The narrow alley erupted in fire and light. Lin Dong moved like a whirlwind, the golden glow of the Seal streaking after every strike of his blade. Sparks rained off the armored attacker’s flaming sword, each clash sounding like thunder against the stone walls. Li Yan ducked behind a shattered cart, her bow nocked and ready. “Lin Dong! Watch the rooftops!” From above, shadows leapt — masked assassins of the Lei Clan, their blades catching the pale sunlight filtering through the smog. Each movement was precise, deadly, a symphony of killing intent choreographed to perfection. Lin Dong’s chest burned as the Seal responded. Energy coiled along his arms, tendrils of golden light intertwining with the sweat and blood on his skin. He struck again, deflecting the first strike, then pivoting to block a second attack from behind. His senses stretched, time slowed — he could see the flow of energy through the enemy’s body, anticipate each movement before it happened. “The Seal… it’s helping

The merchant district faded behind Lin Dong and Li Yan as they approached the edge of a quiet courtyard, hidden beneath the shadows of towering stone walls. Here, the air carried a faint metallic tang — the residue of countless battles fought in secrecy. “This is where your father trained,” the old shopkeeper said. “The jade blade and the Seal are connected. You must learn to synchronize them, or the power will overwhelm you.” Lin Dong nodded. The jade blade rested in his hand, its runes faintly glowing. The Seal on his chest pulsed in response, eager, restless. “We begin,” the shopkeeper continued, gesturing toward the courtyard. At first, Lin Dong struggled. Every swing of the jade blade seemed heavy, disconnected from his body. The Seal flared uncontrollably, blasting loose stones and sending dust swirling into the air. Sparks of golden energy ricocheted off the walls. “Focus,” the shopkeeper instructed. “The Seal mirrors your mind. Calm it, or it will destroy you.” Lin Dong’

Dawn broke over Yan City, though the light struggled to penetrate the smoke and debris that littered the streets. The clash of battle still echoed, distant shouts and the metallic clang of weapons carried through the alleys. Lin Dong and Li Yan stood atop a crumbling rooftop, surveying the aftermath — yet the danger was far from over. From the shadows, Shen Luo emerged once more, daggers glinting with residual dark energy. His body moved like liquid shadow, precise, controlled, predatory. “You’ve grown bold, boy,” Shen Luo said, voice low and menacing. “But courage alone will not win battles.” Lin Dong’s eyes glowed golden. The Seal pulsed in response, radiating warmth and power. He raised the jade blade, runes shimmering, coiling around his arm like living serpents. “Then let’s test that theory,” Lin Dong said, stepping forward. Shen Luo struck first — a blur of motion, daggers spinning like twin moons of death. Lin Dong’s Seal flared violently, golden arcs deflecting the blades

The path narrowed as Lin Dong and Li Yan ascended deeper into the northern mountains. Jagged cliffs jutted from the earth, their surfaces slick with morning dew. Mist clung to the slopes like drifting spirits, and the air smelled of pine, stone, and distant rain. Each step was deliberate; one misstep could send them tumbling into the abyss below.“This is where most travelers turn back,” Li Yan said, her voice low, eyes scanning the misty ridges. “Few dare to challenge the beasts that roam these heights.”Lin Dong tightened the grip on his jade blade. The Seal on his chest pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat in tune with his own. Each beat reminded him: he was still weak, still growing, and the road ahead demanded more than courage.The wind shifted abruptly, carrying a low growl that vibrated through the stone beneath their feet. The mist parted, revealing the massive form of a Mountain Spirit Beast. Its scales shimmered like molten iron, eyes glowing amber, fangs sharp enough to pierce

Beyond the Stone Circle of Balance, a wide arena opened, carved into the mountainside, surrounded by jagged cliffs and swirling mists. At its center floated nine elemental pillars, each radiating raw energy: fire that seared the eyes, water that churned with an unnatural depth, wind that tore at the ground, earth that shifted beneath one’s feet, and more — a full spectrum of elemental forces that seemed alive.Master Ling Xuan’s voice carried across the arena:“The Trial of the Elements will test your adaptability, speed, and control. Each pillar will unleash its power against you. One misstep, one hesitation… and you will be expelled from the Dao Sect.”Lin Dong stepped forward, jade blade in hand. His chest pulsed with the Spirit Seal, golden light coiling across his skin like liquid fire. He had survived Yan City, the mountain beast, and the Stone Circle. But this — this was different. Each pillar radiated energies beyond anything he had felt. The air around him shimmered with dang