As Zhao and Yun Xia descended the mountain, the serene silence of the path gave Zhao time to reflect on the trials he'd just faced in the Cavern of Reflections. He felt calmer, more centered than ever before, yet questions lingered—questions about the flame, his family, and his purpose.
As they neared the base of the mountain, Yun Xia suddenly paused, her gaze fixed on a distant figure standing near the path. Zhao followed her line of sight and recognized an elderly man dressed in the robes of a wandering hermit. There was something unsettling about his presence, and Zhao noticed Yun Xia's hand tense, ready to summon her Qi if necessary.
"Do you know him, Master Yun Xia?" Zhao asked, sensing her unease.
Her eyes narrowed. "That man was once part of the Celestial Flame Sect. His name is Liang Shen, a former elder who betrayed the sect years ago. Rumor has it he delved into forbidden techniques to amplify his power and was eventually cast out."
Liang Shen approached with a slow, deliberate stride, his gaze fixed intently on Zhao. "So, this is the prodigy you've been training, Yun Xia," he said, his voice like a hiss. "I sensed the awakening of the Celestial Flame from miles away. It seems the sect's most precious weapon has finally found its vessel."
Zhao felt a chill run through him. The man's words hinted at knowledge he himself didn't fully understand. The flame wasn't merely a power—it was a part of something larger, something his master hadn't yet revealed to him.
"Leave," Yun Xia commanded, her tone sharp and unyielding. "You have no place here, Liang Shen. Whatever schemes you have, they won't involve my student."
Liang Shen chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with a twisted amusement. "Your student? I wonder if he knows the truth about his family… and the true nature of the flame he wields."
Zhao's heart skipped a beat. His family? Yun Xia had never spoken much about them, and he had assumed it was out of respect or caution. But now, this stranger was hinting at secrets he was desperate to uncover.
"Enough," Yun Xia snapped. "Leave, or face the consequences."
Liang Shen held up his hands, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Very well, I shall leave. But remember, boy," he said, his gaze piercing, "the Celestial Flame is both a gift and a curse. One day, you will have to decide which it will be."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the mist, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Zhao looked at Yun Xia, his heart pounding with questions. "Master, what did he mean about my family? And why does he call the flame a curse?"
Yun Xia's expression softened, though a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes. "Zhao, there are things about your family and the Celestial Flame that you aren't ready to understand. When the time is right, I will tell you everything. But until then, you must focus on your training and trust in the path ahead."
Zhao's frustration grew, but he nodded, knowing his master wouldn't share more until she was ready. Yet, a spark of curiosity and doubt had been ignited within him—a spark that would only grow as he continued on his journey.