Yuan stood among a small group of youths around his age, all gathered before a large sealed door. Above it, carved into stone, were the words: "Loose Long Camp."
As he stood at the entrance, Yuan let out a quiet sigh, recalling the words Old Man Longwei Feng had told him before sending him off to the camp.
The Loose Long Camp was a training ground for the most talented children of both the main and inner families. Every child between the ages of nine and ten was expected to join. The camp was led by a high elder and served as a crucible to mold the next generation.
It trained them in everything, warfare, politics, assassination, leadership, hunting, combat, scouting, and much more. In essence, it was a place where young cultivators learned how the world truly worked.
Now that Yuan was officially treated as an heir to an elder, he was expected to attend the camp, and not just to participate, but to stand out above the rest.
No one said it aloud, but Yuan could read between the lines. If he couldn't outshine others his age, how could an outsider like him be worthy of the title heir to an elder?
Of course, his current status hadn't co without strings attached. In exchange for being acknowledged as an elder's heir, certain expectations had been placed on him, though unspoken, they were made clear during his first eting with the family head.
First, he was to show absolute loyalty to the Loose Long Family.
Second, he would eventually have to marry a princess from the main family, tying him more deeply to the bloodline.
And finally, the most important requirent, he had to earn the family head's complete confidence in his talent. No matter how promising he seed, if the family head deed him unworthy, he would never inherit the elder's position.
These were the conditions that ca with his title.
And it was because of these silent pressures that Old Man Longwei Feng had advised him, no, pushed him, to attend the Loose Long Camp.
Although Yuan hadn't wanted to attend the camp at first, after a full day of contemplation, he decided to go. So of his plans could progress much faster if he participated.
When he gave his answer, Old Man Feng was clearly pleased with Yuan's decision and quickly arranged for his registration in this year's Loose Long Camp.
As Yuan's thoughts drifted back to everything he knew about the camp, the large doors in front of them slowly began to open.
They were pushed open by two guards, but these weren't ordinary n. They were Mortal Awakening Stage cultivators. A few of the gathered youths gasped in surprise at the sight, clearly not expecting guards of such strength.
However, most of the children didn't react. For those born into the main or inner branches of the family, being served by cultivators was nothing unusual.
As the doors swung wide, a man stepped through the entrance.
He was middle aged, though only just, standing at the threshold of youth and maturity. His features still held the sharpness and energy of a younger man.
His robes were pristine, colored in black and white like those worn by mbers of the main and inner families, but his were distinct. Intricate patterns of black and white lined his sleeves, and at the ends, a pair of black dragon wings was embroidered.
His black hair reached just to his shoulders, neatly combed. His face was well ford, retaining a youthful handsoness that set him apart from the usual stern elders.
The man walked a few steps out of the now fully opened gates, his posture straight and calm. His eyes swept over the small group of youths before him, inspecting each one in silence. When he finished, he gave them a gentle, welcoming smile.
"Hello, juniors. I'll be your teacher for this camp. You can simply call 'Teacher', no need for titles like 'senior' or anything else," the man introduced himself calmly.
As he finished speaking, all the youths bowed respectfully and shouted in unison, "Greetings, Teacher!"
The teacher nodded, satisfied with their response, and continued.
"You're all between the ages of nine and ten, and for the record, this camp lasts for two full years. It's not just about learning how to survive and fight, I will teach you what it ans to beco a worthy and glorious representative of the Loose Long Family."
He paused for a mont, letting his words sink in before continuing in a more serious tone.
"But for that to happen, you must train hard and study even harder. Without giving your all, how could any of you ever beco soone of value in our Five Factions?"
The slight tension in the air grew with his words, but then he sighed and gently closed his eyes, the sharp edge of his tone softening.
"That said, today is your last day of true rest. Nothing is scheduled for now. Take this ti to relax and prepare yourselves. The next two years will be full of hardship and endurance. Many of you might not even finish the training. So rest well... you'll need it."
With that, he offered them a kind smile, even letting out a small chuckle. Then, as if done completely with his role, he turned away and added one final instruction:
"The guards will tell you where your rooms are."
And just like that, he walked away, leaving behind only the sight of his retreating back. So of the children let out quiet sighs of relief, others whispered in excitent, while a few looked uncertain and anxious.
But whatever they were feeling, all of them waited in silence for the guards to begin calling nas.
A few monts later, several more guards erged from behind the gates. One by one, they called out nas in groups of five. Each group had two boys and two girls, matched by age and background.
Yuan didn't have to wait long. His na was called in the fourth group.
His group also had two other boys and two girls. Each wore a sleeve with a different dragon part embroidered on it, marking their status and family lineage.
They were soon gathered in front of a guard who handed each of them two keys. One was labeled with a number, Yuan's had the number 4, marking their group. The second key bore the dragon symbol matching their sleeve.
Yuan's was etched with a dragon tail, matching the pattern on his clothes.
In addition to the keys, the guard gave them each a small book.
"This is your guide," the guard explained. "Everything important is inside, rules, schedules, and even a map of the entire camp. Your house location is marked on it. When you get there, a proper guide will be waiting to assist you. For now, use this to find your way."
With that, he waved them off.
Group Four, including Yuan, stepped past the towering gates and entered the Loose Long Camp, the place where they would train, struggle, and perhaps grow into the next pillars of the family.
"So, who's going to hold the guidebook and lead us to our house?" one of the girls asked as soon as the group had taken just a few steps forward.
She was quite short for her age, so much so that soone might mistake her for a six year old. Her long black hair flowed down her back, and her bright green eyes stood out vividly. Like the others, she wore the standard black and white robes, but her belt was red instead of black.
Upon hearing her question, one of the boys imdiately raised his hand and grinned foolishly at her.
"I'll do it! Brother Yuan, can you hand the guidebook? I'll lead the way!" he said eagerly, looking at Yuan, who was currently holding the book.
Yuan didn't object. He simply smiled and handed it over to the energetic boy.
"Here," he said warmly.
The black haired boy took the guidebook with an excited look in his eyes. Without hesitation, he flipped straight to the last page, where the map was located, a wide smile growing on his face.
After glancing around for a mont, he lifted the book high and shouted confidently,"Follow !"
"Hahaha!" the other boy in the group laughed at the enthusiastic display. "Now that's what I call excitent! Go on, Brother Guide, lead the way!"
"Yes, lead the way!" the short girl chid in with a giggle, equally entertained.
Only Yuan and the second girl remained silent. The girl simply shook her head in embarrassnt at the boy's antics, while Yuan offered a quiet smile, saying nothing.
And so, the group began their walk, touring the camp courtyard as they followed their self-proclaid guide. They passed many wooden houses and a few pavilions along the way. Surprisingly, they saw very few people walking around.
None of the others seed to notice, but Yuan observed everything. His eyes scanned his surroundings constantly, always taking ntal notes.
According to the map, their designated house was located on the eastern side of the camp. Naturally, they followed the path in that direction.
But after nearly an hour of walking and sightseeing, they still hadn't reached their destination. That's when confusion started to set in.
"Is sothing wrong with the map?" the black haired youth asked out loud, frowning. He looked around at the forested area they had arrived at. According to the guidebook, this was supposed to be the location of their house.
But all they could see were thick woods and no sign of a building in sight.
"It's really strange," the other boy muttered, stroking his chin thoughtfully before turning to look at the three who had followed along. "Did any of you see a house or anything nearby?"
The two girls shook their heads. Yuan, however, remained silent. His quiet deanor caused all four of them to shift their attention toward him.
Seeing their curious gazes, Yuan let out a small chuckle.
"Did you notice sothing, Brother Yuan?" the enthusiastic youth asked.
Instead of replying, Yuan turned his head toward a specific direction in the forest. The others followed his gaze and then they saw it. A small, dark shadow between the trees.
Before anyone could say a word, the shadow stepped forward, slowly revealing itself.
It was a young man.
None of the others recognized him, but Yuan did. He was one of the guards who had appeared briefly after their teacher left.
"Hehehe…" the young man chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. "So you actually noticed ? Heh, I thought I was imagining that look in your eyes… but I was fooled. You really are talented, Luan Yuan."
His grin widened unnaturally.
"Too bad that talent will go to waste. Today will be your last day alive in this world, hahaha!"
As his deranged laughter echoed through the trees, his eyes swept over the group with twisted desire. It was a gaze that no longer saw them as fellow humans, but as prey.
And then he moved.
With terrifying speed, the young man lunged at them.
The other four were frozen in place, stunned and shocked by the sudden threat.
But Yuan stood calm and collected. Because he knew, this young man wasn't alone, another person had been following them all along.
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