Chapter 3: Among Power
The cheers of the crowd became just a murmur in the background as Adam stood beside Empress Liandra, his new reality settling over him like a heavy cloak. The ceremony was done, and with it, his old life was entirely severed.
The sun still hung high above the courtyard, casting long shadows over the gathered officials, nobles, and cultivators now coming toward him; their eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity, suspicion, and thinly veiled disdain.
A group of figures stepped forward in the most lavish robes, their very presence commanding attention. Adam recognized General Zhou and Xue Ling among them, but there were others now-people whose auras hummed with raw power, far beyond anything Adam could even comprehend. The way they moved, the way they held themselves-it was all so eminently indicative that they were used to standing on top of the world.
He looked to the side at Liandra. The Empress continued to stand tall and unreadable as she overviewed the approaching officials, and young masters alike. She was a silent reminder of her rule over all.
The first to speak was a tall, older man with a long white beard and robes of gold embroidered with the symbol of a dragon. His aura was stifling, thick with strength that made the hairs on the back of Adam's neck stand on end. He inclined his head slightly to the Empress but spared only a glance for Adam.
"Your Majesty," he said, his voice deep and rich, "this is the one foretold, then? The outsider who is to become your consort?"
Liandra nodded slightly. "Yes, Grand Minister Ren. This is Adam Yuan."
Grand Minister Ren's eyes settled coldly on Adam, his expression unreadable. "I see, an outsider indeed. But the question is, will he truly be of use to the empire?" His tone was polite but laced with doubt.
Before Adam could respond, a youth stepped forward, his robes a deep crimson, trimmed with gold. He was taller, his hair tied up in a knot on his crown, and a warrior's smolder of arrogance within his eyes. The hostility just flowed from him in waves. This must be one of those so-called young masters of the continent, he thought-a rising power in his own right.
I see no reason why we've brought in some sort of outsider, the young master sneered. There are plenty of us in the empire who could serve the Empress, unquestioning, untrammeled by ties to some foreign land. Why do we need this. this stranger?
Anger flashed through Adam, but he said nothing. Already he saw that one stumble, just one mistake was all that was needed, would be pounced on by these people. This world used power, and at this moment, he stood at the bottom of the ladder.
Another chimed in-a woman with sharp features and piercing blue eyes, her robes indicating a high-ranking sect leader. The aura was like a finely honed blade ready to strike. "I agree, power is everything here, and yet this… Adam Yuan appears to have none. What does he amount to in our world, Empress?"
Liandra's gaze flickered briefly to Adam then back to her men. "His power will come. Let us not forget, he was brought here by forces none of us can fully comprehend. He has a role to play, one that will reveal itself in time."
Her words stilled the room, though Adam could feel the skepticism hanging heavy in the air. The young master crossed his arms and glared at Adam as though he were some unworthy pest.
"Still," the young master muttered, "I'd like to see what this outsider is capable of. If he's truly meant to stand by the Empress's side, he should be able to prove it."
Adam kept his fists clenched at his sides, willing himself to remain still. The Empress's words had saved him for the moment, but these people would not leave well enough alone. He'd have to prove himself eventually, with words or action.
His heart was racing, but then the system in his head suddenly flared to life, affording him one brief moment of clarity. It was time to check what had changed since the investiture ceremony. Slowly, he turned his attention inward, forcing the system interface to appear before his eyes.
System Profile: Adam Yuan
Level: 1
Cultivation Rank: Mortal Layer 1
Present Quests: None
Skills: Infernal Flame Skill Rank: Basic
500 Experience Points
Next Level: 1,000 XP
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Adam's breath caught. Mortal Layer 1? That was the very lowest rank in cultivation-the very beginning of the path. He was weaker than almost everybody in this room. And his newly unlocked skill, Infernal Flame, was at the most basic level. The gap between him and the others was far larger than he had anticipated.
A wave of panic threatened to rise within him, but he forced it down. He had one thing the people didn't know about-the system. He had the capability for growth, the power to gain quickly. All that was required now was time.
The system flashed yet another notification:
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Quest Available: Prove Your Worth to the Sky Phoenix Officials
Objective: Demonstrate the use of your skill, Infernal Flame.
Reward: 300 Experience Points, Increased Favorability with Officials
Failure: Loss of Favour with the Authorities
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Adam glanced at the notification-the notification that was his chance. If he could prove even a little something of what was possible with the system, he could silence some of the doubts.
With a deep breath, he took a step forward; at every step he made, all the officials present turned back to look. The young master sneered, awaiting him to make an ugly spectacle of himself.
"I know many of you doubt my presence here," Adam said calmly, "but I haven't just been sitting idly by since I've been summoned."
He raised his hand, calling forth the energy still available to him. Faint, barely a flicker next to the overwhelming power radiating from everyone else in the room, but it was there. This skill that the system had given him, called Infernal Flame, was what was important here.
A faint glow emanated from his palm, and a small flicker of fire started to spit in his hand. The flames were colored deep red and almost black at the center, twisting and dancing in the air as if alive.
The eyes of a few of the officials widened slightly. It wasn't much, but it was something. A start.
The young master, however, laughed. "That's it? That's what you're relying on to stand by the Empress's side? A child's spark?"
Adam's jaw tightened, but before he could speak, the Empress stepped forward, her voice cold. "Enough.
The young master immediately shut up, still with hot eyes full of disdain.
Liandra looked at Adam, her face expressionless. "You have a lot to prove, Adam Yuan. And I will give you that opportunity. But never mistake one skill for strength."
Adam nodded, lowering his hand as the flames flickered out. He'd shown them something, but it was clear it wasn't nearly enough. Yet.
The Empress turned to the assembled officials. "The outsider is to be given time to grow. See to it that nothing gets in the way of his training."
Grand Minister Ren bowed to his waist. "As Your Majesty wishes."
The officials started to disperse, but the air still hung thick with hostility. Adam could feel their eyes on him, their incredulity still hanging in the air. This was a world of strength, and he was at the bottom.
But that didn't matter.
Adam's fists were clenched; the fire within him was a thousandfold hotter than that he had summoned. He'd prove these bastards wrong.
And he'd stand next to the Empress, not some sort of fragile outcast, but as her equal.
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Quest Complete: Prove Yourself to the Sky Phoenix Officials Reward: 300 Experience Points New Total: 800 XP ---