(MEMORY LOSS RIVER, SOUTH OF THE FOURTH HEAVEN)
''Many of you immortal brats think ascension is easy—something you can sleep on and laugh about!'' Immortal Red Dragon Master Chang Yi walked before the assembly of Blue dragons on the dry, rocky grounds of the Memory Loss River. The crystallized and stagnant clear pools of water above rippled at the authority in his voice as he observed each of his students. His dark brown and aged eyes narrowed at each one of their long faces, fearing that at this rate, none of them would be strong enough to ascend to Red dragon status even after a thousand more years of training in this place. He feared disappointing the dragon Kings again because of his unpromising students.
He paused before them, bringing his hands behind him as he stood. His long, dark-red hair was tied high with golden pins, two stray strands framing his aged face.
No one dared breathe too loudly because he might find fault in how they breathed and make them believe once again it was the reason they were lacking in training.
''Though some of you still bother to keep up with your trainings and even show up, a few arrogant ones among you think you have found the best way to ascend without my training here and don't show up at all.''
A few Blue dragons stared down in shame and swallowed hard.
''Useless!''
They flinched.
''Pathetic, uncultured brats! Do you really want to remain an insignificant Blue dragon all your immortal lives?!''
The air around them thickened, and everyone held their breath.
''If that is the case, I advise you all to return to your miserable past lives as those worthless mortals and go through death again, since none of you is ready to let go and evolve.''
A few Blue dragons bit down on their lips as they watched the immortal master step aside, his hands stroking his long, red beard as he gazed hard at the solid rock formation before them.
''You will each take turns levitating that rock with your immortal power.''
Everyone stiffened and parted their lips in shock at the impossible test. He had only gone through the levitation technique with them just yesterday, and he was already eager to test them on it.
''I know some ridiculous clowns among you won't be able to lift it from the ground an inch. So I dare any of you to make me laugh, and you will be dismissed from training for the whole year.''
Everyone's hearts started to race as they stared at one another, wondering who was going to go first. The immortal master kept stroking his beard, waiting to see who was courageous enough.
The courageous one turned out to be a female Blue dragon named Lan Meiyun. One of the less terrible students that everyone looked to for a quick ascension to a Red dragon status. She stepped forward and bowed before the immortal master, who only rolled his eyes and continued stroking his beard.
Lan Meiyun then positioned herself before the rock formation ten times her size and height, her eyes fixed in determination with a hint of pride.
This should really be easy.
I am the strongest blue dragon here.
I dare not make anyone think otherwise.
She stood legs apart, arms outstretched and brought together—the left palm behind the right palm as her spiritual power came to life. Blue tendrils resonated and flowed through the lengths of her arms like networks of energy, and everyone stood back and watched in awe. Her other companions, Lan Zixuan and Lan Yuitan came forward and smirked with confidence, promising that she wouldn't disappoint.
After activating enough energy, she channeled it to the object by bringing the left palm to rest on top of the right. Everyone's mouths widened as what they all thought was impossible was easily achieved by their best student without breaking a sweat.
Her blue spiritual energy surrounded the huge rock formation, forming a bright blue sphere around it. Lan Meiyun waited patiently until she could feel and bear the weight of the rock formation before trying to lift it off the ground. It took a while until she learned to master balancing the burden of the rock and controlling the energy surrounding it.
The immortal master watched, slightly impressed, as her legs and hands began to tremble, yet she was not ready to give up. Lan Meiyun closed her eyes, took in as much breath as she could, and poured out more of her spiritual energy, letting more flow through her arms than she could control and balance with the burden of the rock.
The Immortal master smiled and shook his head as he observed.
What a foolish student to begin this test with.
Before Lan Meiyun could realize what she was doing, it was already too late. The burden of the rock formation began to crush her. Her powers repelled, throwing both her and the students assembled behind her several feet to the ground. Lan Meiyun turned and spat blood as her hand and body shook nonstop from her failure.
Only the immortal master remained standing, glaring at each one of their faces as they all struggled to help one another to their feet.
Lan Zixuan and Lan Yuitan rushed to help her stand as the immortal master positioned himself before all of them again with a disappointed glare.
''Once again, you have all reminded me why everyone says the Blue dragons are hopeless.''
Lan Meiyun's eyes darkened at the immortal master, bringing the back of her hand to wipe the trail of blood from her mouth.
''Yes, we were all once like you,'' he said after assessing their thoughts. ''But I don't remember myself ever being such a mediocre Blue dragon.''
They all lowered their heads in shame except the trio.
''The problem is, the more an immortal is attached to his previous mortal life, the weaker they become and the harder it is for them to grow stronger. Let go of all worldly attachments and embrace more of immortality, and you will see that I am not the wicked immortal master you all think I am.''
''Stop being so hard on them, Immortal Master Chang Yi.''
Everyone turned toward the sound of the voice. Immortal Master Chang Yi's eyes observed the female red dragon from head to toe in recognition, as did everyone else. Her physique was that of a strong warrior, her full dark red hair tied into a single long braid all the way to her lower back. Her small brown but intelligent eyes complement the warm smile she wore on her full, red lips. The Red dragon seal sat proudly between her eyebrows, and her presence lit up the gloom and torture of the Memory Loss River.
''Immortal Master Yun Xi!'' The students all greeted and Immortal Master Chang Yi hated the hidden smiles that lit up their faces at the sight of her.