Yue Xiya slowly opened her eyes and glanced at the warm sunlight spilling through the window. She stretched lightly before looking down at Yan Zhuo, who was still sleeping soundly beside her—completely careless.
She frowned.
"Hey, wake up, Yan Zhuo," she said, shaking him gently.
Yan Zhuo only mumbled and turned slightly. Still half-asleep, Yue Xiya's gaze drifted to the other side of the bed—and suddenly froze.
A strange man was lying there.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"Who is this man?!" she gasped.
In an instant, Yue Xiya pulled Yan Zhuo behind her and took a defensive stance. Her cosmic energy burst out violently, filling the entire room with pressure.
"Who are you?" she demanded coldly.
Yan Zhuo's eyes snapped open. He immediately realized the situation and sat up with a yawn.
"Relax… don't panic," he said lazily. "He's my master."
Yue Xiya stiffened. "Master?"
Yan Zhuo nodded and began explaining everything about Astra Omnion—his origin, his current soul form, and the ring that housed him.
After listening for nearly ten minutes, Yue Xiya fell silent. Her expression slowly shifted from disbelief to shock—and then fear.
"So… this is the soul body of a Primordial Overlord," she said quietly, staring at Astra Omnion.
"The second strongest being in all existence… and a dragon."
Yan Zhuo nodded proudly. "Even like this, he's terrifyingly powerful. Once he regains his true body, no one in the entire Han-Huo Empire will be able to stand before him."
Yue Xiya stepped closer, examining Astra Omnion carefully.
"So that's why that boy couldn't kick me from behind during the battle season," she muttered thoughtfully.
Yan Zhuo leaned close to Astra Omnion's ear and suddenly shouted:
"Wake up, Master!!"
Astra Omnion jolted awake and shot upright.
"What happened? Are the dragons in danger?!" he roared.
Yan Zhuo crossed his arms and smirked.
"It's morning. Good morning, Master."
Astra Omnion rolled his eyes—then noticed Yue Xiya.
"AH—!" he screamed. "I'm not real! I'm just a dream! A hallucination!"
He turned toward Yan Zhuo in panic.
"Where's the ring?! Let me hide, idiot!"
Yan Zhuo sighed deeply.
"Relax. I already told her everything."
Astra Omnion froze, then slowly turned back toward Yue Xiya. He straightened himself and spoke politely.
"Good morning, ma'am."
Yue Xiya nodded calmly and walked toward the bathroom.
"Get ready. Training season starts today."
The door closed behind her.
Astra Omnion collapsed back onto the bed dramatically.
"I just had a heart attack."
Yan Zhuo lay down beside him, staring at the ceiling.
"Do souls even have hearts?"
Astra Omnion stared back silently.
Later that morning, Yue Xiya and Yan Zhuo entered the Ren Sect Hall. Only a handful of students were present.
"There aren't many students here," Yan Zhuo whispered.
Yue Xiya rolled her eyes.
"Getting into Class A isn't easy."
Yan Zhuo's attention suddenly locked onto a beautiful woman standing ahead.
"That woman is very beautiful," he said shyly.
Smack.
Yue Xiya hit his head hard.
"Don't you dare stare at other women. And that's Lie Shen—the caretaker of Ren Sect Academy."
Yan Zhuo rubbed his head.
"You know her?"
"I met her last night," Yue Xiya replied calmly. "While you were sleeping like a pig."
Before Yan Zhuo could respond, the Sixth Elder arrived. With his hands behind his back, he surveyed the students calmly.
"Good morning, students," he said gently.
"Today marks the beginning of the Training Season. Train diligently under your teachers and strive to grow stronger. May one of you claim victory in the Ren Sect Academy Annual Cultivator Championship."
With that, he turned and left.
Moments later, several men and women entered the hall. Their auras were overwhelming—dense and terrifying.
"These people are strong…" Yan Zhuo muttered.
Inside the ring domain, Astra Omnion scoffed while sitting on his throne.
"They're nothing more than atoms in a vast universe."
One by one, teachers were assigned. Soon, a woman approached Yan Zhuo and Yue Xiya.
"Maybe she's our teacher," Yan Zhuo whispered.
The woman stopped before them and spoke calmly.
"I am Lin Yun, a second-grade instructor of Ren Sect Academy."
Yue Xiya bowed slightly.
"I am Yue Xiya, and this is Yan Zhuo Fujimaro. We are from Zhuo Sect Academy."
Lin Yun nodded.
"Then shall we begin your training season?"
Yan Zhuo's eyes sharpened with determination.
"Yes. We're ready."
Lin Yun led them outside the academy and into a dense forest. After walking for a while, they arrived at a vast open clearing.
"Why are we training in a forest?" Yan Zhuo asked.
Lin Yun smiled.
"This place allows you to absorb certain natural artifacts."
She waved her hand, and two glowing orbs appeared—one red, one yellow.
"These are Flame Essences. They increase cultivation speed and enhance skill energy."
Yan Zhuo eagerly reached out, but Lin Yun stopped him with a gentle force.
"Not so fast, kid," she said.
"Your body isn't strong enough yet."
She turned to both of them.
"To absorb this essence safely, you need at least Grade Seven or Eight."
Yue Xiya clapped excitedly.
"That's amazing! I'm already at Grade Five!"
Yan Zhuo smiled confidently.
"I'm at Grade Three—but I'll reach Grade Seven soon and absorb it faster than anyone."
Lin Yun smiled approvingly and made the Flame Essences disappear.
"Good," she said.
"Then let the training season begin."
Astra Omnion rolled his eyes, then turned his chair around and sat on it backward, resting his arms over the backrest.
"A teacher?" he scoffed, lips curling with quiet arrogance. "In every possible way… I stand above her."
He leaned back, closing his eyes calmly, as if the matter was already beneath his concern.
On the other side of the hall, the elders sat in a heavy silence, exchanging grave looks.
"We must keep a close watch on all the students," the Fifth Elder said at last, his voice low but firm, carrying undeniable authority.
The Seventh Elder nodded slowly, his gaze sharp. "He's right. A presence like that doesn't emerge without consequence."
The Third Elder's expression darkened as he spoke, his words cutting through the room.
"That cosmic energy was no coincidence. We must identify its owner—before it brings disaster upon us all."
One by one, the other elders nodded in agreement, the tension in the chamber growing heavier with every breath.