Morning sunlight spilled into Dorm Room 21, casting a warm glow over the wooden floorboards and illuminating the scattered uniforms and books. The usual chorus of birds chirping outside greeted the new day. However, unlike most mornings, Lan Zhen was still in bed, his blanket tangled around him as if he had battled it all night.
Shi Feng sat up and rubbed his eyes, glancing toward Zhen. "Zhen, you're always the first one up. What happened today? You look half-dead."
Lei Wei yawned, stretching his arms above his head before noticing Zhen's pale face and dark circles. "Yeah, are you okay? You look like you wrestled with a demon in your sleep."
Zhen blinked slowly, feeling soreness in every muscle. A memory suddenly surfaced.
Long Yi's voice echoed in his mind: "Listen Zhen, you can't tell anyone about us meeting here. Also, don't tell anyone that I am your master and you are my disciple. Not even your friends. Got it?"
Back then, Zhen had nodded obediently. "Yes, Teacher."
Coming back to the present, Zhen forced a smile. "Oh... I was just having a good dream, that's all."
Shi Feng gave him a skeptical look. "A dream, huh? Come on, Zhen. What kind of dream was it?"
Zhen hesitated as both Feng and Wei stared at him like eager puppies. He groaned in defeat. "Alright, alright. I dreamt that all of us—me, Naer, Feng, Wei, Xiatao, and Queer—were eating tons of delicious food and having a blast."
Lei Wei narrowed his eyes. "Just that?"
"Yup."
Shi Feng got unusually emotional. His eyes shimmered, and with dramatic flair, he threw himself at Zhen and hugged him tight. "Zhennnn! You love us that much?!"
Lei Wei's jaw dropped. "Love?! Seriously?!" Then he burst into laughter. "Hahaha!"
Zhen laughed along. "We're best friends. Of course I care about you all."
The three boys shared a good-hearted laugh. Then they changed into their uniforms, grabbed their supplies, and made their way to class, their laughter still echoing in the hallways.
The classroom buzzed with chatter until Head Teacher Guan Fang stepped in, commanding immediate silence. His eyes swept over the students, his presence sharp and dignified.
"Now that you all are officially spirit-forged bond masters," he began, "you have unlocked your first bond skill. This is the beginning of understanding your beast bond's true power."
He folded his arms. "The strength of this skill relies entirely on the connection between you and your bond beast. The stronger the bond, the more powerful the skill."
A student raised a hand. "Head Teacher, is there a limit to how much we can grow just by strengthening the bond?"
Guan Fang nodded. "Yes. That limit becomes evident at Rank 50. Once someone reaches Rank 59, known as the peak of Holy Tyrant, they must pass through a heavy tribulation to advance to Rank 60 — the threshold of becoming a Holy Spirit."
Gasps echoed in the room.
"Tribulation?" someone whispered.
"Yes," Guan Fang continued, his tone grim. "Heaven itself resists further ascension. The stronger your bond, the stronger the tribulation. At higher ranks, these trials can even claim your life."
The class fell silent, many students shifting nervously in their seats.
Zhen raised his hand. "Teacher Guan, what ranks exist above Holy Lord?"
Guan Fang smiled faintly, pleased by the question. "Excellent curiosity, Lan Zhen. Beyond Holy Lord, at Rank 80, you become a Holy Monarch. At Rank 90, a Holy Venerable. Rank 95 is Holy Sovereign, and Rank 98 is Holy King ."
Murmurs broke out across the classroom. Even Naer looked impressed.
"At Rank 90," Guan Fang added, "you earn a personal title that reflects your power and legacy. But that's a matter for the distant future. For now, your focus should be on reaching Rank 20 and becoming a Soul Lord. Only then will you gain your second bond skill."
The room filled with a mix of excitement and tension.
Guan Fang clapped his hands. "Let's put your skills to the test. We'll head to the strength testing hall."
The Class 2 students followed their head teacher down winding halls until they reached a massive chamber with polished stone floors. At the far end stood a giant stone wall, cracked and marked from years of impacts. Above it hovered a floating magical screen.
"This is your strength test," Guan Fang announced. "Each of you will channel your bond energy into your first bond skill and strike the wall. The screen will display the force in kilograms."
He gestured. "First up, Wang Xuan."
The quiet, reserved boy walked up nervously. His beast bond was the Earth Spider.
"Channel your bond power and strike," Guan Fang instructed.
"First Bond Skill: Piercing Needle," Wang Xuan muttered.
He slammed his fist into the wall. The screen flashed:
150 kg.
"Good. Next!"
Students took turns. Most scores ranged between 100 to 200 kg.
Then it was Shi Feng's turn.
"First Bond Skill: Terror Claw!"
A deep growl seemed to echo from his arm as he struck the wall with a roar.
250 kg.
Guan Fang nodded in approval. "Terror Bear bond... well-developed."
Next came Bing Queer.
"First Bond Skill: Frost Shield."
With an elegant movement, she struck the wall using her shield-clad hand.
270 kg.
"Ice Bear King bloodline," Guan Fang murmured. "Interesting defense trait."
Yu Xiatao followed.
"First Bond Skill: Thunder Phoenix wings."
A swirl of thunder-wings accompanied her strike.
270 kg.
Then came Lei Wei, thunder crackling faintly around his arms.
"First Bond Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!"
He smashed the wall. Lightning burst on impact.
350 kg.
"Thunder Dragon King bloodline," Guan Fang noted. "Very refined."
Next was Gu Naer. Flames and frost spiraled around her fists.
"First Bond Skill: Ice-Fire Phoenix Wings!"
She flapped the illusory wings and struck forward.
400 kg. The wall cracked slightly.
Gasps echoed.
"A dual-attribute phoenix... incredibly rare," Guan Fang whispered. "Even stronger than Thunder Dragon."
Then the room quieted. It was Lan Zhen's turn.
He stepped forward, calm but focused. The others watched silently.
So this is him, Guan Fang thought. Long Yi said his bond was pure darkness...
Zhen took a deep breath. His right hand began to glow with a dark, crimson-gold aura.
"First Bond Skill: Dark Dragon Claw."
A massive spectral dragon claw emerged, pulsing with shadow energy. Zhen let out a small shout and punched the wall.
BOOOOOM!
The floor cracked, and a gust of pressure knocked a few students back.
The screen flickered violently.
500 kg.
Everyone stared in disbelief. Whispers buzzed around the room.
Naer, Feng, and Wei gaped.
Guan Fang narrowed his eyes, deeply impressed. "So what Long Yi said... it's all true. Pure darkness."
He folded his arms. Holy Lord Long Yi... you've found a gem indeed.
As Class 2 exited the strength hall, everyone buzzed with energy, speculation, and new respect. Whispers about Zhen's true strength rippled among the new students.
And within Zhen's heart, something stirred — not just pride, but purpose. The path ahead was long, but he had taken another step into the unknown, armed with power, a secret master, and friends he would protect no matter what.