Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

Ace stood at the side, utterly flabbergasted.

Why do these titles have such grand descriptions when the contestants can just pick whatever they want?

He couldn't wrap his head around it. The whole tournament felt less like an esteemed competition and more like an elaborate farce.

All the hype, the tension, the fierce battles—it all led to this bizarre free-for-all title selection.

Was there even a proper system in place, or was this just tradition at its most ridiculous?

"I thought there would be normal battles first, and then they would give the titles to whichever was worthy of it..." Ace mused, still trying to make sense of the process.

A scoffing laugh echoed in his mind.

"You fool." The inner voice sneered. "Those titles aren't just fancy words—they are true blessings, bestowed by the Dragons and Phoenixes who reign supreme over the skies."

Ace stiffened, the weight of the revelation crashing down on him.

Blessings? As Ace brooded over the possibility of it all.

The princess, who had once stood before the crowd with unwavering confidence, declaring her intent to find a Dual partner, now hesitated.

Her gaze swept over the finalists, lingering as if searching for something—yet whatever it was, she did not find it.

Lifting her chin, she spoke once more, her voice as steady as ever. "I withdraw my claim of finding my Dual Partner."

A murmur rippled through the audience, quickly escalating into laughter and jeers.

"What? After all that bold talk?"

"Didn't find anyone worthy, huh?"

"Changing your mind so soon? Typical."

"Are you searching for a god?"

Mockery rained down from all directions, yet the princess remained unshaken. She did not flinch, did not react.

With the poise of royalty, she turned on her heel and left the stage, her silken robes trailing behind her.

Shan Yifeng, watching from the sidelines, exhaled softly. "She's incredible."

Liu Mei raised a brow. "Do you like her, junior brother?"

Yifeng chuckled, shaking his head. "Like her? No. But admire her? Absolutely."

Liu Mei grinned mischievously. "If you want her, I can definitely help you."

Yifeng's face reddened. "That won't be necessary!"

He turned sharply, making a swift escape as Liu Mei giggled behind him.

After the tournament events came to a close and preparations for other festivities began, a familiar figure made his way toward Ace.

Hua Hua, the family head of the Hua clan, was practically beaming, his large frame exuding both authority and warmth.

"Ah, Master Zhi, your disciple! They truly did not disappoint!" His booming laughter echoed through the air.

Ace gave him a small nod, still lost in thought about everything that had transpired.

Hua Hua clapped him on the shoulder, nearly knocking the breath out of him.

"It's been a long tournament. You must be exhausted. Why not return home in comfort? My family escort beasts are the finest. I'll have you back in no time."

Ace felt overjoyed but still tried to act nonchalant.

He had planned to leave quickly, but an offer for a comfortable ride home—one that spared them the exhaustion of walking or finding their own way—sounded a hundred times better than whatever he had planned.

Shan Yifeng, standing nearby, leaned in. "Master, we should accept. Their flying beasts are really cool to ride."

Liu Mei grinned. "Oh! I've never ridden one before. This will be fun!"

Ace sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. We'll accept the ride."

Hua Hua laughed heartily. "Good, good! Then rest well tonight. We leave at dawn."

...

...

At dawn, the group stood before an impressive fleet of massive, tamed spirit beasts—majestic creatures with powerful wings and gleaming scales.

With smooth efficiency, the beast handlers assisted them onto the creatures' backs. The beasts soon took flight, their wings created powerful gusts of wind, lifting them high above the ground.

The sky stretched endlessly before them.

Spirit beasts were revered, not just for their power but for their potential to form deep connections with cultivators.

A bond was a sacred contract, a once-in-a-lifetime connection between beast and master. It was a choice made with both trust and destiny in mind. To sever or change such a bond was taboo—seen as a betrayal of the spirit and the self.

Taming, however, was different. Tamed beasts were not bound for life. They could be trained, guided, and even passed down through generations, but their connection to humans remained temporary..

To some, taming was practical. To others, it was nothing more than a hollow imitation of true companionship. But in the end, strength was what mattered, wasn't it?

Ace rode with Liu Mei, the two settled comfortably atop the powerful beast beneath them. The wind rushed past, and the world below grew distant.

Beside them, Shan Yifeng stretched his arms, a playful smirk on his face.

"Ah, this brings back memories."

Liu Mei blinked. "You've ridden one before?"

Yifeng grinned. "Of course! When I first arrived in this city, I rode on the back of a spirit crane. Let me tell you, it was terrifying at first. I thought I'd fall off at any moment!"

Ace raised a brow. "You? Afraid of heights?"

Yifeng crossed his arms. "Not afraid—just… cautious."

Liu Mei giggled. "So what happened?"

Yifeng puffed out his chest. "Naturally, I adapted! In fact, I'll show you how to ride properly. Just follow my lead!"

He spread his arms like a self-proclaimed expert—only for the wind to nearly knock him off balance.

The sky stretched vast and endless, a canvas of deep blues and golden streaks as the sun rose.

Liu Mei gazed at the endless sea of clouds, her golden eyes shimmering with awe. A gentle breeze brushed against her face as she breathed in the crisp air.

"Master, this is beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with pure wonder.

Soft, wispy clouds drifted lazily, kissed by the light. Below them, the world seemed distant and small, the wind crisp and exhilarating.

Ace tightened his grip on the reins, feeling the steady rhythm of the great bird beneath them. The wind rushed past, carrying the scent of the open sky.

"Indeed it is," he murmured, his voice calm yet thoughtful.

Liu Mei, seated in front of him, leaned forward slightly, her gaze never leaving the vast, cloud-streaked horizon.

It was a moment of peace, a rare serenity above the chaos of the land.

As they soared higher, the terrain shifted.

Below, the Dark Valley Sea stretched out, a vast, ominous river twisting like a serpent through the land.

The waters shimmered darkly, reflecting the sky like liquid obsidian. It was eerily silent—no ripples, no waves, just a deep, endless abyss.