The training field buzzed with anticipation. Dust swirled lightly under the morning sun as the six young spirit bonders faced each other. On one side, Lan Zhen and Gu Naer stood together, their bond energy resonating faintly between them like a pulse, a rhythm only they could feel. Across from them, Lei Wei, Yu Xiatao, Shi Feng, and Bing Xueer spread out in formation, their combined aura pressing heavily over the field. Long Yi's gaze swept over them, her voice carrying across the grounds like a bell. "Battle begin!"
The words were barely spoken before the ground trembled under rushing footsteps. Shi Feng barreled forward, his muscles bulging with bestial strength, and Lei Wei dashed beside him, electricity sparking across his arms. With synchronized timing, they struck at Zhen. Lei Wei roared, unleashing his Thunder Dragon Claw, arcs of lightning dancing in the air. Shi Feng's voice boomed like a beast as his Terror Bear Claw swiped with crushing force. Their dual assault collided with a sudden blast of energy.
The shockwave rippled outward, forcing dust to spiral up. When the haze cleared, both Wei and Feng froze in disbelief. Their attacks had been stopped—blocked cleanly. Zhen's arms had transformed into enormous, dark reddish dragon claws, gleaming ominously in the light. The raw pressure of his power made their feet grind against the earth as they struggled to hold their ground. "Impossible…!" Wei muttered. Feng's eyes narrowed, sweat trickling down his forehead. This wasn't the same Zhen they thought they could overwhelm.
At the same time, Gu Naer faced her opponents head-on. Bing Xueer raised her hand, summoning a thick Frost Shield that glittered like ice crystal, while Yu Xiatao's Thunder Phoenix Wings blazed to life, crackling feathers of lightning spreading wide as she charged. Naer clenched her fists, her energy erupting outward. Twin flames of frost and fire erupted behind her as Ice-Fire Phoenix Wings unfurled, majestic and radiant. The air shimmered as she beat her wings, clashing against their combined force.
The collision shook the sky. Frost shards, sparks, and flame embers rained down as Naer and Xiatao rose higher, wings slashing and colliding midair. The clash was relentless—every strike of their wings burst into explosions of elemental force. The sound was deafening, like storms ripping through clouds. Xiatao gritted her teeth. "You won't last against me, Naer!" she shouted. Naer's eyes blazed, her voice calm yet resolute. "I'll fight as long as it takes!" The sheer force of their strikes finally knocked both girls downward, landing roughly on the ground.
On the earth below, Zhen's clash intensified. His Dark Dragon Claws gleamed as they crashed again and again against Wei's Thunder Dragon Claw and Feng's Terror Bear Claw. Sparks and bursts of energy flared each time their claws met. But no matter how hard they pushed, Wei and Feng's power faltered under Zhen's relentless pressure. Finally, with a surge of dark energy, Zhen thrust them both back, forcing their feet to drag long trenches in the soil.
From the sidelines, Long Yi folded her arms, her sharp eyes following every detail. Her lips curved faintly. They're outnumbered two to one, and their bond levels are lower, yet they're still pushing back with sheer will. Excellent. She exhaled softly, her mind lingering on Zhen. He doesn't even realize it yet. Not only darkness… but light. This boy carries the dual essence of pure darkness and pure light.
Time dragged as the clash wore on. Zhen's breath came heavier, sweat dripping along his jaw. Naer stumbled slightly as her wings trembled, fatigue seeping in. The four opponents, still outnumbering them, grinned as they sensed weakness. Xiatao sneered. "You two are reaching your limit."
But in the very next heartbeat, everything changed.
An immense surge of energy burst from both Zhen and Naer. Their bodies flared with radiant power, bond energy blazing like twin beacons. Zhen roared as his power ascended, his aura shaking the battlefield. In that instant, he broke through to Rank 16. Beside him, Naer's aura soared in tandem, her wings igniting brighter as she advanced to Rank 15. The air itself vibrated from their breakthroughs.
Their enemies halted, stunned. "They… they broke through during battle?!" Xueer gasped. Even Wei and Feng, still catching their breath, stared with wide eyes. Despite the exhaustion moments earlier, Zhen and Naer now stood reinvigorated, their energies roaring as though they had just begun to fight.
The tide turned instantly. Zhen's claws crashed forward, his strikes like hammers, sending Wei staggering and forcing Feng to his knees. Naer's dual wings whipped out, the flames of frost and fire entwining as she blasted through Xiatao's thunder and shattered Queer's frost shield. The battle became one-sided. The four fought desperately, but their strength waned quickly. Within minutes, they collapsed, unable to rise, gasping for air. Zhen and Naer, though tired, still stood firm.
Long Yi lifted her hand and declared clearly, "In this battle, Zhen and Naer have won."
Naer's chest rose and fell, her eyes sparkling with joy. Without hesitation, she rushed forward and threw her arms around Zhen. "We won, Zhen! Together… I'm so happy!" Her voice trembled with excitement. Zhen's smile was genuine as he wrapped his arms around her, the fatigue momentarily forgotten. "Yes, Naer. I'm also very happy."
On the ground, Shi Feng groaned loudly. "Can you stop being so lovey-dovey? At least help us up, already!" His grumbling earned tired laughter from the others. Zhen and Naer's faces flushed red instantly. Embarrassed, they quickly let go of each other and hurried over to lend their friends a hand.
As the group regrouped, Long Yi stepped forward, her expression calm yet approving. "Very good, Zhen and Naer. Both of you not only held your ground against stronger numbers, but you even managed to rank up." She nodded toward each of them. "Zhen has reached Rank 16, and Naer Rank 15."
The others, despite their exhaustion, smiled proudly and nodded together. "Yes!" they echoed, voices carrying a rare sense of unity.
Then Long Yi's gaze settled back on Zhen. Her tone shifted, more serious. "Zhen, come here to me."
Zhen blinked, puzzled, but obeyed. He stepped forward and asked softly, "What is it, teacher?"
Long Yi raised a hand and placed it gently on his shoulder. "Don't move. Just stand straight. I need to confirm something."
Zhen, though uncertain, gave a small nod. Long Yi closed her eyes, her consciousness diving deep into his bond sea.
What she witnessed left her stunned. A giant dark reddish dragon loomed first, its wings spread wide, its presence fierce and terrifying. Its roar reverberated through the sea, echoing with pure darkness. But when her gaze shifted, she froze. Opposite it was another colossal figure—a dragon of dazzling light, its scales shimmering with brilliance, wings radiant enough to illuminate the entire bond sea. Its aura radiated purity, balance, and overwhelming majesty.
Long Yi's heart skipped. So it is true… this child holds both the purest light and the purest darkness. Such a bond… unheard of.
Slowly, she withdrew from his bond sea and opened her eyes. Zhen looked at her nervously. "Teacher, is something wrong with me?"
For a brief moment, Long Yi simply studied him, her expression unreadable. Then, with a gentle smile, she shook her head. "No, Zhen. There is nothing wrong with you." She straightened, her voice calm yet firm. "That will be all for today's training. Go back to your dorms and rest."
The students, still buzzing from the battle and breakthroughs, nodded eagerly. They began their walk back together, talking quietly, spirits lifted despite their fatigue. None of them realized that the events of this day had only just begun to reveal the destiny awaiting Lan Zhen—the boy who carried within him the dual dragons of light and darkness.