Ling Tian's eyes widened in shock as he gazed upon the majestic gate of the Dragons Den Clan. Rivers and streams flowed from the top of the sky, falling down like a celestial waterfall, and a big stream lay beneath the gate. A colossal sea beast, its scales glinting in the sunlight, stood guard as the founder of the sect.
Ling Tian's mouth hung open, his face a picture of surprise. He wrinkled his eyes, using his hands to wipe his face, as if to ensure he wasn't dreaming.
Tianyang chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Welcome to the Dragons Den Clan, Ling Tian. This is where I grew up."
Ling Tian's eyes snapped back into focus, and he turned to Tianyang with a look of wonder. "This...this is incredible!" he exclaimed.
Tianyang smiled, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Yes, it's a remarkable place. Come, let's enter."
As they dismounted the serpent, Tianyang stepped forward, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. He recited a series of words, his voice low and mysterious.
Suddenly, the gate swung open, revealing a sprawling compound that seemed to stretch on forever. Ling Tian's eyes grew wide as he took in the sights and sounds.
"Wow!" he breathed, his eyes sparkling with amazement.
A vast, open space stretched out before them, dotted with 15 majestic buildings that seemed to touch the sky. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter, as sect members and travelers went about their daily business.
Ling Tian's gaze wandered, taking in the bustling market and training grounds. Everywhere he looked, he saw people practicing their cultivation, their auras glowing with various colors.
Tianyang called out to him, but Ling Tian was too caught up in the wonder of it all. "Ling Tian!!" Tianyang shouted, laughing.
Ling Tian turned, his eyes sheepish. "Sorry, I got distracted."
Tianyang grinned. "It's okay, I understand. But focus, okay?"
Ling Tian nodded, his eyes still wide with wonder. As he turned to follow Tianyang, he caught sight of a group of birds flying overhead. His gaze followed them, and he lost focus once more.
Tianyang chuckled, shaking his head. "Hey, Ling Tian!" he whispered.
But Ling Tian didn't respond. Tianyang's eyes sparkled with amusement, and he reached out, giving Ling Tian a gentle slap on the back of the head.
"Focus!" Tianyang said, laughing.
Ling Tian's eyes went round, and he turned to Tianyang, rubbing his sore head. "Mmm, that was painful," he said, his voice tinged with mock complaint.
Tianyang's hands rested on his back as he strolled through the compound. "Come and let me show you around," he said to Ling Tian, who followed closely.
Ling Tian's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he took in the sights. Tianyang pointed out various landmarks, including the training ground. "Here is where you will be training soon," he said.
Ling Tian's gaze drifted towards the river, where colorful fishes and flamingoes swam and played. He rummaged through his pocket and produced some snacks, munching on them as he walked.
Tianyang turned to Ling Tian, his expression darkening. "Ling Tian!!" he shouted, startled by Ling Tian's snacking.
Ling Tian's eyes snapped back into focus, and he smiled innocently. "Oh, sorry Master Tianyang. Let's move on," he said, his hands clasped behind his back in a gesture of respect.
As they approached the training ground, Ling Tian's eyes narrowed, intently watching the students practice swordplay. He was eager to join them tomorrow.
But for now, he observed, transfixed by the clash of swords. Suddenly, one of the students lost control of his sword, and it hurtled towards Ling Tian's face.
Ling Tian froze, fear etched on his face. But before the sword could strike, Tianyang intervened, using his metal energy to halt the sword's trajectory.
Ling Tian's eyes slowly opened, his face pale. He took a deep breath, fixing his gaze on the student who had lost control. "Hey, you! Are you blind? You'd better hold your sword well when fighting!!" he shouted.
Tianyang chuckled and placed a reassuring hand on Ling Tian's shoulder. "Let's move on, Ling Tian."
Tianyang showed Ling Tian every corner of the compound, but there were two underground places he didn't reveal. As the sun began to set, Tianyang handed Ling Tian a long, blue attire. "Here, put this on. You'll need it tomorrow."
Ling Tian accepted the garment, excitement sparkling in his eyes. "Thank you, Master Tianyang."
Tianyang smiled and led Ling Tian to his new quarters. "Get some rest, Ling Tian. Tomorrow will be a big day."
Later that evening, Long Wu approached Tianyang. "Tianyang, who is that kid?" he asked.
Tianyang smiled, a faraway look in his eyes. "Oh, he is Ling Tian, a brave boy I met today in the Tenebrous Sacred Forest."
Long Wu playfully hit Tianyang, but his smile faltered as he saw Tianyang wince in pain. "Tianyang, you're bleeding!" he exclaimed.
Tianyang waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing, just a scratch. I'll heal it soon. Goodnight, Long Wu."
As the night wore on, Tianyang's serpent slithered through the compound, searching for something. Meanwhile, Ling Tian was in his room, cultivating his energy. Suddenly, he heard a faint knock on his window.
Ling Tian's eyes snapped open, and he rose from his bed to investigate. As he opened the window, he saw nothing but the dark night sky. Shrugging, he attributed the noise to the wind and closed the window.
Unbeknownst to Ling Tian, the mysterious ring had slipped into his room, hovering near his bed. Ling Tian settled back into his bed, unaware of the ring's presence.
The next morning, the bell tolled, signaling the start of a new day. Ling Tian woke up, feeling refreshed. He stretched his body and yawned, then walked to the washroom to wash his face.
As he looked in the mirror, his eyes widened in shock. He was naked. Ling Tian's face turned cold, and he let out a loud scream.
The guards rushed into his room, concerned. "What happened?" one of them asked.
Ling Tian quickly grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist. "Nothing, I was singing, and my voice choked," he said, forcing a smile onto his face.
The guards exchanged skeptical glances but said nothing. They shook their heads and left the room.
Ling Tian was left standing there, feeling confused and more than a little embarrassed. "I don't get it," he muttered to himself. "I wore the clothes Master Tianyang gave me. How did I end up naked?"
Just then, the mysterious ring flew into the air, hovering near Ling Tian. His eyes flashed towards the ring, and he felt a surge of anger. "You again! You're the one who's been burning my clothes!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with rage.
The ring radiated a soft glow, and Ling Tian felt its energy pulsating through him. He raised his hand, and the ring levitated in the air.
Ling Tian's eyes widened in astonishment as he felt an unusual sensation in his middle finger. He glanced down to see the ring had attached itself to his finger.
"What's going on?" Ling Tian muttered, his eyes fixed on the ring in confusion and awe.