Ren Zian woke up at the crack of dawn, the first rays of sunlight creeping through his window. He stared at the ceiling for a long moment, heart pounding, as the weight of yesterday's revelations settled fully onto his chest.
Today was the day.
He sat up, stretching slowly. Every muscle felt alive, like a tightly wound spring ready to explode at a moment's notice. His Astral Energy stirred quietly within him, thick and steady, no longer the empty shell he once carried.
After throwing on a plain black training outfit, he stepped into the kitchen where his father was already waiting, sipping tea as if he hadn't been up half the night planning Zian's next steps.
"Ready?" Zhantian asked simply.
Zian nodded.
They left without another word.
New Moon City was just waking up. The fortified walls shimmered faintly with astral wards, a daily ritual that kept the beast tides at bay. Hover-trams zipped overhead, spiritual vendors rolled open their shops, and cultivators in simple robes or tactical gear passed by with grim faces.
Despite the layer of normalcy, Zian could feel it now—the energy. The power surging beneath the city's surface. Every strong cultivator was like a lighthouse in his senses, beacons of strength hidden among the crowds.
They boarded a tram and rode in silence toward the eastern quadrant, where government buildings and dojo satellite offices clustered together in a maze of gray stone and spiritual seals.
Their destination was an unmarked administrative building—a squat, unimpressive structure surrounded by plain fencing. To the world, it was just another logistics center. But to those who knew, it was a front for Heavenly Dragon Dojo's internal affairs division.
Inside, the atmosphere was cold and efficient. Receptionists wore robes emblazoned with small dragon insignias, and subtle energy barriers divided the halls.
Zhantian led him through two security checkpoints before they reached a private lounge.
Waiting inside was a middle-aged man in a simple tunic, silver hair tied back neatly, his sharp eyes scanning them the moment they entered.
"About damn time," the man said, standing.
"Wei Shuren," Zhantian greeted, clasping his forearm.
Wei smirked, looking Zian up and down. "This the punk you were raving about?"
"Watch your mouth," Zhantian grunted. "He's the real deal."
Wei's smirk faded the moment Zhantian handed over the preliminary report—the handwritten notes detailing Zian's Fourth Layer Awakening.
As Wei read, his eyebrows rose higher and higher.
When he finished, he looked up, all humor gone.
"You're serious."
"Dead serious," Zhantian replied.
Wei exhaled slowly, folding the report neatly.
"Alright. You weren't wrong to come. We'll start the Private Certification process immediately."
Zian shifted slightly. "How does it work?"
Wei gave him a tight smile.
"First, we verify your vein—quality, layer, attribute. Then we test your Astral Energy density and control. It's brutal. No room for cheats or excuses. Once that's done, your results will be sealed under Heavenly Dragon authority."
He studied Zian for a moment longer before speaking again.
"But before we do that..."
Wei stepped into the center of the lounge, loosening his shoulders with casual rolls.
"Spar with me."
Zian blinked.
"What?"
"I need to see it for myself. Paper doesn't impress me. I want to see what the world's first Fourth Layer awakener looks like."
Zhantian chuckled from the side. "Told you."
Zian sighed, rolling his shoulders.
"Fine."
Wei grinned, a wolfish glint in his eyes. "Don't hold back."
The room shifted. Spiritual barriers rose from the floor, enclosing them in a reinforced space.
Wei suppressed his cultivation to the Astral Foundation Stage, matching Zian's apparent level.
Zian took a breath. His body shimmered faintly as he activated a thread of the Regal Dragon Vein's power. Not a full transformation, just enough to stabilize himself.
Wei moved first.
In an instant, he crossed the distance, palm flashing toward Zian's chest. The movement was fast, precise, and carried years of battle experience behind it.
Zian reacted on instinct. His body twisted sideways, narrowly evading the strike. He spun low, aiming a sweeping kick at Wei's legs.
Wei jumped lightly, avoiding the kick with ease, and came down with a chopping blow aimed at Zian's shoulder.
Zian blocked with his forearm, feeling the impact vibrate through his bones, but he stood firm. A grin split his face as he pushed back hard, forcing Wei to retreat two steps.
"You're not just lucky, kid," Wei muttered, shaking his arms loose. "You've got the bones for it."
Zian didn't respond. He launched forward again, faster this time. His right fist blurred, aiming for Wei's ribs.
Wei blocked, but the force behind the punch sent a shockwave through the barrier walls.
"Heavy," Wei grunted, genuinely impressed.
Zian followed up with a left hook, then a sharp knee toward Wei's midsection. Wei parried the strikes but found himself struggling to keep up.
And then it happened.
The air thickened.
An air of majesty took over the surrounding space.
Wei staggered slightly, his body feeling as though it had sunk into mud.
"Domain..." he muttered under his breath.
The Regal Domain had activated instinctively, projecting a field of suppression around Zian. It wasn't overwhelming yet, but it was enough to slow Wei's movements, enough to tilt the fight unmistakably.
Zian felt it too, the surge of dominance, the way his body moved more freely while Wei struggled. It felt natural, instinctive, right.
Wei grit his teeth and surged forward, launching a series of fast jabs at Zian, but his strikes were slower, dulled by the suppressive force.
Zian slipped through the attacks with growing ease. He countered with a low punch that cracked the air and drove Wei back again.
Finally, Wei raised his hand.
"Enough!"
The spiritual barriers shimmered and dropped.
Zian pulled back, breathing steadily, his body still faintly glowing.
Wei straightened his robes, shaking out his arms.
"Alright. I believe it."
He looked at Zhantian, then at Zian.
"He's the real thing."
Zhantian smirked proudly.
Wei nodded to himself.
"I'll push your case through immediately. Testing begins tomorrow morning. Full private certification."
He glanced at Zian one last time.
"You better prepare yourself, kid. After this... the world won't leave you alone."
Zian grinned.
"Bring it."
Wei laughed.
"We'll see if you're still smiling after the tests."
As they left the building, Ren Zian felt a weight settle over him, the weight of destiny.
And for the first time, he welcomed it.