YinYangDaoLord

In a world where power determines destiny, Kai—a quiet orphan in the Emberheart clan—discovers he carries the remnants of an ancient flame known as the First Fire, a divine spark long believed lost to history. When ancient beasts called Nightmares emerge to consume the realm, Kai finds himself at the center of a battle between light and shadow.

But this fire does more than burn—it speaks, it grows, and it changes him. As Kai steps into the path of cultivation, he uncovers secrets buried deep within the land: of a forgotten war, a celestial prophecy, and a monstrous entity born of flame and death.

Will he ascend as a hero, or will the flame consume him before his fate can unfold?

Dragon Ascension: Path of the Immortal is a high-action, emotionally rich Eastern fantasy with powerful battles, clan rivalries, ancient lore, and a protagonist walking the razor’s edge between savior and weapon.

Dragon Ascension: Path of the Immortal

The flames of the central brazier flickered as the wind shifted, casting long, twitching shadows across the summit. Tension coiled in the air like a waiting serpent.

After Kai's declaration, no one spoke for a moment.

Then, from the far side of the ring, a man in bone-white robes stepped forward. His eyes were dark hollows, and the air around him carried the chill of death.

Elder Suthan of the Bone Scripture Hall.

"Fire speaks bold words," Suthan said. "But we have seen bold flames extinguished before."

He raised a skeletal hand and pointed at Kai. "If you seek to be heard, then be tested. Here. Now."

A circle of ancient runes lit up at the summit's center. Duel grounds—sanctioned by the Ashspire itself.

"Let him fight one of ours," Suthan declared. "Let the fire prove its worth."

From behind him stepped a youth—tall, gaunt, and draped in black talismans stitched with silver bone script.

"This is Lao Chen, peak of Core Condensation. Raised in death. Forged in it."

Kai's eyes narrowed. Linya moved beside him, whispering, "They want blood. Be careful."

But Kai stepped forward calmly, unsheathing the flame-wrapped sword from his back.

"I am not here to die," Kai said. "But I won't run from what I've become."

The crowd parted as the two combatants entered the glowing dueling circle.

Lao Chen struck first, sweeping his arms outward. From the ground rose skeletal arms and black mist, clawing toward Kai's feet.

Kai countered instantly—his blade flashed once, and a wave of soulfire burned through the mist, incinerating the cursed arms.

Chen hissed and launched forward, fingers glowing with necrotic light. Each strike carried the weight of decay, withering even the air around it.

But Kai moved like fire unleashed—fluid, fast, untouchable.

Chen roared and summoned a wave of spirit bones to form a monstrous dragon-like construct. It lunged for Kai, jaws wide.

"This is your burial pyre!" Chen screamed.

He whispered an incantation—low, ancient, burning with memory.

"Flame is not death. It is rebirth."

The Sword of Embers lit like a second sun.

He slashed upward, cleaving through the bone-dragon. The construct exploded into ash.

Kai moved once more, faster than breath.

With a final strike, he shattered Chen's talismans and sent him flying to the edge of the ring.

Chen lay motionless. Alive—but defeated.

Kai turned to the crowd. "Let that be the first and last challenge made in ignorance."

Then Meiya clapped, slow and deliberate.

"Impressive," she said. "Looks like the fire hasn't dulled in the cold."

One by one, the other sects backed away—not in retreat, but in quiet acknowledgment.

The First Challenge