Lightning spiraled across the sky like divine serpents dancing within the clouds.
High above Storm Crown Peak, the massive body of Tianlong, the Sovereign of Storms, coiled through the thunderclouds like a living river of lightning. Every movement of the ancient dragon caused the heavens to rumble.
Below, Yan Fu stood calmly with his white staff planted firmly against the cracked stone.
The golden formation circle beneath his feet slowly expanded, ancient runes glowing with celestial light.
The guardian contract ritual had begun.
Vorath and Aetherion stood behind Yan Fu, silently watching.
Both divine beasts understood the meaning of this moment. If the contract succeeded, Ji Xia Sect would gain its third guardian—a being powerful enough to rule the skies themselves.
Tianlong lowered its colossal head, its glowing eyes studying Yan Fu carefully.
"You speak boldly for a mortal," the dragon rumbled.
Lightning crackled along its horns.
"You claim your sect will one day stand above all others."
Yan Fu met its gaze without hesitation.
"That is the goal."
Tianlong narrowed its eyes slightly.
"Ambition is common."
The storm above roared louder.
"But ambition without strength is nothing more than arrogance."
The dragon's massive body slowly descended closer to the mountain peak. The pressure from its aura increased dramatically, the surrounding stones beginning to crack under the weight.
"Before I accept this contract," Tianlong continued, "you will answer one question."
Yan Fu remained calm.
"Ask."
The dragon's eyes burned like lightning.
"If one day your sect stands at the peak of this world… and the heavens themselves oppose you… what will you do?"
The wind grew silent.
Even Vorath and Aetherion listened carefully.
Yan Fu thought for only a moment.
Then he answered.
"If the heavens oppose me…"
His hazel-green eyes shone with quiet determination.
"…then I will surpass the heavens."
For a moment, the entire mountain fell silent.
Then suddenly—
Tianlong laughed.
A deep, thunderous laugh that shook the clouds.
"Good!"
Lightning exploded across the sky.
"Very good!"
The dragon's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Three thousand years I have ruled this peak, and countless cultivators have tried to claim me as their beast."
"None dared speak such words."
The storm winds roared wildly around the mountain.
Tianlong slowly lowered its head toward the glowing formation circle.
"Yan Fu of Ji Xia Sect…"
The dragon's voice echoed like thunder.
"I will accept this contract."
The golden runes beneath Yan Fu's feet erupted with blinding light.
Ancient characters formed in the air as the contract ritual activated fully.
Yan Fu raised his white staff.
Celestial energy surged through it like flowing starlight.
"Then hear my oath."
His voice carried authority.
"As the founder of Ji Xia Sect, I vow to walk the path of the Dao without retreat."
"Those who stand with my sect shall rise with it."
The runes in the formation circle spun faster.
Tianlong extended one massive claw toward the center of the formation.
Lightning gathered around it.
"And I, Tianlong, Sovereign of Storms…"
The dragon's voice boomed across the sky.
"…accept the role of the third guardian of Ji Xia Sect."
The moment the claw touched the formation—
A colossal surge of energy exploded outward.
Lightning shot into the heavens.
Golden light erupted from the ground.
The contract had been sealed.
A powerful wave of spiritual energy spread across the entire Forest of Yin and Yang, causing countless beasts to tremble in fear.
Vorath's amber eyes gleamed with approval.
Aetherion's turquoise gaze softened slightly.
The three guardians of Ji Xia Sect had now been formed.
High above the mountain, the storm slowly began to calm.
Tianlong's massive body shrank slightly as the contract stabilized, though the dragon still remained enormous compared to ordinary creatures.
It looked down at Yan Fu.
"Our fates are now bound, Sect Master."
Yan Fu nodded.
"Welcome to Ji Xia Sect."
Just then—
A bright blue screen suddenly appeared before Yan Fu.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Emergency Quest Completed
Objective: Recruit Three Divine Guardian Beasts
Guardian 1: Vorath ✔
Guardian 2: Aetherion ✔
Guardian 3: Tianlong ✔
Quest Status: Complete
The screen changed again.
[Rewards Unlocked]
• Celestial Barrier ×9
• Sect Renovation: Celestial Level
• Divine Weapon: Phoenix Crown Spear
Yan Fu's eyes narrowed slightly as another message appeared.
[Initiating Sect Transformation]
Far away—
At the ruins of Ji Xia Sect, the ground suddenly began to tremble.
Ancient formation circles hidden beneath the destroyed buildings slowly activated.
Broken walls began repairing themselves.
Collapsed towers slowly rebuilt with radiant spiritual stone.
Nine enormous pillars of golden light rose into the sky, forming a protective Celestial Barrier around the entire sect territory.
The once ruined Ji Xia Sect was beginning to awaken.
Back at Storm Crown Peak, Yan Fu watched the system notifications calmly.
The foundation of his sect had finally begun to form.
Vorath stepped closer.
"The contract is complete."
Aetherion added quietly,
"The sect must be changing now."
Tianlong lifted its head toward the sky.
"Then we should return."
Yan Fu nodded.
"Yes."
He lifted his white staff once more.
Ancient teleportation runes appeared beneath their feet.
"In two days, I promised my disciple I would return."
The formation circle glowed brightly.
"Let us go back."
In the next moment—
Light consumed the mountain peak.
The founder of Ji Xia Sect and his three divine guardians vanished from Storm Crown Peak.
Their destination—
The reborn sect awaiting its master.