Shenlong stood in the center of the chamber, absorbing the weight of the ancient knowledge coursing through him. The energy from the pendant still pulsed faintly at his chest, as if it had only begun to unlock the vast secrets hidden within the ruins. He felt more powerful than ever before, his senses sharper, his Qi flowing more naturally. The knowledge from the orb had left an indelible mark on his mind, but one vision haunted him—the man who spoke the single word: "Return."
"Return to where?" Shenlong wondered aloud. His thoughts drifted back to his parents, who had revealed that he was not their biological son. Was this 'return' connected to his true origins? There were too many unanswered questions, but Shenlong knew one thing for certain—this path he was on was no accident. The pendant, his mysterious origins, and the ancient sect—it all pointed to a larger destiny he had yet to uncover.
As the orb's light dimmed and the chamber grew silent, Shenlong knew he couldn't linger in the ruins for too long. He turned to leave, but as he approached the exit, a low rumble shook the ground beneath him. The walls of the chamber trembled, and dust began to fall from the ceiling.
Instinctively, Shenlong activated the defensive techniques he had learned, creating a barrier of Qi around himself just as large stones started falling from the ceiling. The entire mountain seemed to be collapsing around him. With swift, precise movements, Shenlong darted through the crumbling ruins, dodging falling debris and navigating the rapidly disintegrating corridors.
The exit was close, but as he rounded the final corner, a massive stone slab crashed down, blocking the entrance. Shenlong skidded to a halt, his heart racing as he surveyed the situation. He was trapped inside the mountain with no obvious way out.
His mind raced, and he remembered the ancient battle formations he had glimpsed in the orb's vision. One of them had been a technique for creating spatial tears—short-distance teleportation that could bypass physical obstacles. It was a dangerous and advanced technique, one that required immense control over space and Qi, but it was his only chance of escape.
Shenlong closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of his Qi. He visualized the space around him, the rock blocking his path, and the corridor just beyond it. Slowly, he began to manipulate the threads of energy, twisting and bending the space until a faint shimmer appeared in front of him. It was unstable, flickering as it tried to maintain its form.
"Just a little more," Shenlong muttered, pushing more of his energy into the technique. The shimmer grew larger, forming a small portal just big enough for him to slip through.
With no time to waste, Shenlong stepped into the spatial tear. For a brief moment, everything around him distorted, the world twisting and warping before snapping back into place. He emerged on the other side of the stone slab, the collapsing mountain still shaking violently behind him.
Shenlong didn't hesitate. He sprinted down the slope, the mountain crumbling behind him as he raced to safety. Just as he reached the edge of the valley, the entire peak collapsed in on itself with a deafening roar, sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air.
Breathing heavily, Shenlong looked back at the ruins. The ancient chamber was now buried beneath tons of rock, its secrets locked away once again. But Shenlong had gained what he came for—knowledge and power beyond anything he had imagined.
He turned away from the ruined mountain and began his descent into the forest below. His thoughts were consumed by what lay ahead. The visions he had seen—the ancient techniques, the figure who had spoken to him—they all pointed to a greater journey. One that would take him far beyond the boundaries of his clan and his homeland.
As he walked through the dense forest, Shenlong's senses remained sharp. His newfound abilities allowed him to perceive the flow of energy around him with incredible clarity. He could sense the presence of demonic beasts nearby, though none of them seemed to be a threat. His encounter with the Storm Serpent had bolstered his confidence, but it had also made him realize just how vast and dangerous the world truly was.
Hours passed as Shenlong made his way back toward the town where his clan resided. The events of the past days played over in his mind—the broken engagement, the rejection from his peers, the awakening of the pendant's legacy. He had come so far, yet there was still so much more to achieve.
By the time Shenlong reached the outskirts of the town, the sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow over the horizon. He stood at the edge of the forest, gazing at the distant lights of the town, knowing that his return would not go unnoticed. His clan had shunned him, cast him aside as "trash," but now, with the power of the pendant and the knowledge of the ancient sect flowing through him, he would prove them all wrong.
A sudden rustling in the trees behind him drew Shenlong's attention. He turned sharply, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. Emerging from the shadows was a small figure, one he recognized immediately—his younger sister, Qin Yue.
"Brother Shenlong!" she called out, her voice filled with relief as she rushed toward him. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Father's worried sick!"
Shenlong smiled warmly at her, his heart softening. Despite everything that had happened, his bond with his sister had remained unbroken. She had always believed in him, even when others had turned their backs.
"I'm alright, Yue'er," he said gently, placing a hand on her head. "I've just… been on a journey."
Qin Yue looked up at him, her eyes wide with curiosity. "A journey? What kind of journey?"
Shenlong hesitated for a moment, unsure how much he should reveal. But as he looked into his sister's eager eyes, he knew he couldn't hide the truth from her.
"A journey to find my true strength," he replied. "And to uncover the secrets of our past."
Qin Yue's expression turned serious. "Father said that something important happened while you were gone. He wants to speak with you."
Shenlong's eyes narrowed slightly. "Something important? What do you mean?"
Before Qin Yue could answer, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the forest. Shenlong's instincts flared, and he immediately placed himself between his sister and the source of the sound.
Several figures emerged from the shadows—members of his clan, their expressions unreadable as they approached. At the head of the group was none other than his father, Qin Tian, the patriarch of the Qin family.
"Shenlong," Qin Tian said, his voice firm but not unkind. "We need to talk."
Shenlong's heart raced. This was it—the moment of truth. Whatever his father had to say, it was clear that the path ahead would be filled with even greater challenges than he had imagined.
And Shenlong was ready.