Chapter 6: The Summons of the Martial Council
The skycrafts descended like silent predators, their black hulls cutting through the pale dawn light.The academy courtyard trembled as the crafts settled onto the landing platforms, hissing vents of steam releasing from their undersides.The insignia of the Qinghe Martial Council — a twin serpent coiled around a flaming blade — gleamed across the ships' armored flanks.
Ren Yu stood still as uniformed guards disembarked, their steps sharp and synchronized.Each carried a spirit weapon, and the pressure of their collective aura pressed heavily against the air.
Kairen shifted nervously beside him."Ren… these are Tier Three Enforcers," he whispered. "Why would the Council send them?"
Ren Yu didn't answer. His gaze was calm, unreadable. The faint golden glow under his skin had dimmed since the night before, but he could feel the dragon's heartbeat inside him — slow, powerful, patient.
A tall figure approached — a woman in a dark military coat, her short silver hair glinting under the light. Her eyes, cold and sharp as blades, landed on Ren Yu.
"Ren Yu," she said, her voice smooth but commanding. "By order of the Qinghe Martial Council, you are requested to appear for immediate assessment. You will cooperate."
Kairen took a step forward. "Requested? That sounds more like an arrest—"
The woman's gaze turned toward him. "Civilians are advised not to interfere."
Ren Yu placed a hand on Kairen's shoulder, shaking his head. "It's fine. I'll go."
"Ren—"
"I'll be back soon," he said quietly, though even he wasn't sure if it was true.
The woman nodded once. "Good. Follow me."
As Ren Yu stepped toward the airship, Lira Han emerged from the building, her eyes sharp with concern."Be careful," she said softly.
Ren Yu glanced back. "Always."
Then the hatch sealed, and the airship lifted off, vanishing into the clouds.
The Council Citadel — Northern District, Qinghe
The citadel was a towering structure of steel and jade, built into the side of the mountain overlooking the city. Spirit runes pulsed faintly along its walls, feeding into the defensive barrier that shielded the Council's core chambers.
Ren Yu followed his escort through long, echoing halls. Statues of ancient martial heroes lined the corridors — reminders of those who had once ruled through power, wisdom, and blood.
The woman led him to a massive circular chamber. At its center hovered a blue crystal orb, humming with energy — a truthstone, said to react to lies.
Around it sat the seven members of the Martial Council, each representing a major sect or family of Qinghe.Their eyes, filled with suspicion and curiosity, followed Ren Yu as he stepped into the light.
One of them — a man in red robes with a thin beard — spoke first."Ren Yu, son of Ren Housheng and Lin Yuyan. You awakened an unrecorded martial attribute during yesterday's ceremony. Witnesses describe it as a 'golden dragon manifestation.'"
Ren Yu met his gaze calmly. "That's correct."
Another councilor, a woman with emerald earrings, leaned forward."Our archives contain no record of any dragon-based bloodline since the fall of the Martial Dynasties three centuries ago. Tell us, child — what exactly are you?"
The truthstone pulsed faintly as Ren Yu replied, "I'm human."
A few councilors exchanged glances. The orb remained dim — no lie detected.
The man in red frowned. "You speak in riddles."
Ren Yu's tone stayed even. "Then ask clearer questions."
A low murmur rippled through the chamber, but before anyone could respond, the silver-haired commander from earlier — the one who had escorted him — stepped forward and placed a hand on the orb.
"Permission to present external evidence," she said.
"Granted," replied the council head.
The holographic display above the chamber shifted, revealing images from the eastern barrier battle — Ren Yu standing in the rain, golden flames erupting from his hand, annihilating the spirit beasts in a single strike.
The council chamber filled with light and gasps."That energy…" one elder muttered. "Impossible. It exceeds Tier Four resonance!"
Another whispered, "If uncontrolled, that power could rival a Core Formation cultivator."
The commander turned to Ren Yu. "Tell us — how did you do that?"
Ren Yu hesitated. He remembered the dragon's voice — "Power calls to power."If he revealed everything, they'd never let him leave. If he lied, the truthstone might expose him.But then, a thought crossed his mind: the truthstone measured intent, not omission.
"I didn't do it consciously," he said slowly. "Something inside me responded to the beasts' energy. It acted on its own."
The truthstone flickered once, then fell still.Truth.
A tense silence filled the room.
Finally, the council head — an old man with silver eyebrows and eyes like polished steel — spoke."Ren Yu… your power is both a gift and a danger. You will remain under Council supervision until we determine its nature."
Ren Yu's jaw tightened. "You mean you're keeping me here."
"Think of it as… protection," the elder said with a faint smile. "For both you and the city."
Ren Yu met his gaze, unflinching. "And if I refuse?"
For the first time, a ripple of unease moved through the councilors. The golden lines under Ren Yu's skin flared faintly — not in aggression, but instinct.The air pressure dropped. The lights flickered.
The elder's smile faded. "Then you'll force us to treat you as a threat."
Ren Yu exhaled slowly and lowered his gaze. "Understood."
But deep within, he felt the dragon stir — restless, almost amused.
"They seek to cage you," the voice murmured."Yet the sky was never meant for cages."
Hours later, Ren Yu was escorted to a quiet chamber — a holding room of white jade walls and energy seals.From the window, he could see Qinghe's skyline, calm and beautiful under the fading sun.For a fleeting moment, he almost wished for peace.
Then the runes on the wall flickered — briefly, irregularly. Someone was overriding the Council's seal.
The door slid open with a whisper.
Lira Han stepped through, her face pale."You don't have time," she said. "They're moving you to Central Detainment by nightfall."
Ren Yu's eyes narrowed. "You broke into the Council Citadel?"
She smirked faintly. "You're not the only one with secrets."
Before he could reply, the alarm klaxons began to wail.Red lights washed across the corridor.
Lira grabbed his wrist. "Come on! There's a way out through the lower archives."
Ren Yu looked once more toward the Council chambers above, where the elders were surely already mobilizing.
"Guess peace was too much to ask for," he muttered.
The dragon inside him rumbled in agreement.
"Good. I was starting to get bored."
And with that, Ren Yu and Lira vanished into the storm-lit corridors of the Martial Council Citadel — two fugitives in a city that was no longer sleeping.