A mysterious, smiling figure stood within the shadows.
As the dust slowly settled, his features became clear—a young boy with sharp facial features, blue eyes, and black hair. He wore a deep purple robe and calmly observed the devastated land around him.
He muttered softly,
"Looks like a massive battle happened here… I wonder what kind of beast caused this destruction."
Suddenly, a flash of light burst from the ring on his right index finger. An old man's spirit emerged from it, floating calmly in the air.
The old man spoke with a sigh,
"That's why I always say—you lack experience, Luo Chen."
Luo Chen frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean by that, Master?"
The old spirit replied gravely,
"This destruction wasn't caused by any beast. This level of devastation was done by a single human. I can sense it clearly."
Luo Chen's eyes widened.
"What?! A single human did all this? In this wasteland? If this had happened in the Central Continent, I might believe it—but here?"
The old spirit nodded slowly.
"Yes, my boy. Even I find it hard to believe, but it's true. A human did this. I can clearly sense the lingering aura."
Luo Chen swallowed.
"Can you track the person? He must be a great master!"
The old spirit replied,
"Yes, I can follow the aura. And trust me—even in my prime, I would've needed to use my full power to cause damage like this."
He turned in a certain direction and said firmly,
"Follow my lead."
Luo Chen nodded.
---
The scene shifted to the Sanatan Flame Sect's main hall.
Shaurya stood silently, staring at his system interface.
97 / 100 Disciples
25 hours remaining
I only need three more disciples… he thought. But how?
He walked out of the main hall and stopped near the fountain outside. A short distance away, Wang Tian stood quietly, watching him with interest.
The scene shifted to Xiao Rui, Xiao Lian, and Muo Qian. All three gazed at Shaurya with curiosity.
A disciple approached Wang Tian and asked respectfully,
"Senior, what is Master doing?"
Wang Tian replied calmly,
"Who knows what Master thinks or does?"
The scene shifted back to Shaurya.
He spoke to the system,
"Hey, System. When are you going to give me my Primordial Dragon? I can't wait anymore."
The system replied,
"Yes, Host. Raise your hand to the sky and speak the words."
The system whispered the incantation directly into Shaurya's ear.
Shaurya listened carefully. As soon as he heard it, his eyes shone brightly with excitement.
He smiled widely.
"Wow, System. This is what I call fantastic!"
He stepped forward, looked up at the sky, and raised his hand. His disciples watched him curiously.
Shaurya shouted loudly,
"Guardian Beast, I summon you… Primordial Dragon—ARISE!"
The sky began to change color.
Xiao Rui, Xiao Lian, and Muo Qian looked up in confusion.
Wang Tian was completely stunned—his jaw dropped.
A powerful energy erupted from the heavens, accompanied by a deafening roar.
A cosmic scene unfolded above the sect.
---
The scene shifted back to Luo Chen.
He had just arrived near the sect—and froze at the sight before him.
"M-Master… what is that?!" Luo Chen exclaimed.
The old spirit stared in disbelief.
"That… I don't even know what's happening… but the energy being released from there is… majestic. Absolutely majestic."
---
The scene returned to Shaurya.
His eyes were filled with pure excitement.
Another thunderous roar echoed.
A massive blue dragon descended from the sky. Its jaws were sharp, its scales resembled battle armor, and its presence alone caused the air to tremble.
It landed before Shaurya and roared again.
All the disciples were stunned into silence.
Luo Chen rushed into the sect grounds and saw the dragon with his own eyes. The old spirit floated beside him, completely shaken.
The old spirit whispered in disbelief,
"A dragon… a living dragon… right in front of my eyes… I can't believe it."
Shaurya stepped forward.
The dragon immediately lowered its massive head toward him.
Shaurya hugged it tightly, like a child who had just received his favorite toy.
The Primordial Dragon glowed with bright light and gradually shrank, transforming into a small, snake-sized form.
Shaurya asked the system,
"What's its information?"
The system replied:
Species: Primordial Dragon
Level: Golden Vein Level 6
Name: Not assigned
Shaurya's excitement only grew.
"Wow! It's that powerful?"
He smiled warmly.
"Then your name will be… Dragizard."
The little dragon jumped happily and rubbed its head against Shaurya's cheek.
---
Suddenly, Luo Chen approached Shaurya.
Before he could get close, Wang Tian stepped forward and blocked his path, sword drawn.
"Who the hell are you?" Wang Tian demanded coldly.
Shaurya noticed the situation.
"Hey, what's going on?"
Wang Tian replied,
"Master, he's approaching you."
Shaurya walked over calmly.
Luo Chen quickly raised his hands.
"Don't worry! I'm not here to cause any trouble."
Wang Tian scoffed.
"Oh really? Then what about the spirit inside your ring?"
Luo Chen froze.
"What?! How do you know that…?"
Shaurya was surprised as well.
"A spirit inside the ring? Isn't that something only chosen ones have?"
The system appeared.
"As expected of you, Host. You guessed correctly. This boy indeed has an old-man spirit companion."
Information appeared before Shaurya's eyes.
Luo Chen — Qi Initiate Level 4
Old Man Spirit (Wu Luo) — Foundation Builder Level 4
Shaurya was impressed.
He patted Wang Tian's shoulder.
"Relax, Tian. He's not a threat."
Then he looked toward the ring and said,
"And you, Mr. Spirit… it's impressive that your remaining soul is still at Foundation Builder Level 4."
The old man floated out of the ring, shocked.
"How do you know my level?! Who are you?"
Shaurya put on his black sunglasses and grinned confidently.
"Hehehe… I am the Sect Master of the Sanatan Flame Sect—Shaurya the Great!"
Behind him, Xiao Rui and Xiao Lian suddenly appeared.
Wang Tian stood tall, aura flaring. Muo Qian stepped forward as well.
All of them posed together, making Shaurya's introduction feel overwhelmingly grand.
Shaurya looked at Luo Chen.
"You, boy—join my sect!"
Luo Chen was stunned.
Before he could respond, the old spirit grabbed his head and forced him to bow.
"He accepts!" the old spirit declared loudly. "And I also want to join your sect!"
Luo Chen whispered in panic,
"Master, what are you doing?!"
The old man chuckled.
"Helping you. This man is not ordinary. Following him will take you to great heights."
Luo Chen hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Fine… I accept."
Shaurya handed him the sect-joining form.
Then he turned to the old spirit and said,
"Because you are powerful and wise, I appoint you as my sect's first elder. You will guide the disciples. Do you have any objections?"
The old man smiled broadly.
"No objections. I accept!"
Suddenly, a system notification appeared.
"Congratulations, Host."
Shaurya saw it and smiled.
To Be Continued…