The moment Travis began cultivating the Primordial Origin Harmonization Essence Sutra, an ancient, unspoken power surged through him. The energy felt unlike anything he had encountered before—far purer, far more potent than the mana or qi he'd known in his past life. It was Primordial Qi, the very essence of creation itself. He could feel it coursing through his veins, reordering his body at a molecular level.
The energy wrapped around him, swirling in an intricate dance, sculpting his meridians with divine precision. Molten lava.
Razor winds.
Then—tranquility.
Each wave of transformation was excruciating, his body subjected to intense, tearing pain that felt like it was being remade from the inside out. The heat of the energy burned, and the winds cut at his flesh, yet it was oddly invigorating. With each wave, his body grew stronger, more resilient, more attuned to the universe itself.
Time became irrelevant as the transformation continued. The pain of the process gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of renewal. When the storm of energy finally ebbed, Travis felt the power within him settle into his bones, his muscles, and his very soul. His body hummed with vitality, resonating with a strength he had never before imagined.
His skin glowed faintly, a soft celestial light that seemed to radiate from within. His muscles were firmer, more defined, his eyes now carrying an unnatural silver gleam, filled with the wisdom of the ages. Even his presence had changed—no longer just a mortal man, Travis felt as though he were on the cusp of becoming something more. A Dragon among men.
"Now for the rewards," he thought, his gaze scanning the grand palace that surrounded him. The walls seemed to hum with ancient energy, and the air itself crackled with untapped power. He had expected to find some of the resources Lionheart had mentioned—materials that could further enhance his cultivation. But when he searched, he found nothing.
He assumed the resources must be on the upper floor but found no entrance when he searched for the entrance to them.
"Palace spirit, could you please guide me to the next floor?" he called out, hoping for a response.
"Master may only access higher floors upon reaching the required cultivation stages," the palace spirit informed him in its calm, ethereal voice.
A brief flicker of disappointment passed through him, but he quickly brushed it aside. There was time for that later. He had a greater goal in mind: the upcoming recruitment trials. His mind turned to the Rising Dragon Academy, where his destiny awaited.
With a focused thought, Travis commanded the palace to shrink, its weightless presence settling in his sea of consciousness. It was a strange comfort, knowing that the palace, filled with untold secrets and treasures, would always be there for him when the time was right.
Three days gone. One day left.
In a sudden rush, panic set in. He only had one day left before the recruitment period ended, and there was no time to waste. Without hesitation, he activated the teleportation array within the palace, directing it to take him to the Mystical Forest, just outside the academy grounds.
In the blink of an eye, Travis was back in the world he had known so well. The towering, ancient trees of the forest stretched above him, their deep, rich colors alive with mystical energy. He could feel the pulse of the forest as if it were alive—ancient and powerful. Yet, there was no time to bask in its beauty. The academy was within reach, and he had an appointment with destiny.
With the power of his enhanced body, Travis moved with speed and grace, his steps quickening as he approached the gates of Battle Dragon Peak. The grand arena loomed ahead, the very heart of the academy's recruitment trials, where thousands of students gathered to be tested. A sea of eager faces greeted him as he stepped onto the grounds, each student eager to prove their worth and find a place among the prestigious mountains.
Travis was no different, but he felt an odd sense of detachment, as if he were watching the scene from a distance. He had already changed in ways that no one here could comprehend. No mere test of mana affinity or combat prowess would define him.
The buzz of conversation filled the air as students discussed which mountain they hoped to join, which resources they sought to obtain, and which mentors they wished to train under. Travis blended into the crowd, but his presence did not go unnoticed. His silver eyes gleamed with quiet power, his posture exuding a confidence that no one could miss.
Within moments, a group of girls—charmed by his striking appearance and quiet aura—gathered around him. His raven-black hair framed his sharp features, and his gaze carried the depth of someone who had seen the world's true face. They could sense the change in him—his cultivation had refined him to perfection, and it was a magnet for attention.
His charm was effortless as he engaged with them, weaving stories that captivated their imaginations. His charisma was undeniable, and before long, they were all eagerly exchanging Ascension IDs with him, hoping to keep in touch after the event. The scene did not go unnoticed by the other students, many of whom watched with a mix of envy and awe.
Before long, the atmosphere shifted as a figure stepped onto the stage.
Daoist Rufus, a middle-aged man in flowing green robes, commanded the attention of the arena with a single gesture. His voice was deep and authoritative as he introduced the recruitment process, his words cutting through the noise.
"Greetings, disciples. I am Daoist Rufus, an elder of Rising Dragon Mountain. Today, you will be tested on your Ascension Spirit Root, your combat prowess, and most importantly, your ability to prove your worthiness to the mountain that will guide you."
The arena grew silent, all eyes on the stage as five envoys from the prestigious mountains took their place behind him. Among them was a striking woman dressed in golden robes—the representative from Hidden Dragon Mountain—her presence commanding the attention of every soul present.
"The first test will assess your ascension spirit root. Only those who demonstrate a fourth-grade root or higher will be allowed to proceed to the next phase," Daoist Rufus continued. The air was thick with anticipation.
One by one, students stepped forward, placing their hands on the crystal that measured their ascension spirit root. The results were quick and decisive:
A burly youth with thick arms tested as Grade 4—Pass.
A petite girl with delicate features tested as Grade 2—Fail.
Ebas, the prodigy with fox-like eyes, tested as Grade 7—Pass.
The trials continued for hours, and the tension in the air grew heavier with each passing moment. The pressure mounted, and only those with exceptional affinities could make it to the next stage.
Finally, it was Travis's turn.
The crowd parted as if they sensed the arrival of something—someone—special. He stepped forward, his gaze unwavering as the crystal glowed in response to his presence. His raven-black hair and silver eyes shimmered like a star in the night sky, and a quiet, commanding aura emanated from him.
The moment his hand touched the crystal, a blinding light erupted, flooding the arena in a wave of raw, unfiltered qi. The air itself seemed to hum with power as the crystal absorbed his essence.
The crowd fell silent.
Whispers spread like wildfire. The envoys, including the golden-robed woman from Hidden Dragon Mountain, watched with a mix of curiosity and surprise. Her fingers tightened on the armrest, her gaze never leaving Travis.