Morning sunlight washed over the Inner Hall courtyard, but Astra sat beneath the ancient spirit tree with his eyes closed, feeling the huge storm brewing inside his body.
Yesterday's sign-in reward from Chu Feng was still unfolding.
DING!
[Processing Heavenly-Tier Reward…]
[Effect 1: Heaven Vein Reconstruction — 42% Complete]
[Effect 2: Martial Comprehension +80% (Temporary Boost)]
[Effect 3: Spirit Egg Affinity +6 → Emotional Bond Strengthened]
[Effect 4: Destiny Influence Tracker → Active]
[Effect 5: Dantian Capacity +120%]
[Effect 6: Bloodline Ignition Potential +1%]
Astra inhaled sharply.
This wasn't a "small boost."
This was revolutionary.
His meridians expanded, spiritual veins brightened, and comprehension surged like a tidal wave.
Just meeting Chu Feng…
gave him a boost as if he had trained a full month inside a divine realm.
"So this is the power of a protagonist node…"
Astra clenched his fist.
Raw power flowed.
The Spirit Egg hummed warmly in approval.
⚔ A Friendly Spar — But the World Shakes
Chu Feng walked toward him, nervous but determined.
"Astra… can we spar again? I… I want to test myself."
Astra nodded gently.
"Let's."
They stepped into the courtyard center.
Disciples gathered.
Bai Ruyin folded her arms, unsure if she wanted to watch or stop them.
Chu Feng rushed forward—
lightning flickering around him like a baby dragon's breath.
But this time—
Astra's enhanced comprehension made Chu Feng's movements perfectly readable.
Blocks, sidesteps, counters—
fluid, effortless.
Yet Astra didn't overwhelm him.
He matched Chu Feng's strength exactly, encouraging his growth.
Chu Feng gritted his teeth.
"Astra… you're strong."
Astra smiled faintly.
"So are you."
Their clash ended with sweat, laughter, and shining eyes.
Two boys—
two storms—
smiling at each other.
🌩 Inner Hall Evaluation — Astra Shocks the World
As the spar ended, Elder Jian called out:
"Astra Long. Chu Feng. Step forward."
Dozens of disciples watched silently.
Astra stepped onto the platform.
He inhaled—
—and the Heaven Vein Reconstruction inside him surged.
Power flooded his limbs.
He executed the same basic technique all disciples used…
…but under Astra's control, it became divine.
BOOM—!!!
Three stone targets shattered instantly.
Energy rippled across the entire courtyard.
Gasps exploded.
"What!? He's Rank 1!"
"That force is beyond early Spirit Realm!"
"How can one night change him so much!?"
Bai Ruyin's heart pounded.
Something inside this boy…
is not normal.
Then it was Chu Feng's turn.
His strikes were childish and uneven—
but filled with iron determination.
Astra watched silently, admiration warming his chest.
Yes.
This is the Chu Feng he respected in his past life.
💀 Assassins — A Direct Attempt on Astra's Life
Just as Elder Jian prepared to conclude the test—
A crushing murderous aura descended.
The Spirit Egg SCREAMED in Astra's mind.
THUMP—THUMP—THUMP—!
DING!
[Lethal Threat Detected]
[Combat Instinct Amplification (High Mode) → Active]
[Heaven Vein Reconstruction Output Increase → 140%]
[Martial Comprehension Boost Extended]
Astra spun around—
A black needle flew straight for Chu Feng's throat.
Without thinking—
without hesitation—
Astra moved.
He appeared beside Chu Feng like a phantom, grabbed him, spun midair—
CRACK—!!
The needle ripped past them.
Five assassins dropped from the rooftops.
"Target: Astra Long!"
"Kill everyone in the area!"
Disciples screamed and ran.
⚔ Astra Fights With His New Power
One assassin lunged.
Astra's eyes sharpened.
He didn't think—
he simply moved.
His reconstructed Heaven Veins erupted.
His comprehension soared.
Every attack became a perfect counter.
Palm strikes broke ribs.
Kicks tore through armor.
The assassins were adults—
trained killers—
but Astra fought them as if he'd already lived a hundred battles.
A martial artist of master-level skill in a child's body.
Bai Ruyin watched, trembling.
"How… how can a child move like this…?"
🐣 Spirit Egg Protects Astra — Again
One assassin slipped behind him.
A dagger streaked toward Astra's spine.
The Spirit Egg burst with protective instinct.
BOOM—!!
A translucent barrier shattered the dagger in an explosion of sparks.
The assassin staggered back, terrified.
"What… what is that child carrying!?"
Astra blinked.
He hadn't expected that.
"Thank you… little one."
The Egg pulsed warmly.
⚡ Chu Feng Joins the Fight
Chu Feng stepped forward, trembling—
But not in fear.
He wanted to stand beside Astra.
Lightning flickered in his arms.
"I'll help!"
Astra exhaled.
Yes.
This was exactly the Chu Feng he admired.
A boy who rises even when he's weak.
Together—
they fought side by side.
Two kings, in their earliest form.
🌪 Final Blow — Assassins Defeated
Astra dodged one more blade—
grabbed the assassin's wrist—
twisted—
CRACK—!!
Silence.
All assassins fell.
The courtyard froze.
Two boys stood tall amidst the fallen foes.
One lightning.
One taboo.
Both walking toward destiny.
🔔 System Rewards — True Heaven-Tier Power
When the fight ended:
DING—!!!
[Battle Difficulty: Extreme (Adult Killers vs Children)]
[Performance: Perfect]
[Reward Quality: Primal Heaven-Tier]
Rewards Delivered:
1️⃣ Movement Technique: Phantom Star Step (Otherworld Divine Rank)
2️⃣ Bloodline Resonance Fragment +1%
3️⃣ Spirit Egg Growth +4
4️⃣ Sign-In Node Unlocked: "Bloodstained Training Ground"
Astra inhaled sharply.
This was REAL power.
This was the mark of meeting Chu Feng.