As the first light of dawn pierced the veil of night, an eerie silence hung over the mountain, broken only by the distant cry of an eagle echoing through the valleys. Its haunting roar sliced through the tranquil morning air, sending ripples of wind dancing through the grassy slopes.
As the eagle's cry reverberated across the rugged landscape, a blind folded boy and an old man stood upon the mountain, their eyes fixed on the sky above. Despite his blindness, the boy stood with an air of serene confidence, his other senses heightened by a lifetime of navigating the world without sight. As the eagle descended, he felt the subtle shift in the wind, its powerful currents cascading down the mountain with a force that stirred the very essence of his being.
With each gust, the boy could sense the direction and intensity of the wind, its whispering touch painting a vivid picture in his imagination . He felt the rush of air against his skin, heard the rustle of leaves as they danced in the eagle's wake, and smelled the earthy scent of the mountain mingling with the faint tang of ozone.
As the eagle touched down upon the mountain's summit, the boy stood unfazed by the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him
two girls emerged from within the depths of the carriage atop its back. Their presence was heralded by an aura of elegance and mystique, their silken garments billowing in the wind as they stepped onto the rocky ground below. Flanked by four imposing guards, their faces hidden behind masks of stoicism, the girls moved with a regal grace, on had the movements imbued with an air of authority and purpose while the other had a playful and cheerful attitude.
Behind them trailed a man of commanding presence, his features obscured by the shadows cast by the eagle's wings.
The old man though age had weathered his frame and silvered his hair ,his eyes contained an air of mystery inside of them this was grandpa hei
the old man greeted the guests from afar, his voice carrying across the mountain with a tone of reverence and welcome. "Welcome, honored guests," he called out, his words resonating with warmth and sincerity. "Forgive my humble abode for its lack of grandeur, but know that you are most welcome here."
Lin Xuan stood beside him Though he knew not the nature of their quest nor the purpose of their journey, he sensed that their arrival had to be something important
the girls hurriedly returned the old man's greeting
the playful girl with a pink jumped in between "greetings grandpa "
"My name is Sophia Zen and this is my sister Meiying Zen" she pointed toward the girl with the purple vile and eyes with shade of celestial blue
the old man smiled at her and nodded
"our father have sent us here to meet u "said Sophia "although he didn't say the reason but he told me we would understand when we meet with u "
"ah you said your family name is zen right" said the old man
he looked around at the guards and said please come and sit inside
With a nod of acknowledgment, the guards followed the old man's lead, their movements precise and disciplined as they entered the shelter of the mountain dwelling. Despite the rugged exterior of the structure, the interior exuded an air of tranquility and comfort, a sanctuary amidst the wild beauty of the mountain landscape
as they were going inside the two girls glanced in Lin zuan direction looking at him for a moment
As Lin Xuan felt their eyes on him, he turned his head toward the girls, wearing his blindfold. Despite his lack of sight, he met their gaze with a serene smile, his expression calm and confident.
As they entered the shelter of the mountain dwelling together the girl looked at the old man
"Who was that grandpa "asked Sophia
"oh that boy well he is a kid i picked up in the mountains" said the old man
"he is really blind isn't he but why did feel he looked at us just now" said one of the guards
"you have some sharp sense "
"well lets say this boy is a bit special " said grandpa Hei
"hmmm i wonder who those girls are grandpa said that i have to prepare some dishes for them ahh this feels weird having someone here on the mountains" muttered lin Xuan
Inside the house, the old man and the guards exchanged glances as the two girls sat down on their chairs. "Our father, His Majesty, sent us here with a message," said Sophia, as she pulled out a scroll made of greenish jade, jade silk, and adorned with gold, bearing a dragon sigil.
The old man raised his eyebrows as he picked up the scroll and carefully opened it. His pupils dilated as he read the contents, realizing its importance. "This... This is..." the old man went silent. None of the people in the room knew the content of the message, but it was evident that it contained a huge secret.
The old man breathed a sigh and looked at the girls and the guards. "Princesses, it appears your Zenin bloodline is in danger—no, maybe even more. It's at the risk of disappearing."
Sophia and her sister gasped, their faces pale with shock. "What do you mean, Master Li?" asked Sophia, her voice trembling.
Master Li closed the scroll and held it tightly in his hands. "This scroll speaks of a dark prophecy. An ancient curse threatens to erase the Zenin bloodline unless a specific cultivation technique is mastered and performed. The Dragon Ascension Technique is the key to unlocking the power needed to combat this curse."
The guards exchanged worried glances, and the room fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The old man continued, "This technique is not only powerful but incredibly dangerous. It requires immense skill and resilience. Failure could mean not just the loss of your bloodline, but catastrophic consequences for the entire kingdom."
"Dragon Ascension Technique, you say..." The imperial guard looked at the princesses, scratching his head thoughtfully. He then added, "Your Highness, I have heard of this technique before. It's a dual cultivation technique."
The room went silent again, but this time it was a different kind of silence. Sophia and her sister exchanged puzzled glances while the guards tried to suppress their chuckles. The old man coughed, looking slightly uncomfortable.
Sophia blinked and asked, "A dual cultivation technique? What does that mean exactly?"
The guard, trying to maintain a serious expression, explained, "Well, Your Highness, it means that the technique requires... um... two people to practice together. Very closely. It's said to be highly effective, but, uh, it's a bit... intimate."
Sophia's eyes widened, and her sister's face turned crimson. "Intimate? How intimate are we talking about here?" Sophia asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
The old man cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact. "Yes, well, it does involve a certain level of physical closeness and, uh, synchronization of energies. It's essential for the balance of yin and yang, you see."
The guards couldn't hold back their laughter any longer, one of them muttering, "Talk about bonding exercises."
Sophia's sister, still blushing furiously, stammered, "So, who... who would be suitable for such a technique?"
Master Li, trying to regain his composure, replied, "It has to be someone with compatible cultivation levels and, preferably, someone you trust completely. The success of the technique depends on the harmony between the two participants."
The imperial guard, still grinning, chimed in, "Well, Your Highnesses, looks like you'll need to find your perfect cultivation partner."
Sophia shot him a look that could freeze lava. "Thank you for the insight, Captain. We'll take that under consideration."
The old man nodded, "Indeed. Now, let's focus on preparing you both for this challenge. There will be time to find a suitable partner. For now, let's start with the fundamentals."
As the lesson continued, the princesses couldn't shake the mix of suspense and comedy surrounding their newfound task. The path ahead was filled with peril and, apparently, awkward moments, but they were determined to save their bloodline and the kingdom, no matter what it took