Rowan…rowan…where are you, my dear?

  Rowan: Mamma! I'm here!

  Elara: Why couldn’t I see you? Where are you? Come to mom

  Eldon: my dear rowan! If you don’t come, we’ll leave…

  Rowan: No, Mammaaa!

  Just like that, they vanished...

  Rowan: No. Mamma! Daddy! (shouting) (wake up)

  Darin: What’s wrong? Rowan!

  Taron: Are you alright?

  Finn: Did you have a nightmare or something?

  Rowan: ………Hahhh …haahhhh…. Where am I? …………..is this all dream?

  Sera: It seems like that.

  Rowan: …………………… (terrified)

  Lena: Here! Have some water and calm down.

  Finn: Hey, Rowan? What was your dream about?

  Taron: Was it about your parents? You woke up from calling Mamma and Daddy.

  Rowan: Yes, I dreamed about my parents.

  Darin: Share what happened in the dream; it might help you feel better.

  Rowan: I was playing hide and seek with my parents, and I heard my mom calling. My dad said if I don’t come, they would leave. I said no, but it seemed like they couldn't hear me or I couldn't move, and suddenly they disappeared right in front of me. I wasn't able to move or see them, and then I woke up.

  Lena: Hm! That really is a bad dream.

  Finn: Yeah...

  Rowan: ……….then……….now I think I’ll go outside for some fresh air.

  Taron: It’s dark outside.

  Finn: Let him go; at least he might feel better.

  Everyone chimed in, “What’s gotten into you, Finn? When did you become like this?”

  Finn: Ahh! You all are making me embarrassed.

  Lena: Oh come on, don't be shy; we can't see how you look like now.

  After a while, everyone went outside to look for Rowan, started a bonfire, and began chatting.

  Rowan: Ahh! I never knew you guys talked about your families.

  Taron: Sera and I are orphans, so we don’t really have any background until now.

  Sera : yes

  Darin: Don’t say things like that.

  Lena: Yes, Taron, aren't we your support now?

  Rowan: Exactly!

  Sera: And you too, Rowan; don’t only think about the past. We are all as close as relatives or kin now.

  Rowan: Haaa.

  Finn: Hey! Don’t get too emotional, Rey.

  Sera: What about you, Darin and Lena?

  Darin: I believe we don’t need to hide anymore since we are as close as siblings, or perhaps even more.

  Lena: Hmm. Darin and I are from the air domain; he’s the son of Dorian Ashford, the leader of the air domain, and I'm the daughter of Riven Ember, the royal minister.

  Finn: What? Then you two must be wealthy, right?

  Taron: shut up! ……. Is that true?

  Sera: Really?

  Darin: Rowan, you seem quite calm; were you aware of it?

  Rowan: No, but I had a hunch.

  Finn: How so?

  Rowan: First, you have dual attributes; second, one of them is air; third, you had the demeanor of a wealthy person, and I noticed that when I first met you. I just didn’t expect you to truly be rich and the leader’s son.

  Everyone was shocked.

  Finn: Are you a spy?

  Sera: Hey! What are you implying?

  Finn: How did you know all this, or are you naturally observant from birth? Can you tell me about me?

  Lena: Chattering box!

  Darin: I didn’t expect you to have such a keen eye and opinion about me.

  Rowan: Hm, thanks for the compliment.

  Taron : But isn’t your surname should be ‘Ashford’ when your father's surname is ‘Ashford’? but how come your ‘halt”

  Rowan: Maybe it's because of the conflicts in the domain lands so that you changed your surname to avoid such incidents?

  Lena: Yes, you guessed it exactly!

  Darin: Yes! But were you aware of the current situation in the domains!?

  Rowan: Yes, Master informed me about it since he’s basically from the water domain!

  Darin : Hm.

  Finn : why don’t ask me yaar!

  Sera : even if we don’t ask you will tell, Because your chatterbox know

  Finn : am a rough cultivator from fire domain.

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  Now that we have the entire team and no misunderstandings, we can officially establish a team.

  Taron: Great idea!

  Sera: Finally, you’re speaking clearly.

  Finn: Hmm, forget it. I won’t hold a grudge against you; I’ve forgiven those comments.

  Taron: In reality, you probably don't really have the guts to.

  Finn: Hey Taron, you…

  Lena: Hmm, you're quite chatty. I heard Rowan is the youngest among us?

  Rowan: Yes! I’m 16 now.

  Darin: We're 17, and someone will soon be joining us at that age.

  Finn: So you are the little Rowan.

  Taron: I think we could consider Rowan as our leader. What do you all think guys?

  Darin: I agree. Despite his age, he’s more intelligent than us.

  Sera: Me too. He’s more mature than us, especially compared to someone.

  Finn: Hey! Who's that foolish person? ...wait... is it…

  Lena: Since you already know, no need to ask. Rowan is both knowledgeable and powerful, so I don’t oppose it.

  Rowan: I don't believe I can be the leader, but I suggest old Darin; he has the demeanor and capabilities.

  Darin: No... but...

  Rowan: No but’s, it’s decided.

  Taron: Alright, it doesn't matter who it is among us.

  Sera: Then Rowan, you can be the vice leader; it’s settled.

  Finn: That seems pretty accurate.

  Lena: What are you talking about?

  Finn: Look, old Darin is the strongest attacker and leader. Little Rowan was the commander and strategist, primarily in control.

  Isn't it ideal? And as for us, Taron was the most potent offense, Sera was the top defense, Lena was the attacker and healer, and I'm an eager attacker.

  Sera: You’re not an eager attacker, but rather a joker.

  Rowan: Don’t be so blunt… but he really has matured after facing challenges in the hollow depths.

  Finn: Aww! Only you truly understand me, Rowan.

  Darin: he mentioned nonchalantly not to take it too seriously.

  Taron: everything is settled, what do we call ourselves? I mean team Name?

  Darin: got any suggestions?

  Sera and Tera: Hmmm, not right now.

  Darin: what do you think, Rowan?

  Rowan: hmm... “Ashes of the Dawn.”

  Lena: “Born from a lost age, carrying the burden of the past, yet destined to usher in a new era.” A name that is both poetic and impactful.

  Sera: I believe it’s good.

  Finn: ha, I agree.

  Rowan: I just simply saying...

  Darin: I agree, I think it’s good.

  Finn: come here and give me a hand.

  Everyone began saying, "Though not born of blood, we are bound by soul. In life, we stand together. In death, we rise together. Through flame and storm, shadow and light — we are one. This is our vow, eternal and unbroken."

  The next day, everyone practiced and shared their perspectives and methods to stay in harmony. After a few days, Lucen and his companions arrived at the sky city, while Lucen set out to find someone, and his friends went to the place where Rowan and Darin were staying. They noticed their students diligently working on their strength independently. They felt a sense of pride in them.

  Finn: "Wow! Teachers, you finally made it!"

  Alden: "You little rascal, everyone else is putting in the effort, and you're here loafing around."

  Finn: "No, Master, it's them who are constantly testing their limits."

  Liora: "If you don't challenge your boundaries, how will you know what your true limit is and how to progress further?"

  Mira: "It's fine; don't be so serious right after arriving."

  Silas: "Hmm. Is that the peak of the essence refining realm?"

  Alden: "What about you, old Silas? Who?"

  Mira: "Lena? How did that happen?"

  Everyone was taken aback to see Lena reach the late stage of the essence realm.

  Darin explained everything that occurred after they parted with the others.

  Alden: "So that's how it goes."

  Liora: "Did only Rowan not make any progress?"

  Mira: "Looks like he's still the same."

  Alden: "That's alright; after all, he's mul..."

  Silas: "Ah, old Alden..."

  Alden: "Hmm." Ahh

  Liora: "We're not blaming him; we're just stating facts."

  Rowan: "Teachers, everyone is aware of that."

  Mira: "You mean..."

  Darin: "Yes, masters, he revealed everything."

  Liora: "Then there's no need to hide. Rowan, you're being held back, and even though you're Lucen's favorite, I'm not just sitting idly. Since you have multiple attributes..."

  Mira: "Okay, there's no need to say it so loudly."

  Lena: "I'm only suggesting he take more elixirs and obtain more treasures to train."

  Alden: "You could have mentioned that more quietly."

  Liora: "I can’t help it; this is just how I teach."

  Rowan: "I don't believe what Liora did was wrong; without seriousness, we can’t improve."

  Liora: "See, even Rowan doesn’t mind. So you guys should focus on yourselves first and not involve yourselves in this."

  Rowan: "Actually, Lucen was similar before."

  Alden: "Is that so?"

  Rowan: "Yes."

  Everyone exclaimed, "I can’t believe that."

  Rowan: "Masters, what about the academy? Is everything alright?"

  Alden: "Don’t even get me started; some students suffered injuries and even died, so almost the entire academy is deserted, with only a few seniors remaining."

  Darin: "How did that happen?"

  Mira: "We mentioned before that everyone is just showing off after learning, so naturally, they and their parents won’t allow for such risks."

  Liora: "We're teaching solely for domain growth, but they don’t see it that way."

  Silas: "If they become cultivators, at least they can defend themselves and survive in this competitive world."

  Rowan: "It's them; they don’t understand what’s beneficial."

  Darin: "It's better that they left; otherwise, others will become like those cowards."

  Finn: completely garbage.

  Alden: let it go. It's been six months since it happened.

  Lena: Liora madam, I heard from Rowan that your mount is Liore and it's at the spirit stage.

  Liora: Yes? What?

  Lena: shouldn’t it have some intelligence?

  Liora: Oh! yes, and it’s very clever. Let me show you.

  With that, Liora summoned Liore and showcased it to everyone while they asked about the mounts of other teachers, but they said they'd reveal them later. In the meantime, Lucen arrived and informed everyone urgently that the upcoming competition was a trap.

  Everyone was taken aback.

  Alden: what do you mean?

  Rowan: master, please tell us quickly; you seem to be...

  Lucen: the so-called competition is a setup orchestrated by the alliance to capture all contestants and their guardians to imprison them in the water domain indefinitely.

  Liora: what? How dare they?

  Mira: can we escape then?

  Lucen: I don't think so; there’s a massive barrier around Sky City. If you try to break through forcefully, you’ll die there.

  Alden: even with our combined powers, we can't escape?

  Lucen: No, the barrier is created by a Voidroot realm power hub. It seems they are already taking action.

  Mira: what if someone tries to leave?

  Lucen: there’s no chance; even if you reach cross the barrier, you would suffer serious injuries, and beyond the barrier, the alliance army is positioned to kill anyone attempting to cross.

  Darin: but how do you know this, Master?

  Rowan: he's from the royal family of the water domain, so he would have some connections here.

  Alden: Rowan is right!

  Liora: so what do we do? We can neither leave nor stay.

  Lucen: we can only take part in the competition; there’s no other option.

  Silas: isn’t that riskier?

  Lucen: at least we can save our lives there because no one will remain passive; someone will definitely attack. So we can escape then.

  Alden: Lucen, you seem to know something.

  Lucen: I can only say that there is someone who can easily destroy this barrier.

  Everyone inquired who it was.

  Alden: you mean...

  Lucen: yes.

  Everyone understood, except for Rowan and his friends, but they trusted what Rowan said.

  Lucen: so we have just 18 days until the competition. The prize for winning the championship is a dagger with a fire attribute.

  You should know that weapons, elixirs, treasures, and mounts are crucial for any cultivator. If it's a dual cultivator, the weapons will each represent one aspect.

  Lucen and his friends went over all the essentials of cultivation and training in the days that followed, and everyone felt thrilled since it was their first competition away from academy, especially with their beloved ones. However, there were also some nerves in the air. At last, the competition began.

  Finn: Wow, is this where competition going to happen? Isn't this arena a bit too spacious?

  Alden: Keep in mind that competitions held by the domains are typically grand like this.

  Lucen: It's the perfect chance to gain authentic battle experience and observe various opponents and their unique abilities under the huge audience.

  Mira: In the past, we used to share insights and perspectives on cultivation and even make new acquaintances before the competitions.

  Liora: That was back then, things are different now.

  Lucen: Come on, the competition is about to kick off,

  everyone arrived at the competition area and were thrilled to see the enormous crowd and the numerous teams present.

  Vilas: Greetings to everyone at this year's teenagers' competition. I'm Vilas, and I'll be officiating as a referee for the upcoming days of the championship.

  Let's not waste any time and begin the competition. All teams will face off against each other randomly, team by team.

  In the first round, out of 100 teams, only 20 will progress after the initial eliminations.

  2nd Day:

  Vilas: Welcome back to the second round of the championship.

  Today, we have the 20 teams that made it to 2nd round from yesterday’s eliminations, and they will compete to determine the teams that qualify for the next round, with only 10 teams moving on to the third round.

  Thus began the second round, with matches occurring team by team, resulting in only 10 teams advancing to the third round.