Chapter One: Leaping Over the Dragon Gate

Lu Family, Maple Leaf City.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Master, Master…” Urgent knocks and cries echoed outside the study of the Lu Family’s head.

Inside, a middle-aged man sat in a grand armchair, eyes closed, regulating his breath. He wore an exquisite violet robe, his features marked by a certain sternness, and his rugged brows added to his air of boldness.

“Uncle Fu, what is it?” the man asked calmly.

“It’s the young master—he seems to be on the verge of breaking through to the Sixth Layer of the Acquired Realm. But… he’s in the martial training ground,” came the anxious, aged voice from outside.

“What! Nonsense!” The man’s eyes snapped open, sharp as a waking tiger.

Creak—the study door swung open.

“Master,” an elderly man in a gray robe bowed low outside.

“Uncle Fu, how many times have I told you, unless there are outsiders, just use my name,” the middle-aged man shook his head. Uncle Fu had watched him grow up, and he’d long regarded him as family.

“No, the etiquette cannot be abandoned. But let’s hurry to the training ground and check on the young master,” Uncle Fu replied anxiously.

“Alright, have it your way. Let’s go see Han’er now. There are still some children at the training ground who don’t understand the importance of the Sixth Layer. If they disrupt Han’er’s breakthrough, it’ll be troublesome,” the man said, worry in his voice, though his gaze grew excited at the mention of Han’er’s imminent breakthrough.

At this moment, in the training ground—

In the center sat a young boy, cross-legged and eyes closed. Dressed in a long white robe, his delicate and youthful face framed by ink-black hair, his slender brows arched resolutely. Though still boyish, a trace of determination could be seen. His hands formed seals before his chest in a continuous flow. His complexion shifted between pale and green, pain etched across his features, while faint white streams of energy ebbed and flowed with his breath, cycling into his body.

This was Han’er, the young master of the Lu Family—Lu Han—the one the middle-aged man had spoken of. Around him, some thirty or forty young boys watched, whispering among themselves, none understanding what was happening to the boy at the center.

“Lu Han, cousin, Lu Han, are you alright?” A slightly older boy stepped forward, bent down, and waved his hand in front of Lu Han’s face.

Receiving no response, the boy hesitated, glanced at the others, gritted his teeth, and was just about to touch Lu Han when—

“Lu Ran, don’t touch him! He’s undergoing a breakthrough—he mustn’t be disturbed!” A voice suddenly cut through the air. An elderly man in gray and a middle-aged man hurried over. It was Uncle Fu and the family head, Lu Tianhong.

“Master!” the youths chorused.

Lu Tianhong nodded. “Other than Lu Ran, none of you have reached the Sixth Layer of the Acquired Realm yet, and only a few of you have just broken through the Fifth. Perhaps you’re all curious—every time someone in the family reaches the peak of the Fifth Layer, they’re taken away by their fathers or elders. Normally, there's no need for me to explain, but when you reach the peak of the Fifth Layer, someone will naturally speak to you.”

He glanced at Lu Han before turning to the gathered youths.

“The truth is,” Lu Tianhong continued, “in our cultivation, aside from the bottleneck between the Ninth Layer of the Acquired Realm and the Innate Realm, there is another bottleneck before that—the Sixth Layer. It’s also known as ‘Leaping the Dragon Gate.’ Only by breaking through the Sixth Layer can you begin to cultivate true techniques and martial skills, for it is after the Sixth Layer that one starts to condense internal force.

“The process of condensing internal force is painful; the energy rampages inside your body, and no one can help or touch you. That’s why, when someone reaches the peak of the Fifth Layer, their father or an elder will take them somewhere quiet for the breakthrough.

“If you can’t endure the pain, your internal force will go astray, your cultivation will stall at the Fifth Layer, and you’ll never progress. Every year, thirty percent are halted at this step—thus, it’s called ‘Leaping the Dragon Gate.’ Succeed, and you’re a carp leaping over the dragon gate; fail, and the family can only assign you errands. Those who succeed are dispatched on family missions and rarely remain in the clan except for family gatherings. It’s normal you didn’t know this.”

“Lu Ran, weren’t you out on a family mission? When did you return?” Lu Tianhong asked, surprised.

“Master, I completed my mission and was given three days’ rest. I just returned today,” Lu Ran replied.

“Whew…” At the center of the training ground, Lu Han slowly exhaled a turbid breath, his eyes opening slightly, a flash of white light passing through them.

Beside him, Lu Tianhong let out a quiet sigh of relief. “Thank goodness the breakthrough was without mishap,” he thought.

“Father,” Lu Han looked up.

“Get up first. You’ve been at it a long time—move your legs and ankles, then come to my study,” Lu Tianhong said, turning to leave, Uncle Fu following close behind.

“Oh…” Lu Han replied, somewhat reluctant.

“I’m sure Father’s going to lecture me,” Lu Han thought with a sigh.

“Haha! Cousin Lu Han, congratulations! Congratulations on breaking through the Sixth Layer!” Lu Ran stepped forward, cupping his fists. The other boys also offered their congratulations.

“Brother Lu Ran, you promised to show me the Fire Luo Fist you learned after breaking through the Sixth Layer. Sorry I delayed you—I need to see Father now, but I’ll watch your technique another time!” Lu Han cupped his fists in return before hurrying away.

Lu Ran watched Lu Han’s retreating figure for a long moment before leaving the training ground as well.

Knock, knock… knock, knock…

Outside the study, Lu Han gently rapped the door.

“Come in.” Lu Tianhong’s stern voice sounded.

Lu Han slipped inside quietly and approached his father, who sat in the grand armchair with Uncle Fu standing by.

“Explain yourself. Didn’t I tell you long ago, breakthroughs should be made in your room with Uncle Fu at your side?” Lu Tianhong scolded.

He’d made clear the significance of the Sixth Layer, yet this rascal had chosen the training ground for his breakthrough.

“Well… Father, it’s like this. I was planning to break through this morning. But…” Lu Han began to recount.

As it turned out, just as Lu Han was about to attempt the breakthrough that morning, Lu Ran had come looking for him. The two were close, and Lu Ran regaled him with stories of the fun he’d had on his mission. After breaking through the Sixth Layer, the family had rewarded Lu Ran with the martial skill Fire Luo Fist, which he’d already mastered and wanted to demonstrate. Tempted, Lu Han decided the breakthrough could wait until afternoon; it wasn’t urgent. So they went to the training ground together. But as soon as Lu Han arrived, he suddenly felt the internal energy surging within him, growing stronger and stronger, forcing him to sit and meditate on the spot…

“Then you both arrived… By the way, I haven’t seen those new flowerpots at the training ground before,” Lu Han added, voice trailing off.

“Enough, you rascal. You never let me rest easy. Out with you now. And remember, don’t pester Lu Ran too much—he’s busy with family tasks,” Lu Tianhong waved him off.

“Father, I’ll return to my room, then,” Lu Han said, darting away.

A long silence followed.

“The young master’s talent is among the best in the family. Breaking through to the Sixth Layer at fifteen—he’s not far behind Lu Hui in his day. Master, these years have been…” Uncle Fu’s aged voice broke the stillness.

“Uncle Fu, sometimes less is more. We have no proof, and Han’er’s unharmed. My elder brother… Han’er is my only son. If pushed, I’ll do whatever it takes, even if your son is in the Golden Sun Sect,” Lu Tianhong replied, his hand clenching tightly as he spoke the final words.