Chapter 1: The Boy on Trial

"Iwao, do you know your crimes?"
A loud shout echoed over Imperial City Square.
A battered teenager stood in the center of the square.
His eyes were filled with defiance and madness, like a peerless divine sword standing between heaven and earth.
In front of him, a middle-aged man in embroidered clothes wore a look of anger. "You openly cheated in the Spirit Path Trial and were disabled by the Lord Sect Master of Wind Sword Sect. You deserve your punishment! But do you know that because of your momentary foolishness, even the three cultivation spots in our Great Cyan Empire have been lost?!"
"You are a disgrace to the nation!"
"You are the shame of the country!"
Behind the middle-aged man, a group of officials angrily rebuked him.
Iwao Leach remained expressionless, quietly watching it all.
Openly cheating?
What a joke!
Mateo Webster, the Sect Master of Wind Sword Sect!
You didn't hesitate to act against me to secure first place for your son in the Spirit Path Trial!
You killed my Illusionary Beast and crippled all of my cultivation!
How ruthless!!!
Onlookers all around sighed at the scene.
Because the name Iwao has been so prominent in the past few years!
At the age of thirteen, he participated in the Great Cyan Empire's prodigy battle and dominated the field.
At fifteen, he single-handedly elevated the Leach Family to the ranks of the four major families.
At seventeen, he stepped into the Earth Spirit Realm. When his cousin was humiliated, he stormed into enemy territory, facing a hundred thousand defenders alone. As the dawn broke, he rode off on a lone wolf, leaving behind a sea of corpses!
Over the years, he has won too many resources and honors for his family and the Great Cyan Empire.
All kinds of achievements are accumulated in one person.
The Great Cyan Empire, indisputably the first prodigy!
Three days ago, Iwao entered Wind Sword Sect as the top-ranked new disciple and participated in the Spirit Path Trial.
The so-called Spirit Path Trial was specifically used by the Wind Sword Sect to assess the cultivation of new disciples, with generous rewards.
Iwao overcame many obstacles and consistently ranked second in points, second only to Julio Webster, the Young Sect Master of Wind Sword Sect.
If he could maintain his position until the end, he would secure three spots in the Wind Sword Sect for the Great Cyan Empire.
A precious opportunity!
But Iwao was not satisfied; he wanted to strive for first place!
Just as his points were about to surpass Julio's, Mateo entered the Spirit Path, wielding supreme power, unreasonably killed Iwao's Illusionary Beast, the Crimson Rage Blood Wolf, and crippled all of his cultivation.
"Do you, with your lowly status, even have the right to compete with me for first place?"
Julio's arrogant smile was vivid in his mind.
After being expelled from the Spirit Path Trial, the Great Cyan Empire did not stand up for Iwao.
Instead, they brought him to the square for trial!
Three days ago, he was still a prodigious talent.
But in the blink of an eye, he became the shame of the nation, despised by everyone!
"Spirit Path Trial, you have caused irreparable damage to the nation!"
The middle-aged man's expression was fierce as he suddenly threw down a token. "In the name of the Lord of Imperial City, I strip you of all your titles and rights, and from now on, you are demoted to a commoner! Get out of here!"
Such was the way of the world.
In these years, how many resources has Iwao won for the Great Cyan Empire? How much honor has he fought for?
But in the end, it all crumbled with Mateo's words!
Facing judgment, Iwao merely tightened his grip on the wolf's tooth in his hand.
His pupils tinged with blood.
"Little Wolf, I will avenge you, I swear!"
The wolf's tooth, sharp, pierced his palm.
Yet Iwao felt no pain, for his heart brimmed with anger.
"What a pity, such a talented prodigy, and yet he resorted to cheating."
"Yes, he couldn't be content with being second in the Spirit Path Trial?"
"This was supposed to be the glory of our Great Cyan Empire. Who would have thought his character was so despicable!"
As the words of judgment fell, the onlookers shook their heads in disapproval.
"Screech!"
A sharp cry pierced the air as a massive black shadow flew overhead.
All eyes turned upward, beholding a young girl standing atop the massive Griffon Beast's head. Clad in white, immaculate, her face was near perfection, her features delicate.
Upon seeing her, one couldn't help but feel a sense of inferiority.
"Princess Doris, we pay our respects!"
Elian Chandler, Lord of Imperial City, exclaimed in astonishment, dropping to his knees.
The entire crowd followed suit, except for Iwao, who remained standing.
This was Princess Doris Sanders of the Great Cyan Empire, accompanied by her Fifth Rank Illusionary Beast, the Thundering Twin-Tailed Griffon.
The girl gracefully leaped down, landing before Iwao.
Like a fairy descending to earth!
Her movements were graceful, each step exuding elegance.
"Iwao, do you still remember our three-year agreement?"
Doris lifted her chin, incredibly proud.
Her eyes were full of mockery. "Everyone says you, Iwao, are the first prodigy of the Great Cyan Empire, and I, Doris, are a perfect match. But now, it seems utterly ridiculous!"
"I am going to train in Wind Sword Sect, with an unlimited future ahead. Meanwhile, your Illusionary Beast is dead, your cultivation destroyed, with no chance of redemption. Although there's half a year left in our agreement, you are destined to be unworthy of challenging me."
"According to our agreement, you are to kneel before me and brand yourself with the mark of a slave on your face, becoming my dog for life!"
After her words, Doris emitted an impressive aura, stunning the entire crowd.
Elian was taken aback.
Princess Doris had broken through to the Fifth Level of Earth Spirit Realm!?
The Beast Tamer realm was divided into the Human Spirit Realm, Earth Spirit Realm, Heavenly Spirit Realm, and Profound Spirit Realm, each with ten levels.
A typical Beast Tamer could reach the Earth Spirit Realm before the age of thirty and be considered outstanding.
As for Iwao, he broke through to the Earth Spirit Realm at the age of seventeen!
And Doris, she did it a whole year later!
Iwao sneered, "The agreed time hasn't arrived, and you're already in a rush? Are you feeling guilty?"
Even in dire straits, Iwao remained as proud as ever.
"Guilty?" Doris seemed to find it a huge joke, a contemptuous expression once again appearing on her proud face.
It was a condescending gaze, looking down on ants!
Back then, she had feelings for Iwao, expressing them several times.
Iwao's rejection infuriated her pride, leading to the establishment of a three-year agreement.
Doris trained desperately, all to arrogantly defeat Iwao three years later.
And with a final taunt, "You're not worthy of me!"
But now, it seemed like waiting for three years wasn't necessary at all.
"Iwao, your Illusionary Beast is dead, and you're doomed to be nothing but a waste. But I have an Annihilating Vein Tempering Spirit Pill here. Even if you don't have an Illusionary Beast, you can still rebuild your cultivation! Even if you become my dog, you can't be a useless one!"
Doris, proud as a swan, spoke calmly. "Now, kneel, bow three times like a dog, and I'll grant you this opportunity!"
Her slender fingers held a pill.
Annihilating Vein Tempering Spirit Pill!
This was a Third-Grade Elixir!
Elixirs ranged from First-Grade to Ninth-Grade, with Third-Grade being extremely valuable.
After taking it, all meridians in the body would be severed, no longer absorbing Spiritual Energy.
However, it would provide tremendous benefits to the physique, enhancing combat power and leading to a different path of body refinement.
"You scum, why haven't you knelt to show your gratitude yet!"
Elian angrily reprimanded.