**Chapter 1: A Return to the Past**
Zhou Fan's eyes snapped open, and for a moment, he was engulfed in a bewildering sense of dislocation. The last thing he remembered was the cold steel of the executioner's blade slicing through the air towards his neck. Death should have been the end of his journey, but it seemed that fate had other plans. He was no longer in the clutches of the Shadow Dragon Sovereign. Instead, he found himself in a place that was oddly familiar.
*This can't be real. I was decapitated, facing the Shadow Dragon Sovereign, and now... I'm back here, at the Heavenly Dragon Academy? How is this possible?*
As I looked around, I realized that I was standing in a long queue, surrounded by others who were also clad in martial attire. The atmosphere was tense, and the faces of my fellow candidates reflected a mix of determination and nervous anticipation. We were all here for the same reason, to face the legendary test of wooden puppets.
The memory flooded back to me. This was the moment when my journey had truly begun, the day when I had embarked on the path of a warrior. The test of wooden puppets was the first challenge for aspiring martial artists, a rite of passage that would separate the determined from the hesitant.
As I waited in line, I couldn't help but reflect on how far I had come since that day. The battles I had fought, the comrades I had lost, and the power I had gained were all part of the journey that had led me to this point.
My thoughts were interrupted as the judges called my name. "Zhou Fan, step forward."
I took a deep breath and stepped out of the line, making my way to the center of the training ground. The wooden puppets loomed before me, their lifeless wooden limbs poised for action. This was the test that would determine whether I had the skills and determination to become a true martial artist.
With a sense of purpose, I readied myself to face the wooden puppets, knowing that this was where my journey had truly begun. The past and the present converged in this moment, and I was ready to confront the challenges that lay ahead.
The judges, sitting in a row of high-backed chairs, exchanged knowing glances as they observed the examinees preparing for the entrance combat exam. They had seen countless aspirants attempt to overcome the formidable wooden puppets that guarded the first trial. It was a challenge designed to weed out the unprepared and select only the most promising talents.
As Zhou Fan stepped onto the platform, the judges regarded him with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. He had no aura of internal energy or body tempering—two fundamental aspects of martial prowess. The other examinees had displayed their Qi Gathering abilities, but Zhou Fan seemed different.
Judge A: "No Qi Gathering aura whatsoever. Is he truly prepared for this?"
Judge B: "He'll be in for a surprise if he thinks he can defeat those puppets without internal energy."
Judge C and D Remained quiet while observing the combatant
*Focus, Zhou Fan. This is a test of your skill and adaptability. You may not have the internal energy or body tempering you once possessed, but you have something equally valuable—experience.*
He took a moment to assess the situation. The wooden puppets were renowned for their durability, and their appearance hadn't changed since his previous life. He recalled the countless battles he had led as the leader of the Heavenly Dragon Legion and how he had honed his strategic thinking.
*The puppets' weaknesses are their pressure points,* he reminded himself.
*They may withstand brute force, but they are not impervious to precise strikes.*
*The Wooden Puppets,* he thought, his gaze locked on the lifeless wooden foes.
*Impenetrable, they say, but every fortress has its cracks.*
He began to move, his steps measured and deliberate. As he closed the distance, he observed the subtle details of the puppets' construction—the grain of the wood, the joints, and the faint traces of wear and tear. Each puppet had a unique history, and that history held the key to their weaknesses.
*First,* he mused, *understand your opponent. A warrior's dance begins with a careful observation.*
Zhou Fan's eyes narrowed, his focus intensifying as he examined the movements of the wooden adversaries. He noted the patterns, the timing of their strikes, and the limitations of their motion. It was like a symphony of controlled chaos, and he was determined to find the dissonance.
*Their strikes are powerful,* he noted as one puppet swung a heavy wooden arm in his direction. *But power has its drawbacks.*
With fluid grace, Zhou Fan sidestepped the oncoming strike, feeling the rush of air as the wooden limb passed inches from his body. It was a move executed with precision born of instinct and honed in countless battles.
*Strength without agility is a double-edged sword,* he reminded himself.
As another puppet lunged at him, he assessed its approach—a sweeping arc that left its vulnerable side exposed. He capitalized on this opening, delivering a quick, controlled strike to a hidden pressure point, causing the puppet to falter and lose its balance.
*Every opponent has a vulnerability,* he thought, exploiting the puppet's weakness to bring it down.
With every passing moment, Zhou Fan's understanding of the puppets deepened. He could anticipate their movements, read their intentions, and counter their attacks with unwavering confidence. It was a symphony of combat, and he was the conductor, orchestrating each move with precision.
*Knowledge is power,* he reflected, *and experience is my greatest weapon.*
One by one, the wooden puppets fell, each defeat a testament to his ability to analyze, adapt, and conquer. As the dust settled and his peers looked on in astonishment, Zhou Fan couldn't help but smile inwardly.
*The past may be a distant memory,* he thought, *but the lessons learned remain etched in my soul.
*Efficiency is key,* he mused. *I must conserve my energy and strike where it matters most.*
His movements were a testament to his expertise. Each step was measured, each strike deliberate. He moved like a shadow, exploiting the gaps in the puppet's defenses, targeting pressure points that were well-known to him. It was a dance of finesse, a display of martial arts mastery.
*One down,* he thought as the first puppet crumbled. *But there are more to go.*
The judges observed in rapt attention as Zhou Fan faced the first wooden puppet, his movements precise and graceful. It was a stark contrast to the brute force employed by many other examinees. The wooden puppet, initially regarded as an invincible adversary, showed the first signs of vulnerability.
Judge A: (whispering) "Look at the precision of his strikes. He's targeting the joints with incredible accuracy."
Judge B: (in amazement) "I've never seen anything like this. He's dismantling that puppet methodically."
As Zhou Fan continued his assault, the wooden puppet creaked and groaned, its limbs immobilized by his deft touches. It was a display of skill that left the judges astounded.
Judge C: (in disbelief) "He's not using any Qi Gathering techniques or internal energy, and yet, he's defeating the puppet effortlessly."
Judge D: (with admiration) "It's as if he knows the puppet's weaknesses by heart. I can hardly believe my eyes."
As he continued to face each puppet, his thoughts remained focused. He adapted his strategy, taking advantage of the weaknesses he knew so well. It was a test not only of his physical abilities but also of his mental acuity and adaptability.
*Precision over power,* he reminded himself. *These puppets may be formidable, but they are not invincible.*
The onlookers watched in amazement as Zhou Fan effortlessly dismantled the puppets, one by one. He was a picture of calm determination, a stark contrast to the frenzied attempts of others.
The final moments of the battle left the judges in a state of awe. Zhou Fan had not only defeated the wooden puppet but had done so with such finesse that it seemed almost otherworldly.
Judge A: (in utter amazement) "It's as if he's a master craftsman, not a martial artist. He's truly something special."
Judge B: (with a nod) "I've judged countless entrance exams, but this is unprecedented. He's a talent beyond measure."
Judge C: (in deep thought) "We have witnessed a prodigy today. I can't wait to see what he will achieve in the academy."
Judge D: (with a smile) "He may lack internal energy, but his skill is unmatched. The Heavenly Dragon Academy is in for something extraordinary."
*First place, *I've passed the test*, He realized after the battle
From the perspective of the judges, Zhou Fan's extraordinary performance in the entrance combat exam warranted his first-place ranking. They had no knowledge of his regression or the celestial gift he had received. What they saw was a candidate who, despite lacking internal energy and body tempering, displayed an uncanny level of martial skill and precision. His ability to efficiently incapacitate the formidable wooden puppets, exploiting their pressure points with an expertise that belied his youthful appearance, left a lasting impression. It was clear that Zhou Fan possessed a unique combat sense and strategy that set him apart from the other participants, even those representing the esteemed Five Great Clans and Nine Great Sects. While they may not have understood the true source of his abilities, the judges recognized exceptional talent when they saw it, and Zhou Fan's first-place ranking was a testament to his remarkable martial prowess.
But even as he savored the victory, Zhou Fan couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that his return to the past was a twist of fate with a purpose. The celestial gift he had received held immense power and responsibility. His journey had only just begun, and he was determined to uncover the mysteries that lay ahead and fulfill his destiny.
As he walked away from the first trial, he couldn't help but wonder what other challenges and secrets this new life held for him. The journey ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—he was determined to make the most of this unexpected opportunity and to fulfill his destiny of slaying the Shadow Dragon Sovereign.