The dawn light filtered through the thin curtains of Tianyu's modest room in **The Ember's Rest**, casting golden streaks across the simple furniture. He stirred awake, his mind drifting to the events of the previous days—the chaos of the valley, the withering Starspirit Vine, and the **Netherflame Essence Stone** now safely tucked in his satchel. As he sat up on the creaking bed, he flexed his fingers, feeling the subtle power coursing through him. His blood pulsed with renewed vigor, though he couldn't quite place the reason.
With a yawn, Tianyu stretched, his growing physique apparent even in his simple, slightly oversized tunic. As he moved to splash water on his face, he caught his reflection in the cracked mirror hanging on the wall. For a moment, he paused, staring at his face—a face that looked more familiar than it should.
Handsome, noble, and exuding an unshakable aura of authority, his reflection resembled the Long Tianyu of his past life more than ever. The rough edges of childhood were smoothing into the commanding features of the celestial dragon he once was. Yet, the meager clothing clashed against the sovereign presence he unconsciously carried, a mismatch that made him smirk.
"So, this is what you're doing to me now, Ao Shun?" he muttered, glancing at the ring as it pulsed faintly. "I guess a king's blood doesn't stay hidden for long."
He shook his head and turned to the satchel on the desk, spilling its contents onto the table. Remnants from the valley lay before him: claws, hides, talismans, and a few minor spiritual herbs. Most of these were no longer useful to him, but they would fetch a decent price in Emberglade's thriving marketplace.
"Time to gather resources," Tianyu murmured, pulling on his boots. "And maybe find something that doesn't make me look like a wandering beggar."
----
The streets of Emberglade buzzed with life as merchants shouted their wares, and travelers haggled over prices. Stalls spilled into the main thoroughfare, their colorful displays of spices, fabrics, and weapons drawing curious eyes. Tianyu weaved through the crowd, his demeanor calm but his sharp eyes scanning every corner of the bustling market.
He approached a merchant's stall lined with spirit beast materials, laying out the claws and hides he had collected. The merchant, an elderly man with keen eyes, appraised the items with practiced care.
"Good quality," the merchant remarked, stroking his beard. "But the market's flooded with spirit beast remains lately. Five gold coins for the lot."
Tianyu raised an eyebrow. "Five? You must think I'm a first-year apprentice trying to buy his first talisman. These claws are from a Duskclaw Wolf. Rare material, sturdy. And the hide? Perfect for light armor. Ten gold minimum, or I'll find someone who knows their worth."
The merchant's eyes narrowed, but he chuckled. "Alright, you've got a sharp tongue for someone so young. Ten it is."
After securing the deal, Tianyu moved on, trading the rest of his goods and using the earnings to stock up on essentials. He purchased talismans for protection, dried rations for the journey ahead, and a few rare herbs to bolster his cultivation. But his final stop was the tailor's shop, a quaint building tucked into the corner of the market.
Inside, bolts of fabric in every color lined the walls, and the air smelled faintly of lavender. The tailor, a wiry man with an eye for detail, greeted Tianyu with a polite bow.
"Looking for something specific, young sir?" the tailor asked, his gaze immediately drawn to the commanding presence Tianyu exuded despite his simple attire.
"Something practical for travel, but refined," Tianyu replied, running his fingers over a bolt of dark fabric. "A man is nothing without a good suit."
The tailor chuckled. "Wise words. Let me see what I can do for you."
Minutes later, Tianyu walked out of the shop wearing a fitted outfit of dark hues accented with subtle silver embroidery. Though simple, the clothing elevated his already regal bearing, making him look every bit the noble cultivator.
As Tianyu navigated the market, his attention was drawn to a sudden commotion near the entrance gates. A small crowd had gathered, their excited murmurs carrying across the square.
"Did you hear? It's Liu Qingfeng, the genius from the eastern provinces!"
"They say he reached the Qi Coalescence Peak Stage before he turned sixteen. What a monster!"
"He will definitely dominate everyone in the trials for sure"
Tianyu's eyes narrowed as he turned to see what the fuss was about. Walking into the marketplace with the confidence of someone who knew their worth was a young cultivator, nearly his age but exuding power that demanded respect. Liu Qingfeng's fine robes, embroidered with gold, shimmered faintly with spiritual Qi, and his sharp features carried a smirk of superiority.
Around him, merchants scrambled to offer their finest wares, each eager to earn his favor. Bystanders whispered in awe, their gazes filled with admiration and envy.
"So, that's Liu Qingfeng," Tianyu thought, his curiosity piqued. "Not bad. But let's see what he's really like."
Tianyu's path inevitably crossed Liu Qingfeng's near a weapons stall. As Tianyu examined a set of talismans, Liu Qingfeng approached, his gaze flickering over Tianyu with mild curiosity.
"A fine talisman," Liu Qingfeng said, his voice smooth but condescending. "But useless in the hands of someone who can't fully harness its power."
Tianyu glanced at him, unimpressed. "Good thing I know how to use it, then. You might want to worry about your own tools."
The merchants nearby stifled nervous laughs, sensing the tension crackling between the two. Liu Qingfeng's smirk widened. "Confidence is admirable, but in the face of true talent, it's often misplaced. Are you planning to join the Thousand Peaks Sect trials, or are you just here to buy trinkets?"
Tianyu's lips curled into a faint smile. "You'll find out soon enough. But it sounds like you're hoping for less competition. Should I be flattered?"
For a moment, silence hung between them, thick with unspoken challenges. Liu Qingfeng broke it with a chuckle. "We'll see if you last long enough to make it to Silverleaf. Until then, try not to embarrass yourself."
----
Back at The Ember's Rest, Tianyu sat cross-legged on the floor of his room, the lamp flickering faintly beside him. The day's encounters—especially with Liu Qingfeng—lingered in his mind. But as he meditated, allowing his Qi to flow through his dantian, something deeper surfaced.
Faint images drifted across his consciousness—fragmented memories of battles, laughter, and a face he couldn't forget. The face of a woman, her features blurred yet achingly familiar. Her voice, soft yet commanding, echoed faintly, just out of reach.
"Who are you?" Tianyu whispered, his voice trembling. "Why can't I remember your name?"
The ring pulsed faintly on his finger, the energy within it resonating with his thoughts. Was it Ao Shun's will that kept her face alive in his mind? Or was it something deeper, something tied to his very soul?
Shaking off the haze of memories, Tianyu focused inward, his thoughts turning to his next goal: condensing his core in the Qi Coalescence Stage. It would need to be durable, capable of storing more Qi than most cultivators could dream of.
As Tianyu cultivated, he directed the energy of the **Netherflame Essence Stone** toward his dantian, layering it carefully to build a foundation of resilience. The process was slow but deliberate, each cycle of Qi adding to the forming core.
*"I need to make it stronger,"* he thought, sweat forming on his brow. *"Stronger than anyone's. If I rush this, it won't withstand what's ahead."*
The faint glow of the essence stone filled the room as Tianyu pushed his limits, forcing his Qi to harmonize with the fragmentary memories that guided his cultivation. By the time he opened his eyes, the first layer of his core had taken shape—stable, durable, and brimming with untapped potential.
He exhaled slowly, his lips curling into a faint smile. "One step closer," he murmured. "If Liu Qingfeng thinks I'm not ready… he's in for a surprise."