The Whisper of War
The roar of the crowd was a physical wave, washing over Eric as he stepped out of the spatial rift. The grand arena, usually a place of competitive tension, had erupted into a dizzying cacophony of cheers, gasps, and frantic murmurs. His unprecedented breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Stage 7 had not gone unnoticed, despite his desperate attempts to suppress his raging spiritual aura. It was like trying to hide the sun.
Elder Bronn, Elder Jian, and even the formidable Lady Seraphina stared at him, their expressions a mixture of shock, awe, and intense scrutiny. Lord Xin, still recovering from his injuries, could only glare, his face a pale mask of fury and disbelief.
The celebratory banquet that evening was a blur of polite congratulations and probing glances. Eric maintained his quiet demeanor, deflecting questions about his sudden power surge with vague answers about "pushing his limits" and "a unique spiritual constitution." He noticed Lady Seraphina observing him keenly from across the hall, a thoughtful expression on her face, but she made no move to approach. Lord Xin, predictably, avoided him entirely.
The true celebration, for Eric, happened later, in the privacy of their new Inner Court dormitory. Mei, Elara, and Faelan were almost vibrating with excitement.
"Eric! You were incredible!" Elara exclaimed, her eyes wide. "That A-rank monster... and your healing! We saw it! It was like a miracle!"
"Your cultivation... it's beyond anything I've ever seen," Mei added, her voice filled with a profound respect. "You jumped two stages in a single battle! It's legendary!"
"And your control," Faelan chimed in, "even at that level, you could have killed those assassins, but you chose not to."
Eric smiled, a rare, genuine expression of warmth. "We all did well. Our teamwork was key." He looked at them, sensing their own remarkable growth. The constant, intense battles in the rift, combined with his subtle guidance and the potent spiritual energy of the Inner Court, had transformed them. Elara was now a solid Qi Condensation Stage 9, her Qi denser and more resilient. Faelan had broken through to Foundation Establishment Stage 1, her piercing attacks now imbued with genuine formidable power. Mei, already at Foundation Establishment Stage 1, had refined her Qi to an astonishing purity, her control over spiritual formations bordering on intuitive. They were no longer the struggling Outer Court disciples.
"We need to discuss something important," Eric said, his tone turning serious. "The head and scales of the Ancient Rock Serpent. They are incredibly valuable. We will sell them discreetly, and the profits will be ours, to use for our future and our families."
The girls nodded, their excitement tempered by the gravity of his words. They understood the importance of discretion. The sheer scale of the profits from an A-rank monster, especially one with unique properties like the Spirit-Absorbing Ancient Beast, would be astronomical.
The next few days were a whirlwind. The news of Eric's unprecedented jump in cultivation spread like wildfire, not just within the Academy, but through the cultivation world of Azure City. He was no longer just the "lucky one" or the "village bumpkin." He was becoming a legend, a subject of hushed awe and intense speculation.
The formal prize ceremony was held in the Academy's grand assembly hall. As the top Outer Court cultivator, Eric was called to the stage first. The prize included a vast sum of Superior Spiritual Stones – a fortune so immense it could fund his family for decades. He also received a rare, high-level Body Tempering Scripture, perfect for enhancing his Scales of Purity, and direct access to the Academy's most advanced training facilities. Mei, Elara, and Faelan also received substantial prizes for their exceptional performance in the team competition.
Following the ceremony, Eric received a summons to meet the Principal of Azure Dragon Academy, Elder Xiao, a revered Nascent Soul Stage cultivator whose aura was as vast and ancient as the sky itself. The Principal's office was located in the highest tower of the Inner Court, overlooking the entire city.
Principal Xiao, a wizened old man with eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of ages, regarded Eric with a gentle but intensely perceptive gaze. "Welcome, Eric," he said, his voice soft, yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Your performance in the competition was... truly extraordinary. Such breakthroughs are almost unheard of for your age and background."
"I merely pushed my limits, Principal," Eric replied, maintaining his humble facade, carefully suppressing his full aura. He could tell Principal Xiao was subtly probing his spiritual energy, trying to discern his true nature.
"Indeed," Principal Xiao said, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Limits are meant to be pushed. Your unique constitution, as Elder Bronn reported, is fascinating. It warrants special attention." He gestured to a nearby table where a golden scroll lay. "As a testament to your unparalleled talent and for bringing such honor to our Academy, I am granting you an even greater status within the Inner Court. You will now have unrestricted access to the third floor of the Academy Library, including the Sacred Scrolls section."
Eric's heart pounded. The third floor of the library contained ancient, rarely seen texts, advanced spiritual formations, and records of powerful cultivation methods. The Sacred Scrolls section was a legendary repository of forbidden knowledge, the very essence of the Academy's deepest secrets, usually reserved only for the most trusted elders and the direct Imperial Lineage.
"Thank you, Principal," Eric said, bowing deeply, genuinely touched by the gesture. This was an opportunity beyond his wildest dreams. The Sacred Scrolls might hold clues to the true nature of the Azure Dragon Scripture, perhaps even unlock more of its hidden potential.
"Use it wisely, Eric," Principal Xiao admonished gently. "Knowledge is a double-edged sword. And remember, with great power comes great responsibility. The cultivation world is facing increasingly perilous times."
As Eric left the Principal's office, his mind raced. The third floor. The Sacred Scrolls. This was an invaluable resource for his true cultivation.
He quickly met up with Mei, Elara, and Faelan. "The Ancient Rock Serpent materials," Eric said, his voice low. "We need to sell them now. Discreetly. The value is immense."
They located their trusted, discreet merchant. The old man's eyes almost popped out of his head when Eric unveiled the colossal head and hardened scales of the A-rank Ancient Rock Serpent. The beast's core, already extracted in the rift, was in Eric's Spatial Pouch, too valuable and too distinctive to sell directly.
"By the heavens!" the merchant gasped, his hands trembling. "An A-rank! And a Spirit-Absorbing one at that! This... this is a king's ransom! Where did you obtain this, young masters?!"
"The Spatial Rift Incursion," Eric stated simply. "We were fortunate to be the ones to subdue it."
The merchant, though suspicious, knew a treasure when he saw one. The negotiation was swift. The sum Eric received was indeed astronomical, far exceeding his expectations. It was enough to comfortably support his family for decades, and still leave an enormous amount for his personal cultivation resources, enough to buy the most expensive spiritual herbs and Qi-condensing crystals available on the market.
He discreetly transferred a substantial portion of the spiritual stones to Mei, Elara, and Faelan. "This is for your families, and for your cultivation," he told them. "No more struggling." Tears welled in the girls' eyes, and even Mei's calm demeanor cracked, a look of profound gratitude on her face.
Life in the Inner Court settled into a new rhythm. Eric spent his days in advanced classes, training with his team, and most importantly, pouring over the Sacred Scrolls in the Academy library. He found ancient texts on spiritual constitutions, theories on the origins of Qi, and even obscure references to primordial beasts and divine legacies. The Dragon Spirit often guided him, subtly pointing to specific passages, revealing hidden meanings that only the truly enlightened could decipher.
His relationship with Lady Seraphina developed into a quiet, intellectual rivalry. They often found themselves in the same sections of the library, exchanging silent nods or brief, insightful comments about complex formations. She seemed to possess an innate understanding that mirrored his own, and he found himself respecting her vast knowledge and quiet power.
Lord Xin, however, remained a persistent shadow. His humiliation fueled a venomous hatred. He often watched Eric from afar, his eyes filled with a promise of retribution. Eric knew a confrontation was inevitable, but he focused on his growth.
One evening, as Eric was in his room meditating, his spiritual sense, now extended far beyond the Academy walls, picked up a terrifying disturbance. A vast, chaotic surge of spiritual energy, thousands strong, was moving across the plains.
He pinpointed their location. It was a monster horde. Not just any horde. This was a true Qi Beast Calamity, a gathering of monstrous proportions. He felt their collective Qi, ranging from D-rank common beasts to formidable B-ranks, and even a handful of truly terrifying A-rank signatures.
And their direction... his blood ran cold.
They were moving towards the Eastern Plains. Towards Ironclad Village.
Panic, cold and visceral, seized him. His mother. Lena. Elara. All his loved ones were there, vulnerable, unaware. A D-rank monster could raze Ironclad Village, let alone a horde containing A-ranks. The Azure Dragon Academy, the Imperial Family, they wouldn't mobilize for a single village. The nearest cultivation cities would prioritize their own defenses.
He burst out of his room, his panic overriding his usual composure. He found Mei, Elara, and Faelan in the communal lounge, studying.
"We have to go," Eric blurted out, his voice raw with urgency. "Now. To Ironclad Village. There's a monster horde. A massive one. It's heading straight for it."
Mei's eyes widened, sensing the genuine fear in his voice. "A horde? How big?"
"Thousands," Eric said, his voice strained. "D-rank to A-rank. It's a calamity. The village won't stand a chance."
Elara and Faelan's faces paled, understanding the immense danger. Their home, their families, were in mortal peril.
"We have to go," Elara repeated, her voice firm, resolute.
"But how?" Faelan asked, "The Academy won't let us leave for such a thing."
"We go ourselves," Eric stated, his eyes blazing with fierce determination. "I don't care about rules, or permission. My family is there. We move now."
He paused, then looked at Mei. "Mei, you don't have to come. This is my fight. It's incredibly dangerous."
Mei met his gaze, her calm demeanor replaced by a fierce resolve. "Ironclad Village is my home too, Eric. My father is there. My family. We fight together."
Elara and Faelan nodded, their expressions unwavering. "We're with you, Eric. All the way."
Eric felt a surge of gratitude and renewed determination. They were a team. And they would face this together. He thought of the speed of the Sky-Carriage. It was their fastest way. But it was only for Academy-sanctioned travel.
"We'll need to use the Sky-Carriage without permission," Eric said, his jaw set. "It's the only way we'll make it in time."
A perilous journey lay ahead. They were leaving the safety of Azure City, abandoning their newfound status, rushing headlong into a monstrous storm. But for family, for home, there was no other choice. The fate of Ironclad Village now rested on the shoulders of four young cultivators, armed with their hidden powers and an unyielding will.