The sun had barely crested the horizon when Su Mengtian stood before the gates of Crimson Sky Academy, his cloak fluttering in the breeze, still stained from the frostwinds of the chasm. His return from Frostveil Chasm marked more than just the completion of an expedition—it signified a turning point. News of his feats had already spread throughout the Academy. Whispers of his valor in the depths, the subjugation of beasts, and the mysterious glow of his dormant second bloodline rippled like storm-tossed waves through every corner.
But Mengtian's heart was calm, focused.
He stepped through the towering gates with a purposeful stride. Awaiting him were Grand Instructors, instructors of the specialized divisions, and a crowd of students. A reserved smile played on his lips as he walked past them all, not pausing for fanfare. Instead, his eyes lifted toward the central building where Dean Leng awaited. The headmaster's summons was brief but carried weight. A debriefing—and recognition—was inevitable.
Inside the cold-marble hall, Dean Leng stood alone, arms behind his back, eyes sharp beneath his silver brows. "Su Mengtian," he said. "You return victorious from a place where most perish."
Mengtian bowed with precision. "I return to serve, Dean."
Leng nodded. "You've more than proven yourself in strength and leadership. The council has reviewed your actions at Frostveil Chasm. It's unanimous: you will no longer be treated as a candidate for the Nine Halls. You will begin appointing Hallmasters and formalizing the structure."
Su Mengtian exhaled softly. The Nine Halls—his vision of elite divisions serving his empire-in-the-making—were finally gaining ground. But he wouldn't rush. Each Hallmaster had to be not only powerful, but trustworthy and loyal. For now, the foundation must be laid carefully.
"I will begin immediately," Mengtian said.
Leng's voice softened. "One more thing. Before you begin building your legacy—visit your family. They have waited long."
Mengtian's eyes wavered for the first time.
He started imagining, the journey back to the mountain town of Qinghe, his home. Memories trickled in—his mother's gentle hands, his twin younger brother's and sister's stubborn laugh, and the small courtyard where he had taken his first martial stance as a child. After eighteen years, each breath he took on this soil would carry both familiarity and a painful distance.
How he would reach the humble estate perched on the valley's edge.
How his younger brother and sister, Su Tianlei and Su Lingyue, now fifteen, would burst out with wide eyes. And would ask "Brother! You're really back? We heard rumors—you fought frost serpents and came back unscathed".
Mengtian also smiled at the memory of Yueying, her laughter echoing in his soul....
Back at Crimson Sky Academy, Mengtian wasted no time. His name now carried weight, and many sought his favor. He ignored the sycophants and power-seekers. What he needed were comrades, not followers.
In the following days, he sent encrypted invitations to nine individuals. Each had impressed him in prior trials—either by talent, loyalty, or character. Some came from noble families, others from distant provinces, but all had earned his attention.
He gathered them in the newly constructed Hall Conclave, a circular chamber with runes lining the floor, surrounded by crystal-lit pillars.
"I've brought you here," Mengtian began, "because I do not want pawns. I want Hallmasters—each of you to lead one of the Nine Halls that will shape the next era. But this is no favor. You will earn your positions through blood and loyalty."
From this day forth," Su Mengtian announced, "you are the Hallmasters of the Nine. Your duties are to lead, to train, to safeguard, and to rise with me as the new era begins."
He turned first to a calm young man in black robes, his eyes like polished obsidian.
"Ji Yeyan," Mengtian said. "You have walked the shadows, gathered secrets that saved hundreds. You will lead The Hall of Shadows."
Ji Yeyan bowed deeply. "I accept, Commander. We shall be unseen but ever present."
Next, a proud figure stepped forward, wearing battle-worn armor.
"Rao Lin," said Mengtian. "You stood at Frostveil's breach without flinching. You will lead The Hall of Valor."
"I fight for the frontlines and the fearless," Rao Lin replied.
A woman of firm presence and indomitable aura approached next.
"Inara. Your cultivation never ceased, even in poisoned frost. Your will is iron. Lead The Hall of Ironblood."
"Through sweat and pain, we rise," Inara intoned.
A middle-aged man with a serene presence stepped forward next, surrounded by faint defensive runes.
"Baojin," said Mengtian, "Your formations turned the tides in defense. Your command over shields and wards is unmatched. Lead The Hall of Aegis."
"With defense comes victory," Baojin said with a nod.
Then came a slim youth with crystal chimes around his belt.
"Kai Chan. Your echo illusions confused our enemies, and your auditory arts shifted battles. You shall lead The Hall of Echoes."
Kai bowed with grace. "Every sound a story, every silence a trap."
A young woman with a gentle smile and wyrm-scale gauntlets stepped forward.
"Xiaoyun," Mengtian spoke. "Your command over beasts, especially the Frostfang wyrm, was nothing short of miraculous. You shall lead The Hall of Wyrmcallers."
"I speak the tongue of scales and wings," Xiaoyun replied softly.
A tall girl with wind-dancing robes and storm-blue eyes came next.
"Lan Qiu. The very sky bent to your command. Lead The Hall of Tempests."
"Storms obey the will of the worthy," she replied.
A scholar robed in silk light and illusion glyphs stood next.
"Yue Mei. Your manipulation of light turned ambushes into victories. You shall lead The Hall of Luminous Veil."
"Where light dances, truth is veiled," Yue Mei said with a smile.
Finally, a calm youth with a star-map cloak and eyes like the night sky stepped forward.
"Xuan Le," Mengtian said with pride. "You anticipated enemy moves three steps ahead. You read the stars and led the formations with unmatched precision. You will lead The Hall of Astral Command."
"The stars reveal more than fate. They reveal the battlefield," Xuan Le replied.
And with that, the Nine Halls were born, each Hallmaster kneeling in silent oath, their palms touching the spirit pact that bound them to Mengtian's command.
He gave them their Hall tokens—each embedded with a sigil of power. "You will now oversee recruitment, training, and specialization. But never forget: the moment you put pride above duty, I will strip the sigil myself."
A moment of silence followed, then each knelt with determination.
Late that night, after the Hallmasters were dismissed to begin forming their divisions, Mengtian sat alone under the moonlight at the edge of the academy cliffside. The night was quiet, but his thoughts were not.
He thought of Yueying—still far away in the capital, under the watch of her powerful family. He thought of his parents, who deserved peace after hardship. He thought of the Nine Halls, now breathing life into the future.
And he thought of the awakening yet to come—the Thunder Guardian Dragon bloodline within him, still hidden, still waiting.
But for now, the world didn't need a god.
It needed a builder.
And Su Mengtian had just begun laying the foundation of an empire that would never fall.