Mysterious Space

Zhong Shenxiu stood amid the ruins and threw back his head with a long howl.

Nine years of resentment, exhaustion, and fury all poured out with that dragon's roar.

Then he woke up.

When he awoke, dawn had only just begun to break, and birdsong from early risers drifted in through the orphanage window.

Lying in bed, Zhong Shenxiu felt none of that bone-deep exhaustion for the first time. On the contrary, he was extraordinarily alert. Soul Power flowed smoothly through his body, and he could even clearly sense the delight of every wisp of light element in the air.

"Is it over?" he murmured, scarcely daring to believe it.

After graduating from Dongshan Primary Soul Master Academy, nine-year-old Zhong Shenxiu had reported to Donghai Intermediate Soul Master Academy.

His graduation certificate labeled him an "Outstanding Student," while his recommendation letter was filled with praise.

The orphanage had prepared a small suitcase for him, containing a few changes of clothes, daily necessities, and the jade pendant that had always hung around his neck.

In the Sun-Moon Federation, Soul Masters who awakened Martial Souls and Innate Soul Power received quite generous benefits.

The three years at a primary Soul Master academy were free, as were the six years at an Intermediate Soul Master Academy. The cafeteria offered unlimited food—as long as nothing was wasted, students could eat as much as they wanted.

Orphans like him could also apply for local subsidies. It was not much, just ten thousand Federal Coins a year, but it was enough to keep him alive after leaving the orphanage.

On the day he left the orphanage, the director and several staff members came to see him off.

"Once you get to Eastsea City, take good care of yourself."

The director patted his shoulder. "With your talent, getting into an academy directly affiliated with Spirit Pagoda headquarters—or even Shrek Academy—is not impossible. Don't forget that Dongshan Orphanage will always be your home."

Zhong Shenxiu nodded and took the suitcase. He had little luggage and even fewer attachments.

Nine years of nights had been occupied by dreams, leaving him pitifully few ties in reality.

He boarded a Soul Guidance Train bound for Eastsea City.

The carriage was spacious and clean, with few passengers. He chose a window seat, placed his suitcase on the luggage rack, and sat down.

The train started, so smoothly that he could barely feel any vibration. Scenery flashed past outside the window: suburban ranches dotted with herds of cattle and sheep; factories in industrial districts, their smokestacks towering overhead; skyscrapers in towns and cities, their glass curtain walls reflecting sunlight; and the occasional rural courtyard, laundry hanging out to dry.

Zhong Shenxiu leaned against the train window, his face utterly still—perhaps even weary.

Although he had finally ended the nine-year nightmare last night, the mental drain that had built up over so long could not be recovered in a day or two. Watching the scenery race backward outside, his thoughts drifted.

Donghai Intermediate Soul Master Academy was said to be the best intermediate academy in Eastsea City.

Over six years, he would have to cultivate from a Soul Master to a Soul Ancestor, study deeper theories of Martial Souls, applications of soul skills, and the fundamentals of Soul Tools. If he performed exceptionally, he might even be recommended for examinations at an advanced Soul Master academy, or earn the qualifications to take Shrek Academy's entrance exam.

Shrek Academy. That name thundered through the Soul Master world.

In the era of the Dragon King Legend, Shrek had been a holy land in the hearts of countless Soul Masters.

Yet Zhong Shenxiu did not yearn for it all that much—nine years of slaughter in his dreams had given him a different understanding of power.

True strength was not cultivated step by step in an academy. It was gained through struggles between life and death, through breakthroughs in desperate circumstances.

But the real world had its own rules. He needed an academy's resources, systematic knowledge, a legitimate identity, and room to grow. So he would attend Eastsea Academy, study hard, and grow stronger step by step.

And then?

The question suddenly surfaced, making him pause.

What would he do then?

Become a powerful Soul Master, join some faction, and earn wealth and status?

Or perhaps...

Scenes from his dreams flashed through his mind: a shattered world, the invasion of darkness, and those dragons who had fallen in battle yet continued to roar. The Dragon Fighting World. That place that had tormented him for nine years now seemed to carry a strange trace of familiarity. After all, it had occupied nearly half his life so far.

"If the dream was real..."

He muttered softly, then shook his head.

How could that be possible?

It was only a dream—an exceptionally realistic nightmare that had lasted nine years.

Now that the nightmare was over, he should face reality properly.

Drowsiness washed over him.

Although he had slept fairly soundly last night, years of mental depletion still left his body craving rest.

The Soul Guidance Train's gentle swaying was the finest lullaby. Zhong Shenxiu's eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and his awareness gradually blurred.

He fell asleep.

Then, he "woke up."

It was not waking in reality, but another form of wakefulness—his awareness sank into a completely new space.

It was a space filled with stars. There was no ground, no ceiling, only endless profound darkness and countless twinkling stars within it. The stars formed a vast Milky Way, slowly revolving and radiating soft silver-white light.

And within that starry sky, four statues stood in the four directions.

They were four towering, majestic statues radiating boundless dominance. They resembled ancient dragonmen, possessing draconic features—scales covering their bodies, curved dragon horns, sharp claws and fangs—yet retaining humanoid forms. Each was a hundred meters tall, silently floating in the starry sky as though they had existed there since time immemorial.

The eastern statue was entirely golden, its scales seeming to have been cast from molten solar gold. A pair of wings blazing with radiant flames spread behind it. It held an enormous Golden Longbow in both hands, nocked an arrow, and drew the bow toward the front. Its posture was proud and soaring, as though it could pierce the heavens at any moment.

Majesty, light, blazing heat—those were Zhong Shenxiu's first impressions.

The western statue was a profound blue, its scales like crystals from the deepest seabed, rippling with the patterns of the ocean. It wore a cloak seemingly formed from ocean waves and held a hand seal before its chest. A Giant Cannon was slung across its back, as though it gathered the mighty power of the Boundless Sea. Its expression was solemn yet compassionate.

Steadiness, vastness, tolerance—those were his second impressions.

The southern statue was covered in earthy yellow scales, each one like the essence of compacted earth, radiating an aura of weight, unyielding defiance, and peerless tyranny. Its muscles bulged as it gripped the benevolent Emperor Shield in a battle stance. Its dragon head was raised high, as though unleashing an earth-shaking roar. Violence, power, unyieldingness—those were his third impressions.

The northern statue was an immense blue-green, as though formed from the plants and living things of heaven and earth. A faint mist lingered around its body. It stood holding a staff, with an indescribable Divine Sword tucked at its waist. Its head was lowered and its eyes closed, as though deep in thought—or mourning.

Coldness, wisdom, stillness—those were his fourth impressions.

Behind the four God King Dragon statues stood twelve more statues, each belonging to one of the four directions.

The instant Zhong Shenxiu entered, he could not help blurting out, "Holy shit! Why are you still chasing me down?!"

That was right. The dragonman statues in the four directions were the Four Great God King Dragons of the Dragon Fighting World: East Sun King Dragon, Luo Sea God Dragon, Overlord God Dragon, and Heavenly Mountain King Dragon.

The twelve statues behind them were the Twelve Star Dragons—Aries Star Dragon, Taurus Star Dragon, Gemini Star Dragon, Cancer Star Dragon, Leo Star Dragon, Virgo Star Dragon, Libra Star Dragon, Scorpio Star Dragon, Sagittarius Star Dragon, Capricorn Star Dragon, Aquarius Star Dragon, and Pisces Star Dragon.