The Dragon Awakens

"Bao'er, eat more. A growing boy needs to eat a lot if he wants to grow strong.", said a kind looking lady.

"Mother, I am full. It's fine.", replied a handsome looking young man wearing a brown hanbok. If you looked at him, you'd think, "Wow, what a handsome man!". Unfortunately, the man's eyes were dull, completely deprived of any life. This was a blind man. His name is Bao Shu, he is turning 15 this year. At birth, he was born blind; seeing this, his father left his mother, never to return.

Bao Shu grew up weak & frail, while food was not scarce it was not enough for him to have his fill. His mother, Qin Ya, was a high-class courtesan. After becoming pregnant with him, she was given a temporary stay as face for Bao Shu's father, but after Bao Shu's deficiencies were revealed, his father left. With her only backer gone, no job, a place to stay, nor even relatives to go to, Qin Ya could only use her savings to buy a small hut on the outskirts of the city. She got by, doing menial jobs every day for 1 or 2 silver coins (100 bronze = 1 silver, 100 silver = 1 gold), but that was far from enough. They could only afford rice and Qin Ya had to go to the nearest river to get water.

When Bao Shu turned 11 he couldn't stand it anymore. He wanted to do something to help. Being cared for like this and not being able to help struck a nerve within Bao Shu. His anger built up and while Qin Ya went to the river to get water, he stormed out in a fury. Hitting everything he could with his fists, screaming at the cruelty of fate. After his rage calmed, the sound of nature resounded in his ears. The birds chirping, the wind howling, the leaves fluttering. Bao Shu fell into a state of enlightenment, he could feel and see the world around him in a supernatural way. During this enlightenment, Bao Shu learned to hear the voice of all things, he could sense where objects where, what direction he was going, where he was. The feeling was divine. But slowly it slipped away.

Bao Shu went back home feeling his way back, but throughout the way he was completely immersed in what he felt. As time passed, Bao Shu honed this ability and when he was 13, he completely mastered it. Even though he was blind he could sense all things. When Qin Ya returned home, Bao Shu asked her,

"Mother, can I learn how to read and write?".

"But Bao'er, it is impossible for you to do so.", Qin Ya was surprised.

"Mother I can …", explained Bao Shu, telling her about what he learned to do.

Qin Ya was overjoyed, her son may be able to live in this cruel world by himself. She began teaching him through some books she bought with her after getting kicked out. And a year passed by.

"Bao'er, you're a genius. Learning all the characters and how to write in such a short time is amazing!", said Qin Ya cheerfully. Bao Shu smiled. To him, it was astonishingly easy to learn the language.

Going to the present, Bao Shu had just eaten and was helping his mother wash the dishes at the river. With a cane in hand just in case problems occurred due to Bao Shu's unique ability and a bag on his back, he went forward. Suddenly, halfway to the river, he was blocked by a sturdy looking guard. The markings on the guard's armour resembled qilins dancing and the sides of the helmet looked like actual fire.

"Stop. Royalty 'requests' your presence. Follow me", a rough voice demanded.

Qin Ya and Bao Shu froze stiff and followed the guard. Bao Shu sighed inwardly, "Being ordered around like this… But what can I even do? This man seems very strong.". As they arrived at the destination, an entourage of carriages could be seen surrounding one bright-red and regal looking carriage.

Seeing this, Qin Ya kneeled and motioned for Bao Shu to do the same. "They are here, your Highness.", the guard respectfully bowed and went to the side. "

Oh…? Looks my suspicions were true. I sense the bloodline of Zhao Feng in this person.", from the carriage came a cold voice.

"However… he seems to be blind. Guards check this out." A guard came and examined Bao Shu's eyes. Instantly, Bao Shu felt goosebumps and shuddered as he felt completely naked under this gaze.

"Your Highness, yes, he is blind." said the guard respectfully.

"Kid, do you want to participate in the inheritor ceremony of your father, Lu Bu, the grand general?", said the voice from the carriage.

Bao Shu shuddered as those words echoed in his ears. He did not know his father, not even his father's name in fact, even his mother knew nothing about him. He looked at his mother's eyes and saw nothing but coldness and anguish. With that, he had made a decision. "Your Highness, I must decline." The person inside the carriage saw what had happened and responded, "Your mother is lacking yin energy, if this isn't treated, it can lead to an early death. Should you join the ceremony and succeed, you will get access to every resource your father has.". Bao Shu jolted, his mother got a little paler every year. He assumed it was due to the years going by. But could it be due to yin deficiency? Bao Shu himself knew nothing about the topic, but he wasn't willing to take that risk.

"May I ask Your Highness, what the ceremony will be like? And how will my participation in the ceremony be guaranteed?", replied Bao Shu.

"The ceremony will be at the capital and will include all of Lu Bu's sons, it will test your talent and potential. Lu Bu is trying to find a successor to his legacy and will accept the most talented son as his inheritor. I'll be there to make sure of your participation. Take this token, it will help you.", said the voice as a golden token with a dragon carving flew out of the carriage to Bao Shu..

"I understand, Your Highness. But I have one request that I beseech you to fulfill. We get by on 1 to 2 silver coins every day through jobs my mother takes. I do not want my mother to be alone, but if I fail in the ceremony we will have trouble living. May Your Highness bestow upon me 30 silver coins?", replied Bao Shu.

Going to the capital would take at least 16 days from where Bao Shu and his mother lived, Jiang City.

"Very well. However, the ceremony is in 2 days. I will let you ride in one of my carriages to the Capital with me. After dropping you off there I will give you 5 gold coins to make yourself look presentable. Come back within 15 minutes", said the voice.

Bao Shu nodded and whispered, "Mother, do we have anything at home we need?"

"No, but Shu'er are you sure about this?", she replied.

"I have to do something mother, please understand. I can't just let this opportunity pass.", replied Bao Shu.

"Your Highness, we can go right now.", said Bao Shu.

"Very well but drop off those bags. Go into any one of the other carriages.", said the voice.

Bao Shu and Qin Ya dropped off their bags and went inside one of the carriages. Inside the carriage were 2 guards, but the carriage was so big it could fit at least 12. Bao Shu and Qin Ya took a seat on the other side and leaned against each other. They were going into unknown territory and were about to come across some obstacles. Bao Shu looked outside and saw the beautiful scenery. The vast forest, numerous rivers, and beautiful sky slowly fade into the distance. He was astounded by the speed the carriage was going at, yet it didn't feel bumpy as he thought it would. He slowly slept, 4 hours had passed, and it was becoming dark. As Bao Shu woke up he felt someone tapping him, he looked around and saw one of the guards tapping him.

"We're here. The ceremony will be held in that area in tomorrow.", said the guard as he pointed towards a long pillar in the air with a lion statue resting on it.

Bao Shu nodded and woke up his mother. The guard gave them a pouch with 5 gold coins inside. They got out of the carriage and were greeted by the massive walls of the capital, big breathtaking buildings, and the bustling crowds in front of him. They walked around as Bao Shu followed Qin Ya with his cane. Qin Ya looked for salon-esque buildings. Qin Ya knew what the other party meant when they said, "make yourself look presentable". She found a building where people could clean their face and body for 50 silver each. After coming out, Qin Ya seemed to have regained some of her youthful features, while Bao Shu looked though as he was carved out of jade. Next stop, the tailor. Qin Ya spotted a tailor and brought Bao Shu inside. There they were both measured and were outfitted for 2 gold. When they left, Bao Shu looked like a lady killer, instantly attracting the attention of the nearby maidens and getting the envy of the males.

Qin Ya found an inn and led Bao Shu, after entering, she realized that the inn was crowded. She went up to the receptionist and asked about the situation. Bao Shu was besides her, leaning on his cane, attracting the attention of several ladies.

"I'm sorry miss. The rooms are in high demand. Many people have come over to see the ceremony of Grand General Lu Bu. The ones we have left cost 1 gold.", said the receptionist.

Qin Ya sighed, she was spending money like it was nothing. She passed 1 gold coin to the receptionist who gave them a token to their room. If one wanted to enter their room they had to use the corresponding token to get permission. Bao Shu and Qin Ya walked up to the 3rd floor, where the more expensive rooms were and entered their room. There were 2 beds in the room and windows showing the beautiful architecture of the city. The city glowed with orange lights and resembled a steampunk-esque world.

"Mother… I will succeed in the ceremony", said Bao Shu trying to build up his confidence.

"I'm sure you will, child. It's just that this world is very cruel. I isolated you to protect you from it. To survive you need connections. But at what price would those connections come? Be careful in the ceremony tomorrow my child.", replied his mother, looking at him tenderly.

"Good night", they both said.

The sun rose, and light shined through the window. The two woke up and prepared for the upcoming ceremony. They checked out of the inn and went to where the ceremony was going to be taking place. The location resembled a colosseum. People had already filled up the seats and the ceremony had just begun. Bao Shu and Qin Ya panicked and through the special entrance that Lu Bu's children were supposed to take. The guards stopped them, but Bao Shu showed the token that the mysterious person had given them before. Immediately, the guards kneeled and allowed the two to pass.

"Thank you all for attending this ceremony of succession! The heir of I, Lu Bu, shall be determined here today!", resounded a loud voice in the colosseum.

Lu Bu was a proud and prideful grand general of the empire. He wanted to show off the talents of his sons in front of the audience.

"The first test will be awakening the innate essence!", roared Lu Bu.

Lu Bu was about to motion for one of his sons to come up when he saw a person walking towards the area. His long black hair flowed like silk, his eyes were dull, his face and skin would be envied by the gods. The man walked with a cane in his hand. When Lu Bu saw this, he felt as if he knew this person, but couldn't figure it out. The colosseum was silent as the man walked forward.

"Greetings father.", said the man.

Immediately Lu Bu realized who he was. His brows furrowed and his eyes squinted.

"Why are you here?", demanded Lu Bu.

"To attend the ceremony of course.", replied Bao Shu.

"I do not know you. Guards throw this man out.", commanded Lu Bu.

Bao Shu's brows furrowed as he didn't know what to do. In the audience, the royal family were curious and enjoyed watching the scene unfold.

"Oh… what's this?", murmured the Emperor.

In front of the Emperor were his sons and daughters, while besides him were his queen, consorts, and concubines. The 3rd Princess stood up.

"Lu Bu, are you telling me you don't recognize your own son?", shouted the 3rd Princess.

"Nonsense, I have no son like this man.", retorted Lu Bu.

"Are you sure? An ancient bloodline flows through him that matches yours.", replied the 3rd Princess coldy.

"Hmph. I have no son as pitiful as him. He is blind and cannot even walk without the assistance of a cane.", shouted Lu Bu angrily.

"Oh? Let us do a test then.", scoffed the 3rd Princess.

Golden particles gathered in the 3rd Princesses's hand and shot out towards Bao Shu. Two lines began to form that extend out towards Qin Ya and Lu Bu.

"Ancestral Divining Art…", murmured the crowd.

Lu Bu's face turned beet red.

"Yes, this piece of trash is my son. But I will formally disown him after this is over.", growled Lu Bu as he gnashed his teeth.

Bao Shu's eyes turned cold and he watched all this. In the bottom of his heart, he wished that all this was just a mistake on Lu Bu's part. To see him deny he is his son completely shattered this hope. Bao Shu clenched his fists so hard his hand started to bleed. Lu Bu's other sons watched with curiosity and disdain.

"How can this man be our sibling? He has the air of a commoner and obviously hasn't refined his meridians.", they inwardly thought.

Cultivation started after someone awakened their innate essence, which would act as the foundation for one's cultivation base. Lu Bu didn't allow his sons to awake their innate essence because he wanted to refine their meridians first through external force and medicines. Refining the meridians after awakening one's innate essence would be tough and arduous, but it would boost the power one could exert. You are born with 12 meridians, but your talent determines how many of those meridians you can refine. Out of Lu Bu's 5 sons, the one who refined the most meridians would be the youngest one, Lu Zhao, who refined eight meridians. The typical commoner can refine three meridians, low-class bloodlines are able to refine four, high-class bloodlines are able to refine five, royal bloodlines are able to refine seven. Lu Bu's bloodline is a high-class bloodline, for Lu Zhao to refine eight meridians means that he's extremely talented.

"Lu Fei, come up.", said Lu Bu.

Lu Fei was the oldest of the 5. He nodded and went up and put his hands on a purple obelisk. Immediately the obelisk glowed, then Lu Fei began to glow as a qilin phantom began to appear from his body. The phantom was 5 meters and half corporeal. The size and corporeality of the phantom would determine the grade of one's innate essence.

"Grade B, Qilin.", Lu Bu nodded and sent Lu Fei down.

Next was Lu Mao. He went up and put his hands on the obelisk. The obelisk glowed and a lion phantom began to rise. The phantom was 7 meters and a little below half corporeal.

"Grade B+, Lion.", Lu Bu nodded again and sent Lu Mao down.

Next was Lu Kie. Lu Kie went up and put his hands on the obelisk. The obelisk glowed and another qilin appeared. This qilin was 9 meters and half corporeal.

"Grade A, Qilin.", Lu Bu slightly smiled and sent Lu Kie down.

Finally, Lu Zhao came up. Lu Zhao put his lands on the obelisk. The obelisk glowed and a phoenix appeared. Gasps came from the crowd and the royal family raised their brows. The phoenix was 10 meters and 75% corporeal.

"Grade S, Phoenix.", Lu Bu laughed heartily with pride and sent Lu Zhao down with a pat.

Then Lu Bu's eyes turned cold and looked at Bao Shu, motioning for him to come up with his eyes. In Lu Bu's mind, Bao Shu would at most have B grade innate essence. Bao Shu came up and put his hands on the obelisk. Lu Bu snorted. His eyes cold, but slowly coldness turned into shock.

A dragon's roar could be heard coming from Bao Shu's body. The roar was filled with pride, anger, and belligerence. The royal family's eyes widened, and the spectators were shocked. But what happened next made the Emperor jolt up. A black dragon slowly rose from Bao Shu's body, suppressing the innate essences around it. Lu Bu gasped in shock. As a loud roar could be heard all around the capital, a 30 meter and fully corporeal black dragon rose into the sky. The skies immediately turned black as the sound of thunder could soon be heard. Suddenly, a lightning bolt from the heavens crashed down onto the dragon and Bao Shu. A blinding radiance filled the colosseum. The dragon was gone. The obelisk was destroyed. The black clouds were receding. Bao Shu was standing still. Suddenly, he stretched, popping sounds could be heard from all around his body. All 12 of his meridians were instantly refined by the lightning and although he was still blind, his senses were on another league compared to before. He could feel everything around him in 6 miles, from the ants moving on the ground, to the clouds moving in the heavens. He could feel power surging throughout his entire body as though he was reborn. Qin Ya looked at her son from the gate. Tears fell down her eyes as she witnessed what happened.