Opportunity

The setting sun was as red as blood, staining the Mangu Tribe's square a dark crimson.

The youths who had taken part in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony trial were covered in blood, yet stood tall with their heads held high, lined up amid their tribespeople's cheers.

The Tribal Chief wore a scarlet robe of beast hide embroidered with the Zhulong totem. He slowly made his way onto the high platform.

"Children!" the Tribal Chief's voice rang across the square. "Faced with a beast tide unlike any before, you defended the glory of the Zhulong bloodline with your blood! The Immortal Elder personally decreed that every one of you passed the trial!"

Before his words had even faded, thunderous cheers erupted across the square. The sound of battle axes striking shields made the ground tremble.

At a wave of the Tribal Chief's scepter, dozens of guards pushed carts laden with treasure chests into the square.

"These are the rewards you've earned!" the Tribal Chief declared. "Each of you will receive a full set of second-tier equipment, as well as Origin Gathering Crystals to aid your Planetary Level cultivation!"

The moment the chests opened, cold gleams and golden light shimmered together. Each set of equipment included scale armor, battle boots, and the weapon its recipient had used during the trial.

Normally, those who passed the Coming-of-Age Ceremony were given only a full set of first-tier equipment and various secret techniques. They weren't worth much; nearly every household in the Mangu Tribe could afford such gear, so it amounted to little more than consolation and encouragement.

But this time was different. Not only had they faced danger beyond the ordinary, but the Immortal Elder had also praised them as the finest class yet, so the rewards were naturally far more generous.

There was an element of compensation in these rewards, but the Zhulong bloodline's warlike people disliked the word "compensation," believing it insulted their bravery.

So the tribe's leaders usually gave out greater rewards under the pretext of honoring their valor and praising their courage.

The guards then handed out jade boxes, each containing three Origin Gathering Crystals that shimmered with a pale golden light.

"Taking them will accelerate your refinement of Origin Force and help you break through sooner!" the Tribal Chief's words of encouragement reached everyone on the evening breeze.

Ling Xue took out some healing ointment and applied it to her wounds. The flesh torn open by the beast's claws visibly began to heal, while a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air.

Once the final reward had been handed out, the war drums on the stockade walls thundered.

As the youths shouted, "Zhulong bloodline, never defeated in battle!" they raised their weapons high, their silhouettes cast by the setting sun onto the totem pillars, like immortal war ballads brought to life.

That night, bonfires blazed high in the Mangu Tribe's square, and the aroma of roasted meat mingled with the warriors' cheers.

Ling Xuan had just torn two large chunks of fragrant Dragon Spine Meat from the grill. Before he could dig in, a deep voice called from behind him. "Ling Xuan, come with me for a moment."

Ling Xuan turned around and saw the Tribal Chief standing in the shadows, beckoning him over.

Ling Xuan hurriedly stuffed the roasted meat into the front of his hide robe and jogged after him.

The two passed through the noisy crowd. Their footsteps gradually faded behind them as they turned around the back of a stone house.

Moonlight slanted across the moss-covered stone wall, silvering the wrinkles on the Tribal Chief's face.

The Tribal Chief warily surveyed their surroundings. Once he was sure no one was nearby, he reached out and brushed the wall. Fine runes immediately lit up among the vines, forming a soundproof barrier.

"In the secret realm, did you master a domain?" The Tribal Chief's voice was low and serious, but excitement gleamed in his cloudy old eyes.

Ling Xuan froze for a moment, then nodded.

"Good! Good!" The Tribal Chief repeated the word twice, then patted Ling Xuan heavily on the shoulder with his broad palm. "The youngest Controller of a domain in ten thousand years! Our Mangu Tribe is about to produce a great figure!"

After praising him, the Tribal Chief's expression suddenly darkened. He lowered his voice and asked, "Did you obtain any special treasures?"

Ling Xuan's heart tightened, but he kept his expression calm and shook his head. "No, Tribal Chief."

The Tribal Chief stared intently at Ling Xuan, as if trying to see through his soul.

After a long while, he let out a heavy sigh and said earnestly, "Good child, remember: no matter who asks from now on, insist that you got nothing. A man's wealth is his ruin. You must carve that lesson into your heart."

Ling Xuan's expression grew solemn. He nodded firmly, engraving the Tribal Chief's warning deep in his heart.

"Cultivate well. In a month, come with me to the Inheritance Hall." The Tribal Chief gazed into the distance, his eyes firm and full of expectation. "When the time comes, give it everything you've got and obtain as much inheritance and as many benefits as possible. The deeper the inheritance, the greater the help you'll receive in the future. To awaken a domain at Planetary Level is extraordinary even across the Zhulong Star Sector; there have been only a few like you in tens of thousands of years. This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. You must cherish it!"

With that, the Tribal Chief turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the night.

Ling Xuan stood alone beneath the moonlight, watching the Tribal Chief's retreating figure as he fell into thought.

The Inheritance Hall the Tribal Chief had mentioned stood atop the highest peak on Manlong Planet. It was the Zhulong Inheritance Temple, and it had deep ties to the Zhulong Ancestor.

Every imperial clan's main planet, such as Manlong Planet, had one of these temples. There were twelve main planets across the entire Zhulong Star Sector, and therefore twelve temples in all.

The chiefs of the three great tribes on Manlong Planet had all entered this Inheritance Temple when they were young. Clearly, the temple was connected to the laws.

Once he understood all this, Ling Xuan felt his blood surge with excitement.

He had already checked in the Virtual Universe: only ten years remained until the next Genius Tournament held by the Giant Axe Martial Arena.

With his talent, he had originally stood little chance of participating. But now he had not only awakened the Heart of the Martial God and greatly improved his comprehension, he also had a treasure to help him comprehend the laws, along with the Planetary Level cultivation resources provided by the tribe. He was certain he could reach Star Level within ten years and take the stage at the Genius Tournament.

If he could secure a place, he would have a chance to break into the top thousand in the universe and join the Core Layer of the Giant Axe Martial Arena. Then his rise would truly begin.

Filled with anticipation, Ling Xuan returned to the feast.

He grabbed the roasted meat on the table and stuffed it into his mouth.

Seeing him wolf down the food, Ling Yue quickly set down her dagger and patted his back. "Third Brother, slow down! You'll choke!"

Ling Xue held up a beast bone she had gnawed clean and laughed as she taunted him. "Is that all you've got? Big Brother, you're way too refined. Watch me down this whole bowl of Beast Milk Wine in one go!"

As she spoke, she picked up the large bowl of wine before her and gulped it down.

Father Ling and Mother Ling watched their two lively children, grinning from ear to ear.

The spirited atmosphere of the contest quickly infected the tribespeople around them. Several children at Apprentice Level crowded around the table, clamoring to compete with them.

Time flew, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.

During that time, Ling Xuan trained day and night, completely mastering the Flame Domain and deepening his understanding of it.

One morning, as Ling Xuan gathered his things to go find the Tribal Chief, he heard a heavy thud outside the tent, as if something had struck the stone paving.

"Little one, it's time to set out." The Tribal Chief reached up and lifted the doorway curtain, which was strung with beast teeth.

Ling Xuan hastily stuffed the roasted meat he had yet to eat into his mouth and answered indistinctly, "Coming!"

He then turned and called into the tent, "Sis, I'm going to the Temple with the Tribal Chief!"

"Go on. Follow the Tribal Chief and cultivate well. Don't bring shame on our family." Ling Xue's voice came from inside the hide tent, mixed with the thud of her pestle as she ground medicine.

Before her words had even faded, Ling Xuan felt the back of his collar tighten. The Tribal Chief had already lifted him off the ground.

The Origin Force surging from the Tribal Chief formed an invisible support, and the two shot through the morning mist like arrows loosed from a bow.