother, Wen Mei, stood before him, their faces etched with a complicated blend of pride and sadness.
"Promise me you'll be careful, Yu'er," Wen Mei said, her hands trembling as she adjusted the wooden pendant hanging around his neck. "The world out there is dangerous, and I won't be there to keep you safe."
"I will, Mother," Tianyu replied, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat. "I'll grow strong and come back to protect you both. That's my vow."
Wen Qiang placed a firm hand on Tianyu's shoulder. "You're ready for this. But remember, strength alone isn't enough—it's wisdom and heart that make a true cultivator. Never lose sight of who you are."
The villagers gathered nearby, bidding him farewell with words of encouragement and lingering concern. "Make us proud, Tianyu," one said. "But don't forget where you come from."
Tianyu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the faces he had come to cherish. "Thank you all. I'll never forget Jade Creek—it's my home." He turned, his steps resolute, and left the village behind
The path ahead was daunting—dense forests, rugged mountains, and winding valleys stretched far and wide. As Tianyu traveled, he couldn't help but reflect on the scattered memories of his past life. The betrayal in the **9th Heavenly Realm** still burned within him, though many details remained fragmented.
"Why can't I remember it all?" he murmured to himself during one quiet evening by a campfire. "What was it they said before I fell?" He closed his eyes, trying to piece together the faces of those who betrayed him, their cruel laughter echoing in the distance of his memory.
His thoughts often drifted to the martial techniques he had mastered in his previous life. Though his mortal body lacked the strength and refinement he once possessed, Tianyu was determined to adapt. Every hunt, every spar with his surroundings was an opportunity to nurture his old moves—strikes that were swift and precise, footwork that mimicked the graceful arc of a dragon's flight.
During one such hunt, he murmured to himself as he crouched in the tall grass, his eyes locked on a small spirit beast. "The breath of the serpent—quick but steady. I must flow like water, strike like thunder." His movements were deliberate, his body responding better with each attempt to harmonize his old techniques with his current limitations.
The wilderness offered no respite. Tianyu tracked and fought small spirit beasts to sharpen his instincts and earn essence stones to bolster his cultivation. Each hunt was a challenge, but with every battle, his skills grew sharper, his reflexes quicker. The thrill of the fight brought a faint smile to his lips, the progress filling him with quiet satisfaction.
At night, the stars became his companions as he meditated beneath their watchful gaze. He focused on advancing through the **Spiritual Bloom Peak Stage**, his Qi flowing steadily as he honed his connection to the Dao. The ring on his finger pulsed faintly, a reminder of the Dragon God's silent presence.
"This mortal body… it's weak, but it's mine now," Tianyu thought one evening, his breath steady as he channeled his energy. "I have to make it stronger—to make myself stronger. There's no other way."
Three weeks into his journey, Tianyu stumbled across an unsettling sight. A trail of blood led deeper into the forest, the fresh droplets stark against the earth's earthy hues. His instincts flared, urging both caution and curiosity.
"Someone—or something—is wounded," he muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon. "But what could've caused this? Spirit beasts? Bandits?"
He followed the trail, his steps cautious and deliberate. The forest around him grew unnervingly silent, the usual symphony of rustling leaves and bird calls absent. As he approached a clearing, he felt the air shift, heavy with tension and faintly charged with Qi.
At the center of the clearing lay a **serpent spirit beast**, its shimmering scales dulled by blood and grime. The creature coiled protectively around a glowing object—a pearl-like egg that radiated faint energy. Its eyes, sharp and defiant, met Tianyu's gaze for a brief moment before darting toward the sound of approaching footsteps.
Emerging from the shadows was another spirit beast—a massive, wolf-like creature with fur as black as night and eyes glowing with predatory hunger. It snarled, its stance predatory as it circled the injured serpent.
"Two spirit beasts," Tianyu whispered, his heart pounding. "The serpent's protecting the egg—but the wolf… it's hunting them both."
The serpent hissed weakly, its body trembling as it tried to fend off its attacker. Tianyu felt the pulse of their Qi and his chest tightened. *"It's stronger than me… Qi Coalescence Low Stage… And I'm only at Spiritual Bloom Mid. I'm no match for either of them."*
Tianyu crouched behind a fallen log, his mind racing. The pearl-like egg exuded a strange energy that resonated deeply within him, tempting him to act. But the sight of the wolf beast's fangs and the serpent's unwavering resolve gave him pause.
*"Do I intervene?"* he thought, his grip tightening on his weapon. *"If I get involved, I risk my life. But if I leave… I lose the chance to grow stronger. What's in that egg—could it be worth the risk?"*
His thoughts swirled as the wolf lunged at the serpent, its claws slicing through the air. The serpent retaliated weakly, its Qi faltering under the relentless assault. Tianyu felt the ring on his finger pulse faintly, as though urging him forward.
*"I can't keep running from danger,"* Tianyu thought, his breath steadying. *"If I want to grow stronger—to protect my family—I have to face it head-on."*
Decision made, Tianyu tightened his grip on his weapon and stepped out of the shadows. His voice rang out, firm yet cautious. "Enough. If you want that egg, you'll have to go through me."
The wolf turned its glowing eyes to Tianyu, its growl deepening. The serpent's gaze shifted to him, a flicker of hope—or perhaps recognition—flickering in its weakened stare. The clearing became still, the tension palpable, as Tianyu prepared to face the unknown.