Xiao Chen emerged from the Ethereal Flame Cavern, his steps deliberate and unyielding. The cavern's trial had left a mark on him—not scars but power. The once-uncontrollable Azure Spirit Flame now resided in his core, pulsing with energy as if it had become an extension of his very soul.
The world beyond the cavern seemed sharper, more vivid. The azure sky mirrored the flame within him, while the lush greenery swayed with an almost reverent rhythm. Yet Xiao Chen's heart remained heavy. The trial had been a step forward, but his ultimate goal lay far ahead.
Pausing atop a rocky outcrop, Xiao Chen activated the Primordial Life System Panel, eager to gauge the fruits of his efforts.
System Panel
1. Cultivation
Realm: Core Formation
Progress: [2000/5000 EXP]
Enhancements: Qi circulation speed tripled, flame Qi harmonization improved.
Flame Core Integration: Perfect (Grants bonus damage to fire techniques, enhanced fire resistance).
Azure Spirit Flame Integration: 100% Complete.
Abilities:
Flame Projection: Conjure flame-based attacks at will.
Flame Purification: Burn away impurities in Qi or toxins in the body.
2. Skills
Azure Flame Technique: Entry → Small Success (Progress: [50/1000 EXP])
Swordsmanship: Small Success (Progress: [300/500 EXP])
Qi Control: Small Success (Progress: [250/500 EXP])
Alchemy: Entry (Progress: [100/500 EXP])
3. Professions
Alchemy: Small Success (Progress: [150/500 EXP])
Beast Taming: Beginner (Affinity with Wind Serpent: 50%)
5. Beast Companions
Silver Wind Serpent:
Affinity: 50%
Abilities: Wind Blade, Enhanced Agility, Minor Healing.
Status: Fully recovered, loyal.
5. Quest Log
Main Task: Restore the Xiao Clan.
Progress: 10%.
Side Tasks:
Explore Mystic Azure Mountains (+300 EXP).
Forge an Alliance (+200 EXP).
Secure Key Resources (+150 EXP).
Repel External Threats (+100 EXP).
Xiao Chen clenched his fists, determination sparking in his eyes. While his progress was tangible, the system's constant reminders of how much further he needed to go pushed him forward. The Xiao Clan's restoration wasn't a dream; it was a promise.
The Clan Trial's Shadows
Before entering the cavern, Xiao Chen had endured the most grueling test of his life—the Xiao Clan Ancestral Trial. The ancient rite was a spiritual test administered by the clan's remaining ancestral will, a fading fragment of the glory that once was.
The Spirit Altar, carved from the bones of a fallen Azure Dragon, had pulsed with ancestral energy as Xiao Chen knelt before it. His challenge was not a test of strength but of soul—a confrontation with the weight of his lineage.
Flashback: The Trial
The altar's glow intensified, and the deep voice of the Xiao ancestors echoed:
"Xiao Chen, you carry the blood of the fallen. Do you have the will to reclaim what was lost, or will you crumble beneath the burden of history?"
The trial had thrust Xiao Chen into an illusion. He witnessed his clan's downfall—the betrayal of trusted allies, the humiliation of elders bowing before lesser sects, and the cries of his father, Xiao Tianlong, as the ancestral lands were divided.
Each memory cut like a blade, forcing Xiao Chen to feel every ounce of despair and hopelessness his ancestors had endured. Yet amidst the pain, he stood firm.
"I will not falter," Xiao Chen declared within the illusion. "The Xiao Clan may have fallen, but I will rebuild it with my own hands!"
The illusion shattered, and the Spirit Altar erupted with power, enveloping Xiao Chen in azure light.
System Notification:
Congratulations! You have completed the Xiao Clan Ancestral Trial.
Rewards:
Recognition of the Xiao Ancestors.
Legacy Fragment: "Xiao Clan Supremacy Technique" (Locked until Nascent Soul Realm).
+1000 EXP.
Quest Updated: Restore the Xiao Clan.
When the trial ended, Xiao Chen had collapsed, drenched in sweat but victorious. The ancestors had acknowledged him as the true heir, and the Xiao Clan's will now burned within him.
---
A Gathering Storm
As Xiao Chen moved away from the Ethereal Flame Cavern, he couldn't shake the sense of unease creeping into his thoughts. The enemies of the Xiao Clan were watching—he could feel it.
The Black Serpent Sect's assassins had been the first sign of this danger. Their ambush, though repelled, was a clear warning. The Azure Spirit Flame was a coveted treasure, and his claim over it had painted a target on his back.
"I need to grow stronger—and fast," Xiao Chen muttered, his voice tinged with urgency.
The Silver Wind Serpent hissed in agreement, its keen senses alerting Xiao Chen to a disturbance ahead. Emerging from the forest shadows was a lone figure draped in black, their presence exuding danger.
"It seems your fame precedes you," the figure said, their voice sharp. "The Black Serpent Sect has offered a handsome bounty for your head."
Xiao Chen's grip on his sword tightened. His body was already moving, his Qi surging to prepare for battle.
The figure attacked swiftly, their blade cloaked in dark energy. Xiao Chen countered with his own sword, the Azure Spirit Flame erupting in a blinding arc of fire. Sparks flew as the weapons clashed, the force of the impact shaking the forest around them.
The Wind Serpent darted forward, weaving through the trees with agility, its wind blades slicing through the air. The assassin was quick, dodging the serpent's attacks with unnatural speed.
Xiao Chen activated the Azure Flame Technique, his body glowing with a radiant azure light. With each strike, his flame-infused Qi grew more precise, overwhelming the assassin's defenses.
Finally, with a well-timed burst of flame, Xiao Chen disarmed his opponent. The assassin, realizing the futility of the fight, retreated into the forest's depths.
---
System Notification:
Congratulations! You have repelled an elite Black Serpent Sect assassin.
Rewards:
+500 EXP.
Rare Material: Shadow Cloak (Enhances stealth abilities).
The fight left Xiao Chen energized rather than fatigued. His growth was evident, but the battles ahead would only grow more intense.
Sitting beneath a towering oak tree, Xiao Chen began refining the Azure Flame Technique, his connection to the flame deepening with each passing moment. The Silver Wind Serpent coiled beside him, its steady breathing a reminder of the bond they shared.
"I'll rise stronger with every challenge," Xiao Chen whispered, his voice resolute.
The Mystic Azure Mountains stretched endlessly before him, each peak hiding new dangers and opportunities. For the Xiao Clan, for his ancestors, and for himself—Xiao Chen vowed to conquer them all.
The world would soon remember the name Xiao Chen.