The warm golden light of the setting sun filtered through the intricate arches of Jixia Academy, casting long shadows across the tranquil courtyard. Yao stood at the edge of a small training arena, his sword drawn, practicing the fluid movements of the Lotus Stance. His strikes were swift, precise, and filled with the same passion that fueled his dream of becoming the greatest swordsman.

"Alright, one more try!" he muttered to himself, tightening his grip on the hilt. He leapt into the air, attempting to execute a dazzling flourish. Mid-spin, his landing faltered slightly, and he stumbled forward with an awkward grunt.

"Ah, dang it!" he exclaimed, planting his sword into the ground for support. He glanced around quickly, hoping no one had seen the misstep.

But his gaze fell on a figure standing nearby, watching with quiet curiosity. His cheeks flushed a deep red as he straightened his posture, brushing off the dust from his uniform.

"Uh, hey there! You didn’t see that, did you?” he asked, forcing a sheepish grin.

The figure didn’t answer right away, prompting Yao to recover his composure. "Anyway, I’m Yao, captain of the Team of Stars! You’ve probably heard of me. If not, don’t worry, you will. The name Yao means ‘brightest light,’ and that’s exactly what I am—a shining star!” He spun his sword once in a dramatic flourish, this time landing perfectly.

With a confident chuckle, he continued, “You know, a lot of people here at Jixia are super serious, but I think it’s important to have some fun while aiming for greatness. That’s what makes me stand out, aside from my genius moves, of course."

Noticing the faint traces of interest in the stranger’s expression, Yao’s grin grew wider. “Say, are you training for the Dream Trial too? If you are, you’d better bring your A-game. It’s not every day you get to face a future legend like me!"