Chapter 2: The Path of Hidden Strength
A New Beginning
The rising sun bathed the Long Clan's training grounds in golden light, its warmth barely reaching the hundreds of young disciples gathered in rows. Today marked the official start of clan training, where every newly awakened martial artist would hone their skills and prove their worth.
Long Tian stood among them, his expression calm and unreadable.
To the clan, he was just another mid-tier talent with a Rank 6 Martial Soul.
And that was exactly how he wanted it.
Above the gathered disciples, Elder Wei observed with a sharp gaze. A man known for his ruthless training methods, he valued strength above all else.
"As disciples of the Long Clan, you must understand one thing," Elder Wei's voice rang across the training ground. "Your talent is meaningless if you lack the will to improve. The weak will be left behind, and the strong will inherit the clan's future."
His words sent a ripple through the disciples. Some clenched their fists, others swallowed nervously.
Long Tian simply observed.
'Strength is important, but so is patience. The real opportunities aren't here in open training—but in the hidden corners of the world.'
For now, he would go through the motions, learning and adapting while remaining unnoticed.
Trial One: Endurance & Qi Control
The first stage of training tested Qi endurance and body refinement.
The task was simple: each disciple had to continuously strike a spirit-forged boulder while controlling their Qi. The goal was to maintain steady Qi reinforcement without exhausting themselves.
Many disciples, eager to prove themselves, poured too much Qi into their attacks. Within minutes, some collapsed, panting from overuse of energy.
Long Tian took a different approach.
Instead of brute force, he focused on efficiency.
He controlled his breathing.
He released just enough Qi to minimize effort but maximize impact.
His strikes were rhythmic, precise—never wasted.
Half an hour passed, and the training field was littered with exhausted disciples.
At the end, only a handful remained standing:
1. Long Fei – Smirking, arms crossed, clearly still full of energy.
2. Lin Yue – A sharp-eyed female disciple, breathing hard but still stable.
3. Long Tian – Completely composed, as if he had never exerted himself.
Elder Wei's eyes flickered to Long Tian for a moment.
'Interesting… he isn't even tired.'
But he said nothing and moved on.
Long Tian hid his smirk. This level of training was nothing.
Even without using his Azure Dragon's power, his body refinement was far beyond the others.
Trial Two: Speed & Agility
The next test measured movement speed and footwork.
The disciples were ordered to run through an obstacle-filled training ground, dodging swinging logs, leaping across wooden platforms, and navigating a maze of spirit-infused arrows.
This time, Long Tian decided to use his Fate Eyes.
The moment he activated them, his vision shifted.
Golden threads stretched across the field, showing him the best paths before he even moved.
He saw which logs would swing faster.
He saw the exact trajectory of arrows before they were fired.
He knew when to slow down and when to rush forward.
To the others, it looked as though Long Tian was simply flowing through the course effortlessly.
When the trial ended, the fastest times were:
1. Lin Yue – First place, her agility unmatched.
2. Long Fei – Second, his power helping him push through obstacles.
3. Long Tian – Third, finishing the course without a single mistake but appearing as if he had simply taken his time.
He had held back on purpose.
'Better to place near the top, but not at the top.'
Lin Yue glanced at him, curiosity flashing in her gaze. Long Fei, on the other hand, frowned.
'Something is off about him…'
But Long Tian's face remained unreadable.
"Let them wonder"
Trial Three: Combat Sparring
The next trial was one-on-one sparring.
Each disciple was paired with another to test their combat skills, adaptability, and technique.
The matches proceeded quickly—most fights were brutal but predictable.
Then—
"Long Tian vs. Wu Jian!"
Wu Jian, a stocky disciple with brute strength, grinned.
"This will be easy," he muttered.
Long Tian simply nodded and stepped into the circle.
The elder raised his hand. "Begin!"
Wu Jian charged instantly, aiming a heavy punch at Long Tian's chest.
But Long Tian had already seen it—the golden fate threads revealing Wu Jian's attack pattern.
At the last moment, Long Tian tilted his body slightly.
Wu Jian's punch missed by inches.
"What?!"
Before Wu Jian could react, Long Tian stepped forward, pressing two fingers against a weak point on his leg.
Thud!
Wu Jian collapsed.
Silence.
The watching disciples blinked.
"What just happened?"
"He barely moved…"
Elder Wei's gaze lingered on Long Tian before he finally spoke.
"Winner—Long Tian."
Long Fei's frown deepened.
'No… there's no way this is normal.'
Final Trial: Spirit Beast Hunt
The last test took place in the Long Clan's inner forest, where disciples had to hunt and subdue a Rank 1 or Rank 2 Spirit Beast.
While others rushed into battle, Long Tian did something else—
He activated his Fate Eyes.
Golden threads appeared, showing him:
The best path to avoid unnecessary fights.
The locations of injured or weaker spirit beasts.
A hidden opportunity.
He followed a thin, red fate thread, leading him to a buried treasure—a Qi Nourishing Fruit hidden beneath a fallen tree.
Instead of killing, Long Tian tamed a weakened spirit beast using a pulse of calm Qi.
By the time he returned, he had secured a quiet win without drawing attention.
The Final Rankings
First Place: Long Fei (Overconfident, but expected).
Second Place: Lin Yue (Skilled and sharp).
Seventh Place: Long Tian (Strategic, but 'average').
That night, alone in his courtyard, Long Tian absorbed the Qi Nourishing Fruit, feeling his cultivation stir.
In his soul realm, the Azure Dragon's eye opened slightly.
A whisper echoed in his mind.
"Soon."
Long Tian smiled.
For now, he would remain in the shadows.
But one day—he would shake the world.
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End of chapter 2