C-6 The Calm Before the Storm Part 2

Ling Chen rose from his seat and made his way to the platform where the formation was set.

 As he walked, the Family Lord turned to Ling Chen's father, Ling Zhan, and asked, "This is your son, isn't it?" Ling Zhan stood up, bowed respectfully, and replied, "Yes, Family Lord, this is my son."

Ling Chen reached the center of the platform and sat down, closing his eyes as the formation began to gather powerful Qi energy within him.

 At first, everything was calm—the pillars hummed softly, and the runes glowed steadily—but then, something extraordinary happened.

The sky above the courtyard darkened, and a powerful gust of wind swept through, causing banners and flags to flutter wildly. The pillars trembled, and the runes glowed brighter than ever before. A surge of energy erupted from the pillars, enveloping Ling Chen in a blinding light.

The crowd gasped as the energy began to take shape, forming the figure of a Western-style dragon. Unlike traditional Eastern dragons, this creature had massive wings, scales that shimmered like molten gold, and eyes that burned with an otherworldly fire.

It let out a deafening roar, shaking the very foundations of the courtyard. Dark clouds gathered above, and a powerful bolt of lightning struck the platform, igniting flames around Ling Chen.

Yet, he remained unharmed as the flames coalesced into a gargantuan beast that stepped out of the energy. The creature was a mix of dragon and fire lizard, its scarlet scales gleaming, its four powerful legs melting the platform's tiles as it walked.

 Its obsidian horns curved backward, and its long, muscular neck was covered in sharp spikes. Massive wings stretched from its shoulders to its back, their red membranes glowing with fiery energy.

Its long, scaled tail whipped through the air, and its furious roar echoed across the courtyard, declaring its dominance over the territory. The elders stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing.

One elder, a powerful figure in the family, turned to another and said, "It looks like a revolutionary beast soul, but it's not a pure dragon soul. It's as if it's a mutated mix between a dragon and a fire lizard." Another elder replied, "I've never seen such a powerful soul before. Its wings are enormous, and its aura is overwhelming.

If this is a fire lizard soul, how does it have dragon scales? Those are unique to dragon souls." The crowd murmured in confusion and awe as the dragon-like creature roared again, its fury-filled eyes scanning the sky. Ling Chen rose from his seat and made his way to the platform where the formation was set.

The crowd gasped as the energy began to take shape, forming the figure of a Western-style dragon. Unlike traditional Eastern dragons, this creature had massive wings, scales that shimmered like molten gold, and eyes that burned with an otherworldly fire. It let out a deafening roar,

 shaking the very foundations of the courtyard. Dark clouds gathered above, and a powerful bolt of lightning struck the platform, igniting flames around Ling Chen. Yet,

 he remained unharmed as the flames coalesced into a gargantuan beast that stepped out of the energy.

 The creature was a mix of dragon and fire lizard, its scarlet scales gleaming, its four powerful legs melting the platform's tiles as it walked. Its obsidian horns curved backward, and its long, muscular neck was covered in sharp spikes. Massive wings stretched from its shoulders to its back,

 their red membranes glowing with fiery energy. Its long, scaled tail whipped through the air, and its furious roar echoed across the courtyard, declaring its dominance over the territory.

 The elders stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing. One elder, a powerful figure in the family, turned to another and said, "It looks like a revolutionary beast soul, but it's not a pure dragon soul. It's as if it's a mutated mix between a dragon and a fire lizard." Another elder replied, "I've never seen such a powerful soul before.

 Its wings are enormous, and its aura is overwhelming. If this is a fire lizard soul, how does it have dragon scales? Those are unique to dragon souls."

The crowd murmured in confusion and awe as the dragon-like creature roared again, its fury-filled eyes scanning the sky.

As the dragon-like creature roared, its fiery aura dominating the courtyard, powerful figures across the kingdom felt the disturbance in the spiritual energy. Cultivators who had been meditating for years opened their eyes, their attention drawn to the Ling Family's territory.

 In a remote mountain range, a man in harmony with nature sat cross-legged on a rocky outcrop, his eyes closed as he communed with the elements around him.

The sudden surge of energy made him open his eyes, and his lips curled into a faint smile. "It seems someone has challenged the heavens," he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. "The era of peace on this continent is over. A time of chaos is coming."

He stood up, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the Ling Family's territory lay. "Such power… it's both a blessing and a curse.

The balance of the world is shifting, and the strong will rise while the weak will fall."

Meanwhile, in a grand golden-dark building nestled between towering mountains, a middle-aged man sat on a massive throne. The building, nearly a thousand stories high, exuded an aura of power and dominance.

The man, though appearing ordinary, radiated an overwhelming presence. His sharp eyes scanned the room as he pondered the recent disturbances in the spiritual energy.

Suddenly, a red-eyed man dressed in dark silk robes entered and bowed before him. "Lord, someone has awakened a powerful dragon soul," the man reported, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and excitement.

The lord's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. "Where?" he demanded, his voice cold and commanding.

The red-eyed man replied, "In the territory of the 9th-level country, my lord."

The lord frowned, his fingers drumming on the armrest of his throne. "That area has no powerful families or sects. Who could have awakened such a soul? It seems fate is on our side."

 He stood up, his presence filling the room. "Go and retrieve that soul using forbidden techniques. My son is already 11 years old and has yet to awaken his soul, while even the weakest families awaken theirs by age 5. With this soul, my son's future will be limitless."

The red-eyed man hesitated for a moment before asking, "What if there's resistance, my lord?"

The lord's eyes glinted with a dangerous light. "Take The Scarlet Enchantress with you. Even though that area has no powerful cultivators, we cannot take any risks. This soul feels extraordinary—it might even be above Level 10.

 Remember, no mistakes will be tolerated. If anyone stands in your way, eliminate them without hesitation."

The red-eyed man bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord." He turned and left the room

The scene shifts to a vast, frozen landscape where everything is covered in a blanket of pristine white snow. As far as the eye can see, there is nothing but ice and snow, with biting cold winds howling across the terrain.

In the distance, a massive ice archway stands, inscribed with the words "Frost Ice Flame" in glowing, frost-blue letters. Beyond the archway lies an entire city made of ice, its buildings and streets carved from crystal-clear glaciers.

The city spans nearly 50 kilometers, but despite its grandeur, the streets are eerily empty, with no signs of life.

At the heart of this frozen city stands a luxurious ice palace, stretching 5 kilometers wide and towering into the sky with walls of ice that are 5 feet thick. Inside the palace, the atmosphere is warm and serene, a stark contrast to the freezing world outside.

 A woman sits in a lavishly decorated room, her presence commanding yet graceful. She is dressed in a flowing white robe adorned with intricate silver embroidery, the fabric shimmering like freshly fallen snow.

 Her long, silvery hair cascades down her back, and her piercing blue eyes reflect the calmness of a frozen lake. In one hand, she holds a large, beautifully bound book, its pages filled with ancient cultivation techniques.

 In her other hand, she gently waters a blue ice flower, its petals glowing faintly with a frosty light.

The room is filled with the soft hum of spiritual energy, and the temperature is perfectly balanced, neither too cold nor too warm. The woman looks up from her book and turns to a young girl standing nearby.

The girl, dressed in a similar white robe but with simpler designs, bows respectfully.

The woman speaks, her voice calm yet authoritative. "Go to that kingdom and find the one who has awakened this powerful soul. If it is a girl, bring her to our sect. It seems a Level 9 or Level 10 soul has been awakened, and she would be a perfect addition to our ranks.

 Ensure her family is safe and secure. If they face any danger, eliminate the threat so that she can join us without worry. She must feel secure, knowing her family is protected."

The girl nods, her expression serious. "Understood, Sect Master. I will ensure her safety and bring her here without fail."

The woman's gaze softens slightly as she adds, "This is your first time venturing into the outside world. Remember, people out there can be deceitful and dangerous.

They will use any means to achieve their goals. If you find yourself in danger, use the formation I taught you.

 While the name of our sect alone should deter most, do not underestimate anyone. Stay vigilant and bring the girl back safely."

The girl bows again, her determination evident. "I will not fail you, Sect Master."

"In the dance of frost and flame, where the winds of destiny howl and the rivers of time flow, cultivators rise as both guardians and challengers of nature's eternal balance. For in their hands lies the power to shape the heavens and the earth, yet in their hearts, they must carry the wisdom to honor the harmony of all things."

 By NORANG