2 The Changing

Gu Long felt a heavy pressure on top of him that restricted him. He struggled, trying to push off whatever was above him. He released his power, breaking the rock around and causing tremors in the earth and air itself. He started trying to control the Cosmos Essence that surrounded him, bit realized that no matter how hard he tried he couldn't even grasp it. Suddenly, the power he released was attracted to the white core in his chest. His essence went into it first, then his cultivation base followed. Every layer that was dismantled released Essence and Qi that was then absorbed by the core. Shortly after, even the Essence and Qi that reinforced and refined his body was absorbed. Than the core absorbed his Immortal Essence[1]. Gu Long's body then harbored no form of energy at all except for the Essence that made his body up. He had become mortal. As he became mortal, he felt something unlock inside him. A strange power originating from the core that was neither Essence or Qi flooded over him. Knowledge poured into his brain giving him a unique ability. He activated this unique ability. His body became shorter, his scales receded turning into soft white skin. His arms became shorter as his claws turned into fingers. His head shortened and he grew a human nose. His jaw became squared and he had high cheekbones. His snake like eyes turned into golden human eyes. His teeth became blunt and short and his scalp grew short golden hair. His lips were blood red. The only sign that he was a dragon were the golden, parallel and vertical stripes of scales on his back. Gu Long felt that they were golden scaly wings hidden in his back. He knew he could open them at any time.

He was confused 'Dragons don't have wings, right?'

That would be a mystery for another time. O thing was for certain though- Gu Long had become a teenage human. His body had left a gigantic cavity where Gu Long now stood with his muscular and handsome face and body aside from that, he was also vompletely naked. Gu Long felt a cold wind in the lower half of his body. He quickly covered his private part with his hands as he looked for a way out. His body then continued to shrink unyil it disappeared completely. He would be reincarnated.

Gu Long's consciousness faded. When he came to, he didn't know who he was , where he was and what he was. He was surrounded by darkness. He was submerged in some warm liquid and he could regularly hear muffled voices. He started struggling against some layer that held the water in. His strength was to weak and he couldn't break it. He heard giggles from outside.

"He's kicking *goggle**giggle* I can't wait to see him!" Said a voice that sounded like heavenly bells.

"He'll come out soon enough." A deeper, gruffer male's voice responded.

Months passed and abruptly the sack that held Gu Long burst. The liquid leaked out and before long Gu Long could feel the cool wind caress his body. He couldn't see anything because his eyelids didn't want to open. A Couple of minutes later, Gu Long opened his eyes. When his eyes adjusted to the bright light, he saw a figure come into focus. It was a beautiful young female human with jade white skin and jet black hair cascading down her back. High cheekbones and a small cute nose adorned her face. Deep sapphire blue eyes look into his own as her soft and elegant hands caressed his face. Sweat dripped from her forehead though her face was filled with an extremely happy smile.

Gu City, Long County, Shen Empire. Year 6402 After the Divine Comet, January 1st, exactly ten years after Gu Long awakened. Gu Zhengzhi,[2] head of the Gu Family, and Ling Ya[3], daughter of the head of the Ling Family from Ling city, have a child. The child has golden eyes and parallel and vertical stripes made of golden scales. The child was named Gu Long.

The Gu Family held a large feast. Many important people of Long County, including the Ling Family, were invited. The entire Gu City rejoiced.

In the blink of an eye, seven years passed. Gu Long was going to be tested for his cultivation aptitude. If he had any special constitutions, it would be even better. The ones that would test Gu Long would be the Imperial Examinations. The age of seven was the best age to start cultivating. The Innate Qi that children received from their mothers would start to slowly be released at this age. If one wouldn't cultivate it, it would simply disperse and disappear. If you cultivate it, you would have an innate advantage over cultivators who didn't cultivate it.

Gu Long got woken up by his mother.

"Gu Long, it's breakfast time! Get dressed quickly!"

"Mom! Just a little longer!" Gu Long whined.

"Xiao[2] Long! Get up now!" His mother shouted.

Gu Long got up slowly. He threw his thick white blanket aside as he sat up. Getting out of his king-sized bed he groggily walked to the bathroom and washed up. He combed his golden hair to make it perfect how his mother always wanted. He then put on the specially prepared red robes with golden outlines of dragons sewn into it. He then opened the door and slowly walked down to the dining room. The walls had many paintings of dragons, phoenixes, warriors[3], mages[4] and battle mages[5]. A 10 meter long table with high chairs stood in the middle of the room. Servants bustled around laying plates full of fruits, meat, vegetables on the table. Delicacies that most people could only dream about were laid out in front of him. His mother sat on the right side of his father, a handsome and muscular man with black hair and golden eyes. Gu Long sat across from his mother and dug into the sumptuous meal.

"Xiao Long, today is really important. Even if you fail the examinations remember to always maintain a graceful, royal and polite attitude." His father reminded.

"Yes dad! Don't worry. By the way, I won't fail! I am confident in my abilities." Gu Long exclaimed exasperated.

"It is not about skills or abilities, it's about luck." His father sighed.

Gu Long finished his meal. His parents hadn't even touched theirs. They stood up and the servants cleared away the plates. Suddenly the loud and ling sound of a horn sounded.

The examinations had begun.

[1]Immortal Essence- What makes an Immortal immortal. Without Immortal Essence they would be mortal.

[2]Gu Zhengzhi- Ancient, Upright and Honest

[3]Ling Ya- Graceful Soul

[4]Xiao- Little, a kind of nickname given to people dear to you. Example: Little James

[5]Warriors- Cultivators that specialize in weapons and Weapon qi

[6]Mages- Cultivators that specialize in Magical attacks and Magic Qi.

[7]Battle Mages- Cultivators that specialize in both Magic Qi and Weapon Qi