The first rays of dawn painted the Zhao Clan's training grounds in gold as the wind carried the echoes of last night's storm. The air was crisp, yet heavy with the intensity of what was to come. Zhao Tian stood before his grandson once more, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Yesterday was just a warm-up," Zhao Tian stated coldly. "Today, we begin the real training."
The boy's body still ached from the previous day's torment, but his spirit remained unshaken. The fire in his eyes burned even brighter. He was ready.
🔥 The Path of True Strength: Unshackling Limits
Zhao Tian led him deep into the mountains, where an ancient battleground lay untouched for centuries. The ground was covered in scars from past battles, and the air crackled with lingering martial energy.
"This place," Zhao Tian said, "is where the strongest warriors of the Zhao Clan trained in the past. You will do the same. But first… let's see how much of yesterday's training you retained."
He suddenly vanished. A moment later, a palm strike came crashing down towards the boy's head like a meteor. The impact shattered the ground beneath him.
BOOM!
The boy barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as dust and debris exploded around him. Zhao Tian wasn't holding back.
"React faster!" Zhao Tian barked. "If you rely on sight, you're already dead!"
The boy's instincts kicked in. He wasn't just fighting; he was surviving. His body remembered the Phantom Step training from yesterday, and his movements became sharper. The moment Zhao Tian launched another attack, his body vanished, leaving an afterimage behind.
His first successful Phantom Step.
Zhao Tian's eyes gleamed. "Good. But not enough."
He intensified the assault. The boy dodged, countered, and adapted. His breathing grew steady, his strikes more precise. But even as he improved, the pressure was overwhelming.
💀 The Abyss of Pain: Training in the Pit of Beasts
Satisfied with the warm-up, Zhao Tian led him to a massive stone pit hidden deep in the mountains. The air inside the pit was thick with bloodlust.
"This is the Pit of Beasts," Zhao Tian explained. "A natural battlefield where ferocious spirit beasts roam. You will spend the next twelve hours inside—without weapons."
Before the boy could question it, Zhao Tian shoved him in. He landed in a crouch, dust rising around him. Within seconds, glowing eyes emerged from the darkness.
A pack of Blackfang Wolves.
They attacked instantly. Fangs bared, claws flashing.
The first wolf lunged. He barely dodged, feeling the wind of its bite graze his cheek. No weapons, no help—just his body.
He moved purely on instinct. A perfect counter. His palm met the wolf's head, and with a resounding crack, it collapsed.
The other wolves circled. His heartbeat slowed, and time seemed to stretch. His mind became calm, his senses heightened. This wasn't fear.
This was excitement.
One by one, the wolves fell, their bodies crushed under his strikes. Hours passed, and by the time Zhao Tian retrieved him, the ground was littered with bodies. Blood dripped from his fists, but his face wore a smile.
Zhao Tian gazed at him in silence. This child… no, this monster.
☯️ A Revelation: His Body is Not Normal
Later that night, as he sat in meditation, something strange happened.
The wounds he received in the pit… were healing too quickly. His breathing was steady. His muscles, though exhausted, felt stronger than before.
His body was evolving.
Zhao Tian watched him from a distance, deep in thought. "He has no dantian… but his body adapts like no other. Is it even possible that…?" He clenched his fists. "No. I must push him further. I must find out."
Tomorrow's training would be even worse.
But the boy wasn't afraid.
He was ready for more.
🔥 Next Chapter: The First Glimpse of Dragon Bloodline!