Dawn broke over the Imperial Heaven Sect's trial grounds like molten gold spilling across the stone terraces. Mist swirled along the steps, carrying faint embers of spiritual energy from the countless cultivators gathered below. The plaza was a sea of banners, colors flashing as representatives of every clan lined up. The crowd murmured with excitement and apprehension, and Jake Snow — hooded, cloaked, calm — stood at the very edge, observing every movement with a predator's precision.
Before anyone could speak, a booming voice shattered the morning stillness:
"Let the First Trial of the Imperial Heaven Sect commence!"
Gongs rang out, echoing across the plaza, and the ground beneath them vibrated faintly as a wave of spiritual energy pulsed from the massive bronze gates at the far end. A holographic-like formation of golden light erupted, a celestial array of ancient symbols and shifting glyphs, revealing the first trial's arena.
It was simple, yet cruel: a stone courtyard dotted with floating platforms, the edges of each shrouded in swirling azure energy. Only one way across, and any misstep meant falling into the chasm below.
The representative from each clan stepped forward. Jace (now Jake Snow) adjusted his hood, his pulse steady, eyes scanning the layout.
[System Activation Detected]
The air shifted, and suddenly, a golden holographic interface appeared in his mind, pulsating with energy.
[Devouring Dragon System Online]
Main Function: [Absorb the essence of defeated beings to increase cultivation.]
Special Ability: [Dragon Ancestral Devouring Art — capable of consuming Qi, bloodlines, and divine cores.]
[Devouring Dragon System — Status]
Cultivation: Foundation Stage (Early)
Bloodline: Red Dragon (Dormant) → Devouring Dragon (Stage 2)
Skills:
• Devour Essence (Lv.1) — Consume Qi and life essence from living or dead targets.
• Ancestral Flame Embryo — A flame seeded in the bloodline, evolving with devoured power.
[Main Quest: Imperial Crash]
Objective: Enter the Imperial Heaven Sect trials without invitation.
Time Limit: 13 days.
Reward: +2 Cultivation Stages, Unbound Skill Scroll, ???
Penalty: Severe Growth Restriction.
Jake exhaled softly. This was it. The first challenge, the first real chance to prove that even without recognition, he could survive — and dominate.
From the crowd, the three Redscale representatives stepped onto the platforms: Kael Dravorn, Liora Dravorn, and Tarek Vurn. Their crimson auras burned faintly in the morning light, and whispers passed among the other clans about the heir who was conspicuously absent.
Beside them, the Bluescale, Blacscale, Godson, Phoenix, Vampire, Werewolf, and Human clan representatives lined up, each displaying an aura that made the ground seem alive beneath their feet. The tension was palpable — a predator-and-prey balance, poised to snap with the first misstep.
Jake's eyes flicked to the edge of the platforms. He calculated distance, aura strength, and potential strategy. He didn't move yet — a deliberate pause, letting others react first.
The announcer's voice thundered again:
"Begin!"
Immediately, a ripple of movement surged forward. Some jumped recklessly, sending shockwaves across the floating platforms. A few fell into the chasm with muted screams, their spiritual energy dissipating into harmless wisps.
Jake waited, noting patterns. The first human — Cedric Vale of the Azure Clan — leapt elegantly, but misjudged the spacing and stumbled. A tiny gust of wind helped him stabilize, but he had lost momentum.
The first opportunity presented itself.
Jake pressed a thought, activating his System's skill panel:
[Available Actions]
1. Observe & Analyze — Record competitor stats without revealing presence.
2. Devour Essence (Lv.1) — Absorb residual Qi from the arena to temporarily enhance cultivation.
3. Ancestral Flame Embryo — Ignite dormant bloodline energy to prepare for combat.
Jace selected Observe & Analyze, letting the interface pull data on each representative:
San Blade (Redscale) — Foundation Stage (Mid), Fire Attribute, High Combat IQ
Veyra Nightveil (Vampire) — Foundation Stage (Peak), Shadow Attribute, Stealth Specialist
Auren Vael (Godson) — Foundation Stage (Peak), Light Attribute, Dominating Aura
The System's prompt blinked:
[Note: Observing and analyzing consumes minimal energy. Perfect for pre-emptive strategy.]
He let the system continue scanning silently. His green eyes caught slight hesitations in several human clan representatives. Saint Hall's Victor Aurelius calculated each jump like a chess move, while Helena Brightmoor of the same clan measured the space and aura interactions with surgical precision.
Suddenly, the first Phoenix Clan representative lunged across a platform, fire swirling around him, and misjudged the trajectory. A shockwave hit the floating platform, throwing Ravik Thorne of the Werewolf Clan off balance. Chaos erupted.
Jake moved then, smoothly stepping forward from the shadows of the crowd. His System displayed his current options:
[Devouring Dragon System — Status Update]
Observation Data Collected: 8/12 representatives
Bloodline Energy: Stable
Available Skills: Devour Essence (Lv.1), Ancestral Flame Embryo
Suggested Next Action: Exploit environmental hazards or gather residual Qi
He decided to exploit the chaos. With a light jump, he landed on a stable platform, his hood hiding the faint smirk on his face. The system's subtle pulse indicated success.
[System Alert: Residual Qi detected nearby. Devour Essence (Lv.1) available.]
Jake activated it. Golden light surged faintly in his vision, absorbing minor Qi flows from the fallen competitors. He felt a subtle warmth in his chest, a gentle surge through his veins — not much, but enough to reinforce his confidence.
Meanwhile, back at the Redscale stronghold, the clan elders continued to whisper.
"He's done it again," one muttered. "That boy… he always finds a way."
The Clan Head didn't respond. Pride and fear warred on his face.
Back on the trial field, Veyra Nightveil moved next to counter a staggered Phoenix Clan member. Her movements were swift, silent, lethal, and for the first time, Jake caught the faint pulse of danger from her aura.
The system whispered in his mind:
[Alert: High Threat Target Nearby — Veyra Nightveil, Vampire Clan]
Jake's pulse quickened. He adjusted his stance, analyzing possible interactions, possible alliances, and potential openings. The trial had just begun, and already he realized: this wasn't merely a test of agility — it was a battlefield of intellect, aura, and bloodline prowess.
[Quest Reminder: 12 days remaining — Objective in Progress]
And Jace knew, as the System pulsed softly in response to his heightened perception, that the real challenge — and the first true test of his Devouring Dragon System — was just about to begin.
From the shadows, unseen by most, a figure observed him briefly before vanishing. The Eternal Night Clan was already playing their game.
Jake's eyes narrowed. The trials had begun.
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TO BE CONTINUED...