The victory at the Inter-Academy Competition resonated through Azure Dragon Academy, a testament to its training and a source of quiet pride for its once-underestimated representatives. Eric's triumph, in particular, became the subject of widespread speculation. How could a seemingly low-level cultivator achieve such results? Whispers of hidden techniques, rare spiritual constitutions, or even forbidden artifacts circulated, adding to his mystique.
His promotion to the Inner Court was immediate, as were those of Mei, Elara, and Faelan. The move to the true Inner Court dormitories was another leap in quality, rooms even more spacious and infused with potent spiritual energy, their cultivation arrays humming with power. Theron, left behind in the Outer Court, grew increasingly bitter, his resentment a palpable aura whenever he saw them.
"This isn't fair! He cheated! He must have some hidden artifact!" Theron ranted to Kael, his voice raw with envy. "How else could a Qi Condensation Stage 1 beat actual Foundation Establishment cultivators?!"
Kael, now often seen in the company of other studious Outer Court disciples, merely shook his head. "Eric has simply found a path that suits him. Perhaps we should focus on our own cultivation, Theron, rather than his."
Eric, however, had little time for Theron's lamentations. His new status brought new responsibilities and, more importantly, new opportunities. The most significant was his direct mentorship under Elder Bronn, the Nascent Soul Stage Elder from Stonehaven Academy.
Their first meeting took place in Elder Bronn's personal meditation chamber, a spartan room carved into the living rock of Stonehaven, permeated by a dense, grounding spiritual energy. Elder Bronn sat cross-legged on a simple stone mat, his eyes closed, his aura like an ancient mountain.
"Sit, Eric," Elder Bronn commanded, his voice deep and resonant.
Eric sat opposite him, adopting the same posture, his own aura suppressed. He felt a profound pressure from Elder Bronn, not hostile, but overwhelmingly powerful, a spiritual weight that tested his inner resilience.
"You are an enigma, young one," Elder Bronn began, his eyes still closed. "Your spiritual energy is at Foundation Establishment Stage 1, yet your control, your precision, your resilience... they defy your declared cultivation. Explain this discrepancy."
Eric knew this moment would come. Elder Bronn was too powerful, too discerning, to be fooled by simple feints. He chose his words carefully, weaving truth with strategic omission.
"Elder," Eric began, his voice respectful. "After a near-fatal incident in Ironclad Village, I experienced a unique spiritual awakening. It was not a conventional breakthrough, but an internal purification and refinement of my spiritual energy. It fundamentally altered the quality of my Qi, making it far purer and denser than typical for my stage. It also granted me an innate sense for spiritual energy and a deeper understanding of cultivation principles."
Elder Bronn's eyes slowly opened, their gaze piercing, as if seeing directly into Eric's Dantian. "A spiritual awakening... Yes, I sensed a profound purity in your Qi. Remarkable. Such events are rarer than the fabled Nine-Headed Spirit Beast. It implies a formidable spiritual constitution, one perhaps unknown to the common cultivation world."
"He is perceptive," the Dragon Spirit warned within Eric. "Do not elaborate. Let him draw his own conclusions."
"I believe it is so, Elder," Eric confirmed, maintaining a humble demeanor. "My training in the Academy has been instrumental in helping me understand and control this... unique ability."
Elder Bronn nodded slowly, his gaze still fixed on Eric. "Indeed. Your performance in the Spiritual Formation Challenge was exceptional, even for one with a refined spiritual sense. And your combat prowess... you defeated Foundation Establishment Stage 2 and even Stage 3 cultivators with techniques that appeared basic, yet held a devastating internal power."
"I merely applied the core principles more efficiently, Elder," Eric replied. "And adapted to my opponents' weaknesses."
Elder Bronn actually let out a soft chuckle. "Modesty is a virtue, young one, but underestimation is a folly. Your methods are effective. Very effective. Tell me, what do you wish to learn? What path do you seek to forge?"
"I wish to grow strong, Elder," Eric stated, his voice firm. "Strong enough to protect my family, my village, and all those threatened by the monstrous tide. I wish to master cultivation, to understand its deepest secrets."
Elder Bronn's eyes gleamed with approval. "A noble ambition. Very well. As your mentor, I will not teach you specific techniques, for your path is clearly unique. Instead, I will guide you in understanding the fundamental laws of Qi, the intricate workings of spiritual formations, and the deeper principles of combat. I will push your limits, refine your spirit, and broaden your understanding of the cultivation world. Are you prepared for such a rigorous journey?"
"I am, Elder," Eric replied, his voice unwavering.
"Good," Elder Bronn concluded, a faint smile on his lips. "We shall begin tomorrow. Prepare yourself, Eric. Stonehaven cultivates resilience. And you will be tempered like the finest steel."
The mentorship under Elder Bronn was intense. He didn't offer specific techniques, but rather, philosophical insights into Qi, demanding Eric apply his understanding to complex scenarios. He'd throw Eric into simulated environments, forcing him to adapt and improvise against increasingly difficult spiritual formations or monstrous threats. He pushed Eric to mediate in harsh conditions, to cleanse his Qi until it shone with an almost ethereal purity.
"Elder Bronn is testing your foundation, Eric," the Dragon Spirit explained during one particularly grueling meditation session in a freezing cavern. "He seeks to understand the limits of your unique constitution and the purity of your draconic Qi. Do not disappoint him."
Eric pushed himself tirelessly. He felt his spiritual energy surge with each passing day. Under the combined guidance of Elder Bronn and the Dragon Spirit, his cultivation soared. Within a week, he broke through again.
"Foundation Establishment Stage 2," the Dragon Spirit declared, its voice resonating with satisfaction. "Your progress is unprecedented. Elder Bronn's tempering methods are indeed effective in accelerating your growth."
Eric felt the increased power, the deeper connection to the spiritual world. He continued to use his suppressed aura, maintaining the illusion of a slower, more conventional progression to Elder Bronn, who, while clearly impressed, still couldn't pinpoint the source of Eric's rapid advancements.
Meanwhile, Mei, Elara, and Faelan also flourished in the Disciple Quarters. The increased spiritual energy and access to better training facilities propelled their cultivation. Mei, with Eric's continued, subtle guidance, broke through to Foundation Establishment Stage 1 herself, her Calm Spirit Constitution truly blossoming. Her comprehension of formations and Qi control reached new heights. Elara and Faelan both reached Qi Condensation Stage 9, their combined strength making them a force to be reckoned with. They trained relentlessly, their gratitude to Eric fueling their determination.
"We wouldn't be here without you, Eric," Elara said one evening, as they gathered for a quiet meal in their new quarters. "You gave us a chance when no one else would."
"We owe you everything," Faelan added, her sharp eyes earnest.
Eric merely nodded. "We're a team now. We help each other." He kept their progress a secret, only sharing it with them, reinforcing the need for discretion.
The atmosphere at Stonehaven, however, wasn't all about camaraderie. Lord Xin's simmering resentment towards Eric reached a boiling point. His family's reputation for being untouchable had been tarnished by Eric's victory, and his own humiliation at being outshone by a "village bumpkin" festered.
One afternoon, as Eric was leaving Elder Bronn's chamber, Lord Xin and a group of his loyal followers, all powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators, blocked his path. Lord Xin's face was twisted in a furious sneer.
"You think you're clever, peasant?" Lord Xin sneered, his spiritual energy crackling with suppressed lightning. "Getting lucky in a rigged competition. You've embarrassed the Xin Clan. And that will not go unpunished."
Eric simply looked at him, his suppressed aura giving no hint of his true power. "I won fair and square, Lord Xin. You merely overestimated yourself."
Lord Xin's eyes blazed. "Insolent worm! You dare to speak to me that way?! Do you know who I am?!"
"I know you're a sore loser," Eric replied, his voice calm, unflappable.
Lord Xin roared, his composure shattering. "That's it! I challenge you, right here, right now! A duel! To prove your 'luck' is nothing but a fluke!"
His followers fanned out, their spiritual energies flaring, clearly ready to interfere if Eric refused. The corridor began to draw attention.
"Lord Xin, control yourself," a serene voice cut through the tension. Lady Seraphina emerged from a nearby cultivation room, her silver hair shimmering, her Core Formation aura radiating a calm, authoritative presence that immediately dampened the aggressive posturing of Xin's followers. "This is Stonehaven Academy. Such displays of uncontrolled aggression are unbecoming of a representative."
Lord Xin hesitated, his face contorting in frustration. He respected Lady Seraphina's status and power, even if he chafed under her authority.
"He insulted me, Lady Seraphina!" Lord Xin protested.
"And you provoked him," Lady Seraphina countered, her voice unwavering. She turned her gaze to Eric. "Eric, you have proven your skill. Do not descend to petty squabbles."
Eric bowed slightly to Lady Seraphina. "As you wish, Lady Seraphina. My apologies for the disturbance." He then met Lord Xin's furious gaze. "When the time is right, Lord Xin, I will gladly accept your challenge. But it will be on my terms, not yours."
Lord Xin's jaw clenched, but he was powerless against Lady Seraphina's intervention. With a frustrated growl, he gestured to his followers and stormed away, his fury palpable.
Lady Seraphina watched him go, then turned back to Eric. Her silver eyes held a flicker of amusement, but also a deeper, more serious assessment. "Your control, Eric, is truly remarkable. Both of your Qi and your emotions." She paused. "I sensed a powerful energy within you during the competition. Something... unique. Your Qi is unlike any I have encountered."
Eric's heart skipped a beat. Had she seen through his disguise?
"Perhaps it is merely the purity of my spirit, Lady Seraphina," Eric replied, keeping his expression neutral. "Elder Bronn believes I possess a unique spiritual constitution."
Lady Seraphina smiled faintly. "Indeed. A unique spirit. I look forward to witnessing its full potential. The Inter-Academy Competition has many more stages, Eric. Do not hold back your true strength when it truly matters." With that, she offered a graceful nod and continued on her way.
Eric remained standing, the encounter a stark reminder of the delicate balance he had to maintain. Lady Seraphina was incredibly perceptive, far more so than even Elder Bronn. He needed to be even more careful.
The competition continued. The team battles tested their coordination. Eric, Mei, Elara, and Faelan formed an unstoppable unit. Eric, holding back his true power, acted as the primary strategist and support, subtly guiding their movements, identifying weaknesses, and stepping in with precisely calculated blows when needed. Elara's fluid defense and healing spiritual energy, Faelan's piercing attacks, and Mei's strategic formations created a formidable synergy that surprised all their opponents. They consistently outmaneuvered teams with higher individual cultivation, proving that true strength was not just raw power, but intelligent application and seamless teamwork.
The Stonehaven Academy, impressed by their unique synergy, even allowed them access to their advanced training simulations, a rare privilege. Here, they faced increasingly difficult, high-level B-rank monsters, honing their teamwork and pushing their individual limits. Eric, in these simulations, allowed himself to unleash slightly more of his power, feeling the exhilarating surge of his Foundation Establishment Stage 2 strength.
As the final week of the competition dawned, the overall standings showed Azure Dragon Academy, largely thanks to Lady Seraphina's dominance and Eric's consistent, baffling victories, standing neck and neck with Stonehaven Academy and the formidable Burning Sun Temple. The final challenge, a large-scale survival and monster-clearing expedition into a controlled, highly dangerous spiritual rift, would determine the overall winner.
The tension was palpable. Eric stood with Mei, Elara, and Faelan, their faces set with determination. Lord Xin's glare from across the gathering hall was a constant, simmering threat. Lady Seraphina offered a small, encouraging smile.
Eric knew this was it. The final test. The true unveiling of their Academy's strength, and perhaps, a glimpse into his own ultimate destiny. The mountains of Stonehaven loomed, vast and unyielding, a fitting backdrop for the trials to come.