The Dragon's Ascent

Draven stood at the base of the towering Draconic Sect, a place rumored to house the most powerful cultivators on the continent of Dragonia. The massive sect was located on the side of a mountain, with majestic dragons soaring through the skies, casting shadows over the sprawling temples below.

The air itself buzzed with power, and Draven couldn't help but smirk. "This is it," he muttered under his breath. "The start of my real journey."

After everything that had happened—the massacre, his mother's death, his resurrection—Draven was ready for this next step. He had already reached the third stage of Body Tempering, but that wasn't enough. He needed more. He needed strength..

.

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A Few Days Earlier..

Draven sat in a secluded part of the forest, meditating, focusing on the swirling energy within him. His demonic aura flared as he absorbed the surrounding Qi, faster than he ever had before.

His demonic nature had allowed him to push past his limits, breaking through to the third stage of Body Tempering in record time.

His body glowed faintly as the Qi was refined. "I'm not like the others," he thought to himself. "They struggle for power, but power comes to me." He clenched his fist as his muscles tightened, the power surging through him. "I'll crush anyone in my way."

.

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The towering gates of the Draconic Sect loomed before him. Draven, with his usual arrogance, pushed them open without hesitation. He entered the main city surrounding the sect, observing the bustling streets filled with vendors, disciples, and visitors from far-off lands.

This was the center of power in Dragonia, and its economy thrived on the wealth brought in by disciples vying for a place within the sect.

The currency here was spirit stones, small crystalline objects that pulsed with energy. Everything, from food to weapons, could be bought with them. Draven had a few in his pouch, but he wasn't concerned with that.

His focus was solely on entering the sect and becoming stronger.

The sect was divided into three ranks: outer disciples, inner disciples, and the elite core disciples. The outer disciples handled menial tasks, while the inner disciples were given proper training.

The core disciples, however, were special in their own right, trained personally by the sect's leaders. Draven's eyes were set on the top. "I'm not here to be ordinary," he thought as he strode into the main square.

The trial for entry into the sect was about to begin, and all eyes were on the mountain known as Dragon's Ascent. This was where the first test would take place.

It was said that only those who could scale the mountain, fighting off beasts and avoiding deadly traps, would qualify.

Lady Selene, the vice-sect leader, stood at the front, her majestic presence commanding the attention of everyone present.

Her flowing sliver hair and robes shimmered with an ethereal light, and her sharp, golden eyes scanned the crowd. She was in the third stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, her aura is like sense of superiority.

"The trial is simple," she announced, her voice clear and authoritative. "Climb the mountain and survive."

Draven smirked. "Simple? You call this a trial?" His voice carried a quiet confidence, but to those around him, it was intimidating.

The other contestants glanced at him nervously, but Draven didn't care. He wasn't here for them. He was here for power.

The moment the trial began, Draven shot forward. His body moved with speed and grace, dodging traps and cutting down any beast that dared to stand in his way.

He didn't even break a sweat, while others around him struggled just to survive.

At one point, Elias, a particularly arrogant youth, tried to block his path. "You! I won't let you pass!" Elias shouted, drawing his sword.

Draven didn't even flinch. He took a single step forward and, with a flash of his hand, sent Elias crashing into a tree. "You're not worth my time," Draven said coldly, walking past without a second glance.

At the peak of the mountain, Draven found Lady Selene waiting. She looked him up and down, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Impressive," she said. "You're faster than most."

Draven met her gaze without hesitation. "I didn't come here to impress," he replied coolly. "I came here to win."

Lady Selene raised an eyebrow. "Confidence. We'll see if you have the strength to match it."

Draven's smirk never wavered. "I don't need your approval," he thought to himself. "Soon enough, they'll all see my strength."

_ _ _ _ _

As the trial concluded, Draven was among the few who made it to the top. His arrogance and sheer determination had pushed him further than the others. But this was just the beginning.

The real challenge was entering the sect and rising through its ranks. He knew that if he wanted to become strong, to truly gain power, he would have to rise beyond the outer and inner disciples. He had to become a core disciple.

The air grew tense as the sect elders began discussing the results. Lady Selene's gaze lingered on Draven. "There's something about this one," she mused silently. "I'll have to keep an eye on him."

As Draven stood at the edge of the mountain, looking out over the sect below, he clenched his fists. "I'll enter the Draconic Sect," he vowed. "And I'll become the strongest. No one will stand in my way."

The wind whipped around him, carrying with it the sound of distant dragons roaring in the sky. Draven's journey had only just begun, but he knew that his demonic nature, his sheer arrogance, and his thirst for power would guide him. There was no turning back now...

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