The decision to go to Azure City settled deep within Eric, a quiet hum of anticipation and resolve. His mother's words, "Fulfill your destiny," echoed in his mind, intertwined with the Dragon Spirit's own silent mandate for growth. He had three days before he was to depart with the other chosen youths from Ironclad Village, three days to secure his family's future.
His cultivation schedule intensified. Under the Dragon Spirit's guidance, he meticulously cultivated the Azure Dragon Scripture, refining his Scales of Purity and practicing the Claws of Might and Breath of the Azure until his spiritual energy sang. He honed his spiritual sense, extending it further with each passing hour, mapping the nuances of the Spirit Hunting Grounds.
"We need to focus on high-yield targets," the Dragon Spirit advised on the first morning. "Creatures known for valuable cores and rare materials. Your spiritual sense is now sharp enough to detect unique energy signatures, indicating rare flora or mineral deposits."
Eric spent the next seventy-two hours in a blur of focused hunting and stealthy gathering. He avoided common beast territories, instead seeking out deeper, more dangerous zones. His spiritual sense, now a keen extension of his mind, allowed him to pinpoint elusive Shadow Serpents—their venom sacs prized by alchemists—and track Earth-Dwelling Scarabs whose hardened shells were vital for protective talismans. He even stumbled upon a hidden vein of Whispering Iron, a rare metal imbued with faint spiritual energy, perfect for crafting spiritual artifacts. Each encounter was a tense dance of skill and caution, the Dragon Spirit a constant, guiding presence, subtly correcting his movements, advising on the optimal strike.
He never lingered after a kill. The moment a beast fell, he would quickly extract its core and any valuable parts, then vanish into the foliage, leaving no trace. He used the newly acquired Spatial Pouch, a small, discreet artifact he'd bought from a traveling merchant after his Bloodfang Gorilla windfall—an item that seemed insignificant but could hold surprisingly large amounts of material in a pocket dimension. This allowed him to carry his growing hoard of treasures without arousing suspicion.
He avoided the trading post entirely. Instead, he sought out the quiet, almost clandestine corners of the village, places where itinerant merchants and less scrupulous buyers conducted business. He found a grizzled old man with shifty eyes and an unnervingly calm demeanor who dealt in 'unconventional' goods. The merchant, a cultivator at Qi Condensation Stage 9, sensed the quality of Eric's wares but asked no questions, merely eyeing Eric with a hint of curiosity.
"These are... high-grade materials, young one," the merchant rasped, his eyes gleaming as he inspected a fistful of Shadow Serpent venom sacs. "Uncommon for a local hunter to bring. Where did you acquire such a haul?"
"Luck and perseverance," Eric replied, his voice even. He'd practiced this conversation with the Dragon Spirit. "I venture further than most. And I specialize." He didn't lie, not technically.
The merchant merely grunted, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Luck is a fickle thing in the Spirit Hunting Grounds. But your materials are undeniable. I'll give you a fair price. Better than the Cultivation Hall's trading post, I assure you, young 'specialist'." He named a figure that made Eric's eyes widen slightly. It was truly substantial, enough to provide for his family for well over a year, maybe even two, if they were careful.
Eric nodded, accepting the offer without haggling. The transaction was swift, discreet. The spiritual stones clinked softly in the small, leather coin purse the merchant provided. Eric placed the purse deep within his Spatial Pouch, a secret within a secret.
His final night in Ironclad Village was quiet. Lena was asleep, curled up on her small cot. Elara was mending by the dim lamplight, her brow furrowed in concentration. Eric watched them, a deep well of emotion swelling in his chest. He would miss them fiercely.
"Mother," he began, his voice soft, "I need to tell you something important. Something you must keep entirely to yourself, no matter what."
Elara looked up, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "What is it, Eric?"
"After I leave for Azure City," he continued, keeping his gaze steady, "look under the loose floorboard beneath my cot. You'll find something there. It's for you and Lena. It's enough to take care of you for a long time. Please, Mother, don't tell anyone about it. Not Elder Jian, not our neighbors, no one. Keep it a secret. It's for your safety."
Elara's eyes widened, a tremor running through her. "Eric... what are you talking about? Are you saying you've acquired even more...?" She looked at him with a mixture of awe and fear.
"Just trust me, Mother," Eric urged, gently taking her hand. "It's a lot. And it's yours. Use it wisely. Live comfortably. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine in Azure City. I'll become strong enough to protect us all, always."
Tears welled in Elara's eyes. "Oh, Eric," she whispered, pulling him into a tight embrace. "My brave, clever boy. I will. I promise. I won't tell a soul."
The morning of departure arrived, crisp and bright. A small gathering had assembled at the village gates. Elder Jian stood with a proud, albeit weary, smile. Four other youths, besides Eric, were also heading to the Azure Dragon Academy in Azure City. This year, Ironclad Village had a surprisingly high number of successful applicants.
There was Theron, a burly boy from a prominent merchant family, already boasting Qi Condensation Stage 6, his face beaming with arrogant pride. Then twin sisters, Anya and Lyra, from a respected hunter family, both nimble and cunning, already at Qi Condensation Stage 5. And finally, a quiet, scholarly girl named Mei, Elder Jian's own daughter, slender but with an aura of surprising spiritual clarity, having just broken through to Qi Condensation Stage 4. Mei gave Eric a small, knowing smile, a hint of respect in her eyes, a silent acknowledgment of his duel with Roric.
"Listen closely, young cultivators," Elder Jian addressed them, his voice echoing with spiritual resonance. "Azure City is a world away from our village. It is a city of millions, a hub of cultivation in the Eastern Plains Region. The Azure Dragon Academy is one of the most prestigious institutions, attracting talents from all corners of the Green Valley Province. You will find cultivators far stronger than yourselves, and challenges far greater than any you have faced here."
He paused, sweeping his gaze over each of them. "The Academy offers unparalleled resources. You will learn advanced techniques, study rare spiritual formations, and encounter creatures beyond your wildest imaginings in their specialized training grounds. But remember your roots. Remember the value of hard work, humility, and perseverance. And most importantly, remember the monstrous threat beyond the city walls. Your training is not just for personal gain, but for the protection of all humanity."
Mei stepped forward, a faint spiritual aura shimmering around her. "Father, we understand. We will strive to bring honor to Ironclad Village."
Theron puffed out his chest. "We're ready for any challenge, Elder!"
Eric remained silent, observing. His spiritual sense subtly extended, taking in the varied Qi signatures of his fellow travelers. Theron's was robust but unrefined, like a brute force. Anya and Lyra's were agile, coordinated. Mei's, though not the strongest, was remarkably pure and steady, much like her father's. She had a natural talent, perhaps even a unique constitution.
"She has a Calm Spirit Constitution," the Dragon Spirit confirmed in his mind, sensing his thoughts. "Rare, and highly suitable for meditation and understanding complex spiritual formations. Her cultivation path will be one of deep insight rather than overwhelming force."
"Good," Elder Jian said, a rare smile gracing his lips. "The journey will take several days by Spiritual Caravan. It is a large, enchanted carriage that travels safely, but remains vigilant. The plains are not entirely cleared of dangers. Obey your escorts. And remember, uphold the values we have instilled in you."
He turned to Eric, his eyes holding a familiar, probing depth. "Eric, you have shown remarkable tenacity. Continue on this path. Azure City will test you, but I believe you have the potential to surprise many."
Eric nodded, bowing respectfully. "I will, Elder."
He gave his mother and Lena one last hug, a silent promise exchanged in their embrace. Lena, teary-eyed, clutched a small, wooden carving he had made for her. Elara's hand squeezed his, a knowing look in her eyes.
"Be safe, my son," she whispered, "And grow strong."
As the Spiritual Caravan, a large, ornate carriage pulled by four magnificent Stormmanes—lion-like beasts with faint lightning crackling around their paws—began to rumble forward, Eric looked back at Ironclad Village. The familiar mud-brick walls, the scattered huts, the faint scent of woodsmoke. It was his past, the crucible in which his extraordinary destiny had been forged.
He turned his gaze forward, towards the sprawling, shimmering silhouette of Azure City on the distant horizon, a beacon of light against the vast, untamed lands. A new world awaited him, a world of greater cultivation, greater challenges, and greater secrets to keep. The Dragon Spirit stirred within him, a powerful, silent companion. His true journey, veiled in the shadows of his humble origins, was about to begin in earnest.