South of the Jade Dragon School, the mountains carve paths between villages, temples, and ruins of a forgotten past. The horizon glows with the sun, and people tend to their orchards, their rice paddies, and plow the earth—this is the life of most.
All roads lead to Tiandu, surrounded by mountain ranges forming a natural barrier, shrouded in the mysticism of ancient times. It is believed that the Capital was built at the epicenter of the fall of the God Tianmu (天目). On these once frozen and lifeless lands, tribal wars wove the struggle for survival. Tianmu descended, resting his body and form upon the soil, nourishing the valleys, warming the land, and allowing life to flourish. Chaos ceased for long ages.
Many believe in this creation myth. What reinforces this thought is that the North is freezing once more. For some, mankind has drifted too far from Tianmu.
Autumn is coming to an end, and with it, the roads grow busy. It is time to gather in Tiandu, the Capital. The season of winter festivals has arrived: a celebration of life, with music, food, traveling theaters, and sporting competitions filling the streets.
Among all these events, one is celebrated by everyone—from children to the elderly—the Tiandu Martial Tournament, where the remnants of the Old Era, the four clans, gather to compete and showcase the strength of their Schools.
The White Tiger Hall of the Western Lands, a martial fortress known for training direct, brutal, and honorable warriors. Its members despise tricks and poisons. The finest generals have come from here.
The Blazing Phoenix Clan, southeast of Tiandu, a powerful martial faction that believes in rebirth through conflict. Its members wield aggressive techniques and explosive styles. Many of its members hold sway in politics and the military, and their charismatic influence is often dangerous.
The Black Turtle Alliance, in the archipelago, is a confederation of smaller coastal clans—sailors and defensive warriors. Experts in endurance, formations, and prolonged combat. Their sea routes bring a variety of supplies to the lands of Tiandu, though many of their connections make the alliance fragile with the Empire.
The Jade Dragon School, hidden among steep mountains, is one of the oldest martial sects in the Empire. Its masters believe the body should flow like a dragon through clouds. Experts in techniques that harness Qi, they maintain a strong connection with the imperial family.
At the southern gates, a sprawling open market has risen for the festivities, alongside carts of wine and spices from every corner.
Beneath a gray cloak, still dusted with the first crystals of winter, a man admires the walls and all the life below him. He carries only a sheepskin leather backpack on his back and a bamboo hat long faded from color. A cold wind sweeps over him. With a posture of quiet confidence, he walks toward the gates.
The market is like a living organism—faces that have never met, dialects and cultures intertwining.
"Grab him!" a man shouted.
The calm breaks into a chase. Tiandu's soldiers pursue a young blonde-haired boy, his skin flushed red, short and stocky, his eyes wide with fear.
The soldiers, clad in leather armor, brandish straight-bladed swords.
The gray-cloaked man steps in front of them. His light footsteps go unnoticed until he is directly before them. A gust of wind snatches his hat.
Long black hair flows free.
He removes his old cloak, a companion from many journeys. Underneath, a jade guzhuang emerges, along with a copper medallion shaped like a dragon resting on his chest.
"Stop! What are you doing? He's just a boy!"
The soldiers recognize the robes and show respect.
"Young Master, this boy is one of those sea traitors. He shouldn't even be here," one soldier responds.
Meanwhile, the blonde boy is cornered, shielded by that imposing presence.
"He hasn't done anything to deserve this treatment. Go! Return to your posts."
A huge shadow falls over the soldiers. Even the cold breeze is halted by the heat emanating from a tall man appearing beside them. Were it not for his face, his body could be mistaken as part of the wall. Dressed in clothes as dark as night, a long chain wraps his waist, ending with a massive fishhook. His hair is as blonde as the frightened boy's.
He places a heavy hand on the soldier's shoulder.
"Apologies for my little brother. Let's go, Feng," he says, walking toward the city.
The soldiers had not sensed his approach, but once noticed, his presence froze their throats and stiffened their wills.
Feng turns to the man in green robes.
"What's your name?"
"I am a member of the Jade Dragon School, Li Shen!"
"How exciting! Then I'll see you at the Tournament. Of course, this year my brother will participate—he will be the champion!"
Li Shen smiles.
"We'll see, boy. Go—your brother awaits."
Feng waves to Li Shen and quickly returns to his enigmatic brother's side. Li Shen hurries through the gates.
Memories, friends, first love—all buried, winter after winter.
These houses, streets, and squares are but hollow beauty. All that remains fresh in his memories are his experiences at the Jade Dragon School.
Unnoticed, his feet carry him to the Tianmu Temple, at the city's center, and the stage of the Tournament.
The crowd is euphoric, shouting their champions' names, as strikes shake the ground and walls.
Li Shen clenches his fist, feeling all the energy of the arena, and confidently raises his gaze to the sky.
A shadow blocks the sun.
Someone is about to be violently thrown from the arena, crashing into a house.
"Who could do such a thing?" Li Shen wonders.
The audience erupts in excitement, cheering and applauding the spectacle they just witnessed.
Li Shen leaps, reaching the top of the temple wall, his eyes scanning for the one who hurled the man.
Bai Huoran stands at the center of the arena.
"This show-off… this year, victory will be mine."
A court guard ascends the arena.
"For the next match, coming from the turbulent waters, the wall of the ocean, Tanzi Feng! Representing the Black Turtles."
"Who's the poor soul facing Tanzi?" murmurs a man.
"I heard he took on a whole crew alone," says another.
"And as for his opponent…" begins the Guard. "Do we have a name? Yes! From the Jade Dragons… Li Shen!"
"We must admit, this boy has willpower…" He is interrupted as Li Shen jumps over his head into the arena.
Li lands in the arena like a petal falling onto the grass.
On the opposite side, Tanzi Feng rises, his imposing presence living up to the legends.
"Don't think I'll go easy just because you helped my brother."
"I wasn't counting on that. Come with everything you've got."
Both position their bodies and spirits; the tension in the air could be cut with a knife.
The ground vibrates. The audience falls silent, anxious.