The Kunlun Range rose like a spine of the world, its upper reaches lost in drifting mist and pale light.
A long, winding line of seekers stretched toward the distant gates of the Jade Apex Sanctum. They came from every corner of the realm. Wanderers, nobles, mercenaries, scholars. All chasing the same dream.
Immortality.
Somewhere within that living river of bodies walked a young man with an unremarkable face.
Rowan Mercer.
Or rather, Rowan wearing someone else's skin.
Breaking into the Jade Apex Sanctum by force had never been an option. After returning, the elder Vexar would undoubtedly tighten security and activate deeper layers of defense. According to what Rowan had been told, the Sanctum's grand formation was personally created by Archsage Solarian. Even beings of staggering power could not tear through it.
There were only two legitimate paths inside.
Possess an internal identity token.
Or enter as a prospective disciple and pass the trials.
Vexar had such credentials, but using them would immediately alert the Sanctum.
Aegiron and the other Dragon Kings were too famous. Even disguised, the formation might recognize their presence.
Rowan alone was suitable.
He had no history in this world. No reputation. No karmic imprint tied to its fate.
Better yet, his private realm could temporarily house Vexar, the Dragon Kings, and the entire sea host. A self-contained world like his was close enough to an independent dimension that the Sanctum's detection arrays were unlikely to sense what lay hidden within him.
All of this assumed one crucial condition.
That Archsage Solarian himself was not currently seated in the Sanctum.
If he were…
Even the thought of infiltration might be sensed.
"Next!"
Beneath a towering white jade archway, two robed disciples stood behind a long stone desk, evaluating each applicant.
The Jade Apex Sanctum accepted disciples from across the world.
But that did not mean it accepted just anyone.
Most great orders were inaccessible. Some existed beyond mortal reach. Others favored non-human races almost exclusively.
The Jade Apex Sanctum was different.
It stood on Kunlun, reachable by any mortal with enough persistence. And its name carried immense prestige.
For humans seeking ascension, this was the first and final destination.
One of the disciples glanced up.
"State your race. Name. Origin. Previous training. Current strength. Known techniques."
Rowan raised a hand and brushed it across his face.
Flesh rippled.
His human features collapsed and reshaped into the broad snout and tusked face of a wild boar.
"Beastfolk," Rowan said calmly. "Name's Peccary. From the Lang Ridge wilds. I've trained on my own and only recently learned to take human form. I've never harmed humans. I came here to seek the path."
The line behind him erupted.
Several people stumbled backward. Others instinctively drew weapons or talismans.
Beasts that devoured villages were common enough legends that fear came easily.
The disciple at the desk, however, remained composed.
"Silence."
His voice carried authority.
"The Jade Apex Sanctum does not judge by birth. If this beastfolk has not taken human life and truly seeks the path, he will be tested like any other. If he has committed crimes, punishment will follow. There will be no favoritism."
The crowd slowly settled.
Murmurs shifted from panic to admiration.
Rowan lowered his head slightly, feigning nervous sincerity.
"I've never killed anyone. I've lived alone in the mountains my whole life. This is my first time leaving."
The disciple studied him for several seconds, then nodded.
"Take him inside for screening."
A shorter disciple stepped forward and gestured.
"Follow me."
The moment Rowan crossed the jade threshold, the world changed.
Space folded.
The air thickened.
He had not merely entered a courtyard.
He had entered another realm.
A pocket world layered atop reality.
Even Rowan, who carried a world of his own, felt the difference. The spatial structure here was older, denser, and reinforced by incomprehensible craftsmanship.
His gaze drifted upward.
Endless palaces of pale crystal stretched across floating terraces. Rivers of light flowed between them. Bridges arced through open sky. Every surface radiated restrained power.
"So beautiful…" Rowan murmured.
Disciples moved everywhere.
Some rode swords. Some walked on drifting clouds. Others stood atop strange constructs that hummed with energy.
Within open halls, groups debated techniques, shared wine, or played strategy games as casually as merchants playing cards.
Crystal-winged birds circled the towers, their bodies reflecting prismatic light.
It was serene.
Majestic.
Dangerous.
A place built for those who believed the heavens belonged to them.
Rowan followed silently, memorizing everything.
He had entered the lion's den.
And no one yet realized it.