Path of the Dragon Warrior

secluded, rugged terrain had been his haven for as long as he could remember-a place where the pressures of clan life seemed to dissolve in th

lier that morning still lingered, echoing in his mind, blending with the faint hum of the mountain winds. He could still feel the dull ache in his fists, his knuckles raw from clenching them t

not come easily; it would require discipline, patience, and perhaps even sacrifice. Yet was it too much to hope for even a single, small victory? Each time he thought he was making progress, he found himself right back at

ser to the fabled Martial Immortal. Martial Initiate was only the beginning, a stage he should have outgrown long ago. Beyond it lay Martial Adept, Expert, Master, Grandmaster, Saint, and Emperor. But at the summit stood the mythical Martial Immortal, a title be

ely able to grasp the basics of Martial Initiate while his peers ascended effortlessly, moving closer and closer to the heights he could only dream of re

had been building within him. His thoughts swirled, a tangled mess of frustration and

didn't notice the soft crunch of

iliar voice c

understand him, the one who knew where to find him when he needed to escape. Her dark hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, her expression

weak smile. "I didn't expect

le intensity. "You didn't think I'd know where to find you

urt more-the sting of Chen Liu's words or the fact that Mei had heard a

ly, taking a seat beside him on the rock. "Chen Liu and h

his palms where his nails had dug into them earlier. "They don't think I'll ever amount to anything. And maybe... maybe they're

know you can't see it now, but I've watched you. You're not just chasing after power like the rest of them

certainty he wished he could feel himself. "But what's the point, Mei? In this clan, strength

power. You have resilience, a determination most people couldn't even imagine. And don't forget, you're not alone. Yo

's support was unwavering, a steady presence when all else seemed to crumble around him. He couldn't

managing a small, genuine smi

tanding up. "Promise me you won't give up, Jian

Mei's words lingered, a fragile hope settling in his chest. As she turned to

iving him one last, encouraging smile before she disapp

t. Mei's words echoed in his mind, bolstering his spirit just enough to keep the despair at bay.

position, his hand brushed against the cool, rough surface of the stone, and he felt an odd tingling sensation ripple through his fingertips. Intri

red, leaning in closer

deep, pulsing energy lying dormant beneath the surface. The feeling was strange, almost foreign, yet it resonated with something within him, cal

nergy radiating from the rock, seeping into his body, filling him with a strange warmth. Suddenly, the

Within that darkness, he saw visions-shadowy figures locked in fierce combat, mountains crumbling under a wav

the mountainside, his hand still pressed against the stone. The etchings glowed faintly, the en

pered, his voice barely audible as he

moment, a deep, resonant voice echoed around hi

a strong mart

e faded into silence. It was a voice he ha