Waking up after his short rest, Leon gazed outside from one of the few windows in his quarters and noticed he slept till the next morning.
'It was a good decision to get some rest considering how long I slept. My body and mind needed to rest in order to recover after all the fighting.'
He then returned to the side of his bed and sat down, satisfied with the newfound energy surging throughout his body after a good rest.
Leon then decided to explore the rest of the rooms in his habitation before finding a closet filled with tight combat related clothes that donned the insignia of a flying blade piercing a dragon, which represented the renowned Shuangdao sect he now belonged to.
Changing out of his battle worn dark clothing and exchanging it for a darker set of the sect uniforms, Leon decided to head out to gain some merit points.
It didn't take long to find the contribution building after asking the young woman back at the reception desk he had met before, and he eventually made his way into the brightly lit building.
Upon walking into the contributions building Leon was amazed by the amount of disciples running about within its halls, moving from wall to wall while touching their tokens to a few mission boards with glowing inscriptions.
'I guess you accept missions through the use of your tokens. I wonder if the missions are ranked?'
Leon glance down at his own token that he retrieved from his pocket as he watched the different disciples accept missions and tasks.
Being unable to decipher which boards contained the missions he would be able to complete among the chaotic atmosphere, Leon decided to head to the counter within the hall to gain some instruction and advice from the elder there.
Noticing Leon approach the counter, the elder looked up from his theoretical cultivation book and let out a sigh.
"What can I help you with disciple?"
Seeing the exhausting attitude of the elder, Leon decided to be very concise and straight to the point in order to avoid angering him.
"I'm actually a newly accepted peak inner disciple and was wondering if senior could give me some advice in which boards I should accept missions from?"
Leon made sure to be very polite and respectful towards the seemingly temperamental elder while ending with a small bow.
"Boards closer to the entrance are of easier natured missions while ones that are farther in the back would be obviously more difficult.
I reckon the missions on that board over there should be around your level. Here's a pamphlet explaining the different mission boards and their assigned ranks."
The elder pointed towards the massive board near the right side of the hall that was red in color and handed Leon a small pamphlet explaining how the mission boards were deciphered based on there color.
"Thank you senior."
Leon responded with a bow while receiving the pamphlet and made his way towards the red mission board that corresponded with his level.
Seeing the vast amount of missions, Leon was satisfied with the options presented to him but a certain mission caught his attention.
Killing escaped disciples of the demonic chains sect|
The mission entailed the capture and annihilation of three demonic sect disciples that had apparently went on a rampage in a nearby suburb.
What caught Leon's attention was the fact that their were demonic sects with demonic martial artists and cultivators within the world.
'I didn't realize there were different branches and factions of evil sects as well.'
He pondered over the fact and shook his head deciding it was still above his current level.
'I should pick something more acceptable for my level so I don't die before even getting my hands on the heavenly sword.'
Leon came to this conclusion before finding another mission that seemed to match his current level more.
Sparring partner for the Jiaolong family's eldest daughter: Inner disciple level wanted|
Leon read more through the contents and details of the mission before he was satisfied.
'This seems more doable for my level and I have a decent amount of experience in fighting anyways. Plus I would get 250 merit points a day for just sparring.'
As Leon read further he noticed the duration of the mission and decided to accept it seeing that it would keep him busy for two weeks.
'If I spar with her every day for those two weeks I could gain 3500 merit points! I should be able to buy a powerful technique or a few decent ones with that amount.'
Deciding he would definitely need those merit points and that the mission seemed possible for his current level and experience, Leon touched his disciple token to the glowing inscription and accepted the mission.
A few days passed and Leon found himself in front of the Jiaolong mansion but in his eyes it was just a luxurious chest filled with his merit points.
Pushing the buzzer at the gate, Leon waited for a few minutes before a calm and refined butler greeted him.
"Ah, you must be Disciple Roan. Please follow me, the master and young miss are waiting."
Roan had been the name Leon registered later at the sect in order to keep his identity a mystery in the event that he managed to steal the heavenly sword and had eventually grown used to the name. Luckily, he was considered a minor character due to his family's removed status, so many would be unable to recognize him, but for further precaution he had used this alibi.
After greeting Leon, the butler gestured for him to follow as he was guided to a luxurious living room located within the massive mansion of the Jiaolong family.
Upon his arrival to the living room, Leon caught a faint aura radiating from there which continued to grow as they approached the master of the Jiaolong family and his daughter.
Leon immediately recognized the head of the family due to his strong aura and looked at the three other people seated in the fancy room.
The woman by the head's side he assumed was his wife while the young boy and girl that seemed to be around his age were their children.
Standing before them Leon bowed alongside the butler and took a seat on a chair located in front of the family at the gesture of the head.
Glancing to the side, Leon couldn't help but be surprised by the beauty of the daughter that gave off a faint icy aura that was weaker yet similar to his own.
Noticing the stare of the boy next to her, she quickly looked over and had to retract her curious gaze after Leon's aura began to overcome her own.
'He's not strong, but not weak... There's something different emanating from him.'
The young miss couldn't help but be even more curious after noticing Leon's mysterious aura and strength.
"Ahem, I am the head of the Jiaolong family and you can just refer to me as senior while you stay within our mansion. However, there are a few rules you must follow during your stay."
The booming voice of the head rang throughout the room due to his strength and Leon couldn't help but feel awe while in his presence.
'He must be within a different realm of strength compared to mine. I must get stronger!'
Fueled by the new source of power in front of him, Leon was even more determined in his pursuit of strength in order to regain his family's glory and accomplish his revenge.
"Your sparring with my daughter will begin a little after dawn. You are free to roam the grounds and mansion but the study and my office is off limits.
Your payment will be received when you return to Shuangdao. Han will show you to your quarters which is located near the training facility."
After finishing his introduction and instructions, the head stood up from his seat and walked away while the others did the same until the room was only left with Leon and the butler Han.
"As master has stated I will guide you to your room. If there is anything that you need just ring the buzzer next to the nightstand and a servant will hear to your requests."
Han spoke as he began walking in the opposite direction the family had left and gestured as he continued to speak.
"The young miss is currently at a level similar to that of the lower ranks in the inner disciples of your sect. She knows a few techniques that are passed down in the family but lacks any real combat experience, which is where your expertise comes into play."
After explaining Leon's circumstances Han continued to ramble on about the history of the Jiaolong family and the mansion that they resided in as Leon became lost in thought.
'I didn't realize that the different families contained their own unique martial arts and techniques. I wonder if I could try to learn them on my own after sparring with the young miss to gain some more techniques.'
Looking forward to the sparring that would eventually follow with tomorrow's waking sun, Leon became interested in the information about the roots of the Jiaolong family.
"The Jiaolong family were originally wandering martial artists that wished to learn cultivation but were shunned by most sects since they were considered as bandits that would steal other's techniques in there travels.
However, that predicament eventually changed as they fell across a great mountain that radiated an odd aura that seemed to emanate from its peak.
The aura reminded these ancestors of a great dragon that had been described in multiple books they had plundered and they became increasingly interested in obtaining its strength."
Leon nodded his head slightly after hearing this since he could understand that yearning for power that he currently held as well.
"Of course the family decided they must reach the peak of this mountain to gain this incredible power and ultimately began their ascent.
It took many years to reach the peak because of the many obstacles and beasts they encountered as more of them began to perish from the perils of the mountain. Then by the time they had reached the top a lone man was left alone gazing at the corpse of a great azure dragon that was located at the bottom of a great lake on the peak.
As the remaining ancestor approached, his body began to suck in this monstrous aura and transform his body into a peak martial artist with previous knowledge of the sacred being piercing his mind."
Leon was gripped by the origination of the great Jiaolong family as he wondered about the true strength of the dead dragon at its prime. He couldn't begin to fathom the luck and fortune this ancestor had come across as the story reached its end.
"With the knowledge of the sacred being that was later recognized as a flood dragon, the great ancestor developed multiple techniques and even stepped into the world of cultivation utilizing this sacred knowledge and formed the Jiaolong family you know today.
This ancestor became the patriarch that wrote down the different forms and techniques he was enlightened with to pass down through the generations of the family, creating the situation you now see today."
Han finished his story with great reverence as he looked back at the youth behind him, satisfied with the look of awe on his face from hearing the proud history of the family he served.
"The name Jiaolong honors this dragon that blessed the patriarch with its knowledge and power and is the reason the family is currently standing today."
After the origin of the Jiaolong family was finished, Leon continued to imagine the strength of the dragon that had such unearthly power before the two men reached a room next to the training facilities.
"Here is your room. Remember if you need anything just ring the buzzer."
Han curtly left after Leon walked into the room to inspect his new living conditions.
'Wow! This Jiaolong family sure is rich, considering this room is nicer than my entire habitation at the sect...'
Staring at the expensive furnishings of his new living quarters for the next two weeks, Leon sighed as he took a seat on the bed and began his meditation to make sure he was in peak condition for the sparring the next day.
After a few hours passed, he got up and practiced his silent strides without imbuing to much of his internal energy to conserve it for the sparring before deciding to rest again before daybreak.
Waking up at the break of dawn, Leon decided to do some light stretches and mentally prepare himself and his body with some light shadow boxing.
Before long it was time for the first of many spars with the young miss of the Jiaolong family and Leon made his way to the training facility.
The training facility consisted of multiple rooms that were all connected to a large gymnasium like structure that had an arena in the center of it for fights.
Leon chuckled to himself as this arena entered his vision since it gave a completely different vibe than the "pit" he was used to fighting in at the FallenStar headquarters.
'Looks like the young miss isn't here yet... Although I guess the head did state it would be a little after daybreak.'
Seeing that the young miss had not arrived yet, Leon decided to check out the rest of the rooms in the facility.
Most were filled with generic fitness equipment that anyone could find at a local gym in the city except for one room that began to radiate a small mysterious aura as Leon approached it.
Out of all the rooms in the training facility this was the only one with a door which had unique designs of an azure dragon on it. When Leon reached for the handle he was suddenly stopped as a young female voice from behind him halted his actions.
"I wouldn't go in there if I were you, especially considering your level."
Leon turned his head towards the voice as he noticed who it belonged to.
"Ah, the young miss. Would you enlighten me with what this room is here?"
Leon's natural curiosity got the better of him as he attempted to understand what the room was used for to try to figure out what could hold the unique imposing aura from behind the door.
"That is a cultivation room reserved for the higher ups in the family to utilize for their training and internal energy cultivation. However, this wouldn't help you in the slightest considering your current level and understanding."
After explaining the purpose of the strange room, the young miss turned towards the section of the facility that housed the arena and continued.
"Come. It's time for our sparring. My name is Marian by the way but everyone just calls me Ari. I don't particularly like honorifics since they make me feel uncomfortable so you can address me by that instead."
Following Ari towards the arena, Leon revealed a small smile after hearing the unusual attitude of the young miss.
'She seems quite humble for her status. With an attitude like that she should be able to advance in her training and studies a lot faster.'
He continued to follow the young miss he held in a slightly favorable light at the realization of her attitude and began inspecting her more closely to ascertain her actual strength.
'Looks like Han was pretty accurate with his description of her strength... Although her aura clearly is slightly higher than her aptitude. She must have been through a lot for it to be somewhat similar to mine.'
Leon couldn't help but notice the similarities in their auras as he inspected Ari and decided it was better not to underestimate her capabilities as they sparred.
Soon the youths found there respectable places within the arena opposite from each other at a distance of ten to twelve meters that separated them as they prepared for their first match.
'I keep getting a strange feeling from her as if her movements are like water itself. I wonder if this could have some connection to the techniques developed and passed down by the original patriarch.'
Staring at his opponent from across the arena, Leon could only theorize the cause of her strange movements and fluid like aura while preparing himself.
His darkened aura began to protrude from his exterior as he prepared his body for the match that would soon start and briefly plotted out his future movements before Ari's voice sounded out.
"Let's begin."