In the Azure Sky Continent, the major superpowers are the Five Clans and Four Sects, whose influence maintains the delicate balance of power across the land.
The Five Clans: Kilvish Clan, Jeral Clan, Storm Clan, Agni Clan, and Aushadhi Clan.
The Four Sects: Thunder Spear Sect, Spirit Beast Hall Sect, Jade Ice Sect, and Poison Soul Sect.
The Five Clans are united in alliance. Events such as the True Dragon Competition, which determines the next generation's leader, naturally draw the full attention of all. A week before the event, news of the competition reached the other powers, and representatives from all Four Sects were promptly sent to the Kilvish Clan.
Outside the Kilvish Clan gates, a middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor and a warm smile stood waiting. He was clad in flowing robes of green silk—Elder Yunlun, the External Affairs Elder of the Kilvish Clan, renowned for his unmatched diplomatic skills.
Suddenly, a beastly cry echoed through the sky. A great shadow swept across the land. As it neared, its form became clear—it was an Azure Skylark, a majestic creature revered for its graceful flight and ethereal beauty. Its iridescent feathers shimmered like precious gemstones in the sunlight, and its wings spanned wide in brilliant hues of cerulean and silver. As the Skylark descended, its wings beat in a mesmerizing rhythm, producing a soft, melodic hum that echoed throughout the area.
With a gentle flutter, the Skylark touched down. Its taloned feet landed as softly as falling petals, and despite its immense power, it moved with elegance and poise. Its presence brought an air of tranquility and serenity to the landscape.
From the Skylark, a figure descended—his silver-white hair shimmered with strands of electric blue, crackling with the energy of lightning. His eyes gleamed with the same intense hue, glowing with raw, contained power. A group of teenagers stood silently behind him.
"Yunlun, my friend, you're looking old," the man said with a grin.
It was Elder Adaeze of the Storm Clan—one of the Ten Heavenly Dragons.
Elder Yunlun chuckled. "It's not that I look old—it's that you look too young. I bet you're already at the final stage of the Sea Realm. At this point, I wouldn't stand a chance against you. Should I salute you, oh mighty Truth Realm cultivator?" he said jokingly, pulling Adaeze into a friendly hug.
The Ten Heavenly Dragons is a title given to only ten cultivators across the four continents of the Elysian Cultivation Planet. They are unmatched below the Divine Realm and considered the most likely to break through to it. The Divine Realm is the pinnacle of cultivation on this planet. In the entire Azure Sky Continent, only the five clans and four sects each possess a single Divine Realm cultivator—ascending to that realm is more difficult than ascending the heavens themselves.
Among the billions of cultivators across the four continents, the Ten Heavenly Dragons stand at the peak. Their talent, luck, and willpower are beyond compare—they are true geniuses among geniuses.
"Hahaha! That would be a sight to see. But tell me, am I too late for the show?" Adaeze asked lightheartedly.
"No, you're second to last," Yunlun replied. "The Agni Clan and Aushadhi Clan have already arrived. Only the Jeral Clan has yet to appear."
Suddenly, a youth with silver-white hair and piercing blue eyes stepped forward. His voice was filled with anger.
"Does the Kilvish Clan have no manners? How can they send only a Truth Realm elder to receive one of the Heavenly Dragons—Elder Adaeze? This is an insult!" the youth exclaimed, his face twisted with disgust.
This young man, Kevin, saw Adaeze as his hero and role model. He believed that only the Clan Leader or a Grand Elder should have come to receive such a figure. To him, this was a mockery not only of Adaeze but of the entire Storm Clan.
Elder Yunlun's smile faltered for a moment but quickly returned, though there was a trace of helplessness in his eyes. He, too, found the situation difficult to navigate.
"Kevin, apologize to Elder Yunlun. This isn't a place for someone of your age to interfere," Adaeze said sternly, his eyes fixed on the young man.
"But Elder, how can—"
"Enough!" Adaeze interrupted sharply, pointing at Elder Yunlun. "Apologize. Now."
Reluctantly, Kevin bowed his head. "Elder, please forgive this junior for his disrespect."
Though he complied, the displeasure in his eyes was plain for all to see.
"Kevin is our Young Storm Dragon," Adaeze explained. "So, sometimes, he acts out of turn. I hope you can forgive him, Yunlun."
Upon hearing this, Elder Yunlun gave Kevin a second look. Being the Young Storm Dragon meant Kevin was the next heir of the Storm Clan—and one of the Five Young Dragons, Three Phoenixes, and Twin Shadows.
The Twin Shadows referred to Kaal and Samrat of the Kilvish Clan—two youths of equal talent and strength, competing head-to-head. But after today's True Dragon Competition, this title would belong to only one: the Young Shadow Dragon of the Kilvish Clan.
"There's no need for apologies," Yunlun said warmly. "Today is a joyous occasion. Let's not let this small matter dampen the mood."
"As expected of you," Adaeze laughed. "Always the peacekeeper."
The truth was, in his youth, Adaeze had been wild and battle-hungry. He had never lost to anyone of his generation. That is, until the day he encountered a girl in a secret realm while fighting over a treasure, and she matched him blow for blow.
That girl was none other than Bella Darwin, the Holy Maiden of the Jade Ice Sect—and Kaal's mother.
From that moment on, Adaeze fell in love with her. Later, he learned that Bella had also become one of the Heavenly Dragons. Determined to match her, he pushed himself until he, too, joined their ranks. He had hoped to propose to her, but fate had other plans.
Bella chose Charles Kilvish, the Clan Leader of the Kilvish Clan, as her Dao partner.
Since then, awkward tension has existed between Charles and Adaeze. That was likely the real reason why Charles hadn't come to receive him personally.
'Will you come this time, Bella?' Adaeze wondered, looking up at the sky with a faint smile, his mind drifting to the face of a woman whose beauty could put celestial fairies to shame.