The next day, Du Shentian made his way toward the Silver Dragon Battalion's headquarters, his steps steady yet carrying a faint tension that he could not completely suppress, no matter how much confidence he had built over the past few days of relentless training and growth. The events that had led him here replayed in his mind again and again, reminding him that today would not be an ordinary day, but rather a turning point that could shape his future in ways he could not yet fully comprehend.
As he approached the massive structure, his eyes widened slightly, and for a brief moment, his composure faltered as he took in the sheer grandeur of the Silver Dragon Battalion's headquarters. The building stood tall like a monument of power and prestige, its architecture far more refined and extravagant than anything he had seen before, even surpassing the already impressive Awakeners' Association in both scale and elegance.
Every detail of the place radiated wealth and authority, from the polished marble floors that reflected the light like mirrors to the towering pillars engraved with intricate dragon patterns that seemed almost alive under the shifting illumination. The atmosphere itself felt heavy, as if it carried the weight of countless powerful awakeners who had walked through these halls, leaving behind traces of their overwhelming presence.
Du Shentian couldn't help but feel slightly out of place as he stepped inside, his simple clothing and modest appearance standing in stark contrast to the refined environment around him. His eyes wandered from one corner to another, absorbing every detail with a mix of curiosity and disbelief, while a single thought echoed repeatedly in his mind—this was a place where true power gathered.
The system's voice suddenly broke the silence in his mind, its tone calm yet carrying a hint of curiosity.
[Host, why is the Silver Dragon Battalion's headquarters more luxurious than the Awakeners' Association headquarters?]
Upon hearing the question, Du Shentian quickly regained his composure and replied, his tone steady as he continued walking forward, carefully observing his surroundings while formulating his answer.
"The Silver Dragon Battalion is a private organization," he explained, his voice carrying a thoughtful undertone. "It belongs only to its members, unlike the Awakeners' Association, where anyone can enter or leave freely. Naturally, they invest more resources into their own headquarters."
He paused briefly before continuing, his gaze shifting toward the deeper sections of the building where the aura of power felt even more intense.
"Also, the Silver Dragon Battalion is backed by a True Saint-level expert Mei Shiguang herself (Time True Saint). Her family is among the most prominent in Dragon King City, and they have multiple high-level experts within their lineage. Compared to that, the Awakeners' Association in Dragon Sanctuary 007 only has one True Saint backing it. That difference alone explains the gap in luxury and influence."
The system remained silent for a moment, as if processing his explanation, before responding with a hint of approval.
[Impressive analysis, Host. I must say, this battalion appears to be the most suitable place for your growth and development.]
Just as Du Shentian was about to respond, a translucent system window suddenly appeared before him, floating silently in the air.
Mission: Join Silver Dragon Battalion
Penalty: None
Reward: 10 B-grade Healing Pills
Seeing this, Du Shentian let out a quiet sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he read the details carefully, noting the absence of any penalty for failure. The mission itself aligned perfectly with his current objective, and the reward, while not extraordinary, would still prove useful in future battles.
Before he could fully process the information, another system notification appeared, overlapping the previous one with a far more ominous presence.
Mission: Join Dragon Century 007's Awakener Academy
Du Shentian's expression immediately shifted, confusion and unease flickering across his face as he stared at the new mission window, trying to understand its implications.
"Master, what the heck is this?" he asked, his voice carrying clear frustration and disbelief.
The system did not respond immediately, and instead, the mission details updated on their own, revealing additional information that made Du Shentian's heart sink even further.
Mission: Join Dragon Century 007's Awakener Academy within three weeks
Penalty: Death
Reward: Power-Up Strike (System Skill)
For a moment, everything around him seemed to fade into the background as his focus locked entirely onto the word "Death," which glowed ominously within the system panel, sending a chill down his spine.
"Master…" he muttered, his voice slightly strained. "Awakener Academy isn't something you can just join like that. It requires connections, recommendations, and proper education. I don't have any of that. I grew up on the streets… how am I supposed to get into such a place in just three weeks? They only allow people under the age of 25 join them."
The system responded calmly, as if the severity of the situation did not concern it in the slightest.
[Host, you are only eighteen years old. You still have time to grow and adapt. Do not underestimate your potential.]
Du Shentian clenched his fists slightly, frustration building within him as he tried to find a logical solution to what seemed like an impossible task.
"In three weeks?" he muttered under his breath. "How am I supposed to secure a seat in the Awakener Academy in just three weeks?"
Despite his doubts, he forced himself to move forward, knowing that standing still would not solve anything. He walked toward the helping corner and informed the attendant that he had a scheduled meeting with Luo Xinyan.
The attendant looked at him briefly, her expression neutral yet carrying a faint trace of doubt, before nodding and beginning the verification process.
As she checked the records, her expression gradually changed, her eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and disbelief as she glanced at Du Shentian once more, clearly struggling to reconcile his appearance with the information in front of her.
Du Shentian immediately understood what she was thinking.
To her, he was nothing more than a poorly dressed young man with no visible status or influence, someone who had no business being associated with a figure like Luo Xinyan, the leader of the Silver Dragon Battalion and one of the most admired individuals in Dragon Sanctuary 007.
After completing the verification, she handed him an access card without saying much, but the hesitation in her movements did not go unnoticed.
As Du Shentian walked away, he muttered quietly to himself, his tone carrying a hint of bitterness.
"I can't believe it… even the attendant is looking down on me."
The system responded without hesitation, its tone blunt and completely devoid of sympathy.
[Host, you are relatively short and not particularly attractive. It is only natural for others to judge you based on your appearance.]
Du Shentian froze mid-step, his expression turning blank as if he had just been struck by an invisible force.
"Master…" he said slowly, his voice trembling slightly. "Can't you at least try to praise me once in a while? It's not like I chose my appearance… it's just genetics."
For a brief moment, the system remained silent before finally responding in a slightly less harsh tone.
[Focus on what truly matters, Host. Your strength will determine your value, not your appearance.]
The words, though blunt, carried a certain truth that Du Shentian could not deny. Taking a deep breath, he pushed aside his embarrassment and continued forward, his focus gradually shifting back to the upcoming battle.
[Host, prepare yourself. I do not believe Luo Xinyan will go easy on you after what you did last week.]
A chill ran down his spine at the reminder, and he swallowed hard before replying.
"But Master… I still have over 200 stat points, right? I can allocate them during the fight if necessary."
[That is correct. However, even with that advantage, I do not believe you will win.]
Du Shentian frowned slightly.
"Why?"
The system answered calmly.
[She may not specialize in hand-to-hand combat, but that does not mean she is weak in it. It is simply less refined compared to her primary weapon style.]
Du Shentian's curiosity was piqued.
"How do you know that?"
[By observing her hands. The calluses, muscle structure, and subtle movements indicate that she primarily uses a spear. A person's hands reveal their preferred weapon if you know how to interpret them.]
Du Shentian's eyes lit up slightly.
"Master, can you teach me this skill too?"
The system immediately shut down the idea.
[This is not a skill that can be directly taught. It requires observation, experience, and intelligence. Develop it yourself.]
Du Shentian sighed, feeling a slight sense of defeat before the system spoke again.
[Also, stop speaking out loud. You are attracting unnecessary attention. Communicate with me mentally instead.]
Realizing that several people were indeed staring at him, Du Shentian quickly lowered his head in embarrassment and hurried toward the elevator, eager to escape the awkward situation.
After scanning the access card, the elevator carried him to a hidden floor that was inaccessible to ordinary members, its doors opening to reveal a completely different environment from the rest of the building.
The moment he stepped out, he immediately realized that he had entered Luo Xinyan's private chambers, where the atmosphere was far more serene yet carried an overwhelming sense of power that made the air itself feel heavy.
"Master… doesn't this look like her private space?" he asked mentally.
[Yes. She will likely fight you in her underground training ground.]
Moving further inside, Du Shentian felt the atmosphere shift so subtly that, at first, he could not even pinpoint what had changed. The air seemed heavier, quieter, as if the world itself had lowered its voice out of respect—or fear—for the person within. Each step he took echoed faintly against the polished floor, yet even those sounds felt suppressed, swallowed by the strange stillness that dominated the room.
The chamber was vast, yet not empty. It carried a refined elegance that spoke of immense wealth and status, but also of discipline and control. Sunlight filtered in through wide, wooden-framed windows, casting long, soft beams across the floor and illuminating the delicate details of the interior. Thin ornaments hung near the window, swaying gently with the breeze, their faint movements creating an almost hypnotic rhythm. Beyond the glass, a quiet courtyard stretched outward, where a small stone fountain trickled endlessly, surrounded by carefully arranged greenery that radiated peace and harmony.
And yet—none of that peace reached him.
Because at the center of that room… she was there.
Luo Xinyan.
She sat with her back partially turned, her posture perfectly straight, yet relaxed in a way that suggested absolute confidence. Her long silver hair flowed down her back like liquid light, cascading over the surface beneath her and catching the sunlight in a way that made it shimmer faintly. Every strand seemed impossibly smooth, moving only slightly with the subtle currents in the air.
Her outfit only added to that overwhelming presence. She wore a refined golden outer robe that draped loosely over her shoulders, the fabric rich and smooth, embroidered with faint, intricate patterns that hinted at dragons and ancient symbols. Beneath it, a darker inner garment clung more closely to her body, outlining her figure with quiet precision without ever appearing excessive. The contrast between the flowing outer robe and the fitted inner layer created a balance between elegance and lethality, as if she were dressed both as a noble and a warrior at the same time.
Her legs were partially visible beneath the layered fabric, covered in sleek black stockings that extended upward, emphasizing the smooth lines of her form while maintaining a sense of restraint. The outfit did not seek attention, yet it commanded it effortlessly, every detail carefully chosen to reflect status, power, and control. Even in stillness, it felt as though she was prepared for battle at any moment.
Beside her, on a small table, an open book rested quietly. Its pages were filled with intricate symbols and unfamiliar script, something far beyond ordinary reading material. It looked ancient, almost alive in the way it seemed to draw attention, yet she was no longer looking at it. Her focus had shifted completely, even before he had fully stepped into the room.
Around her, the air itself felt… distorted.
It was not visible in any obvious way, yet Du Shentian could sense it instinctively—the faint, constant flow of source energy being drawn toward her body. It moved like invisible currents, bending ever so slightly as they gathered around her, feeding into her cultivation. This was not something an ordinary awakener could achieve. This was control on an entirely different level.
Moving further inside, he soon saw her clearly.
Luo Xinyan sat quietly in deep cultivation, her presence alone radiating a silent yet overwhelming pressure that made Du Shentian instinctively hold his breath. It was not oppressive in a violent way, but it was absolute—like standing before something far beyond his current understanding.
He did not interrupt her.
Instead, he stood there, waiting patiently, his body tense despite his efforts to remain calm. Even though she was not looking at him, he had the distinct feeling that she was already aware of his presence, as if nothing within this room could escape her notice.
Seconds passed.
Then, slowly—her eyes opened.
A faint crimson light flickered within them.
That single moment shattered whatever illusion of calm the room had held.
Her gaze landed on him, steady and unwavering. It was not sharp in the way of someone hostile, nor soft like someone welcoming. It was simply… precise, as if she had already measured him completely in that single glance.
"So… you are finally here," she said calmly.
Her voice was soft, almost gentle, yet it carried a strange weight that lingered in the air long after she spoke. It was not loud, but it did not need to be. The room itself seemed to acknowledge her words.
Du Shentian straightened instinctively, forcing himself to meet her gaze despite the faint chill creeping up his spine.
"You should be careful when cultivating," he said, trying to keep his tone steady. "If someone dangerous had entered, you could have been harmed."
For a brief moment, silence followed.
Then—she smiled.
Du Shentian froze.
The expression on her face was… wrong.
It was not exaggerated, nor was it unnatural in a way that could be easily explained. The curve of her lips was subtle, controlled, almost delicate. And yet, something about it felt completely out of place, as though the expression did not belong to her at all.
There was no warmth in it.
No softness.
No emotion that he could recognize.
It looked like a smile—perfectly formed, carefully shaped—but it did not feel like one. Instead, it gave him the strange and unsettling impression that she was forcing the expression onto her face, as if she had learned what a smile should look like… but not what it should mean.
For some reason, that made it far more terrifying than if she had simply remained cold and expressionless.
"I am not afraid of you," she said softly. "Even if you tried to harm me, I could disarm and kill you instantly."
Her tone did not change.
There was no hint of mockery, no arrogance, no attempt to intimidate him.
And yet, every word struck him with undeniable certainty.
It wasn't a threat.
It wasn't even a warning.
It was just… the truth.
A cold shiver ran down Du Shentian's spine as he stood there, unable to look away from her face. That faint, unnatural smile still lingered, unmoving, as if frozen in place.
The peaceful surroundings—the sunlight, the gentle breeze, the quiet courtyard outside—felt like nothing more than a fragile illusion now, something that could shatter at any moment.
Because sitting before him was not just a beautiful woman in a calm room.
It was someone who could end his life without hesitation…
And was smiling while saying it.
End of Chapter
Author's Note
This is my first novel, so there may be mistakes along the way. Please feel free to point them out so I can improve.
Also, English is not my first language, so there might be some inconsistencies.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story!