The first light of dawn spilled across the courtyard, gilding the stone tiles with a faint golden hue. Standing barefoot upon the cool earth, Li Wei adjusted his stance, his breath steady, his fists firm. The faint fragrance of jasmine drifted on the morning breeze, carried from the gardens beyond the wall. He inhaled deeply, drawing not only air into his lungs but also the ambient qi between Heaven and Earth.
Each motion of his practice flowed like a river, steady and unyielding. To Li Wei, this was not merely training—it was a vow, an expression of his unwavering resolve.
Orphaned at a young age, his life had begun in obscurity. Within the academy's walls, whispers often circled about his origins, yet no one could deny the truth before their eyes: Li Wei had risen above his peers, grasping the position of foremost among the students. The academy was no mere school; it was the crucible from which the kingdom of Xianglong's future cultivators and warriors were forged.
Xianglong itself was but a single realm beneath the vast shadow of the Tianlong Sect. That sect's dominion stretched across kingdoms and empires throughout the northern continent, its disciples regarded as Heaven's chosen. The names of Tianlong's immortals echoed like thunder in taverns and marketplaces alike—men and women who had shattered their mortal shackles and strode among the stars with lifespans measured in centuries.
Often, Li Wei had listened to these tales, his heart stirring with longing. Would his name, too, one day be etched among those legends?
"Li Wei!"
A familiar voice rang out, bright and playful. Mei, his childhood companion, bounded across the courtyard, her laughter as clear as silver chimes. "If you keep glaring at the air like that, you'll scare all the sparrows away."
His lips curved into a faint smile, though his fists did not lower. "Just the usual morning practice. The principal's announcement today… it may decide everything."
Mei's eyes sparkled, her voice dropping to a low whisper. "You mean the selection? For the Tianlong Sect? Do you truly think you'll be chosen?"
"Why shouldn't I?" Li Wei's tone was calm, but his gaze sharpened. "I have trained for this moment."
The upcoming tournament was no trivial matter. It would gather the brightest youths from every academy under the kingdom's banner, even the royal scions themselves. Though Li Wei held the title of foremost student within these walls, he knew well that beyond the academy, countless prodigies awaited—disciples blessed with resources, bloodlines, and backing he had never possessed.
The bell tolled, deep and resonant, echoing across the campus. A voice, steady and authoritative, rolled through the air:
"All students, assemble at the central plaza."
Mei seized his arm, grinning. "Come on!"
The two joined the flowing tide of students, the academy alive with energy. Some whispered strategies under their breath, others flaunted techniques, hoping to impress their rivals even before the tournament began. Towering walls loomed above, etched with ancient carvings of beasts and guardians, silent reminders of the weight of tradition that pressed upon every disciple.
The central plaza spread wide beneath the morning sun. Upon the platform stood the principal—an austere man whose eyes carried the depth of mountains and rivers. When his gaze swept the crowd, it lingered for but a heartbeat upon Li Wei. That moment of recognition sent a quiet shiver through Li Wei's heart.
"Students," the principal's voice rang like a great bronze bell, steady and unyielding. "Today marks the beginning of a path. The Tianlong Sect has decreed a selection tournament in the capital. Our academy will not be absent. I expect our foremost disciples to uphold our honor."
A wave of excitement surged through the crowd. Voices rose in hurried whispers, some filled with eagerness, others with dread. Already, old rivalries flickered to life in narrowed eyes and clenched jaws.
Mei leaned closer, her earlier mirth tempered by concern. "Li Wei… are you ready?"
"I have no choice but to be." His words were quiet, but his gaze held steel.
Li Wei's cultivation had already reached the middle stage of Qi Refinement, a level that placed him far above the common rabble. Yet he knew too well the path of cultivation: Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core… each stage a towering wall, each requiring talent, resources, and perseverance. The academy's meager offerings were no longer enough to sustain his pace.
The Tianlong Sect—yes, that was the only path forward.
"The Tianlong Sect," Li Wei murmured to himself, tasting the weight of the words. "The heavens have opened a gate. I must step through."
As the students dispersed, the plaza hummed with fervor. Some spoke of glory, others of fear. Li Wei, however, felt only the burning of his own determination.
The sun now hung high, spilling golden radiance across the tiles. In its warmth, Li Wei clenched his fists. He would no longer be merely an orphan hidden in the shadows. He was Li Wei, a cultivator of the academy. And from this day forth, he would carve his path—one that led beyond mortality itself.