The trials for the Holy Beast Bond Master Academy had officially begun.
Tai Zhi took a step forward, his aura still radiating overwhelming authority. His voice boomed across the open courtyard, "There will be three trials in total. But before we begin, I must make something clear. Any child below Rank 7, step back now. You are not eligible to participate."
A hush fell over the crowd. Murmurs spread like wildfire. Gasps echoed. Some children stared up at their parents with tearful eyes, while others clenched their fists in silent frustration. One by one, over a hundred children lowered their heads and stepped back. Some parents wept with them, offering warm embraces and soft reassurances. It was a heartbreaking sight for many.
Among the remaining children, Shi Feng exhaled in relief. "No wonder Mister Yang Fen said I could join. I just hit Rank 7."
Lan Zhen and Gu Na'er both nodded at him, thankful they had all qualified.
Even after the elimination, over a thousand children remained. An army of young hopefuls, their faces now more determined than ever.
Tai Zhi's deep voice cut through the tension again. "The first trial is known as the Bond Gate Trial. This test is not simply one of strength, but of truth. The Bond Gate will reach into your spirit, reveal the hidden nature of your bond beast, and awaken something within—whether potential... or a flaw."
Unease crept across the crowd. Many of the children were only seven years old. The idea of having something within them judged or exposed made many nervous. Some trembled, others clenched their jaws, trying to look brave.
Without warning, the ground beneath their feet rumbled with force.
Suddenly, ten enormous gates erupted from the courtyard floor. Each gate glowed with intense elemental energies—flames, shadows, storm winds, glacial frost, blazing light, and more. The very air shimmered from the pressure they emitted. Roars of magical beasts echoed faintly from each gate, as if ancient spirits were watching.
Zhen clutched his chest. His heart raced erratically. Suddenly, his body shuddered. His right eye flared a vivid red, while the left shimmered with golden brilliance. It only lasted a few seconds, but the sensation was overwhelming.
Nearby, Lei Wei gasped. His eyes flashed with deep-blue lightning for a moment before returning to normal.
Zhen turned to him. "Did you feel that?"
Lei Wei rubbed his forehead. "Yeah... it must be related to our dragon bonds."
Tai Zhi raised a hand. "Enter the gates. Your trial begins now."
Far in the distance, among the crowd of watching parents, Lan Xin gripped Lan Hua's hand tightly.
"Nothing will happen to our Zhen'er, right?" she whispered.
Lan Hua placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's just a test. He'll be fine."
"I don't care if he passes or fails," Lan Xin said. "he will always be our precious son".
Lan Hua smiled and embraced her. "He's strong. Believe in him, as I do."
The children approached the Bond Gates. As the last one entered, the gates sealed shut with a deep, echoing thud. The auras grew stronger, and beams of elemental energy surged skyward.
Just then, a striking woman with dark crimson hair and glowing red eyes walked gracefully to Tai Zhi's side. She wore the academy's instructor robes with pride and an air of mystery. Despite appearing to be in her early twenties, her presence was formidable.
Tai Zhi gave her a knowing smile. "Long Yi. Our youngest instructor, and already a Rank 72 Holy Lord. Still bonded with that terrifying Demon Dragon of yours?"
Her voice was sharp but steady. "You may ignore me, Senior Tai. I'm only here to observe."
"Ha. Don't act so cold," Tai Zhi teased. "You wouldn't be here unless there were dragon bonds among the candidates."
Long Yi didn't respond. Her eyes, glowing faintly, were locked onto two children in particular: Lan Zhen and Lei Wei.
Inside the gates, the air was thick with energy. Each child was sitting in a meditative pose. The pressure forced many to close their eyes and focus deeply. Some tried to suppress the fear welling in their hearts.
Lan Zhen mimicked the others and sat cross-legged. He inhaled deeply and pushed his focus inward. All around him, children began shaking violently. Some were unable to stabilize their bond and were suddenly ejected from the gate by an invisible force.
Zhao Xiong was the first to complete the trial. A flaming aura surged around him as he stepped out from the far side of the gate.
He raised his hands and shouted, "I'm a genius! I knew I'd be the first!"
His three followers emerged right after, clapping and shouting praises. "Young master is unmatched!"
Shortly after, Bing Xue'er passed the trial. Her calm, icy presence floated gently around her. She stepped forward quietly, her pale blue robes fluttering. Though she smiled, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. Despite being from a noble family, she stood alone, unnoticed.
More children began to pass, some crying from relief, others jumping in joy. Shi Feng emerged with a confident grin and began scanning the crowd for Zhen and Na'er.
Tai Zhi watched and then turned to Long Yi. "Only twenty-five have passed so far. The others are still inside."
Inside her gate, Na'er's entire body was engulfed in brilliant flame. A massive illusion of a phoenix with radiant rainbow wings appeared in her mindscape. It soared high into the heavens, calling out in a cry of majestic power.
Na'er's bond flared, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her body returned to normal as she gently exited the gate.
Tai Zhi spoke softly, "Her phoenix bond is powerful. Only three others here have phoenix bonds, but hers... It's different."
Meanwhile, Lan Zhen's trial was beginning to peak. Once again, his eyes glowed—one golden, one crimson. Scales began to spread across his body. His right side gleamed with celestial light, and his left was covered in jagged, dark dragon scales.
He was pulled into a vivid vision.
A sky of dragons. Countless mighty beasts with enormous wings hovered in the air, their glowing eyes fixed on him. They all bowed in silence. A powerful energy surged through his body. His arm shifted, changing shape as reddish, dark golden dragon scales spread across it. His hand became a massive dragon claw, pulsing with an aura so intense it felt like the world itself trembled in its presence.
Then—he opened his eyes.
The dream faded. The scales vanished. Zhen stood and walked through the gate.
Lei Wei, Na'er, and Shi Feng were already waiting.
Na'er ran to him and grabbed his hand. "Zhen! Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Zhen gave her a calm smile. "I'm fine. I passed."
Zhao Xiong stood nearby with a scowl on his face. He crossed his arms and muttered bitterly, "I don't understand how he passed so easily..."
Tai Zhi stepped forward and addressed the children. "The first trial has ended. Out of 1,200 participants, only 200 passed."
A golden screen shimmered into existence above them, names glowing brightly. Lan Zhen's name was there. So were Na'er's, Shi Feng's, Lei Wei's, and the other noble children.
From the far side, Lan Xin burst into tears of joy. "He passed!"
Lan Hua nodded proudly. "Our son is amazing."
The remaining children stood proudly. Those who failed left quietly, some with tears, others with quiet resolve to try again someday.
Tai Zhi glanced sideways at Long Yi. "Anyone catch your eye?"
Long Yi didn't answer right away. Her eyes were fixed on Lan Zhen.
Inside, her Demon Dragon bond pulsed faintly. A dark dragon... no, something deeper… something ancient.
"I'm just observing," she said at last, though her heart raced a little.
The trial was far from over.
The storm had only begun to stir.