Chapter 5: Dragon's Ascendancy

"Young Master, please accept this, and us," the old man spoke.

"What do you mean?" Dao Wei asked.

"You are the inheritor of the Dragon's Legacy, and our savior," the elderly man explained. "It was said that the one who would wield the Dragon's Legacy would be the new leader of the dragon clan."

Dao Wei nodded, seemingly understanding the old man. He accepted the spear and asked everyone to stand up.

Without wasting time, Dao Wei announced his plans to start his sect, now that their curse was lifted, they could start to cultivate and become the top power again. 

The young girl who'd admired him was appointed as his maid. She was at the Golden Core Formation Realm, her beauty was breathtaking.

Her skin was as smooth as jade, her eyes sparkled like stars, and her long, flowing hair shimmered with a golden hue. Her delicate features and graceful demeanor made her stand out even among the transformed villagers.

She bowed to Dao Wei and led him to the Royal mansion. Arriving at his abode, Dao Wei was shocked by how massive the place was. Guards stood on alert, and maids ran errands around. He wondered if he actually needed any of that, but now that he had assumed royalty, he had to look the part.

He asked the girl to leave him for the time being and ensure the process of establishing the Sect was done successfully. The Sect would be at the Dragon Mountain, and all the disciples and teachers would stay there.

Dao Wei then closed himself in, trying to go for the Mid Stage.

Dao Wei secluded himself in the deepest chamber of the mansion, a room specifically designed for intense cultivation. It was adorned with ancient symbols and resonated with a powerful ambient Qi.

Dao Wei sat in the lotus position, focusing on the three techniques he aimed to master: the Void Sword Technique, the Heavenly Palm Technique, and the Ethereal Step. The Dragon's Legacy had significantly boosted his power, and he could feel the energy coursing through his veins, urging him to reach new heights.

In the chambers, Dao Wei set up the Time-crystal which then increased his cultivation time to 12:1, spending a year in his chamber would only be a month outside.

Dao Wei was ready to break through to Saint Stabilization. He cleared his mind and began practicing the sword.

Void Sword Technique:

Dao Wei began with the Void Sword Technique. He held his celestial steel sword, the blade humming with anticipation. Each movement was precise, an extension of his will. He entered a trance-like state, envisioning the mastery levels of the technique.

Swoosh!

Dao Wei's strikes became a symphony of controlled power, each one a testament to his growing mastery. The blade left trails of shimmering energy, the very air seeming to part for him.

Transitioning seamlessly, Dao Wei moved on to the Heavenly Palm Technique, a fundamental part of the Dragon Palm Technique of Buddha. This technique required him to harness the power of the dragon within, blending it with the serenity of the Buddha's teachings.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He moved with the precision of a master calligrapher, tracing intricate patterns in the air. Each palm strike sent ripples through the surrounding Qi, embodying the perfect balance of yin and yang.

Finally, Dao Wei demonstrated his prowess in the Ethereal Step, part of the Dimension-Time Way. This technique allowed him to manipulate space and time, a rare and revered skill.

The ambient Qi bent and twisted around him, responding to his command. It was as if he danced on the edge of reality, moving through dimensions with effortless grace.

Days turned into weeks as Dao Wei immersed himself in his cultivation. The ambient Qi in the chamber surged, and the ancient symbols on the walls glowed with energy. He felt the barrier loosening, signalling an upcoming breakthrough. With unwavering focus, Dao Wei channelled all his energy, pushing his limits.

His Martial Souls evolved, reflecting his growing power. The Dragon Soul within him roared, its presence magnifying as his body absorbed the ambient Qi. His Sword Soul glowed brighter, its energy more refined and potent. The Time-Space Soul shimmered, its connection to time and space becoming more profound.

Dao Wei could now see a distinguishable figure from the Time-Space Soul. He was clearly excited.

Dao Wei paused in his cultivation, breathing steadily. The chamber's energy swirled around him, a testament to his progress. He knew he had reached the mid-level of Ethereal Step, but the path to Time-Space Alteration and beyond still lay ahead.

"Master," Dao Wei muttered to himself, recalling the lessons imparted by his enigmatic mentor, "I've made it so far..."

With a final glance around the chamber, Dao Wei resolved, "I have come this far, I can only keep moving forward. Sigh"

Emerging from his closed-door cultivation, Dao Wei found the Royal Mansion abuzz with activity.

The sect was being established on Dragon Mountain, a sacred place rich in Qi. Disciples and teachers gathered, their eyes filled with reverence for their new leader.

Liu Yan approached him, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Sect Leader, the preparations are complete. The Dragon Sect is ready."

Dao Wei nodded, his expression calm yet determined. "Good."

The Dragon Sect was established, with Dao Wei at its helm. His journey had just begun, but with his mastery of the Supreme Chaos Sword Technique, the Dragon Palm Technique of Buddha, and the Dimension-Time Way, he was well on his way to becoming a legend in Jiangling. The Dragon Prince had emerged, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

One of the Elders approached Dao Wei, "Young Master," he said, with a formal bow. "All the arrangements for the Sect had been completed, and we've sent letters of invitation to our relatives in the Western Sea. We've also invited the Heavenly Sword Sect, Martial Bank, and the Celestial Lotus Sect. Convoys from prominent families would arrive in a few days from now, as the ceremony of bestowing the Sect Leader title and the Dragon Prince Title would be held in a month."

Dao Wei nodded, "Is there anything I should know about the dragons from the Western Sea?"

"The dragons of the Western Sea are prideful and would surely try to cause some havoc on that day, but with the Dragon Orb, I believe our ancestors will definitely protect and guide the young master." The elder responded.

"Tell me about the politics in Jiangling," Dao Wei asked further.

"In Jiangling East, my lord, there are 7 prominent families that rule under the Royal Empire, 5 minor families, and 5 sects. The dragon clan had long been relegated from the top and minor families in Eastern Jiangling. There is the Black Market and Demonic sect which are always in constant fight with the other sects and prominent families. Each of the sects and clans is led by Supreme Saints, each powerful in their own way." The elder explained.

Dao Wei could see their concern as they had no Supreme Saint to lead their clan, "In the next four weeks, all those in the Nascent Soul Realm and Nirvana Realm will train with me, we must try by all means to increase our strength in the shortest possible time."

However, as Dao Wei was still pondering how he could raise their levels in such a short time, an old man with a halo that shimmered like the sun appeared in the courtyard. The guards were on alert and the elders were about to attack and protect their prince when Dao Wei ordered them to stop.

"You've finally decided to show yourself," Dao Wei's voice carried authority, and his gaze gave the man the creeps.

The man quickly knelt on one knee and bowed to Dao Wei, "My Lord," he began, "I am Zhang Horan, the 56th protector of the Dragon-clan."

"If you are the so-called protector, then why have you been quiet all this time, watching the dragon clan members live in exile?" Dao Wei asked.

"My Lord, we've been waiting for the rightful leader of the Dragon clan to emerge before we could show ourselves. Our sole duty is to protect and guide the Dragon Heir. I was sent in advance to announce our existence, my Lord." Zhang Horan explained.

"Who sent you?" Dao Wei inquired.