The moon hung high above Azure Cloud Mountain, silver light pouring across tiled roofs and shadowed courtyards. The sect was quiet, disciples retreating to their dormitories for cultivation.
Inside his bare stone room, Long Chen sat cross-legged on the meditation mat. His azure robe hung loosely, his breathing steady. On the desk beside him lay a small jade bottle—the meager Qi Condensing Pills granted to every new outer disciple.
He uncorked it, pouring three faintly glowing pills into his palm.
"So this is what they offer disciples… scraps."
Still, his golden eyes flickered as he swallowed one pill whole. The medicinal energy surged through his body, spreading warmth into his meridians.
Ordinary disciples would carefully refine it over hours, slowly absorbing each fragment of energy.
But Long Chen's blood stirred.
A roar echoed within his bones—the Heavenly Devouring Divine Dragon awakened. His dantian shuddered, sucking in the medicinal Qi as if swallowing an ocean.
The pill's power vanished in seconds, devoured utterly. Not a trace was wasted.
Long Chen inhaled deeply. The System chimed softly:
[ Cultivation Progress ]
Realm: Qi Refining (Peak) → Foundation Establishment (Early)
Bloodline Effect: Energy efficiency 300%
Meridian Expansion: +2
His veins pulsed with power. But it wasn't enough.
He crushed the remaining two pills between his fingers and devoured them both. The dragon within roared louder, scales flickering across his arms like a phantom.
The energy poured through him—wild, violent, yet all of it absorbed. His bones crackled faintly, golden light flashing across them.
So this is the hunger of the dragon… endless.
Hours passed. Outside, dawn crept across the horizon.
Suddenly—BOOM!
Long Chen's aura surged like a storm, shaking the dormitory walls. His two roommates bolted upright, faces pale.
"Wh-what kind of monster…?"
His presence pressed down like a mountain. From Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment in a single night—a feat most disciples could never dream of.
The golden phantom of a dragon coiled faintly around his body before fading.
Long Chen exhaled, his breath sharp as a blade.
The System pulsed again:
[ Status Update ]
Realm: Foundation Establishment (Early)
Qi Reserves: Stable
Bloodline Resonance: +10%
Hidden Talent: Devouring Path unlocked (Absorb external energy sources beyond pills).
Long Chen's lips curved faintly. If I can devour pills this easily… what about spirit beasts? Treasures? Even other cultivators?
The thought flickered like fire in his eyes.
When he stepped out of the dormitory, the sect was alive with activity. Disciples trained in groups, some sparring, others meditating in courtyards. The air was filled with the shouts of exertion and the clash of blades.
Whispers followed him immediately.
"That's the one… broke through in a single night…"
"Impossible. He must have stolen something."
"Monster. Dangerous."
Long Chen ignored them, walking toward the training grounds.
Near the weapon racks, Zhang Mu waved eagerly. "Brother Long Chen! You've advanced already? I still struggle to circulate my Qi through all meridians…"
His sister, Zhang Wei, stood quietly beside him, her eyes lingering on Long Chen. She didn't speak, but her gaze seemed… different. Respect? Curiosity? Perhaps more.
Long Chen nodded calmly. "The path is not the same for everyone. Focus on your own pace."
Zhang Mu laughed sheepishly. "Easy for you to say. Still, you give me motivation. I'll catch up!"
Long Chen's gaze softened faintly. Despite his weakness, Zhang Mu carried the kind of determination rarely seen.
Before they could continue, the arrogant youth Long Chen had defeated before appeared again—his face twisted in humiliation still unhealed. A few outer disciples flanked him, clearly his faction.
"So the dog has barked again. Breaking through in one night? Heh, everyone knows it's impossible without stealing treasures. Hand them over, and maybe we'll let you live."
Gasps rose from watching disciples. Conflict within the sect was forbidden during training hours, but such threats were common, hidden under excuses.
Zhang Mu clenched his fists. "Shameless! Brother Long Chen earned it!"
The arrogant disciple sneered. "You? Trash like you should shut up." He raised his hand to strike Zhang Mu—
—but a blade's tip rested against his wrist before he could move.
Long Chen's golden eyes blazed.
"I'll say this once." His voice was calm, yet every word cut like steel. "Raise your hand against those beside me, and you'll lose more than your wrist."
The crowd shuddered. The arrogant youth's face went pale, but hatred burned hotter. "You'll regret this. Wait until missions outside the sect… then no rules will protect you."
He and his faction slunk away, muttering threats.
The System flickered before Long Chen's vision:
[ Quest Triggered ]
First Sect Mission
Objective: Accept an outer disciple mission within 3 days.
Reward: Contribution Points +10, Sect Resources unlocked.
Long Chen glanced at the towering Mission Hall at the mountain's center. His lips curved faintly.
So it begins.