The Saiyan In The Cultivation World.

Possessing the Mirror of Spacetime rendered its wielder almost untouchable. The artifact granted unparalleled control over space and time, making it a force to be reckoned with.

For instance, any attack aimed at the user would not harm them but instead be redirected to the individual reflected within the mirror. Its capabilities didn't end there. The mirror could also manipulate timelines, allowing the user to create a secondary timeline to draw items or beings from, anything reflected within the mirror's surface.

Its versatility and power made it a tool of incredible potential, but also one of unimaginable danger.

Sounds overpowered, right? That's because it was, at least, the original was. The mirror Fang Yan had acquired was a super-weak copy of a legendary artifact. According to ancient tales, the original mirror was said to have the ability to duplicate anything, provided enough spirit stones or energy were offered.

The copy Fang Yan stumbled upon lacked the full strength of its predecessor but still retained a fraction of its power. Even in its diminished state, it was enough to make him a target, ultimately playing a key role in his untimely death.

But the copy was currently broken, shattered into seven pieces scattered across this so-called small world. What intrigued me even more was Lan Mei's familiarity with the original mirror. The way she spoke about it made me wonder about the true extent of her strength and knowledge.

Still, that curiosity could wait. What mattered now was locating the seven pieces and repairing the mirror. Its fragmented state only fueled my desire to study it further, to unravel the secrets of its manipulation of space-time and unlock its full potential.

***

Every ten years, the Zhou Empire hosted a grand event that united the top clans, sects, and influential organizations from across the land. This highly anticipated gathering served as a stage to test their strength, showcase their talents, and compete fiercely for rewards and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

This event took place five months after the incident with the three clans, just a month shy of my birthday. Powers from all corners of the empire began to converge, preparing themselves for the grand tournament. This year, the tournament was set to take place in a vast forest near the capital, its untamed wilderness chosen as the perfect stage for combat.

Since my cultivation progress had stalled, I decided to join the tournament to see what the geniuses across the Zhou Empire were truly like.

"Brother Zhou, I hear you'll be participating in the Ancient Dragon Tomb Tournament?" My elder brother, the Third Prince, asked as he approached me. At that moment, I was sitting calmly in the snow, letting the icy chill wash over me. It was winter, after all, a perfect time to sharpen both body and mind.

"Yeah… is something wrong?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. The Third Prince was at Level 5 Core Formation, an impressive feat for someone his age, so his hesitation piqued my curiosity.

"Well…" he began, his expression turning awkward. "As you know, the tournament has four categories: the younger generation, the current generation, the older generation, and the elders…"

He trailed off, his discomfort evident, which only made my eyebrow arch higher. "And?" I prompted, already suspecting that whatever came next wouldn't be simple.

The tournament categories were well-known: the younger generation was for participants under 25 years of age; the current generation included those under 100 years; the older generation was for those under 1,000 years; and finally, the elders category, reserved for those over 1,000 years.

"Well…" he began hesitantly, clearly struggling to find the right words. "The royal family… doesn't have anyone to represent us in the younger generation category this year."

I stared at him, and he looked away awkwardly, clearly feeling the weight of the truth. Indeed, the royal family had few remarkable talents this year, except, of course, for me.

This wasn't a big deal for the royal family, as they already had more than enough participants for the current generation, older generation, and elder categories of the tournament.

"Sure, I'll take part. I don't mind entering the tomb," I said lightly, brushing off the concern. The Third Prince visibly relaxed, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. He nodded, and after sharing a few additional details about the tournament, he took his leave.

This tournament wasn't just a show of strength, it was critical for maintaining power and prestige. The factions that secured high positions would be rewarded with access to the Dragon Tomb, a privilege coveted by all.

The Dragon Tomb wasn't just a place of opportunity; it was the cornerstone of the Zhou royal family's dominance. It was their greatest legacy, the key to their unrivaled power, and the reason they remained the ruling dynasty.

Long ago, perhaps 100,000 years in the past, a member of the Zhou royal family achieved a breakthrough into a realm beyond the Nascent Soul stage, a realm few could even comprehend. The exact details of what transpired afterward were lost to time, shrouded in mystery.

What was known, however, was that after his death, the Ancient Dragon Tomb came into existence. This mysterious dimension became the cornerstone of the royal family's power, a sacred site tied irrevocably to their lineage. Only members of the Zhou royal family possessed the means to unlock its gates, and even then, access was limited to once every ten years.

This dimension was vast, an expansive realm overflowing with an endless sea of resources. It was said that cultivating within the dimension for just one month was equivalent to 100 years of cultivation in the outside world. And that didn't even account for the abundant resources and countless opportunities hidden within its depths.

Participants who entered the Dragon Tomb were granted five months within its confines, a period that translated to an astonishing 500 years' worth of cultivation. The potential for growth and breakthroughs was staggering, making the dimension not only a treasure trove but also a realm of unparalleled opportunity.

Every empire possessed such a dimension, a cornerstone of their power and stability. These dimensions served as the lifeblood of their respective kingdoms, providing the resources and opportunities needed to maintain dominance.

For the Zhou Empire, the Dragon Tomb was exactly that, a pillar holding up their entire realm. Without it, the empire's strength and influence would wither, and it wouldn't take long before it faded into obscurity, swallowed by more powerful neighbors.

"Young master, you know I can't follow you into the tomb," Lan Mei said, a deep frown creasing her brow once the Third Prince had left.

"Don't need you there," I replied lazily, leaning back. Over the past few months, I had mastered the Great Ape transformation. Coupled with my cultivation progress, my power had grown significantly. By now, I estimated I was roughly equivalent to a Level 4 Qi Refinement realm cultivator, or at least, that's how it felt.

Lan Mei's frown deepened. "I will not let you enter… not unless I'm sure of your strength," she said, her voice tinged with unease.

I raised an eyebrow, curious at her insistence. She wanted to gauge my strength, but the truth was, even I didn't fully know how powerful I had become. My abilities had always defied conventional measurement.

"Sure," I said with a smirk. "How do you want me to show you my strength? Though I have to warn you, I'm a bit scared you might die."

But before I could enjoy my taunt, I blinked and found myself standing in a desolate mountain range, far from any signs of life. The sheer silence of the place was unnerving.

"Go ahead," Lan Mei said with a serene smile, standing a few paces away. "If you can kill me, I'd be super happy."

I frowned, narrowing my eyes as I studied her. There was no hint of fear in her tone, no uncertainty in her posture. Her calm confidence only deepened my suspicions about her true capabilities.

"Teleportation?" I asked lightly, my gaze unwavering. "I'm sure you're above the Nascent Soul realm. My instincts just aren't sharp enough yet to confirm it."

Lan Mei smiled but said nothing, her silence both infuriating and telling. My instincts were sharp, razor-sharp, even. But Lan Mei had proven time and again that she could mask herself from them when she wished. If my instincts were as developed as I wanted them to be, would I still be guessing about her true strength?

Her quiet confidence was unsettling, a stark reminder that I still had a long way to go.

"Well, let's dance," I said with a smirk, bouncing lightly on the balls of my feet as I got my blood pumping. I rolled my shoulders, loosening up, and focused on the rhythm of my body. For a few moments, I simply felt the flow of my energy, taking deep, measured breaths to clear my head.

This wasn't just a challenge, it was an opportunity to see how far I'd come.