2026-04-13 08:36:19A guttural laugh echoed through the cavern, its resonance vibrating against the jagged walls. “Devour you? Is that what you think?” sneered the crimson-eyed dragon, its voice rumbling like thunder aimed at Lin Jiang.
“Yes,” Lin Jiang shot back, his tone sharp yet trembling. “From the hunger in your gaze, I can tell you crave my flesh.”
“Foolish boy,” the beast growled, its breath hot and metallic. “It was you who stirred me from slumber. Had you not bled upon this soil, I would still be lost in dreams.”
Lin Jiang’s chest tightened as realization struck. His wounds—inflicted by his own brother and their allies—had reopened earlier, spilling blood across the ground. Yet now, as he glanced down, he found no trace of injury. Not only had his external cuts vanished, but the internal agony from the explosion within his body had dissolved as well.
“What happened to me?” he whispered, bewildered.
“I healed you,” the dragon declared, its eyes gleaming with ancient fire.
“You… healed me?” Lin Jiang’s disbelief cracked through his voice.
“Yes. I am no ordinary beast. I am a spiritual dragon.”
Lin Jiang’s breath caught. In the martial world, tales spoke of spiritual creatures—rare, revered, feared. Among them, none surpassed the dragon, the eagle, and the tiger. And here, before him, stood the mightiest of them all.
“So it was my blood that woke you?” Lin Jiang pressed.
“Indeed. Without it, I would still rest in silence.”
“Then perhaps fate has bound us together,” Lin Jiang murmured, his eyes narrowing.
The dragon’s laughter rolled like a storm. “You presume too much, child. Acceptance is not so easily won.”
“Tell me what I must do,” Lin Jiang demanded, his voice taut with urgency.
The cavern’s air thickened, the scent of damp stone mingling with the dragon’s sulfurous breath. Shadows flickered across the walls as the beast’s massive form shifted.
“First,” the dragon intoned, “you must embrace destiny as heir to the Blade of Eternal Darkness.”
Lin Jiang’s pulse quickened. “Blade of Eternal Darkness? What is that?”
“A weapon of immense power, steeped in shadow,” the dragon explained, its voice reverberating like distant drums.
“Where is it? I want to see this darkness for myself.”
“For now, the blade lies broken into three fragments: the Demon Sword, the Demon Sabre, and the Demon Staff.”
“Why was it divided?” Lin Jiang asked, his voice trembling with curiosity.
“Because its darkness is too great. United, it would bring calamity if wielded by unworthy hands.”
Lin Jiang’s throat tightened. “Then tell me what I must do.”
“As I said, you must accept your fate as its successor.”
“I accept,” Lin Jiang declared, his voice firm despite the tremor in his chest.
“Prove it,” the dragon commanded. “Let your blood sanctify the staff beside you.”
Lin Jiang turned, startled to see a silver staff standing upright, unmoving, as though rooted in the earth itself. Without hesitation, he bit his finger, letting a single drop of blood fall upon its tip.
The moment his blood touched the staff, a vision engulfed him: a vast ocean of darkness, endless and suffocating. Fear clawed at his heart, his breath catching in his throat.
“That is the abyss you will face should you misuse the blade,” the dragon warned.
“I will resist it,” Lin Jiang vowed. “What comes next?”
“Impatient boy,” the dragon scoffed. “You must strengthen yourself. At present, you linger at the fifth level of the Spirit Realm.”
“I know,” Lin Jiang replied, determination burning in his eyes. “But I will ascend swiftly.”
“Do not underestimate the path,” the dragon cautioned. “The journey to the Divine Emperor’s rank is long and arduous.”
“I understand,” Lin Jiang said, his voice steady.
“Then are you prepared to embrace your destiny?”
“Yes. I am ready.”
“Good. Seek the remaining fragments—the Demon Sword and the Demon Sabre.”
“Where are they?” Lin Jiang asked.
“The Demon Sabre lies buried in your world, hidden yet waiting. With the staff, you will find it.”
“My world? Where am I now?” Lin Jiang’s voice faltered.
The dragon’s laughter shook the cavern. “You dwell in the Netherworld.”
“The Netherworld?” Lin Jiang gasped.
“Yes. The realm of spirits.”
“That cannot be!” Lin Jiang cried.
“Why not?”
“Because that would mean I am dead!”
“For now, yes. Your body remains in your world, but your spirit lingers here.”
Lin Jiang’s mind reeled. “How is this possible?”
“The dimensional rift drew you here. It is the path fate has carved for you.”
“Then return me to my body!” Lin Jiang demanded.
“Are you certain?” the dragon asked, its voice low and dangerous.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Lin Jiang retorted.
“If I were you, I would train here until strength was assured. To return now would be folly.”
Lin Jiang fell silent. The dragon’s words rang true. His body, vulnerable and weak, would be prey to beasts and decay.
“What of my body?” he asked, fear gnawing at him. “Will it rot? Be devoured?”
He pictured the abyss where he had fallen, teeming with venomous creatures and predators.
“Once you bound yourself to the staff, your body was protected. It will grow as you grow here.”
“Is that true?” Lin Jiang whispered.
“Would I lie?” the dragon snapped.
Lin Jiang exhaled, relief mingling with resolve. “Then I will remain and train.”
“Excellent. Your first task: draw the staff from the earth.”
Lin Jiang grasped the staff, muscles straining as he pulled. But it resisted, immovable, its silver surface gleaming with defiance.
“It’s too strong,” Lin Jiang groaned.
The dragon’s laughter thundered. “Only one who has reached the Sky Realm can wield it.”
“So I must ascend before I can claim it?”
“Yes. But because you are now bound to me, I shall grant you my power.”
“Your power?” Lin Jiang’s eyes widened.
“Yes,” the dragon said, stepping closer. Its claws gleamed like obsidian blades.
With a swift motion, the dragon’s talon raked across Lin Jiang’s chest. Blood spilled, hot and metallic, staining the cavern floor.
Lin Jiang gasped as searing heat surged from the dragon’s touch, coursing through his veins like molten fire.
“Arggggg! It burns!” Lin Jiang screamed, his voice echoing into the abyss.
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The Elimination Round
The first day of the Young Heroes Tournament’s elimination stage had finally begun, and as expected, the smaller sects were the first to be crushed beneath the weight of stronger rivals. The arenas rang with the clash of steel, the roar of battle cries, and the gasps of spectators. Dust rose from the ground with every strike, mingling with the acrid scent of sweat and blood. From the dozen battles fought, not a single upset had occurred. The great sects of the underworld advanced with ease, their disciples sweeping aside weaker opponents like waves breaking against fragile driftwood. By the end of the day, dozens had already secured their place in the second round. Yet none from the White Skull Sect had stepped onto the stage. Lin Jiang, whose number had been drawn last, was destined to fight at the very end. His master still believed Lin Jiang had no number at all, placing his hopes solely upon Kun Liong and Mi Li. “Kun Liong, Mi Li, watch each match carefully,” Elder Phi An in
The Future Champion
Elder Phi An’s face lit with sudden brightness when he realized Lin Jiang had finally arrived at the Golden Dragon Sect, though the joy lasted only a fleeting moment.“You are late, Lin Jiang,” Elder Phi An said, his tone heavy.“Late? Why, Elder?” Lin Jiang asked, confusion flickering across his features.“The drawing of numbers has already ended. You cannot step onto the arena now,” Elder Phi An replied, his expression weary, shoulders sagging with disappointment.Yet despite his words, a spark of hope remained in his eyes at the sight of Lin Jiang’s presence.“Forgive me, Master,” Lin Jiang said earnestly, bowing his head. He did not reveal that he had already secured a number; he wished to keep that secret as a surprise for his teacher.“Who else represents our sect, Master?” Lin Jiang asked.“We do,” came a voice from the doorway.Kun Liong entered, his hand clasped with Mi Li’s, the two stepping forward together.“Respectful greetings, seniors,” Lin Jiang said, bowing deeply to
Arriving Late
Half a moon had passed, and nearly all the contestants eager to join the tournament had already gathered at the Golden Dragon Sect. The sect grounds buzzed with voices, the clang of weapons, and the restless shuffle of feet. Lanterns swayed in the evening breeze, their flames casting wavering shadows across the stone walls.A young girl wandered through the sect’s corridors, her eyes sharp and restless, scanning every face she passed. Her steps were quick, her expression taut with impatience.“Is that scoundrel truly not coming?” she muttered angrily, her voice edged with frustration.Her features were striking—delicate yet fierce—and her presence drew the attention of many participants who had assembled at the Golden Dragon Sect. Whispers followed her, admiration mingled with curiosity, but she ignored them all, her focus fixed on one name.At last, she reached a chamber reserved for the White Skull Sect.“Uncle Phi An, where is Lin Jiang?” she demanded, her tone sharp.“Mei Lin? You
The Unease of the Sect Leader
One moon before leaving the forest, Lin Jiang chose to gather medicinal herbs, his hands brushing against leaves damp with dew as he filled his satchel with roots and blossoms. He also resolved to study fragments of healing arts from the Thousand Remedies manual, its pages whispering of cures and ancient wisdom. The air was heavy with the fragrance of crushed herbs, sharp and earthy, mingling with the faint sweetness of wild blossoms. As he worked, his mind wandered toward another concern—how to endure the agony of strengthening his bones without succumbing to pain.“Every step toward advancement is always accompanied by suffering,” Lin Jiang muttered, frustration etched into his voice as he failed to uncover a method to ease the torment of cultivation. His breath fogged in the cool night air, and the silence of the forest pressed against him like a weight.Within the spatial ring he carried, treasures now overflowed—bundles of herbs, spirit beast pearls glowing faintly in the dark, a
Drills in Bare-Handed Combat
Lin Jiang opened the Sky-Shaking Flame Fist manual, its parchment whispering as though alive, and within those pages he uncovered a complete arsenal of empty-hand techniques, each instruction etched with precision, as if the author had foreseen his very struggles.“Could my master truly have known exactly what I needed?” Lin Jiang murmured, awe flickering in his voice, his eyes tracing the ink strokes that seemed to pulse with hidden fire.The first step appeared deceptively simple. He shifted his stance, aligning his body with the diagrams, mimicking the posture of the Flame Fist. At first, he resisted the temptation to summon his inner energy, determined to engrave the form into muscle and bone before unleashing its power. His fists tightened, breath steady, the forest around him hushed as though holding its breath.“Haaaaa!!”At last, he allowed his inner energy to surge into his knuckles. Heat coursed through his veins, a molten tide gathering at the center of his clenched palm. T
Master’s Plan for Lin Jiang
Lin Jiang’s hands trembled as he accepted the scroll Elder So Un offered, yet his face glowed with delight, like a child receiving a treasured gift. The parchment felt warm against his palms, its surface rough, carrying the faint scent of aged ink and smoke.“You still have four moons before you depart for Su City. Use that time to master the hand-to-hand techniques within this scroll, Lin Jiang,” Elder So Un instructed, his voice steady, carrying the weight of expectation.“Yes, Master!” Lin Jiang replied, his tone brimming with determination.“In that scroll you will find what you need—fist techniques, palm strikes, and claw forms. I am certain you will grow fond of them,” Elder So Un added, his eyes gleaming with pride.“Thank you, Master,” Lin Jiang said, bowing deeply.He tucked the Flaming Fist that Shakes the Heavens scroll into his spatial ring, its glow vanishing into the hidden dimension.“Your other master will not let you forget him either,” Elder Shun said with a faint sm
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