Juwon stood on the gallery of Zhang Taichen’s residence, staring at the endless mountains stretching into the horizon.

  The discussion about Hei Long had left him unsettled. Just what were they planning?

  The sound of shuffling footsteps behind him broke his thoughts. Zhang Taichen walked up, now dressed in his usual robes, the carefree image from earlier replaced by a more contemplative expression. He carried two cups of tea of which, he handed one to Juwon.

  “We need to talk about Qinghai,” Zhang said, leaning against the railing. “There’s more to this than just Hei Long’s involvement”

  Juwon sipped his tea, raising an eyebrow. “I figured. What’s happening there?”

  Zhang sighed. “We received a distress call in one of our private companies five days ago. It came from Kunlun Sect—calling for a Wulin Summit.”

  Juwon nearly choked on his tea. "Kunlun? You mean the mythical legendary sect hidden deep in the frozen abyss of the Kunlun Mountains? The one that treats outsiders like a disease and never reaches out to anyone? You mean they are real?"

  Zhang nodded. “That’s the one. Which is why, at first, we thought it was a hoax. Kunlun has remained isolated for centuries. Even if I personally went to their gates, they would hesitate to let me in.

  For them to suddenly send a distress call?” He shook his head. “It was unheard of.”

  Juwon frowned. “But you confirmed it?”

  Zhang took a slow sip of tea before answering. “Initially, we didn’t act on it. We thought it might be someone impersonating Kunlun Sect to lure us into a trap. After all, the righteous sects have maintained secrecy for generations—nobody knows where they all reside anymore.”

  Juwon narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

  Zhang’s gaze turned distant. “A long time ago, after a certain event. The sects and martial schools agreed to withdraw from public knowledge, becoming mere myths in the eyes of the world. Even we at Wudang only know the general regions where some sects might be, but Kunlun?” He chuckled bitterly. “That’s another level of secrecy.”

  Juwon exhaled. “And yet, they’re calling for help.”

  Zhang set his cup down. “Yes. And if Kunlun is reaching out, then whatever is happening in Qinghai is far worse than we thought.”

  "Then-" Before Juwon could respond, a news broadcast from the nearby television interrupted them. The urgent voice of the reporter filled the room.

  “BREAKING NEWS: Chaos unfolds near a Hei Long facility in Qinghai as an enormous feathered beast was sighted descending from the Qilian Mountains. Witnesses describe the creature as so massive that its shadow alone darkened the land, towering at an estimated 50 feet. Several Hei Long employees were seen near the massive creature, though their intentions remain unclear. Reports indicate multiple other unidentified beasts emerging from the forests, prompting alarm among locals. Authorities have officially closed off Kanbula National Park and restricted access to the Qilian Mountains, urging civilians to avoid the region following a string of violent encounters with these unknown entities. The authorities have also linked the beast’s presence to a growing number of missing person reports, raising fears that these creatures may be responsible for recent disappearances.”"

  Juwon turned to Zhang, eyes widening. “What the hell is that?”

  Zhang, however, had gone still. His fingers clenched his cup, his relaxed demeanor vanishing. He whispered, almost to himself—

  “Divine Beasts of the legend?”

  Juwon blinked. “Divine Beasts? You mean like the mythical creatures in ancient texts?”

  Zhang exhaled sharply. “Not mythical. Real.”

  He turned to face Juwon fully. A nervous laughter covered his face ”Haha first that Qi Serum and now Divine beasts? What in the world is goin on”

  “Divine Beasts are tied to the ley lines of the world. Their presence means something is seriously wrong with the natural Qi flow. Also, the divine beast causes nearby animals to transform into frenzied, mutated versions of themselves—stronger, faster, and far more aggressive, as if they are absorbing its Qi-infused presence.”

  Juwon frowned. “So Hei Long’s activities are messing with the balance of Qi in the world”

  Zhang nodded grimly. “For centuries, Qi has cycled naturally through the world. But five days ago—just before you arrived—it surged back into Wudang. That shouldn’t have happened unless something unnatural had been disrupting it.”

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  Juwon tensed. “You think I had something to do with it?”

  Zhang studied him carefully before responding. “It’s one of two possibilities. Either your presence alone was enough to break whatever Hei Long was doing… or you did something you’re not telling me.”

  He held up a hand before Juwon could protest. “And I’m not going to press you on it. If you have your reasons, I’ll respect that. But either way, the Qi surge confirmed one thing—Hei Long was actively draining Qi from this land. And you stopped it”

  Juwon crossed his arms. "And now it’s happening in Qinghai. Which means Hei Long’s influence is growing."

  Zhang nodded. "Exactly. If Hei Long is involved, then their ambitions run deeper than we thought."

  He paused, his expression darkening. "Hei Long. They’ve been systematically draining Qi from the land, manipulating ley lines, and now Divine Beasts are appearing. And about the last Wulin Summit? That was called to stop the Heavenly Demonic Cult."

  Juwon’s fell silent, the pieces clicked together. "Wait... are you saying Hei Long is—"

  Zhang exhaled. "It’s only a theory for now, but it’s too much of a coincidence. Hei Long might not just be an ambitious corporation; they could be an extension of the Heavenly Demonic Cult itself."

  Zhang took a deep breath. “That’s why you’re going to Qinghai.”

  Juwon scoffed. “Right, because I totally blend in at these things.”

  Zhang smirked. “You won’t be going as yourself. Your mission is reconnaissance. You’ll be infiltrating the Wulin Summit as an observer. We need to know exactly what’s happening, and more importantly, what Hei Long’s next move is.”

  Juwon frowned. "A Wulin Summit? And that's supposed to mean something to me?"

  Zhang nodded. "It is a gathering of the most powerful sects in the martial world. When one is called, it means something big is happening. The last time the Wulin Summit was held, it was to stop the Heavenly Demonic Cult."

  Juwon’s fingers twitched at the name. “…And we won.”

  “Barely,” Zhang corrected. “The Guardians played a major role in that victory. And now, history may be repeating itself.”

  Juwon exhaled. "Let me guess—The demon cult has an history of manipulating and infiltrating the righteous sects?."

  Zhang sighed. “You’re learning fast. Some sects will use this crisis to gain influence. Others might be aligned with Hei Long in secret. That’s why I need you to observe without being recognized.”

  Juwon hesitated before nodding. “Fine. But I have one question—what happens if I do get recognized?”

  Zhang set down his empty cup. “Then you improvise. And don’t get killed. Previous guardians were powerful enough to protect themselves. But you are weak right now”

  Juwon rolled his eyes. “Great advice, thanks.”

  Zhang chuckled. "Get some rest. In the morning, before you leave for Qinghai, there's somewhere I want to take you."

  As Juwon turned to leave, his mind raced. Kunlun’s distress call. The Wulin Summit. Hei Long. Divine Beasts. Whatever was happening in Qinghai…

  Juwon didn’t return to his quarters immediately.

  Instead, he made his way to one of Wudang’s secluded training grounds, an open-air platform overlooking the valley. The moonlight bathed the stone floor in a pale glow as he sat cross-legged, exhaling slowly.

  He recalled Zhang’s words—Previous Guardians were powerful enough to protect themselves. But you are weak right now.

  Juwon clenched his fists. Weak? Maybe. But that wouldn’t last. He sat cross-legged, exhaling slowly as he cycled Qi through his body, refining his control.

  His movements sharpened as he practiced Celestial Dragon Steps, his afterimages flickering more distinctly. He ended with Dragon Fang Void Break, his fist sending a controlled shockwave across the platform. It wasn’t enough—but it was progress. he repeated this for several hours..

  Juwon exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his brow. One day at a time.

  As dawn’s first light crept over the horizon, Juwon finally stood. His breathing was steady, his body lighter. He wasn’t strong enough yet, but soon, he hopes to be.

  As Juwon made his way back, Zhang was already waiting for him at the entrance to a secluded path.

  Without a word, the Sect Leader motioned for him to follow. They walked in silence, deeper into Wudang’s restricted grounds, until they reached an ancient stone gate covered in inscriptions.

  "This place is only accessible to Sect Leaders," Zhang explained. "But it was never meant for Wudang."

  Juwon studied the massive structure.

  The runes pulsed faintly, reacting to his presence. "Then who was it meant for?"

  Zhang placed a hand on the gate. "A Guardian."

  At his words, the engravings flared with golden light. The gate trembled, as if recognizing something within Juwon. He instinctively reached out, channeling his Qi. A deep resonance stirred within the chamber, and with a heavy groan, the stone doors began to open.

  Inside, a vast chamber stretched before them, its walls lined with murals depicting battles long forgotten. At the center stood a pedestal, atop which rested a fragmented jade

  inscription glowing faintly with residual energy.

  Zhang gestured toward it. "The technique on this inscription was tugged away centuries ago. The past Guardians could not use it."

  Juwon frowned. "Why?"

  "Because it required the blood of a True Dragon," Zhang said, watching him closely.

  "It was left here in hopes that one day, a Guardian would appear who could finally master it."

  Zhang exhaled, a rare look of reverence crossing his face. "This chamber has existed for generations, waiting for a Guardian who could awaken it. Every Sect Leader before me has brought potential candidates here, yet none could activate the inscriptions."

  Juwon reached out instinctively, but the moment his fingers brushed against the jade fragment, golden inscriptions flared to life, swirling into the air before streaming directly into his body.

  His breath hitched as an overwhelming flood of knowledge poured into his mind.

  His body reacted on its own, his legs folding into a lotus position as his breathing deepened.

  The inscriptions weren’t just words—they were energy, merging with his Qi as if they had been waiting for him all along.

  Zhang stepped back, eyes widening. "A-A lost technique of learning martial arts?… where inscriptions merge directly with the Qi of a compatible user.”

  Zhang exhaled with excitement “ You..You were found worthy."

  The jade’s knowledge settled within him. The technique: Dragon Vein Convergence. A method of refining Qi through the dragon veins, amplifying one’s cultivation efficiency beyond conventional limits. The initial mastery allows the user to manipulate Qi within the lei lines. The effect of complete mastery are still unknown.

  But more than that, it was meant for a Guardian—a technique no one before him had been able to practice.

  Zhang let out a slow breath, his ancestral duty finally fulfilled. "A True Dragon successor… Wudang will never be the same again."

  “Our ancestors wishes came true”