Morning Departure
Early in the morning, Feng Jian and Master Mark stood on the deck of a colossal Wind Dragon Attack Force skyship, Silent Weather—its hull blazing with the Steel Family emblem: a sword at the center of a swirling windstorm, snow drifting beneath. White, green, and blue banners snapped in the cold breeze, signaling its affiliation with the Wind Dragon Clan's Advanced War-God 8-Star Attack Force, of which Mark was a distinguished member.
Maria approached from behind, her breath visible in the chilled dawn light. She nudged Jian and whispered, "Cool, right? That's an Advanced War-God 8-Star vessel." Her tone softened. "Attack Force… Advanced War-God 8-Star…" she murmured, regret flickering in her eyes. "All this time you've been training alone—no wonder."
Mark glanced over his shoulder and grinned. "I taught him precisely what he needed." Then louder, gesturing to Maria, "Sister, Jian's ready for more than blade work. Teach him the Asura System and Academy protocol."
Jian's mind spun. At his father's halls, he'd known only cultivation rituals and family prestige—but nothing like this.
Understanding the Asura System
As the ship soared above frozen tundras and jagged peaks, Maria guided Jian to a quiet observation deck. She unfurled a compact scroll and began:
The Asura System is a World-Tree gift bestowed at the Seven-Star Academy in Aria City. It quantifies and structures your Qi mastery into three pillars:
Natural Qi Level: Determined by years of pure Qi cultivation (minimum 50 years for basic use).
Elemental Qi Type & Rank: Aligned with monster-core affinities (Wind, Water, Fire, Dark, etc.). Ranks ascend from G → GG → GGG → F → FF → FFF → A → AA → AAA → S → SS → SSS → Novice King (1★ to 3★) → Minor King (4★–5★) → Intermediate King (6★–7★) → Advanced King (8★–9★) → True King (10★) → Beyond (Martial Legends).
Class: A profile based on Qi flow and physical attributes, such as Heavy Knight (immense strength, slower agility) or Wind Warden (high speed, mid-range offense).
Skills derive from monster-core analysis and are learned as you master each element. Classes boost your innate arts and determine combat roles. Mastery of skills precedes class advancement.
Asura System Panel
Core Requirement: 50 years of Natural Qi
Elemental Affinity: Wind (current), Dark, Ice
Current Ranks: Natural Qi (12 years), Wind Qi (Advanced King 8★), Dark Qi (Novice King 1★), Ice Qi (Intermediate 5★)
Class: Initiate (pending Aria Academy assignment)
"That's your roadmap," Maria concluded. "At Aria, your Asura interface will display real-time stats. Train smart."
Sight of Aria City
Below them, a massive city emerged—spires of ivory stone entwined with living branches of the World Tree, skyships of every clan drifting like leaves in the wind.
Mark stepped forward, voice echoing: "Welcome to Aria City, home of the Seven-Star Academy." He pointed to the bustling harbor. "Fifteen hours from here, your new chapter begins."
Jian stared at the horizon—Aria's towers beckoned, promising challenges that would test his harmony of Wind, Shadow, Ice, and his newfound Asura path.