Bo Jian took a deep breath, looking up at Zhēnyè Lóng with a newfound sense of clarity. "Senior," he began, his tone calm but weighted with years of pent-up frustration and resolve, "since you already know parts of my past, let me share my true feelings."
He paused, gathering his thoughts as memories flooded back to him. "For sixteen years, I have lived under the weight of being labeled a 'trash,' a disappointment unable to cultivate. It's a title that others have thrown at me countless times, and although I may be powerless in their eyes, it has strengthened my mind. I had no choice but to train my thoughts, to become unshakable, to learn what I could not physically achieve."
Zhēnyè Lóng listened intently, his ancient gaze unwavering, as if he could see the depth of Jian's struggle.
Jian continued, his voice steadier, "You're right… I am passionate about alchemy and herbs. I've studied every structure, every property of plants and ingredients from books. I've trained myself to understand the art of refining pills, though I lack the qi to truly achieve it. I've even tried using ordinary fire to refine pills, knowing it would never match the flame from a cultivator's own qi."
He felt a surge of emotion as he continued, his hands clenching unconsciously. "But my desire to learn, to prove myself, has kept me going. And recently… things have changed. I was attacked—ambushed by the Shé and Huǒ families. There was a powerful figure with them, someone I couldn't recognize, but their combined power… it was overwhelming. I was helpless. No matter how much I had trained my mind or studied, I had no power to resist them."
Jian looked down, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't know how I survived, only that I was left alone, vulnerable, in that cave… until you found me."
Zhēnyè Lóng's expression remained stoic, but a faint gleam of approval sparked in his eyes. He could sense the quiet strength and determination that Jian had cultivated despite his limitations. Here was someone who, though lacking in cultivation, had honed his mind and spirit, refusing to surrender to his fate.
"So, you have struggled, yet never given in," Zhēnyè Lóng said, his voice low but resonant. "Your path has been different, one of mind and endurance. But tell me, Bo Jian… if the chance to break this seal holding you back presented itself, would you take it? Would you commit yourself fully to the journey of a true cultivator, knowing the trials and dangers it will bring?"
Jian looked up, a flicker of determination igniting in his eyes. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the opportunity to step beyond the limitations he had known all his life.
Bo Jian, taking a deep breath, looked at Zhēnyè Lóng with a mix of respect and curiosity. "Senior… why would you help someone like me? Surely there's a price for this assistance. What could I possibly offer in return?"
Zhēnyè Lóng chuckled, his voice echoing through the cave with a rich, almost amused tone. "Young one, the bond has already been forged. Your blood now flows with my essence through that mark. We are bound, you and I. Where you go, I go. Where I guide, you follow." He paused, a spark of humor in his eyes. "However, you're not wrong about the price. There is indeed something I need of you."
Jian's eyes widened, his pulse quickening. "A… favor?" he stammered, still processing the surreal reality. "But what could someone like me—a cultivator without qi—possibly do to help someone of your power?"
Zhēnyè Lóng's gaze grew serious, the weight of his ancient wisdom pressing down like a storm's pressure before the first drop of rain. "Your lack of cultivation does not concern me," he said, his tone calm but firm. "The task I have in mind requires resilience, intelligence, and a heart unbroken by hardship. Qualities you possess in abundance, young one."
The words struck Jian deeply. For so long, he had been cast aside, treated as incapable, yet here was a figure of immense power, one who saw his worth beyond the measure of qi. He nodded slowly, a spark of resolve lighting within him. "Then… tell me, Senior Zhēnyè Lóng," Jian said, voice steady, "what is this favor you would ask of me?". Zhēnyè Lóng paused, his ancient gaze lingering on Bo Jian as if measuring the depths of his resolve. The silence stretched, filling the cave with a weight that felt almost tangible. Finally, he spoke, his tone softened by a rare hint of vulnerability.
"Before I ask this of you… know that this path will not be easy."
He hesitated again, choosing his words carefully. "Are you… willing to become my student?" His voice grew steadier, laced with an authority that resonated with the power of ages. "If you accept, I will guide you from being one without cultivation to one who wields strength and wisdom. In time, you may gain the power to protect your family… even from those who seek to harm them."
Jian's breath caught in his chest. To have such a master—a dragon soul of immeasurable wisdom—offer him this opportunity felt unreal. He'd spent years in silent frustration, his dreams confined to the knowledge of herbs and alchemy, and here was the promise of a future beyond anything he had dared imagine.
Clearing his throat, he looked up, his eyes filled with determination. "Senior Zhēnyè Lóng," he said, his voice steady with newfound confidence, "it would be the highest honor to be your student. I accept your guidance with all my heart."
Zhēnyè Lóng nodded, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Then let us begin, Bo Jian," he replied, "for we have much to accomplish." Bo Jian spoke with unwavering respect, addressing his master with newfound reverence. Zhēnyè Lóng, sensing the depth of Jian's commitment, offered a faint smile before his gaze turned contemplative.
"Understand this, disciple," Zhēnyè Lóng began, his voice steady but tinged with the weight of ages past. "In my current state, as a mere soul form, I am far from the power I once wielded. The strength you see before you is but a fraction—less than ten percent—of my original might." He paused, studying Jian's reaction, then continued with a reassuring tone. "However, even this portion of my power will be enough to assist you in breaking the seal that has bound you."
Jian's eyes widened with surprise and gratitude. The thought that even a fragment of his master's strength could overcome something that had restrained him all his life was both humbling and thrilling.
Zhēnyè Lóng's gaze softened slightly, a rare look of encouragement. "Prepare yourself, Jian," he said, "for when this seal is lifted, you will face a path unlike any you have known."
Zhēnyè Lóng raised a single finger, and with a gentle flick, Bo Jian felt himself lifted effortlessly, carried through the air deeper into the cave. His heart raced as he floated, the shadows around him giving way to an eerie red glow. They arrived at a small, ancient pond that glowed with both a soft, pulsing light and an intense red hue. The surface shimmered, casting reflections of deep crimson and golden energy across the cave walls.
Zhēnyè Lóng's gaze turned reflective, almost sorrowful, as he looked at the pond. "This is no ordinary pond," he said quietly. "I once used its waters to recover after a brutal battle with the ancient beast… the Phoenix." His voice faltered, and a look of bitterness crossed his face as he continued. "But… afterward, I was caught off guard… betrayed." He left the thought unfinished, his expression darkening with disappointment and loss. Bo Jian held back any questions, sensing the weight of his master's memories.With a subtle gesture, Zhēnyè Lóng released Jian, lowering him into the pond. The waters were warm, yet they burned with a strange, fiery intensity, infusing him with energy the moment he touched them.
"This pond is infused with rich natural energy," Zhēnyè Lóng explained, "and enhanced with my own dragon blood. It is precisely what is needed to weaken and break the seal placed on you."
In a swift motion, Zhēnyè Lóng turned his attention to the plants growing around the pond, selecting several herbs with deft precision. He held them in his hand, naming each one as he placed it into the water, their essence blending with the dragon's blood to create a powerful elixir.
1. Lóngxīn Cǎo (龙心草) - Dragon's Heart Grass: A rare herb with crimson veins, renowned for enhancing one's internal energy channels, making it ideal for opening blocked pathways.
2. Tiānjīng Guǒ (天精果) - Heaven Essence Fruit: A small, luminous fruit that releases concentrated qi, known for its effectiveness in breaking through restrictive seals.
3. Huǒliàn Zhī (火炼枝) - Flame Tempered Branch: A dark red herb with sharp leaves, it can generate intense heat to dissolve energy blocks within the body.
4. Yùhún Lán (玉魂兰) - Jade Soul Orchid: A rare, soft-petaled flower that calms the soul and strengthens the mind, helping the body endure powerful changes.
5. Bìliú Yè (碧流叶) - Emerald Flow Leaf: Known for its purifying properties, it clears impurities and strengthens the body's qi flow, preparing it to withstand energy surges.
As each herb dissolved into the pond, the waters grew brighter, infused with a radiant energy that swirled around Jian like a living entity.
Zhēnyè Lóng looked down at him, his expression a mix of solemnity and expectation. "Prepare yourself, Jian. Once these energies enter you, there will be no turning back."
Bo Jian took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I'm ready, Master," he said, his voice steady, resolve shining in his eyes.
Zhēnyè Lóng nodded, raising a hand that ignited with a dark blue fire—ancient, fierce, and radiant. With a flick of his wrist, he cast the flame into the pond, where it spread like a current of lightning, merging with the boiling waters and wrapping around Jian. The heat surged through his veins, fiery and relentless, as the seal within him began to fracture under the immense power.Jian's body convulsed as the energy coursed through him, every fiber of his being ablaze with intensity. He could feel the seal resisting, like chains binding his very soul, but the ancient power of the dragon's blood and herbs fought back, shattering each binding strand. The seal cracked, its force buckling under the relentless energy flooding his core.
Jian gritted his teeth, a mix of pain and exhilaration overwhelming him as the barriers within him dissolved, unlocking parts of himself he had never known. With each passing moment, the restrictive seal shattered further, releasing a wave of energy that filled him, renewing his senses, his spirit, and his strength.
"I... I can feel it... everything is opening," Jian whispered, a sense of profound freedom igniting within him. The qi he had never been able to touch now pulsed through him, vibrant and alive, flowing into his channels and fusing with his very essence. He felt stronger, sharper, like a dormant fire finally brought to life.
Zhēnyè Lóng observed silently from the edge of the pond, his eyes falling upon a glint next to the water. There, hidden among the stones, lay one of his ancient dragon scales, its dark silver hue dull but unmistakable. His eyes widened in surprise. "I thought all of me had been lost to time," he murmured, "leaving only the sword. But my scale… it remains."
He looked back at Jian, watching the transformation unfold, and an idea formed. Holding the scale in his hand, he spoke quietly to himself. "This is no ordinary piece of me… It holds my strength, my resilience. If I add it to the pond, it may grant him not only a perfect, reinforced body but a spark of dragon strength."
Without further hesitation, Zhēnyè Lóng tossed the scale into the pond. The water erupted with energy as the scale melted, merging with the fiery elixir that surrounded Jian. The essence of the dragon's strength seeped into him, fusing with his newly awakened qi. Jian's body absorbed the dragon's power, his muscles and bones strengthening, his senses sharpening beyond human limits. He was transforming, becoming something greater.
Zhēnyè Lóng looked on, satisfied. "Good… very good," he whispered, watching as his disciple emerged, now tempered by the blood, fire, and strength of the dragon itself.
As Jian prepared to leap from the pond, exhilarated by his newfound strength, a sudden tremor pulsed through his body. His joy froze as he felt a familiar but menacing energy rise within him. He had shattered the seal—or so he thought. But now, another layer of it emerged, an ancient binding that he hadn't sensed before.
With a sharp crack, a second seal burst forth from his body, casting a blinding light that filled the cave. Thousands of golden chains snaked out from the seal, twisting and writhing as they coiled around the space. They gathered with terrifying purpose, pulling and stretching, until they began to weave themselves into a shape—an enormous, golden lion. Its eyes gleamed with ancient intelligence and fury, the aura around it almost suffocating, as if the beast were a guardian left behind to enforce the seal.
Zhēnyè Lóng's eyes narrowed, his stance shifting immediately. "An ancient beast… the Golden Lion of Seals!" he muttered, recognizing the creature for what it was—a powerful entity bound to protect the deepest of seals, meant to crush any who dared break it.
The lion snarled, its roar echoing through the cave with such force that the walls trembled. The beast's form was both solid and ethereal, a manifestation of golden chains and pure energy, its fur shimmering with intricate patterns of seals that glowed with a fierce light. It leapt forward, its eyes blazing as it lunged at Jian, intent on reimposing the chains upon him.
Zhēnyè Lóng stepped between Jian and the lion, his hand igniting with the same dark blue fire. "You will not reclaim him!" he roared, flaring with his remaining power. With a swift movement, he struck at the beast, his flames clashing against the golden chains, each impact sending sparks of energy through the air.
The Golden Lion let out a thunderous growl, countering with swipes of its massive paws, each one laced with the power of a thousand bindings. The air crackled with energy as Zhēnyè Lóng's fire clashed with the beast's chains, each blow more intense than the last. Despite his limited strength in this soul form, the old dragon fought with relentless precision, his fiery attacks chipping away at the chains that formed the lion's body.
"Jian!" Zhēnyè Lóng shouted, his voice fierce with urgency. "This beast was part of the seal, bound to prevent anyone from breaking it. Its power is ancient and formidable. But now that it's out, you must be prepared to fight as well." As Zhēnyè Lóng clashed with the towering Golden Lion, each blow sending shockwaves through the cave, Jian felt an intense pressure build within his body. The seal that had just emerged was not fully broken; remnants of its binding energy lingered inside him, gripping his very core. He realized with a sinking certainty that the lion would only disappear if he shattered the seal's lingering essence within himself.
Gritting his teeth, Jian closed his eyes and focused inward, diving into the depths of his newly awakened energy. There, he felt it—the leftover threads of the seal, still coiling around his qi channels, resisting his every attempt to fully break free. The residual energy pulsed angrily, trying to tighten and reassert its grip over him.
Sweat beaded on Jian's forehead as he forced himself to confront the remnants of the seal head-on. His mind and body strained against the relentless energy, each attempt to push it out sending searing pain through his veins. But he refused to yield. The power he had gained in the pond gave him strength, and he knew that he could not truly be free until every last piece of the seal was removed.
Meanwhile, Zhēnyè Lóng's fiery attacks clashed with the Golden Lion's powerful strikes, each exchange reverberating through the cave. He cast a quick glance at Jian, who was trembling with the strain of his internal battle, and understood his disciple's struggle.
"Jian!" Zhēnyè Lóng's voice cut through the air, filled with urgency. "Expel the seal's remnants! Force it out with everything you have! The lion's presence is tied to that binding within you—break it, and the beast will have no power here!"
Jian heard his master's words, grounding himself in their guidance. With a deep breath, he gathered all his focus and willpower, channeling his energy toward the remnants of the seal. He visualized the chains snapping, each link shattering under the force of his resolve.
The remnants within him fought back, surging with violent energy in a desperate attempt to remain intact. The pain intensified, but Jian pushed harder, feeling the energy within him ignite, fueled by the strength of the dragon's essence and the determination that had carried him through years of struggle.
Finally, with a guttural shout, he unleashed a surge of power from his core, targeting the last fragments of the seal. He felt them crack, splinter, and then, with a final push, disintegrate, dissipating like ashes in the wind.
As the last trace of the seal left his body, the Golden Lion paused mid-strike, its form flickering and weakening. The chains that bound it began to unravel, losing their power and cohesion. With a final, fading roar, the lion dissolved, the golden chains shattering into fragments of light that faded into nothingness.
Zhēnyè Lóng lowered his hand, a look of satisfaction and pride crossing his face as he watched Jian regain his composure. "Well done, Jian," he said, his tone filled with approval. "You have truly broken free."