CHAPTER 23: The Regional Tournament and the Sovereign Domain
**ARC 2: COLLEGE DUNGEON TRIAL & ANCIENT CLAN AWAKENING**
A week had passed since the catastrophe at the Forbidden Shadow Dungeon. The Imperial Grand Martial College was still recovering from the political aftershocks, but inside the high, stone-walled perimeter of The Azure Crest Estate, life carried on with rhythmic, unyielding discipline.
At the center of the estate’s private training courtyard, Gabriel stood with his hands tucked behind his dark dragon-silk coat.
In front of him, Ethan and Elena moved as a synchronized unit.
Ethan’s linen-wrapped spear whistled through the air like a striking thunderbolt, while Elena’s azure blade cut low, executing fluid spatial steps that left faint blue afterimages on the stone tiles. Their physical bodies, thoroughly forged by the Nine-Bones Iron Dragon Method, generated sharp gusts of wind with every pivot and thrust—all without spending a single drop of internal Qi.
CLANG!
Ethan’s spear-butt deflected an imaginary overhead strike, creating an opening for Elena to flash behind the target with ghost-like footwork.
"Stop," Gabriel called out softly.
The twins froze instantly, dropping their stances and breathing in deep, steady rhythms. Sweat glistened on their foreheads, but their eyes were clear, sharp, and brimming with refined power.
Gabriel stepped forward, handing each of them a hot, fragrant cup of Qi-nourishing spirit tea.
"Your coordination has improved significantly since the dungeon," Gabriel said, a quiet warmth in his voice. "Elena, your entry angle is flawless now. Ethan, your pivot no longer wastes a fraction of momentum. You move like a single, lethal weapon."
"Thanks to your body-conditioning drills, Dad," Ethan grinned, taking a deep gulp of the tea. "Physical strength makes high-speed maneuvers feel effortless."
Before Gabriel could speak, Malakor materialized out of the shadow cast by a nearby marble pillar, bowing on one knee.
"Clan Master," Malakor reported smoothly. "Vice-Principal Oberon has arrived at the front gates. He carries an official Imperial scroll regarding the upcoming Southern Realm Regional Academy Exchange Tournament."
Gabriel’s dark eyes glinted with a calm, calculating light. "Bring him to the reception hall."
A few minutes later, inside the grand marble reception hall of the estate, Vice-Principal Oberon sat nervously on the edge of a mahogany chair, holding a tea cup with trembling hands.
Even though Gabriel wore simple black robes, the quiet, suffocating pressure surrounding him made Oberon feel like he was sitting before an ancient Emperor.
"M-My Lord Sterling," Oberon bowed deeply from his seat. "I come on behalf of the Academy Board. As you know, every three years, the five major academies of the Southern Realm hold the Regional Exchange Tournament in the Core City."
Oberon carefully set a golden, dragon-embossed scroll on the table.
"Normally, first-year scholars are only allowed to participate as audience members," Oberon explained. "However, given Ethan and Elena’s S-Rank standing and their performance during the dungeon trial, the Imperial Council has extended a direct invitation for House Sterling’s young master and lady to lead the academy's official tournament squad!"
Ethan and Elena, standing on either side of Gabriel’s chair, looked at the golden scroll.
"The Core City?" Elena murmured softly, her breath hitching slightly.
The Core City was the heart of the Southern Realm's power—and the central hub where the intelligence networks of House Aurelius and the other ruling Duchies operated!
Gabriel picked up the golden scroll, inspecting the Imperial Seal with a cold, sharp grin.
"Leading the tournament squad to the Core City..." Gabriel said smoothly, tossing the scroll back onto the table. "House Sterling accepts."
Oberon let out a massive sigh of relief, bowing frantically. "Thank you, My Lord! The academy carriage retinue will depart in three days!"
After Oberon respectfully took his leave, Gabriel stood up, walking toward the grand balcony overlooking the Inner City. Ethan and Elena followed close behind.
"Dad," Ethan said, his hand gripping the shaft of his spear. "The Core City... that’s where the high-tier noble branches gather. Won't House Valerius and House Aurelius try to set traps for us there?"
Gabriel turned back, looking at his son and daughter with deep, golden dragon fire flashing in his pupils.
"Let them set their traps," Gabriel declared, his voice carrying an ancient, absolute authority that made the air in the room vibrate. "They think the Core City is their domain. They have no idea that House Sterling is stepping into the regional stage... to take everything."
Gabriel raised his hand, gesturing toward the sky above the estate.
BZ—ZZZ-T!
Through a subtle pulse of his Spatial Realm Mirror, a faint, golden spatial ripple briefly shimmered in the clouds miles above, exposing a tiny glimpse of the massive, floating mountains and divine waterfalls of the Floating Cloud Island.
The twins stared up at the sky, their hearts hammering with fierce pride and unshakeable confidence.
With their father backing them, with an invincible floating sanctuary above them, and with a Martial Grandmaster standing in their shadows... they didn't fear the Core City.
The Core City was about to fear them.
**End of ARC 2: COLLEGE DUNGEON TRIAL & ANCIENT CLAN AWAKENING**