Writer's Note: Surprise second chapter release. Thanks for reading and feel free to speculate on what is to come.

Chapter 7: Return to the Clan

"It has been a few days past three months," a guard in red armor sighed as he and four others guarded the entrance to the Burning Phoenix District of the Ni Clan. "Is Fourth Young Master be safe?"

"Relax. the fourth child of Ni Kong is someone with a wolf spirit. He should be able to escape," another soothed.

"Boss Ni Kong only has ten children and three wives. Well, the second wife never came to the Tian Continent as the boss came with Ni Lang," the guard captain said. "His affinity to fire was so great, he could integrate it into his weapon like a mage fire enchantment spell. He also has one of the unique elemental affinities: destruction."

"Yes, but what if....Hmm? Someone approaches," the first guard said as they felt immense spiritual pressure coming toward them. They relaxed when they felt it was not hostile, but their hands still held the swords at their waists. They saw a male at six feet approach in a simple black cloak so dark, it had to be made from magical beast skin. He also wore a scarlet and black armor with a gold wolf's head on the center of the chest plate.

Weapons and armor were ranked the same way the body was ranked: the nine metals! The man approaching them wore Black Gold rank armor only someone with that ranked metal body, or higher, could endure to wear without consequence. What Ni Lang wore was the Black Gold rank battle armor Ni Kong gave his son as he claimed the father of his mysterious mother had once worn.

"That armor...Young Master Ni Lang?" the guard captain gasped, unable to recognize the youth or determine his cultivation stage. All he could feel was the immense power of his spiritual energy.

"Hello, Wei Han," Ni Lang said, most of the former Ni Lang's memories firmly ingrained in his own after the three months. "I'm twenty now so it has been...two years since my last visit?"

"Yes. It is the young master!" the guard captain cried as all five guards saluted Ni Lang. "Your father and the patriarch worried for you. You should also know that the third wife gave birth to a another daughter. Young master now has nine siblings."

"Wow. Two years and another sibling. Heh. Father must be enjoying himself," Ni Lang laughed. "What has happened since the fall of Quentican City? I have been in closed door training for the past three months after safely escaping. I just reached the initial stage of the Flame Realm."

"Is this possible?" the other four guards whispered as they were at the Metal Realm. Twenty and already at the Flame Realm? Genius!

"Many foreigners from the most westward nations and continents came here to escape the demon hordes. Reports came in that the Golden Army is focusing their efforts on Pretender's Passage. The Guan Dynasty had made no movements as of late and the entire Wu Province is currently focusing on preparing the younger generations for war in the many sects and academies. The Ni Patriarch is currently hiring many martial artists and mages to protect the Ni Clan and their properties," Wei Han answered. "Many foreigners have established themselves all over the many provinces of the Tian Continent and there has been major shifts in positions of power. Still, the Ni Clan are the most powerful in Black Sun City with fifteen people at the Obsidian Realm, that the public is aware of. We are safe, for now."

"I imagine the Guan Dynasty allows their existence as they paid a hefty sum to the Imperial Clan. Where is my father?" Ni Lang asked.

"At a clan meeting with the other elders and the patriarch. As for the three hidden pillars of the sect, none of them came," Wei Han said, as it was normal for such powerful members of the clan not to bother with Mortal Realm affairs. The public was only aware of the might of the patriarch. However, the main branch of the Ni Clan, the branch members and the guards knew the existence of the three supreme experts past the Obsidian Realm.

"Ugh," Ni Lang grunted as the pain in his left arm flared.

"Young master?" Wei Han and the guards asked, worried.

"I'm fine," Ni Lang rasped after fifteen seconds. "My affinity for the flame attribute is too high for my body to handle. I will head to my father now."

"Yes," the guards said as they stared at the tiny white and orange panda cub, the size of an adult cat, as it followed Ni Lang past the white wood doors. The pain never flared during cultivation, but the intervals outside of it were random. Ni Lang closed his eyes and sensed the area of his left forearm. The hardened lava and jade energy cracks did not spread, this time.

Many men, women, and children stared at the black cloaked young man, bowing as some of the older clan members recognized the armor that flashed beneath the cloak. Quickly, the news spread of Ni Lang's survival and return. Ni Lang politely nodded as he walked past many blocks to the heart of the Burning Phoenix District, a giant red pavilion in front of him with several pagodas and smaller pavilions nearby. A pavilion was akin to a mansion so a pavilion represented status and the largest one was where the patriarch lived and held important clan matters in the main hall akin to a throne room.

"No access is allowed without authorization," two gold armored guards said as they saw Ni Lang approach. Ni Lang took out a white wood badge from his storage bag, revealing his identity as the son of Ni Kong and a member of the main branch.

"Young master? You've returned! The rumors were true," the guards smiled and let him pass. Members of the main clan were allowed in, but only the elders and powerful cultivators and guests sat close to the end of the hall where the patriarch sat on his throne. So long as you were eighteen, you were allowed to sit and listen to the important matters unless it was too important for just anyone to witness.

"Announcing the entrance of Ni Lang, son and fourth child of Lu Kong," a guard announced and all eyes turned to see the cloaked, armored young man as he entered, a golem appearing behind him as it held his panda cub.

"The wolf returns," the patriarch, Ni Wang, said as Ni Kong ran to his son.

"Ni Lang! You've returned! How are you? Any injuries? You bound a magical beast and own a golem? That aside, what took you so damn long?!" Ni Kong roared at once and was stunned as he stared at his son. "You got taller and have grey eyes. Wait, show me your spirit."

Ni Lang smirked and two red rings appeared, shocking everyone in the room as a One-horned red wolf spirit appeared and howled. Even the patriarch stood up when he saw the two red spirit rings. It meant Ni lang's soul entered its third evolution. It was incredibly difficult for a cultivator to evolve his soul fire into the second evolution and gain a spirit ring. Proof that Ni Lang succeeded was his One-horned red wolf spirit, a spirit both a dragon and a wolf.

"What cultivation stage are you and what attributes do you have?" one of the elders asked.

"I am at the initial stage of the Flame Realm," Ni Lang answered, causing many to pale and look at him with awe and fear. "My elemental attributes are darkness, water, fire, earth, and destruction. My water element is a variant as my ice appears like flames. My flame attribute's variant...is that of an Evil Jade Phoenix."

"My god," a lot of elders and members of the main branch cried as Ni Kong, the patriarch, and a few experienced elders understood the significance of Ni Lang's hesitation at his last sentence."

"How far along is it?" Ni Kong cried.

"You know?" Ni Lang asked.

"It is both the dream and nightmare of all flame attribute cultivators. Their fire magic and flame art techniques are among the top ten in terms of power, rivaling that of those with dragon spirits," the patriarch answered. "How did your soul fire become tainted by the evil phoenix flame?"

"I don't know," Ni Lang answered truthfully.

"Since he is under twenty two, he qualifies for the yearly, Young Sun Tournament. Our clan has a prodigy at the Flame Realm for this year's tournament. We will have an advantage against the lesser clans once again," an elder said. "Since he is at the second realm, he can infuse elemental attributes into his martial techniques. Pity he isn't also a mage. His chances would be higher."

"Good job, little brother," the second child of Ni Kong, Ni Jing laughed. He was last year's champion and at the Young Sun Tournament for the younger generations. He was at the peak of the Flame Realm, a true genius of the clan, when he won the tournament. The clan feared losing this year after winning and now had a chance for a third victory in a row, the first child winning the two years ago.

His name was Ni Feng and he had left Black Sun City to join the Imperial Dragon Academy in the Guan Dynasty's capital. Most of the top sects and academies only accepted students and disciples when they turned twenty until age twenty three. Those at powerful clans would take advantage of their clan's resources and enter at age twenty two. Ni Jing would soon join his brother and was glad he could witness his clan win the tournament again, before he left.

"He can't use his fire attribute or reveal his water's variant attribute of frost fire," the patriarch said. "He will take one of the three places of our clan. The other two are Ni Qian and Ni Zhang."

Ni Qian was the third child and first daughter of Ni Kong. She was twenty as well and at the eighth stage of the Metal Realm. Ni Zhang was a genius of the sub branches of the Ni Clan, at the ninth stage of the Metal Realm. Compared to Ni Lang and Ni Zhang, Ni Qian was not considered a contender for the championship as the powerful clans and new foreign powers would have representatives at their level.

"Sorry, Ni Bu'er," Ni Kong said as he pat his fifth child's shoulder. Bu'er was the eldest child of Ni Kong's third wife and the eldest of triplets. However, Bu'er was the only one of the triplets to cultivate down the warrior and mage path.

"It's okay. I'm only seventeen. I can withstand two years before big brother turns twenty two," Bu'er grinned.

"I want everyone but Ni Kong and Ni Lang to leave. Our clan meeting is ended as we addressed who will be our representatives in a half month," Ni Wang said.

"Yes, patriarch," everyone else bowed and left.

"You have two spirit rings. Have you chosen a spirit weapon to bind to your soul?" Ni Wang asked.

"Yes. Just my Conqueror's Sword," Ni Lang answered as he manifested the sword.

"Intriguing. So this is a spirit weapon bound to a cultivator's soul. The image of the spirit is truly runed onto the weapon," Ni Kong said. "Father, you have one as well, right?"

"Mine is a spear, but yes," Ni Wang nodded. "You must have entered a death like state twice. It's a miracle you still breathe. You brought this old man many surprises. Since you don't a have a second spirit weapon, this is good. You must pick one that makes up for what you currently lack, in the future. No need to grab the most powerful weapon you see now. The sword is a Black Gold rank weapon. You did well to pick it as you have a Black Gold rank body."

"Can we do something about the curse?" Ni Kong asked.

"No. It is best to leave it be. Tampering may spread it further. It is also not a bad thing. He permanently gains the power of the Evil Jade Body in the area of infection. He does not need to transform. Unfortunately, he must learn to endure the pain," Ni Wang sighed. "As you have reached the Flame Realm, you are qualified to enter the treasury. Any three things are open for you to choose."

"Thank you, patriarch," Ni Lang bowed his head.

"Thank you, little brat. Our clan has a shot in being champion three years in a row," Ni Wang laughed. "However, we cannot afford to underestimate the powerful clans and foreign powers that established themselves here. Many people would like to see our Ni Clan suffer a setback."

"This is the treasury?" Ni Lang asked as they entered a hidden vault one thousand feet in diameter.

"There are three. One for mundane affairs with gold, jewelry, and such. There is this vault, for cultivators of both the mage and warrior path. Naturally, more mage magical treasures are here as the Tian continent only started to accept mages five hundred centuries ago. The final one is the largest and is more like a catacomb for our past patriarchs and clan supreme experts. Unless you have an affinity for the death or life element, only the elders and myself go there to pay homage to them," Ni Wang answered.

"I see. It makes sense that they would be buried in a safer place to protect their graves," Ni Lang nodded respectfully.

"Go on, Ni Lang," Ni Kong said. "Choose wisely."

"I can't steal any of these. How vexing," Ignus moaned as it floated around him while Ni Wang followed behind him. The golem was back in Ni Lang's storage bag as Ni Kong held the panda cub and studied it.

"Ignus, you lived among a devil's imp horde. Do you sense any powerful treasure here? Something that could be useful for me, personally?" Ni Lang asked, using his thrall link to ask the more experienced lesser demon.

"My imp guts tell me there are over fifty useful treasures. For master's personal use, I think around ten?" Ignus answered after a moment. "If master includes weapons, then around fifteen."

"What is this?" Ni Lang asked as he held a black diamond with flashes of orange energy appearing from within.

"Of all the treasures, you asked about this one first," Ni Wang laughed. "This diamond is one our ancestors found during the Era of Dragons. It was found deep within a mountain range. Unfortunately, no one knows its use as all failed to absorb it."

"You singled this out, why?" Ni Lang asked as he pretended to admire the diamond.

"That is a shadow diamond, found only in the skulls of a black dragon. It is not the magical beast core of a dragon and one has to live one thousand years to create it. My former master collected quite a few. Once absorbed into a person's soul fire, you gain immunity to all poison's and one of the black dragon's innate abilities. However, one must have affinity to darkness, destruction, and fire. Those are the affinities of a black dragon so absorbing its shadow diamond requires the same affinities. You also gain a boost in strength, speed, and reflexes. More importantly, your will cultivate the same energy as the orange energy within: that of a black dragon! Your body will begin to generate blood akin to a dragon, granting you their tough body and regeneration. To survive, my master absorbed it in a deep pool of water. You must do the same," Ignus answered. "You will lose all other elemental affinities. Since you have the Earth King Crown, you will only lose that of the water affinity."

"I'll take it," Ni Lang said, not minding the loss as the less elements, the more he can master the others.

"I would not advise it. All who failed lost all their elemental attributes, limited to pure elemental energy," Ni Wang warned.

"I am confident I can succeed. I might lose my water affinity though," Ni Lang said as he stored it away.

"Y, You...very well. Pity about the water element and frost fire. You are at the Flame Realm and have the evil phoenix fire. You can't possibly lose that curse, or blessing, of an Evil Jade Phoenix. At least you'll keep the one element currently killing you," Ni Wang sighed, shaking his head as grandson was too stubborn.

After two more items pointed out by Ignus, Ni Lang asked, "What is this black jade box? Why is it sealed with a sky blue pentagram magic circle?"

"You just love picking out strange items. Within is the preserved corpse of a fairy, a creature from the immortal realm. Only demons would benefit from it as devouring the body lets them evolve. For humans, we just gain the spirit energy and increase our Soul Realm by an insignificant amount," Ni Wang answered. "No one ever picked it as you have to eat the corpse."

"And this is useful to me because?" Ni Lang asked Ignus.

"Hehehe. Okay, I admit it. I told master this because I wanted to evolve to a regular demon ranked imp. My spirit form's range is increased a hundred fold and I am much more powerful. Master benefits as I can fight by master's side as well as increase my chances of stealing from more dangerous enemies and rooms," Ignus giggled. "I can also phase through objects and become untouchable in my spirit form. I can even tell master a desired woman's three sizes. Hehehehe."

"Lecherous thief. Still, you evolving benefits me even more," Ni Lang said and turned to Ni Wang. "I'll take this too."

"I....you just have a one track mind. Fine. You get one last pick. At least try to make it a reasonable one," Ni Wang said.

"Heh. If only the old man knew the items you picked were beyond reasonable," Ignus laughed with glee. "My own cultivation will no longer be limited. Master is the best! I will definitely steal from powerful foes."

"One last item," Ni Lang muttered as he stared at all the other referred items before asking about one that stood out. "What does this do?"

"Finally, something of note. That black talisman is truly a great treasure. It has two functions. The first is the ability to set a destination and automatically teleport to it from anywhere, no matter the condition," Ni Wang explained. "The talisman will also increase your cultivation speed. This is the best treasure, for you, as you have the evil phoenix flame. It is called the Moonlight Talisman as your body is wrapped in moonlight while the increased cultivation effect occurs only under the moon's light."

"Oh, amazing. I will definitely take this to preserve my life," Ni Lang nodded and took the black talisman as his third treasure.

"Good. You have half a month until the competition. I suggest you experiment with your treasures when you return to your pagoda. As your mom had only you, the whole pagoda is yours. I must say, your siblings are rather envious you don't have to share," Ni Wang laughed as they all left the vault.

"Ni Lang, are you alright?" Ni Kong asked as the two stood on front of Ni Lang's four story pagoda.

"I'm fine, father. No need to worry," Ni Lang answered.

"Participants have been assassinated since their names were submitted as representatives of their respective clans or organizations. You must be careful, my son," Ni Kong said as he stared into his eyes. "The Ni Clan may have some power, but there are five other major factions or clans. You have half a month to train. Not much time to train, but enough time to prepare. I love you, my boy. It was hard waiting, but I knew you escaped."

"Father," Ni Lang said softly, confirming the former Ni Lang's memories had an obvious effect on his own as he did not push Ni Kong away as he briefly hugged his son.

"Finally! Let's get to upgrading to higher levels of mischief!" Ignus cried as it appeared in its material form as Ni Lang and Ignus absorbed the first and second treasure at the top floor of the pagoda. The golem was ordered to take care of the panda cub as it gnawed on some magical beast meat. Ni Lang guessed it might have to do with whatever demon magical beast parent the panda had, aside from an actual panda magical beast.

"I cannot fail," Ni Lang said as he opened the window, the moonlight cascading on him as he meditated with the black talisman on his lap after he swallowed the black dragon's shadow diamond. As his soul fire grew, the spirit energy in his Soul Realm turned orange and orange spirit energy swirled within his body, his skin, muscles, and organs becoming stronger.

Something in him broke, as he lost his connection to his water attribute. It inadvertently made his body purer and raised his affinity to his other four elements. A black energy permeated from his body, becoming a black dragon that coiled the air around him. The Earth King Crown shined and sand colored spirit energy coiled around the orange colored energy within his body. A nearly undetectable pulse spread across the planet, three other items returning with their own pulse.

A human, a demon, and a dragon all felt their Primordial artifacts resonate with Ni Lang's Earth Crown. It was a sign another had awakened and was recognized as worthy by the artifact. Treasures were chosen by other life forms, but artifacts chose their master. By sensing holy earth essence in the first spiritual pulse, they knew someone was recognized by the Earth King Crown.

"Oh crap," Ni Lang said as he opened his eyes after his body felt the holy spirit pulse of three others. "Three others were found after all. What's worse, whatever demon got the Water Tyrant Spear from Quentican's ashes must know someone took the Earth King Crown from Pretender's Passage. They won't bother searching the passage as they dig their way to the city on the other side."

"Master?" Ignus asked, as it finished evolving and doubled in size.

"The Wood Dragon Saber hasn't been found, but others must know someone took the Earth King Crown," Ni Lang answered as he found he could manipulate the black dragon that coiled around him, a physical manifestation of his spirit energy as he made it vanish after a moment. "I think I might have woken a slumbering dragon. They are bound to join the search for the last Primordial artifact. I think I just involved the dragons in the war."

"What?" the imp asked, incredulous as the duo stared at each other in shock, the panda cub looking curiously at them as it nibbled on a bamboo shoot.

Far to the north, a continent completely covered in mountain ranges and valleys buzzed with movement. Some of the thousand year old dragons flew to the giant, snowy mountain that seemed as if it could reach outer space. An old man with white hair that fell to his waist stirred as he stopped his endless meditation. The jade, azure, black, crimson, gold, violet, diamond, and rainbow dragons celebrated as their master opened his eyes.

"Dragon King," the eight dragons cried as they dipped their heads in their miniature, one feet high and seven feet long, forms.

"The Metal Void Heart has resonated with the Earth King Crown. Haki's successor is found and it seems another was recognized by the Water Tyrant Spear. It did not send a spirit pulse, upon recognition, as it is not the Earth King Crown or Metal Void Heart. Only one Primordial artifact remains. It is time to awaken the others and join the war. We must protect the Primordial's private dimensional plane, in accordance to our eternal oath," the Dragon King said in his human form. "Contact our demonized brothers and sisters. Infiltrate the human lands. Bring the saber to me and slay the other three owners of the Primordial artifacts."

"We hear and obey the royal order," the dragons cried and the dragons finally descended the mountain after escaping the wrath of the Emissary of Undeath after eight thousand years.

"The Emissary of Undeath.....where are you? You did not ascend and did not return to the Immortal Realm. Why?" the Dragon King murmured as he flew into outer space, staring down at the planet as he became a dragon as white and majestic as the full moon in the night sky.