Beneath a sky painted with shades of blue, a young man with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes sprinted with unwavering determination. His footfalls echoed the rhythm of his resolute heart as he pursued a singular goal—the horned rabbit that darted before him.
In the midst of the spectators, children and adults alike cheered for him, their voices a chorus of encouragement that accompanied his relentless stride.
"I can't give up," the young man Jian Wei affirmed to himself, his resolve fueling each powerful step. His focus was unbreakable as he kept his sights on the elusive rabbit.
This trial had become a yearly ritual, a challenge that had eluded him thus far. Yet, his determination remained unshaken as he raced forward, his spirit unfaltering.
But even as his will pushed him forward, his body began to falter. Each breath was a struggle, his chest ablaze with a searing pain. Still, he refused to relent, pushing through the pain as he pursued his target.
Amidst the crowd, an elderly woman sat atop the majestic Kirin Yunlong, her gaze fixed on Jian Wei's every move. Her expression was a blend of serenity and concern, her eyes reflecting her deep affection for the young man she had raised—Li Xun, also known as Jian Wei.
As the cheers of the crowd faded into the background, Jian Wei's world narrowed to the rabbit ahead. His fingers stretched out, the rabbit almost within his grasp. But in a sudden twist, his vision blurred, darkness encroaching upon him.
In the blink of an eye, the elderly woman was by his side, her concern evident as she knelt beside him. Gently, she turned him onto his back, a mixture of worry and affection in her gaze.
"Li Xun," she murmured, her voice a blend of reassurance and compassion. "Why do you always push yourself so hard?"
From her storage bag, she retrieved a small vial containing a healing potion. Its magic worked swiftly, injuries closing and pain subsiding. Li Xun's body responded to the potion's effects, his wounds gradually healing.
Content with her work, the elderly woman sighed and gathered Li Xun into her arms, her gaze lingering on his peaceful features. Her heart ached for him, knowing the trials he subjected himself to.
Approaching them was a middle-aged man, his gaze focused on Li Xun's unconscious form. "Yao, I know Li Xun's determination is commendable, but Longjing isn't meant for him. Sending him there is akin to sending him to his death. He is a hardworking and kind boy, but Longmen will forever be his home."
Yao, the elderly woman, nodded with understanding. "I know, Jiahao. Li Xun's spirit is strong, but his body is fragile. Thank you for accepting Li Xun's request to take the trial."
With a solemn nod, Jiahao acknowledged her gratitude. "Li Xun is a fine young man. He belongs here in Longmen, even if Longjing remains out of reach."
After a respectful exchange, Yao cradled Li Xun in her arms and began to walk away, her heart heavy with the weight of his unattained dreams.
Around them, the residents of Longmen exchanged knowing glances, empathy in their eyes.
"Once again, he fell short."
"Li Xun's determination is remarkable, but his health hinders his progress."
"Perhaps this is fate's way of guiding him. Longmen is his family, and that's what truly matters."
"Strength is more than passing trials. Li Xun embodies that truth."
As Li Xun slowly regained consciousness, he found himself in a familiar room—the very place he had called home throughout his life. A mix of frustration and helplessness swelled within him.
"I've failed once more," Li Xun murmured, his voice a blend of resignation and self-criticism. He covered his face with his hand, and soon, the room echoed with the sound of his subdued sobs.
"Why can't I succeed?"
"Why must I remain so powerless?"
"Others entered Longjing at fourteen. I'm sixteen now, and I'm still here. What purpose do I even serve? I've disappointed Grandma once again. I can't face her now..."
Tears flowed freely, his emotions pouring out like a torrential river. His efforts to make his grandmother proud seemed futile, hindered by the enigmatic ailment that plagued his body.
Within Longmen, children began rigorous training at twelve, a path toward potential entry into Longjing. A realm of untapped resources, Longjing's gates were only open to those who met its stringent criteria.
Li Xun's journey through the trials of Longmen had been marked by the warmth of friends, the sting of setbacks, and the unyielding resolve to prove his worth. The stronghold's warriors, each a veteran of countless battles, poured their knowledge into the young, training them for the foray into the enigmatic world of Longjing.
At twelve, Li Xun joined his friends in training, eager to prove himself worthy of Longjing. The realm held promises of riches, fame, and the fulfillment of desires—a tempting prospect for all. However, reality dealt Li Xun a cruel hand. Despite his dedication, his frailty and unpredictable fainting spells marred his progress.
At fourteen, an incident during sword practice left Li Xun's confidence shattered. Fainting mid-swing, he inadvertently launched his weapon, narrowly missing his companions. His fellow trainees, though sympathetic, grew wary of sparring with him.
Stamina training—those arduous long runs—proved equally treacherous. Fainting mid-stride, Li Xun's friends carried him back to Longmen on more than one occasion. While their patience held, the realization set in that running unattended was a venture best avoided.
Bow practice too ended in disaster as he fainted, an arrow striking the instructor. Such incidents earned him a ban from archery training. Despite his pleas, instructors advised Li Xun to train under his grandmother's vigilant eye.
Yao, his devoted grandmother, was all too willing to instruct him. Yet, Li Xun's precarious health risked his life during training. Confronted with this harsh reality, Yao gently told him that the path of a warrior might not suit him.
Li Xun refused to accept defeat. His longing to stand alongside his friends in Longjing, to make Yao proud, drove him to clandestine training. Days merged into a cycle of unconsciousness and revival as his friends dragged him home—his unrelenting dedication etched in the stronghold's routine.
In the quiet solitude of his room, Li Xun's resolve seemed to falter. Tear-stained eyes stared out, contemplating a harsh reality. Doubt crept in, threatening to extinguish the ember of his dreams.
Yet, a vibrant laugh, laced with amusement, shattered the melancholic air. A voice, both unexpected and unfamiliar, mingled with his thoughts, teasing and cajoling.
"Ready to give up after all your effort?" the voice playfully chided.
Startled, Li Xun jolted upright. His gaze darted around the room, seeking the source of the enigmatic voice.
"Looking in the wrong direction," the voice jested, "I'm right here, outside your window."
Approaching the window, Li Xun's gaze met that of a boy, perhaps ten years old, suspended in the air. With dark-blue hair and gray eyes, the newcomer exuded an aura of camaraderie.
"Who are you?" Li Xun inquired, captivated by the stranger's presence.
"Ling Xuan," the boy introduced himself, a friendly smile painting his features. "I'm the God of Games, and I've come to help my dear friend, Tianpeng, complete his mission."
Li Xun's world shifted in that moment, intertwining with Ling Xuan's proclamation—a promise of change and adventure that would weave his destiny anew.