The dawn light was harsh, a piercing golden glow that illuminated every detail of the sprawling Sun Cn compound. Towering pagodas, connected by suspended bridges, hung high above the clouds, their roofs crowned with shimmering tiles that reflected the morning sun. Disciples in flowing robes moved gracefully along the paths, their movements synchronized, energy swirling around them as they practiced martial arts that defied gravity.

  Xu Wang’s muscles ached, his body still adjusting to the strange energy surging through him. After touching the Qi Resonance Crystal, his senses had sharpened, his limbs felt lighter, and his mind was filled with fragments of knowledge he barely understood. Yet, his unease only grew as they were led through the maze of bridges and courtyards by a stern-faced attendant.

  Li Wang walked beside him, her expression set in determination despite the fear in her eyes. After the crystal shattered in her hands, she hadn’t spoken a word. But Xu noticed the way she moved now—more fluidly, almost too smoothly, as if her body were lighter than air.

  The attendant stopped before an ornate gateway, its frame carved with golden phoenixes that seemed ready to burst into flight. He turned, his face a mask of indifference. “This is the junior disciples’ training ground. You are to join the morning session. The instructor will brief you on your tasks.”

  Xu hesitated. “What if we have questions?”

  The man’s eyes narrowed. “Your questions are irrelevant. Survive the training. That is all that matters.” With that, he spun on his heel and walked away, his robes fluttering like shadows behind him.

  Xu swallowed, gncing at Li. She met his gaze, her jaw clenched. “We have no choice. Let’s go.”

  They stepped through the gateway into a vast courtyard filled with young disciples practicing under the watchful eye of a tall woman with silver hair tied in a high ponytail. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto them immediately.

  “So, the summoned ones finally arrive.” Her voice was cold, carrying an authority that demanded respect. “I am Instructor Yan Mei. In this realm, strength is w. Power is justice. If you are weak, you will be crushed. If you are strong, you may survive. Perhaps even thrive.”

  She paced before them, her presence radiating danger. “Your first trial is simple. Last an hour against the other junior disciples without colpsing. If you fall, you fail. If you flee, you die.” Her eyes gleamed with amusement. “Begin.”

  Before Xu could react, a blur shot towards him. He barely raised his arms in time to block the blow, but the force sent him skidding back, his feet digging into the stone tiles. His attacker was a boy about his age, his eyes cold and merciless. A faint glow surrounded his fists—qi energy.

  Xu’s heart raced. The knowledge from the crystal echoed in his mind. Ajna Qi Path – Physical Enhancement. He focused, feeling the surge of power in his limbs, his senses sharpening. He dodged the next punch by a hair’s breadth and countered with a kick that connected solidly with the boy’s side, sending him stumbling.

  Xu’s eyes widened. I’m stronger… faster. But there was no time to celebrate. Another disciple attacked, a girl whose movements were swift and graceful, her kicks leaving trails of golden light in the air.

  Meanwhile, Li was surrounded. Three disciples circled her like predators, their eyes gleaming with disdain. “Summoned ones are always weak,” one sneered. “Let’s teach her a lesson.”

  They moved in unison, a coordinated assault of punches and kicks. Li’s body responded instinctively. She twisted, evading their strikes with impossible fluidity, her body bending at unnatural angles. One attacker’s fist passed harmlessly over her head as she ducked, her movements like flowing water.

  She retaliated, her palm striking a disciple’s chest with surprising force. He staggered back, gasping. “What the—”

  Li’s eyes widened. How did I do that? Her body felt light, almost weightless, each motion perfectly banced. But the moment of surprise cost her. A kick connected with her shoulder, sending her tumbling across the courtyard. Pain shot through her arm, but she gritted her teeth and stood up. I won’t fall here.

  From the sidelines, Instructor Yan Mei watched with interest, her arms crossed. “Fascinating… The boy adapts quickly. And the girl… her movements defy the usual limitations of qi flow. As expected from anomalies.”

  The other disciples pressed their attack, relentless in their ferocity. Xu ducked under a punch and countered with a flurry of strikes, his enhanced strength breaking through his opponent’s defenses. But they kept coming, wave after wave, each stronger than the st. His muscles burned, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

  Li was struggling too. Her strange agility allowed her to evade most attacks, but every impact felt sharper, the pain more intense. She stumbled, narrowly dodging a bst of energy that scorched the ground.

  “They’re toying with us,” Xu growled, fury boiling in his chest. “They’re not even using their full power.”

  Li’s eyes fshed with defiance. “Then we’ll make them.” She stepped forward, her body flowing like a shadow. Her movements became faster, more fluid, as if space itself bent around her. She weaved through her attackers, striking with speed and precision, her blows nding before they could react.

  Xu felt his energy surging again. He focused on his limbs, the Ajna Qi Path enhancing his strength. He charged forward, his fist colliding with his opponent’s chest, sending him sprawling. Another attacker lunged, and Xu twisted, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to counter with a devastating kick.

  Instructor Yan Mei’s smile widened. “They’re learning. Good.”

  The sun climbed higher, its light fierce and unyielding, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The onsught continued, but Xu and Li fought side by side, their movements synchronized, instincts perfectly aligned. Every punch, every kick, every dodge was executed with growing confidence.

  Finally, Yan Mei cpped her hands. “Enough!” The disciples halted, stepping back, their faces filled with shock and resentment. Xu and Li stood in the center, battered and bruised, but unbroken.

  Yan Mei approached them, her cold gaze scrutinizing every detail. “You survived. Impressive. But don’t get compcent. This was merely the first step. Tomorrow will be harder.”

  Xu’s legs wobbled, exhaustion threatening to consume him, but he held his ground. “We’re… ready.”

  Li nodded, her voice firm. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

  Yan Mei’s eyes gleamed with approval. “Good. Then you may yet survive in this realm.” She turned away. “Rest well, summoned ones. The real trials are only beginning.”

  As the courtyard emptied, Xu and Li leaned on each other, the weight of their new reality settling in. This world was harsh, unforgiving, and filled with danger. But they were stronger than before.

  Xu looked at Li, a spark of determination in his eyes. “We’ll survive this. Together.”

  Li squeezed his hand, her resolve unwavering. “Together.”

  High above, Zhu Sun watched from his balcony, his eyes fixed on the two figures standing defiantly amidst the chaos. His fingers tightened around his talisman, his expression unreadable.

  “The prophecy of the Dual Spirits…” he murmured. “Perhaps it truly begins now.”

  To be continued...