...The chamber’s fiery glow flickered across the old man’s ancient robes, painting him in shades of ember and ash. Lin Tian stood frozen at the entrance, unsure whether to step forward or run back into the swirling portal behind him....
...The old man lifted his gaze, eyes shimmering like fading stars....
...Old Man: “You stare as if you’ve never seen an immortal before.”...
...Lin Tian gulped. “B-Because I haven’t! And you look like you came out of a thousand-year coffin!”...
...The old man’s eyebrow twitched....
...Old Man: “Rude brat. I have waited centuries for the Dragon Vein successor, and the heavens send me… you?”...
...Lin Tian pointed at himself. “Well, sorry! I didn’t ask to be chosen either!”...
...A long sigh escaped the old man as he pushed himself up from the stone platform. His movements were slow, deliberate, but every step carried a force Lin Tian could feel in his bones....
...Old Man: “Listen well, boy. I am the Heaven Fallen Immortal. Once a guardian of the Celestial Flame Emperor himself. I am neither your enemy nor your friend… but your guide.”...
...Lin Tian blinked....
...“The Celestial Flame Emperor… is he the dragon that appeared in my dream?”...
...The old man shook his head slightly....
...Old Man: “That was but a fragment of his consciousness. The Emperor perished long ago. But his power—the Dragon Vein—survived through fate and blood.”...
...He pointed at Lin Tian’s chest....
...Old Man: “Inside you.”...
...Lin Tian instinctively covered his chest. “Yeah, I noticed. It almost burned me alive this morning.”...
...A faint smirk formed on the old man’s lips....
...Old Man: “That was only the beginning. The Dragon Vein will either elevate you above mortals… or kill you before you graduate high school.”...
...“T-Thanks for the encouragement,” Lin Tian muttered....
...The old man raised his palm. Flames gathered above it, spiraling into a miniature dragon shape. It circled his hand, leaving trails of burning symbols in the air....
...Lin Tian’s eyes widened. “Woah…”...
...Old Man: “Do not be amazed. This is the bare minimum needed to control your new power.”...
...He clenched his fist—the flame dragon vanished instantly....
...Old Man: “If you cannot even imitate this, you will explode from the slightest awakening surge.”...
...Lin Tian’s voice cracked. “Y-You’re joking, right…?”...
...The old man’s flat stare answered clearly—he was not....
...---...
...Training Begins...
...The Immortal stepped toward the center of the room, waving his sleeve. The runes carved into the surrounding pillars lit up, flooding the chamber with golden firelight....
...Old Man: “We begin with the Dragon Bone Breathing Technique. Your body must be reforged from the inside.”...
...Lin Tian raised his hand weakly....
...“Uh, do I need protective gear? A helmet? Fireproof pants?”...
...Old Man: “A cultivator needs only determination. And maybe luck, in your case.”...
...“Wow. Amazing pep talk. Truly motivating,” Lin Tian muttered under his breath....
...But he followed anyway....
...The Immortal motioned for him to sit....
...Old Man: “Straighten your spine. Relax the muscles. Let the Dragon Vein respond.”...
...Lin Tian did as told, though his heart hammered nervously....
...Old Man: “Now inhale slowly… let the fire gather at your core.”...
...Lin Tian inhaled—...
...Immediately, heat surged from his chest, racing through his veins. His eyes widened as golden scales flickered across his arms....
...Lin Tian: “H-Hey! It’s happening again!”...
...Old Man: “Do not panic. Breathe deeper!”...
...“I AM breathing deeper!”...
...The heat intensified. The room blurred. Lin Tian felt as if his bones were melting....
...Lin Tian: “I—I can’t—!”...
...The Immortal struck the ground with his staff....
...Old Man: “Focus, boy! Control the flame. Do not let it devour you!”...
...Golden fire roared out of Lin Tian’s body. The ground cracked beneath him. His hair lifted as if carried by a storm....
...The Immortal extended his hand—an invisible force pressed down on Lin Tian, stabilizing the wild energy....
...Old Man: “This is the Dragon Vein’s test. Accept it. Command it!”...
...Lin Tian clenched his teeth....
...He inhaled again—...
...And this time, instead of resisting the heat, he let it flow through him....
...Lin Tian: “Come on… come on…!”...
...The flames gradually shifted inward, gathering in his chest like a burning sun. The dragon-scale glow dimmed. His breathing steadied....
...Finally—...
...FWOOOM—...
...The energy settled....
...Lin Tian collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily....
...Lin Tian: “I thought I was going to die… again.”...
...The old man stroked his beard....
...Old Man: “Not bad. For a weakling.”...
...“That’s your version of praise, isn’t it?”...
...The Immortal ignored him and turned away as the flames around the pillars faded....
...---...
...A New Step Forward...
...After a long silence, the old man spoke again—this time softer, almost wistful....
...Old Man: “The power in you… has not awakened for thousands of years. Even the heavens tremble at its return.”...
...Lin Tian looked up, still catching his breath....
...Lin Tian: “Why me? I’m just… normal.”...
...The Immortal shook his head....
...Old Man: “There is no ‘normal’ for those chosen by fate. You will understand soon.”...
...He turned, pointing a finger at Lin Tian....
...Old Man: “Prepare yourself. This is only the first step. From today onward, your life belongs to cultivation.”...
...Lin Tian sighed....
...“My life barely belonged to me before…”...
...The old man smirked....
...Old Man: “Good. Complaints mean you’re still alive.”...
...Lin Tian stood, clenched his fists, and faced the Immortal....
...Lin Tian: “Fine. Teach me. I don’t want to run from this anymore.”...
...The old man nodded slowly....
...Old Man: “Then rise, child of the Dragon Vein. Your true journey begins now.”...
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