Me and Torren packed up camp, our meridian gates dilated from our recent cultivation session, our beast crystals reaching new tiers. I could feel the storm claw raptor foundation strengthening within me, edging closer to tier two! My lightning-laced ember coil scales crackled, my Blazing Tempest Strike and Hidden Dragon Palm refined by the spar and the vital core enhancer's boost.
Torren's gray-blue Storm fang fur bristled, his storm claw barrage sharper, his senses catching every whisper of the wind. Our warding essence elixirs shielded us from the regions qi-sapping pollen, but Kael's shadow loomed, his core-hunting malice a constant threat. With 480 iron coins, I was poised to grow stronger, but the canyons had more to offer. As we trekked deeper into the ravine, a low hum vibrated through the earth, not the dragon's roar but something older.
My heightened senses tasted a sharp, electric tang, while Torren's yellows eyes flashed, his storm fang hearing catching a rhythmic pulse. A hidden crevice in the cliff wall revealed a massive stone arch, etched with storm-like runes that glowed with lightning essence. It was an entrance to the Temple of Storm, a place whispered about in Dusk Banes guilds, a relic from a sovereign beast lord's reign, steeped in storm and tempest essence.
"We've found the Temple of Storms location!" I said, my scales flaring. Torren grinned, fangs flashing. "A dungeon. Let's test our bonds." We stepped inside, the air heavy with foreboding. The temple's halls were vast, their stone floors trembling with seismic pulses, walls lined with electrified rune traps that sparked erratically.
I double jumped over a glowing trap, while Torren's speed dodged a bolt of lightning. Collapsing stone ceiling tiles forced us to move as a unit, my Hidden Dragon Palm blasting debris aside, Torren's senses catching the rumble of shifting floors. The continent's essence was alive here, pushing back with every step, but our Warding Elixirs kept our qi flow protected.
We progressed along dodging glyph traps.
Deep within, we reached a cavernous chamber, its center dominated by the temple Golem—a towering construct of jagged stone and lightning-infused crystal! Its eyes glowed, and a seismic slam shook the chamber, forcing me and Torren to scatter. I spun into a Blazing Tempest Strike, my fiery vortex laced with lightning, striking the golem's ribs. The blow chipped stone but barely dented its bulk. Torren's storm claw barrage unleashed a flurry of icy claw strikes, targeting the enchanted core, but a lightning blast from the golem forced him back, singeing his fur.
"We need to hit the core together!" I shouted, dodging a swatting palm with an air dash. Torren's senses caught the golem's rhythm, nodding. We synchronized—I leapt with a double jump, unleashing a Hidden Dragon Palm to stagger the golem, while Torren's Barrage slashed at the core's cracks.
The golem roared, its lightning blasts intensifying, but our combined assault weakened the fragment. My final Blazing Tempest fist, charged with lightning-laced qi, met Torren's Barrage, shattering the core!
The golem collapsed breaking apart within were three treasure chests! the chamber stilled. We dug out the treasure chests from the rubble of the golem's crystal guts. Inside the first chest was a tome titled Tempest Harmony Stance, its pages glowing with storm and fire runes, it taught a stance to merge qi for a combined attack. In the second chest were a quantity of thunder fruits, the fruits glowed with qi energy, promising enhanced qi recovery and a temporary elemental boost.
In the third chest were two spirit bracelets, etched with an array creature, that opened a small spiritual dimension for storing items or weapons.
I equipped the spirit bracelet letting my intent flow into it I stored my tomes, fruits and Jawbreaker Beast Hammer, as well as my Yew bow and bone arrows. I had virtually no weight limit now. The battle plus the temple's essence, pushed my meridian gates to a new breakthrough. I could feel my meridians enlarge and my qi puddle doubled in size!
In a shadowed gorge, Kael wiped blood from his curved blade, standing over a fallen cultivator, his newly bonded crystal stolen.
The cultivators' cries had faded, his crystal feeding Kael's swift viper bond. "Another step," Kael muttered. His ambition burned—to forge a Sovereign-class bond, to surpass Seung Lee's rejection. Ash and Torren's cores were next, their defiance in the clearing a challenge he'd crush. He vanished into the night, his trail leading toward the ravine where he had tasted their qi signatures last location.
The Temple of the Storm thrummed with storm essence, its rune-etched walls crackling with residual lightning from the shattered Storm Golem. Me and Torren stood amidst the rubble, our new rewards—the Tempest Harmony Stance tome, a good quantity of thunder fruits, and two spirit compression storage bracelets.
My lightning-laced ember coil scales glowed faintly, my newly enlarged qi puddle pulsing from the vital core enhancer and my meridian gates breathrough. We would cultivate here, mastering the Tempest Harmony Stance to counter the mercenary's deadly speed. We settled on the chamber's stone floor, the Tempest Harmony Stance tome open between us, its pages glowing with storm sigils. The technique promised a cooperative attack, syncing my fire-wind-lightning qi with Torren's storm ice qi for a devastating combined strike.
I swallowed a slice of thunder fruit, its crackling petals bursting with electric sweetness on my tongue, amplifying my qi recovery and boosting my elemental attacks. Torren ate his, his fur glowing brighter, pale moon energy surging. The fruit's power extended our cultivation time, our Warding Essence Elixirs shielding us from the pollen sapping qi. Together, we studied the tome's diagrams, which depicted two figures moving in unison—one spinning with fiery wind, the other slashing with stormy claws—merging into a single vortex of elemental force.
I channeled my Sacred Breath technique, my lightning-laced scales sparking as I practiced the stance's flowing steps, my qi weaving fire and wind. Torren's storm fang senses guided his movements, his claws tracing rapid arcs, icy energy syncing with my rhythm. Hours passed, the temple's essence amplifying our mental energy.
I spun into a Blazing Tempest Strike, my vortex now infused with the stance's harmony, while Torren's storm claw barrage wove seamlessly into it, our qi blending into a crackling, fiery ice storm! We practiced in tandem, our movements mirroring the tome's instructions. My double jump launched me into a spinning strike, lightning and wind spiraling, while Torren's speed countered with claw slashes, icy energy merging with the vortex.
The chamber shook, stone dust falling as our combined strike carved a deep gash in the wall, its force surpassing our individual attacks—nearing 800 kilograms of elemental power. "We've got it," I said, panting, my scales blazing. Torren grinned, fangs flashing. "Kael won't know what hit him."
As we each caught our breath, a cold laugh echoed through the chamber.
Kael emerged from the shadows, his dark leathers stained with blood, his curved blade glinting with Intent-infused runes.
His swift viper bond pulsed, venomous qi radiating, his eyes locked on our glowing level three crystals. "Two more crystal cores for my collection," he sneered. The temple's essence trembled, as if warning of the fight to come.
Me and Torren exchanged a quick look and a nod, a silent vow. then we assumed the Tempest Harmony Stance! ' 'Come and eat feet!' ' I shouted. I spun, my Blazing Tempest Strike unleashing a fiery vortex laced with lightning, while Torren's storm claw barrage added icy claws, our qi merging into a roaring storm.
Kael dodged with unnatural speed, his blade slashing, but the stance's synergy overwhelmed him. The connected! lightning shocks and frost currents slowed his muscles, slowing his strikes. Torren's senses caught Kael's heartbeat, predicting his next move I used Hidden Dragon Palm blasting wind to stagger him further. Kael snarled, his Viper chi surging, unleashing a venomous wave that stung the lungs and skin, but our warding essence elixirs held, our qi steady.
The temple's essence amplified our attacks, and we pressed forward, I used double jump chaining into another Tempest Harmony Strike, Torren's claws slashing in perfect sync. The combined force sent Kael flying, slamming him into a far wall, his blade clattering to the floor. Blood trickled from his nose and mouth, but he smirked, vanishing into a side passage with a burst of venomous speed. "This isn't over," his voice echoed back to us.
Me and Torren stood, panting, the battle pushing our beast crystals to the next tier. The thunder fruits had fueled our mastery, and the Tempest Harmony Stance had proven its worth. Kael was wounded but alive, his threat greater than ever. The Iron spike Canyons faded into the distance as me and Torren trekked back toward the Iron fang Clan's stronghold, our steps swift on the dusty trails of the Beast Vein Continent.
The Temple of the Storm had forged our Tempest Harmony Stance, its cooperative fire-and-ice strike proving its worth against Kael's venomous techniques.
My lightning-laced Ember coil scales crackled faintly, my chi thrumming from the Thunderpeal Fruit and Vital Core Enhancer, my Blazing Tempest Strike and Hidden Dragon Palm sharper than ever.
It took us sixteen hours of travel, but finally the clan's stronghold loomed ahead, a fortress of black stone carved into a jagged cliff wall, its gates flanked by statues of snarling wolves.
My pouch held 480 iron coins, my pack now empty. My tomes and essentials now stored in the spirit bracelet. The air tasted of oil and steel, my ember coil senses catching the towns forges. Torren's enhanced hearing picked up the clamor of the student training grounds—clashing weapons, shouted commands. "Something's up," Torren muttered, his fangs flashing. We passed through the gates, my scales and Torrens fur drawing glances from female clan warriors.
Inside, we found master Korren in the council hall his eyes sharp as he studied us. "Ash, Torren! It's been awhile! you have grown strong!" he greeted us, voice like gravel.
"You've grown stronger, but you bring trouble." I stepped forward, my scales sparking, "Kael, a failed initiate, is hunting bonded cultivators for their cores. He's bonded with a swift viper, fast and ruthless. We fought him in the temple of Storm, he's wounded but still out there." Torren nodded, his fur bristling. "He's stealing cores for a forbidden evolution. We barely escaped."
Korren's face darkened, his qi flaring. "Kael was banished for his cruelty, we'll inform the nearby clans of this matter, but the continent is vast." He paused, eyeing our glowing bonds.
"You return at a pivotal moment. The Iron fang Clan is hosting an inner clan tournament to assess our top fighters, to see who is worthy of the 1000 clan gathering.
In 6 months, 1000 clans will gather at Beast Vein Central. Our top fighter from our tournament will represent us." My heart raced, my ember coil qi surging. Torren's yellow eyes gleamed, his claws twitching. "A tournament?" Torren asked, grinning. "What's the catch?" Korren's gaze hardened. "Martial arts only, no weapons, to test your bonds and techniques. The winners gain cultivation resources—elixirs, rare plants—and a chance to enter a legendary inheritance.
Master Korren gave me a more in-depth appraisal; "Ash you have progressed to first step martial learner, your determination could set you apart." The hall buzzed with warriors preparing for the tournament, their bonds—wolves, serpents, harpy eagles—flaring with qi. I and Torren exchanged a look, our recent spar in the canyons fresh in our minds. They would face seasoned fighters.
Kael's threat lingered, but this was a chance to grow, to earn resources, and to prepare for the inter-clan stage. "I'm in," I said, my scales crackling.
Torren nodded, his fur glowing. "Me too, I'll show the clan what storm fang power can do." We found a training yard, its stone ring etched with claw marks and sparred. The Iron fang Clan watched, the tournament's stakes high, and the Beast Vein Continent pulsed with anticipation.
The Iron fang Clan's stronghold buzzed with anticipation, its black stone walls reverberating with the clamor of warriors and the pulse of the Beast Vein Continent.
I and Torren navigated the crowded training yards, our qi thrumming from our recent cultivation in the Temple of Storm. My lightning-laced Ember coil scales crackled faintly, my Blazing Tempest Strike and Hidden Dragon Palm refined. I was ready to show out at the inner clan tournament.
The tournament was a chance to prove our clan worth, earn resources, and receive an invitation to the 1000 clan gathering.
I and Torren headed to the tournament boards, a massive stone slab near the central arena, etched with glowing runes listing match schedules. Warriors crowded around, their bonds—wolves, serpents, drakes—flaring with qi. I scanned the board, but my name—Ash Ember coil and Torren Storm fang—were absent from the first round.
"Not up yet," I said, my scales sparking. Torren grinned, fangs flashing. "Good. Gives us time to scout the competition." We made our way to the arena's stands, a tiered structure of carved stone overlooking a circular pit scarred with claw marks and scorch patterns. The crowd roared as the first inner clan match began, pitting two half step martial learners against one another.
On one side stood Lira, a lean warrior with a razor wing hawk bond, her arms shimmering with feathers that gleamed with wind qi. Her opponent, Gavern, was a hulking figure who bonded with a rock ram, his fists radiating earth essence. The rules were clear: martial arts only, no weapons, to test their bonds and techniques. The match opened with Lira's speed, her Gale Talon Strike unleashing a flurry of wind-laced kicks, her feathers slicing the air.
Gavern absorbed the blows, his defense foundation unmoved, and countered with a Quake Fist Flurry, his punches sending tremors through the pit. I leaned forward, my ember coil senses analyzing Lira's agility, reminiscent of my own mobility technique. "She's fast, like you" I whispered to Torren.
Torren's yellow eyes narrowed, catching the rhythm of Gavern's strikes. "He hits hard, but slow. I can outmaneuver him." Lira dodged a seismic slam, using a double jump to launch a Sky Rend Palm, a wind blast that cracked Gavern's earthy plates. Gavern roared, his qi surging, and unleashed a Tectonic Charge, a ground-shaking stomp that staggered Lira.
The crowd cheered, the arena trembling with the continent's pulse. My scales crackled, my mind racing, "Lira's wind could counter my Blazing Tempest Strike, but Gavern's durability would test my offensive foundation." Torren nodded, his claws twitching. "I would need to fight perfectly to beat either."
The match ended with Lira's victory, her final Gale Talon Strike shattering Gavern's defenses, though both earned respect. I and Torren exchanged a look, our qi thrumming with anticipation. Their matches would come soon, and the top fighter would represent the Iron fang Clan at the 1000 clan tournament.
The Iron fang Clan's arena thrummed with the pulse of the Beast Vein Continent; its stone stands packed with warriors roaring as the inner clan tournament unfolded. I and Torren stood near the tournament boards, the glowing runes listing matches for the competition to select the top four fighters for the interclan tournament in three months.
The next match pitted Soren, a wiry warrior with a shadow claw panther bond, against Myra, a fierce fighter bonded with a flame crest Salamander. Soren's movements were a blur, his nightshade claw technique slashing with dark, agile strikes, his panther-like speed dodging Myra's salamander bursts, a fiery blast that scorched the arena floor. I leaned forward, my ember coil senses tasting the heat, noting Soren's shadow claw panther agility rivaled Torren's storm fang speed.
"He's fast, but predictable," Torren whispered, his enhanced hearing catching Soren's panting. Sorens durability won out, his shadow panther agility dealing blows, his final burst of martial fury knocked Myra out of the ring. The following match featured Joren, a broad-shouldered cultivator with an Iron spike rhino bond, against Veyra, a lithe warrior bonded with a mist veil cobra. Joren's frag fist sent tremors through the pit, but Veyra's serpent veil dance wove through his attacks, her misty strikes disorienting him.
My scales shifted, analyzing Veyra's technique. "Her beast bond is like my ember coil but based in deception," I said. Torren nodded, his yellow eyes tracking Veyra's fluid motions. "She's slippery and tricky. you would need high mobility and Intent to counter her."
Veyra won, her serpent veil dance and deceptive technique gaining her the advantage. As the crowd roared, the elder's voice boomed: "Ashriel Cross, to the arena!" my heart raced, my qi surging. My opponent was Rykar, a lean cultivator with a blaze sting scorpion bond, he stepped forward, his arms shimmering with chitinous plates, his fingers tipped with venomous barbs.
Rykar's eyes gleamed, his venom lash strike ready to test my skills. Torren clapped my shoulder as I passed him, his fangs flashing in a rare grin. "Burn bright, Ash." I nodded once. My ember coil scales flared with lightning as I descended into the pit—energy crackling along my limbs, qi coiling like a storm held just beneath the surface.
Across from me, Rykar emerged. Lean. Sharp. Dangerous.
A cultivator with a blaze sting Scorpion bond. His arms shimmered with chitinous armor, segmented and glinting under the arena lights. Barbed fingers twitched, venom gleaming.
"Let's see if lightening can outrun poison," he sneered. "I've already outran you," I replied, planting my feet.
The gong struck.
Rykar lunged—faster than expected—his venom lash strike cutting through the air in tight, precise arcs, each blow laced with venomous qi.
I reacted instantly— circulating sacred breath and tapping my mobility technique, I cloud stepped out of reach. The falling feather sigil flared beneath my heels, guiding my trajectory. I double jumped and mid-air I turned sending out a Hidden Dragon Palm!
FWOP!
A focused blast of wind, crackling with lightning, slammed into Rykar's chest. He staggered, boots skidding, but recovered fast. The scorpion bond glowed brighter as he launched a Venom lash Barrage—a dizzying flurry of barbed strikes aimed at every angle.
One caught my shoulder—just a graze—but the venom stung deep. The warding essence elixir still in my system activated, neutralizing the poison instantly. My sacred breath technique steadied my flow. "Nice sting," I said through grit teeth. "But you're not the only one with bite."
I spun low, qi flaring—' ' Blazing tempest strike! ' '
Fire and lightning fused into a vortex that hammered into his chest, cracking his chitin plates and sending him sprawling. The crowd gasped as dust lifted.
But Rykar rose—barely—wounded but not done. His final Venom lash Strike cut across my ribs, venom dripping. I winced, but the elixir held.
I leapt again—double-jump chaining into a second blazing tempest strike, this one loaded heavy with wind and fire qi, the momentum absolute. The vortex crashed into Rykar. His defenses buckled. He dropped. Hard.
Silence.
Then—
The crowd erupted.
I stood tall, my breath heavy, scales sparking, beast crystal pulsing with fresh progress. Above the pit, Torren stood with arms crossed, his fur glowing faintly, pride in his eyes.