Night had fallen gently over the academy, the sky a velvet tapestry scattered with countless stars. The training grounds of El-Dorado, usually alive with the sounds of drills and laughter, now held a quiet, reverent energy. The students gathered in a wide circle, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns and the silvery light of the moon. Tonight was not about physical strength or soul power—it was about something deeper, something that bound them together beyond technique or talent.
Tang San stood at the center, his heart pounding with anticipation and pride. Around him, the students waited, their eyes shining with excitement and solemnity. Tonight, they would renew their Martial Soul oath—not just as individuals, but as a family, as El-Dorado. The air was thick with expectation, every breath charged with the promise of change.
He raised his hand, signaling for silence. The murmurs faded, replaced by a hush that seemed to stretch to the very edges of the world. "Tonight," Tang San began, his voice steady but full of emotion, "we stand together not just as students, but as brothers and sisters. We vow to fight—not for glory, not for power, but for each other, and for a world where no one is oppressed for their birth or background."
One by one, the students raised their hands, repeating the oath Tang San led them through. Their voices, at first tentative, grew stronger with each word, weaving together into a powerful chorus that echoed across the grounds. "For El-Dorado! For justice! For freedom!" The words rang out, carried on the night breeze, a declaration to the world and to themselves.
As the echoes faded, Xiao Wu stepped forward, her eyes bright with conviction. She looked at each of her friends in turn, her gaze unwavering. "I want to share my dream with you," she said, her voice clear and passionate. "I dream of a world where everyone is equal—where no one is judged by their Martial Soul, their family, or their past. Where strength is used to protect, not to oppress. Where we lift each other up, instead of pushing each other down."
Her words sent a jolt through the group, electrifying them. Some students blinked back tears, others nodded fiercely, their hearts swelling with hope. Xiao Wu's vision was not just a dream—it was a call to action, a challenge to become more than what the world expected of them. She spoke of her own pain, of the losses she had endured, and how those experiences had shaped her resolve. "We are El-Dorado," she finished, her voice trembling with emotion. "We are family. And together, we can change everything."
A hush fell over the group, the weight of her words settling into their bones. Then, slowly at first, applause began to ripple through the circle, growing louder and more exuberant until it became a roar. The students cheered, their voices mingling in a celebration of unity and purpose. In that moment, their loyalty to El-Dorado was no longer just a promise—it was their identity, the very core of who they were.
Grandmaster, who had watched in silence, now stepped forward. His usually stern face was softened by the lantern light, his eyes reflecting both pride and vulnerability. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "There is something I must confess," he said, his voice low but steady. "For many years, I carried shame—shame for my failures, for the times I was too weak to stand up to injustice. Spirit Hall's scorn nearly broke me. I lost faith in myself, and in the world."
He paused, searching the faces of his students. "But Tang Yan changed that. His courage, his laughter, his belief in something better—they reminded me of what I once dreamed. And now, all of you have given me hope again. My ambition is no longer just to teach, but to help reform the soul master world. To make it a place where every child, every soul master, has a chance to shine."
The students listened in rapt silence, the gravity of Grandmaster's confession settling over them. For many, it was the first time they had seen their mentor so open, so human. His vulnerability only deepened their respect, forging a bond that went beyond teacher and student. When he finished, the group erupted into cheers, their applause thunderous and heartfelt. In that moment, Grandmaster was not just their instructor—he was one of them, a fellow dreamer, a fellow fighter.
Tang San stood quietly, watching the scene unfold. He felt Tang Yan's presence as if his brother stood beside him, grinning that familiar, mischievous grin. The lie Tang San had told—the spark that had ignited El-Dorado—had grown into something far greater than he could have imagined. It was no longer just about survival or strength. It was about hope, about changing the world, about honoring the memory of those they had lost.
The Meme System, never missing a beat, chimed in with its usual irreverence. "Quest: Make your brother proud! Reward: +10 Brotherhood," it quipped, its digital voice tinged with a warmth that almost felt genuine. Tang San smiled, his heart swelling with pride and gratitude. El-Dorado was real—not just as a name or a dream, but as a living, breathing family. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, their unity a beacon in the darkness.
As the stars wheeled overhead and the night deepened, the students lingered on the training grounds, sharing stories, laughter, and quiet promises. The bonds they had forged tonight would carry them through whatever trials awaited. And as Tang San looked around at his friends—at Xiao Wu's radiant smile, Grandmaster's proud gaze, the determined faces of every student—he knew, without a doubt, that they were ready.
El-Dorado was more than a place. It was a promise, a revolution, a family. And under the endless sky, their journey was just beginning.