The first week at Azure Dragon Academy was a stark lesson in the brutal realities of the cultivation world. For Eric and the other village teens, it was a constant, jarring reminder of their insignificance. Classes were overwhelming, advanced techniques were introduced at a dizzying pace, and the sheer volume of spiritual energy in the city was both invigorating and oppressive.
The most painful revelation, however, was the cost of progression. Spiritual stones, once a rare luxury in Ironclad Village, were now a necessity. Basic Qi replenishing pills cost a small fortune, and advanced cultivation resources—like spiritual herbs or energy-condensing crystals—were priced astronomically. The meager funds from their families, even Theron's substantial contribution, dwindled with alarming speed. Access to the Academy's vast resources was tiered: the main library, advanced training grounds, and specialized cultivation chambers were only accessible to Inner Court disciples or those from the Grand Clans. The Outer Court students, like them, were relegated to a limited section of the first-floor library for a mere two hours a day, and basic, often crowded, training arenas.
Theron, once the arrogant prodigy of Ironclad Village, was visibly crumbling under the pressure. His initial boasts had been met with cold indifference or outright mockery from the stronger Outer Court students. He struggled in classes, his unrefined techniques clashing with the precise methods taught at the Academy. He often returned to the dormitory fuming, kicking at his cot, muttering about the unfairness of it all. "It's all rigged!" he'd complain to his roommate, Kael, a quiet, studious boy who mostly ignored him. "These city snobs just have more resources! It's not fair!"
Anya and Lyra, always more pragmatic, adapted by training even harder, pushing their coordinated techniques to the limit in the crowded practice areas. They conserved their spiritual stones meticulously, a silent understanding passing between them.
Mei, with her Calm Spirit Constitution, quietly absorbed the lessons, her progress steady, though still slow by Academy standards. She often sought Eric out in the evenings, not to talk, but simply to sit in quiet contemplation, a shared understanding in their silence.
Eric, however, felt like a fish finally returned to water. The rigorous pace of the Academy was a blessing in disguise. While others struggled with the complexity of basic Qi manipulation, his draconic Qi, pure and refined, grasped concepts with astonishing ease. The techniques taught in class, though rudimentary compared to the Azure Dragon Scripture, served as excellent practice for his control. His Scales of Purity silently refined his body, making him physically superior to his peers without any outward display of excessive spiritual energy. His spiritual sense, a constant companion, allowed him to perceive the flow of Qi in every lesson, anticipating the instructor's moves, understanding the very essence of the techniques.
This rapid, yet subtle, adaptation did not go unnoticed. Instructors, initially dismissive, began to nod approvingly at his precise execution of techniques. Senior Instructor Borin, though still stern, occasionally lingered for a moment, a flicker of grudging respect in his eyes.
But good attention often brought bad.
One afternoon, during a practical lesson on basic movement techniques, Eric effortlessly outmaneuvered several stronger students, his movements fluid and efficient. A muscular youth named Kaelen, a cultivator at Qi Condensation Stage 7, whose family had minor connections to a wealthy merchant guild in Azure City, glared at Eric with undisguised envy. Kaelen was used to being one of the top students in the Outer Court.
"You're just lucky, village brat!" Kaelen sneered, pushing forward after the lesson. "You always find a way to make it look like more than it is."
Eric merely looked at him, his expression calm. "I train hard."
"Training hard doesn't explain how a Qi Condensation Stage 1 nobody like you beats Qi Condensation Stage 7 cultivators in drills!" Kaelen retorted, his voice rising, drawing the attention of other students. "I bet you have some hidden treasure, or some cheap trick! Why don't you fight me properly, then, eh? In a duel!"
The challenge hung in the air, electric. Duels were common, a way to establish dominance, but Kaelen was known for his aggressive style and considerable strength. A Qi Condensation Stage 7 challenging a supposed Stage 1 was usually a guaranteed victory for the former.
"A duel?" Eric asked, his voice even.
"Yes! Right now, in Arena B!" Kaelen declared, his chest puffed out. "Let's see your 'hard training' then, peasant!"
Word spread like wildfire through the Outer Court. "Kaelen's challenging the Ironclad Village bumpkin!" "That Eric kid who got lucky in the village. He's finished!" "Kaelen's going to crush him."
The training arena B quickly filled with curious students, eager to witness the supposed humiliation. Theron, Theron, Anya, Lyra, and Mei were all there, their faces etched with worry. Even Senior Instructor Borin observed from the sidelines, his arms crossed, a neutral but watchful expression on his face.
Kaelen swaggered into the arena, his spiritual energy flaring, radiating a palpable sense of power. He was a formidable opponent, his movements honed by months of Academy training. He lunged with a powerful Stone Fist technique, a basic but strong offensive move.
Eric met him, not with a flashy counter, but with a refined Claw of Might, subtly condensing his draconic Qi. The impact was a dull thud. Kaelen's eyes widened in surprise as his fist met an unexpected resistance. Eric's punch, though seemingly simple, carried a concentrated power that vibrated through Kaelen's arm.
Kaelen roared in frustration, launching a rapid succession of attacks. Eric moved like a shadow, dodging, weaving, his footwork flawless. He used the basic movement techniques taught in class, but imbued with his subtle, draconic agility, they became impossibly fluid. He was faster, more precise. He landed precise, non-damaging blows on Kaelen's pressure points, subtly disrupting his Qi flow, frustrating him further.
"Do not overexert. Do not reveal too much," the Dragon Spirit reminded him, its voice calm and steady. "Exhaust him. Let his own frustration be his downfall."
Eric continued to hold back significantly, using only a fraction of his true power, focusing on precision and evasion. He allowed Kaelen's spiritual energy to dissipate with each wild, ineffective swing. After several minutes, Kaelen was panting, his spiritual energy flickering, his movements becoming sluggish. He lunged one last time, a desperate, wild swing.
Eric sidestepped, then used a very light Breath of the Azure, a mere puff of spiritual energy that tickled Kaelen's exposed side. It wasn't a strong attack, but it was enough to throw him off balance, sending him stumbling forward. Eric then used a simple, practiced leg sweep, connecting just enough to trip Kaelen.
Kaelen crashed to the ground with a grunt, winded and humiliated, his face pale with exhaustion and fury. He tried to push himself up, but his spiritual energy was too depleted.
A stunned silence fell over the arena. Kaelen, the Stage 7, had been defeated by a supposed Stage 1, without a single flashy technique. It wasn't a powerful victory, but a complete outmaneuvering.
Senior Instructor Borin, who had watched the entire duel, finally spoke, his voice cutting through the silence. "Kaelen, do you yield?"
Kaelen slammed his fist on the ground. "I... yield!" he rasped, his eyes burning with resentment, but also a hint of fear.
"Eric wins," Borin declared, his gaze lingering on Eric for a long moment, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
The crowd dispersed, murmuring, confused. They had expected a spectacle, a crushing defeat, but had witnessed a baffling, almost elegant, victory.
As Eric walked out of the arena, a small, serene voice called out, "Eric."
It was Mei. She approached him, her calm spirit constitution radiating a steady warmth. "That was... impressive, Eric. Your control is remarkable. I've never seen anyone use basic techniques with such precision."
Eric offered a slight smile. "Just a lot of practice, Mei."
Mei hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Eric, I know it's a lot to ask, but... would you consider helping me with my training? I feel like I'm hitting a wall, and my father always spoke of your keen perception." She looked at him with an earnest, hopeful gaze. "I'm willing to work hard. I just need guidance."
"An excellent opportunity, Eric," the Dragon Spirit immediately chimed in. "Her Calm Spirit Constitution will allow her to absorb advanced insights faster than most. And her trust will be invaluable. Teach her the essence, not the form, of true cultivation. Help her unlock her potential."
Eric paused, considering. Teaching Mei would provide a plausible reason for his continued study of "basic" techniques, and her presence would be a convenient cover for some of his own cultivation. More importantly, he sensed a genuine desire for growth in her, something he respected. And with his amplified spiritual sense, he could indeed "see" her potential, like an intricate blueprint.
"I can help," Eric said, his voice quiet. "But it won't be easy. My methods are... unconventional. And you'll have to trust me completely."
Mei's eyes lit up. "I do, Eric. I trust you."
The next few days were a blur of shared training sessions. Eric met Mei in secluded corners of the Academy's outdoor training grounds, away from the prying eyes of other students. He didn't teach her any advanced techniques from the Azure Dragon Scripture directly. Instead, he taught her how to truly feel her spiritual energy, how to make it flow like water, not a rigid force. He guided her in extending her spiritual sense, building on her innate constitution. He taught her how to break down her own Qi, refine it, and then rebuild it, a process that paralleled his own Scales of Purity.
"Don't just push your Qi, Mei," Eric would instruct, his voice calm and steady. "Feel its texture. Its temperature. Its purpose. Let it guide you."
Mei was an exceptional student. Her Calm Spirit Constitution allowed her to grasp the subtle nuances of spiritual energy far faster than anyone Eric had ever seen. She meditated deeply, her spiritual aura growing steadily purer, denser. She absorbed his unconventional insights like a sponge.
"I feel it, Eric!" she exclaimed one evening, her eyes shining. "My Qi... it's clearer! Stronger!"
Over the course of that week, Mei's cultivation base jumped from Qi Condensation Stage 4 to Stage 6. It was an astonishing leap, one that would normally take months of dedicated effort and expensive resources. She hadn't broken through to Foundation Establishment yet, but the quality of her spiritual energy had improved drastically.
"Thank you, Eric," Mei said, her voice filled with profound gratitude. "You've taught me more in a week than I've learned in months here. You truly have a gift."
Eric merely smiled, a silent acknowledgement. His "gift" was a dragon.
With the week of classes and training behind him, Eric felt the familiar itch for a hunt. The Academy's resources were indeed limited for Outer Court disciples, and his private stash of spiritual stones was for emergencies, not daily expenses. He needed more. And he wanted to test his progress against stronger foes.
He chose a less frequented gate, slipping out of the city walls under the cover of early morning mist. His spiritual sense, now incredibly keen, was his primary tool. He ventured deep into the wilderness, far beyond the common hunting grounds, seeking out territories known to house C-rank monsters.
He found them. Rockhide Rhinos, their hides almost impenetrable. Grave Worms, their underground movements detectable only by the most acute spiritual sense. He engaged them, not with brute force, but with the refined precision of his draconic cultivation. His Scales of Purity made him incredibly resilient, his Claws of Might delivered devastating, focused blows, and his Breath of the Azure carved pathways through their defenses. He was a silent, efficient hunter.
He took down several C-rank monsters in quick succession. The cores were valuable, but as the Dragon Spirit had warned, and as the market in Azure City confirmed, C-rank cores, while still good, didn't command the same exorbitant prices as truly rare treasures. The city's sheer size and the constant influx of high-level cultivators meant a steady supply of such materials. He needed more.
"Focus on unique spiritual signatures, Eric," the Dragon Spirit advised during his next hunt. "Herbs, crystals, rare minerals. Those retain their value, regardless of the commonality of monster cores."
He switched tactics, using his spiritual sense to scan for the tell-tale glows of rare flora and crystalline formations. He found a small cluster of Glimmerroot Herbs, their leaves pulsating with minor healing energy, and a vein of Azure Shard Crystal, highly sought after for enchanting and talismans. He carefully harvested them, his Spatial Pouch filling with precious, glowing treasures.
As he was meticulously extracting a particularly stubborn Azure Shard Crystal from a rocky outcrop, a sound cut through the stillness of the wilderness.
Screams.
Not the cries of Qi Beasts, but human screams. Panicked, desperate.
Eric's head snapped up, his spiritual sense immediately pinpointing the source. Two human spiritual signatures, flickering weakly, battling against a much larger, monstrous one. And another, a third human signature, almost extinguished, lying still on the ground, accompanied by the metallic tang of fresh blood.
He didn't hesitate. He thrust the last of the Azure Shard Crystals into his Spatial Pouch and moved, a blur of motion, towards the source of the screams. He pushed his Scales of Purity to their limit, his body becoming a conduit of raw, draconic power, rushing towards the unfolding tragedy.