Heaven Dominator

The Sect Summit was over, and the Heavenly Draconis Sect grounds had returned to their usual quiet. The cheers of the arena and the heated clashes of disciples were now memories, leaving behind the lingering echoes of ambition and achievement. For Jiang Chen, however, the summit had marked not an ending but a beginning.

He stood atop the Celestial Outlook Pavilion, the highest point of the sect, gazing at the vast expanse of the horizon. The sun dipped low, painting the skies in hues of amber and violet. This view had always been a source of calm for him, yet today, it seemed to whisper something new—a promise, or perhaps a challenge.

Within his dantian, the Heavenly Serpent's Core pulsed steadily, radiating warmth that coursed through his meridians. Since the moment he claimed victory in the Sect Summit, the core had been more active, as if responding to an unseen force. The visions that plagued him during the summit—glimpses of endless skies, boundless power, and fractured realms—remained vivid in his mind.

"Jiang Chen."

The voice of Elder Xu pulled him from his thoughts. Turning, he saw the elder approach, his expression unreadable.

"Elder Xu," Jiang Chen greeted respectfully, bowing slightly.

The elder studied him for a moment before speaking. "Your performance in the summit exceeded all expectations. But victories alone do not shape a cultivator's path. It is what follows that truly defines them."

Jiang Chen nodded. "I understand, Elder. What lies ahead for me?"

Elder Xu's gaze turned to the horizon. "The Sect Master wishes to see you. There are matters beyond this sect—beyond this world—that demand your attention."

The elder's words sent a ripple through Jiang Chen's thoughts. He had anticipated further challenges within the sect, perhaps even political struggles against Jiang Tianyu and his allies. But "beyond this world"? It was a concept that stirred both curiosity and apprehension.

"Come with me," Elder Xu said, gesturing for Jiang Chen to follow.

The Sect Master's Decree

The Sect Master's hall was an imposing chamber carved from a single, massive slab of celestial jade. The walls shimmered faintly with runes that pulsed in rhythm with the natural energy of the sect. Jiang Chen felt a slight pressure as he stepped inside, a reminder of the Sect Master's immense authority.

Sect Master Long Tian sat atop his elevated throne, his presence commanding yet calm. His piercing eyes locked onto Jiang Chen as he entered, and for a moment, the hall was silent.

"Jiang Chen," Long Tian began, his voice resonating like thunder. "You have proven your potential, but the road you walk is not an ordinary one."

Jiang Chen bowed deeply. "Sect Master, I am ready to face any trial."

Long Tian's gaze softened, though his tone remained firm. "The visions you experienced during the summit were not mere illusions. They were echoes from a higher plane, a fragment of the Ascending Realms calling to you."

Jiang Chen's breath hitched. The Ascending Realms—an ancient and mythical concept he had only encountered in fragments of texts. It was said to be a realm where mortal shackles were broken, and cultivators could truly ascend beyond the limits of their existence.

"Our sect has long been a part of the mortal cultivation world," Long Tian continued, "but its roots extend deeper. There is a path that leads beyond this realm, a path few are qualified to walk. You, Jiang Chen, are one of the chosen."

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Jiang Chen's mind raced. Was this the reason for his reincarnation? Was this the destiny he had glimpsed in fleeting moments?

"What must I do, Sect Master?" he asked, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions within.

Long Tian raised his hand, and a jade slip floated toward Jiang Chen. Catching it, he infused a sliver of his spiritual energy into the slip. Images and text burst into his mind—a map, instructions, and a single name: The Gate of Origin.

"You will leave the sect and travel to the Gate of Origin," Long Tian said. "It is the first step on the path to the Ascending Realms. But be warned, the journey will be perilous. You will face dangers not only from others but from the realm itself."

Jiang Chen's grip tightened on the jade slip. "I understand, Sect Master. I will not fail."

Long Tian's lips curved into a faint smile. "Good. Prepare yourself. You depart at dawn."

Farewells and Promises

That evening, Jiang Chen found himself at the Moonlit Garden, a secluded spot within the sect where he often came to clear his mind. The weight of the Sect Master's decree pressed heavily on his shoulders.

Lin Yue appeared, her steps light yet purposeful. "I heard about your mission," she said, her tone a mix of concern and admiration.

Jiang Chen looked at her, his expression unreadable. "It's a path I must take. Staying here would only hold me back."

Lin Yue nodded, though her eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. "You've always been different, Jiang Chen. Destined for something greater. But that doesn't make it any easier to see you leave."

He offered her a small smile. "I'll return. Stronger than ever."

She stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. "Just promise me one thing: don't lose yourself on this path. Power is a double-edged sword."

Her words struck a chord within him. He nodded. "I promise."

As Lin Yue left, Jiang Chen turned his gaze to the stars. Somewhere out there lay the Gate of Origin and the trials that awaited him. For the first time in his two lives, he felt the stirrings of a purpose far greater than himself.

Departure and Revelation

At dawn, Jiang Chen stood at the sect's main gates, his belongings packed and his resolve firm. Elder Xu and a few others came to see him off, their expressions a mix of pride and solemnity.

"Remember, Jiang Chen," Elder Xu said, "the Gate of Origin tests more than strength. It tests the heart and the soul. Stay true to yourself."

Jiang Chen bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder. For everything."

With that, he turned and began his journey. The path was long and winding, but each step felt lighter than the last. The visions that had once plagued him now felt like a guiding light, pulling him toward the unknown.

As the sect disappeared behind him, Jiang Chen's thoughts turned to the jade slip's instructions. The Gate of Origin was more than a destination; it was the threshold to a new world, a place where mortals transcended and legends were born.

The Ascending Realms awaited, and Jiang Chen was ready to claim his destiny.