Rebirth-Transcending All Beings-Chapter 75: Huanglong Domain [2]

"Senior Brother Yuxin!" he gasped, bowing hurriedly. "The Sect Leader... he requests your presence. Immediately. He said... he said it’s urgent!"

Yuxin did not respond, his gaze lingering on the rising horizon before exhaling. Quietly fastening his robe, and tied to his waist.

He then reached to unbind the weight strapped to his wrists and ankles.

Each thud of metal meeting stone echoed like a drumbeat.

The other two disciples stepped back as Li Yuxin stood to his full height, still silent.

And like a lightning bolt thundering across the sky, he was gone–a blur descended the mountain with unnatural speed.

Stormveil Ascent Sect. Hidden between several mountains and nestled in crags. The sect spanned valleys, carved into the mountain’s as if nature had naturally run its course.

Towering statues of past sect leaders, half-worn by rain yet stood as if guarding the sect.

At the main entrance, wide enough to even fit a dragon, Yuxin arrived. His robe still bore the morning chill, and his hair flowed like river water as he walked with purpose towards the inner gate.

Elders and outer disciples stood aside at the sight of him. Some gave small nods of respect while others merely stepped out of his way.

Finally, he arrived at the Trance Hall, the chamber where decisions for the sect were passed. Standing before its threshold, he lowered his head into a respectful bow before assuming the formal greeting position.

"Greetings, Sect Leader. What do you need from me?"

The hall became silent. The only sound was the flickering of torches along the walls and the steady hum of spiritual pressure.

At the far end, standing behind a wooden desk etched in arrays, was Sect Leader Liang Xuanzhen. The current master.

His face wrinkled with age, but his back was still straight as a sword. His eyes flickered to the disciple.

Yuxin stood perfectly still, unreadable and his stance steady.

He was cold, disciplined and relentless.

Never emitting even an ounce of arrogance but unsteady radiated confidence as if he were the embodiment of a thunderstorm.

Xuanzhen exhaled slowly. His thoughts stirred beneath the surface.

’If only he desired more than just strength...’

’He’s more capable than any I’ve ever seen. If I passed the sect to him, nobody would challenge it. But leadership isn’t just about power.

He sighed softly before raising his voice.

"You will depart for Vaeloria’s central academy tomorrow."

-------

"You will depart for Vaeloria’s central academy tomorrow."

The words fell like a hammer in the room.

Li Yuxin blinked once. Slowly, he lifted his head.

"...Why?"

The sect stood raised himself of his chair, clasping his hands behind his back. "The academy cultivates not only strength, but influence. Talent, diplomacy. The world is shifting. Stormveil cannot remain isolated in mountains forever."

He paused briefly before continuing. "You must learn to navigate more than just the blade."

Li Yuxin’s expression remained neutral, but his next words were sharp.

"I didn’t become strong to stand among schemers."

"Its not a game." Xuanzhen’s tone hardened slightly. "You’ve mastered our arts–perhaps surpassing what I can teach. But power alone cannot protect this sect. To rise higher, you must learn to lead. The academy will expose you to the world beyond battle."

Li Yuxin took a step forward.

"I have no interest in soft words or masked intentions. Such things do not sit well with me. Let someone else wear the mask."

The sect leader’s eyes narrowed.

"You speak as if strength will carry you forever. But what happens when diplomacy fails and the world stands against you, united in fear of your power? Will you fight them all alone?"

"If I must," Li Yuxin replied coldly. "I would rather die with truth than live surrounded by liars."

A moment of silence followed.

Liang Xuanzhen studied him closely. The fire in his sucessor’s eyes... the storm in his blood... it was pure, but volatile.

"You remind me of myself," Xuanzhen said quietly. "When I was young, I too believed the sword was all I needed. But reality is cruel–ideals are a false hope! I send you to the academy because I want you to survive and adapt!" His voice echoed throughout the chamber.

Li Yuxin looked away for a moment, jaw clenched.

"I survived the Thunder’s Resentment Peak. I don’t need coddling in marble halls."

"It’s not about survival," the sect leader said. "It’s about shaping the future. The sect’s future."

"And whether you accept it or not, the younger generation looks up at you–you are the Azure Dragon."

Li Yuxin looked up, his voice softer but still firm. "Then I will show them that power must be earned, instead of words wrapped in silk."

Liang Xuanzhen closed his eyes briefly. "...So you refuse?"

"For now."

There was a pause.

"Then I won’t force you," the sect leader said finally. "But I ask only this. Stand before the Elder Council tomorrow, and speak your refusal to all of them. Let them hear your conviction."

Li Yuxin hesitated, not out of fear but thought.

"Very well," he said. "I’ll speak."

As he turned to leave, Xuanzhen’s voice followed him.

"Yuxin."

He stopped.

"Even lightning must pass through clouds to reach the earth. Don’t forget that."

Yuxin did not answer. He walked out of the hall and into the stormy wind that blew, his robe flaring behind him like the wings of a dragon–unready to descend.

His expression remained unreadable, as he began leaping from ledge to ledge, descending from the mountains.

Until he reached a steep cliff wall.

There, hidden behind a cascade of falling water, he slipped into a narrow crack.

The crevice led to a tunnel, one very few had known about and those who knew never dared tread.

But Yuxin walked them without hesitation.

The air grew cooler with each step, faint blue veins pulsed through the cavern walls like flowing blood, until the narrow path opened itself up. Revealing a huge cave that seemed to rival the sky.

Laying there was a huge beast sleeping. Its body rivaled the size of mountains, and its breath remained slow yet loud. The dim light made the azure scales shine slightly. Each was as big as a shield, and each had a line of natural blue lightning running through it.

Its horns curled back from its forehead, and its tail curled like a snake’s with a shiny spike at the end.

The Skyborne Thunder Dragon.

Yuxin stepped forward and bowed deeply, his voice calm but reverent. "Master, your disciple has arrived."

The dragon did not move, its breath remained steady. Only one massive eye, luminous gold with a slit pupil opened.

It stared at Yuxin in silence for a long, tense moment. And with a deep sigh enough to stir dust, the dragon’s voice rumbled through the cavern like the echo of a storm.

"What do you want?"

Yuxin met his gaze, unwavering at his master’s tone. "Master, teach me more. I seek strength beyond what I currently have."

The dragon’s eye narrowed slightly, a flicker of amusement touching the edges of its ancient voice.

"I’ve taught you everything you need for now. You lack knowledge not in form or power, but in one thing you cannot gain here..."

It closed its eye once more, before stating a fact.

"Experience. You avoid the world, but have never faced the filth that plauge it"

The silence that followed was heavy. Yuxin did not move, nor did he speak.

Unexpectedly, the dragon’s eye snapped open again, this time with a glint of mischief.

"Are you going somewhere? Or has someone told you to go somewhere?"

Yuxin’s face twitched, his usual composure began to crack.

"...Yes," he admitted. "The Sect Leader wants me to go to the Vaelorian academy. But I don’t think it would–" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Before he could finish, the dragon interrupted him with a low, rumbling chuckle. "Go."

Yuxin blinked. "What?"

"Go," the dragon repeated, his voice firm but strangely amused. "You’ll find a worthy opponent there."

Yuxin’s fist clenched, and a smile formed on his face. A pulse of lightning sparked from his palm. "Master... are you sure?" He asked excitedly.

The dragon paused and slowly–a grin formed across its immense maw.

"My intuition has never been wrong. The winds of change have begun to stir... your name will either be carved on stone... or buried."

Yuxin remained silent, eyes narrowing in thought.

The dragon continued, tone darkening slightly. "You’ve mastered all my arts. You’ve awakened your body Constitution and endured my challenges. But strength is forged not only in isolation, but also in battle. Shaped by those who challenge you to reach the peak."

Yuxin looked away for a moment. "...What if it’s a waste of time?"

"Then waste it well," the dragon spoke in an amused tone. "Test yourself against those who are not bound by this mountain. Let the world see what Stormveil has raised."

Yuxin exhaled slowly. His master’s words settled into him like rain seeping into dry earth. He bowed once more.

"Then I will go."

The dragon nodded faintly. "Good. Let your pride guide your blade, but never your decisions. And remember — lightning does not ask for permission. It strikes when it must."

Yuxin straightened, a glimmer of resolve returning to his expression. "I understand."

"Then leave me, boy. Before I eat you for waking me twice in one moon."

For the first time in a while, a faint smirk tugged at Yuxin’s lips.

"...Understood, Master."

He turned and vanished into the tunnel once more. This time not descending deeper, but rising upward, toward the world waiting for him.