The night air was thick with the smell of damp earth and the faint whisper of wind through the trees. As Yunshi and Wei stood at the edge of the clearing, their eyes scanning the darkness, a profound silence settled around them. The mysterious figure, the one who had attacked them, was gone—vanished into the mist as quickly as it had appeared. But the lingering unease remained, hanging in the air like a cloud of dread.
Yunshi could feel it—the weight of the Starborn legacy pressing against him, suffocating in its intensity. He had never known that such power could be so… dangerous. His body still throbbed from the force of the figure's attack, but it was the emotional toll that lingered most. The figure's words echoed in his mind like an ominous warning: The Starborn legacy is not a gift—it is a curse.
"That was… intense," Wei said, his voice steady but strained. He was still watching the mist, as though the figure might return at any moment. "What the hell was that thing? And why is it after you?"
Yunshi clenched his fists, the pain in his body dulling as his thoughts raced. He didn't have answers. He barely had a grasp on the situation as it was. But one thing was certain—there were forces in this world, dark and powerful, that would stop at nothing to control or destroy the legacy he now bore. It wasn't just a mark of power—it was a beacon, a target for anyone who could see it.
"I don't know, Wei," Yunshi said, his voice hoarse. "But I do know one thing. I'm not going to let them have me. Not without a fight."
Wei nodded, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer. "We need a plan. The kind of power that thing wielded—it's not something you can fight with raw strength alone. We need to understand what we're up against."
Yunshi's heart skipped a beat. What they were facing wasn't just a matter of strength. That much was clear. The legacy wasn't just an innate power—it was a weapon, one that could draw attention from forces that spanned across realms and worlds. And now, he was its wielder.
"What do you suggest?" Yunshi asked, looking at Wei with a mixture of determination and uncertainty.
Wei hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice soft but firm. "I think we need to go to the old temple. The one in the mountains. It's said to have ancient knowledge, teachings from before the towers opened. It might give us a better idea of what the legacy really is—and how to deal with whatever comes next."
Yunshi felt the weight of Wei's words. The old temple had been a place of legend in their village, a place where scholars and cultivators once went to seek wisdom. It was located deep in the mountains, beyond the reach of most travelers. But if there was any chance of finding answers, it would be there.
"We're going tonight?" Yunshi asked, frowning. "It's dangerous. We've never made the journey that far before."
Wei's lips quirked into a small, reassuring smile. "We've never faced anything like this before either. We'll need to prepare, but we don't have time to waste. The forces after you won't wait around."
Yunshi nodded. It wasn't just about finding answers anymore—it was about surviving. About making sure that the power he had inherited didn't destroy everything he cared about.
"Alright," Yunshi said, his voice solidifying with resolve. "Let's prepare. We leave at first light."
The next morning, the village was still sleeping when Yunshi and Wei set out. They traveled light, taking only what they needed for the journey—enough food for a few days, a map of the old paths, and, of course, their weapons. The sky was overcast, the clouds heavy and dark as if the heavens themselves were watching them. The air was crisp, a sign that the season was changing, and as they walked, Yunshi couldn't shake the feeling that they were stepping into the unknown.
The path to the temple was treacherous, winding through dense forests and steep cliffs. It wasn't a route many took, not since the towers had begun appearing across the world. Cultivators preferred to focus on the towers and their challenges, chasing after the promises of power and riches. The temple was a relic of a bygone age, forgotten by most who sought fame and fortune.
But Yunshi wasn't interested in fortune—not anymore. What good was power if it was so easily turned against you? What good was any of it if he couldn't control it?
They walked for hours, the journey taking them deeper into unfamiliar terrain. The sun hung low in the sky when they finally reached the foot of the mountain where the temple was rumored to lie. A cool mist had descended, wrapping around the rocky slopes like a shroud.
"This is it," Wei said, looking up at the towering peaks. "The temple should be just beyond this ridge. Stay alert."
Yunshi nodded, his heart beating faster with every step. They ascended the ridge, the air growing colder as they climbed higher. The forest gave way to sparse vegetation, and the path grew steeper, narrowing until they were forced to climb over jagged rocks. The climb was exhausting, but Yunshi pushed forward, his mind focused on the destination.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally crested the ridge. And there, bathed in the dim light of the setting sun, was the temple.
It was ancient—its stone walls covered in moss, its once grand architecture now weathered and worn by time. But despite its decay, there was a palpable energy about the place. A strange hum, like the pulse of something long dormant, resonated from deep within its walls.
"This is where it begins," Wei said quietly, his voice filled with awe.
Yunshi could feel it too. The presence of something ancient, something that had been waiting for them. He could sense the pull of the temple, as if it was calling to him.
Without another word, they made their way inside.
The interior of the temple was dark and cool, the stone walls slick with moisture. As they moved deeper into the temple, torches lit along the walls flickered to life, casting eerie shadows that danced like specters. The air was thick with dust and age, but there was a sense of reverence in the stillness. Every step they took seemed to echo through the vast, empty halls.
Eventually, they reached the central chamber, a large, open space dominated by an ancient altar. On it lay a stone tablet, covered in intricate carvings—symbols Yunshi had never seen before. The air around the altar shimmered faintly, as though the very fabric of reality was being distorted.
"This is it," Yunshi said softly, his voice reverberating in the silence. "This is what we came for."
Wei stepped forward, his eyes scanning the carvings on the tablet. "These symbols... they're not like anything I've seen before. But there's something familiar about them. Something… cosmic."
Yunshi's hand hovered over the tablet, drawn to it by an invisible force. As his fingers brushed against the stone, a sudden pulse of energy shot through him. His vision blurred, and the world seemed to twist, the symbols on the tablet glowing with an eerie light.
And then, a voice—soft, but unmistakable—whispered in his mind.
"You have come seeking knowledge, Starborn. But knowledge comes with a price."
Yunshi's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't Ashera. It wasn't the mysterious figure from last night. This voice was different. It was ancient, filled with a depth of knowledge that made the air around him hum.
He couldn't speak. He could only listen as the voice continued.
"The legacy you bear is not a gift. It is a burden, a weapon of unimaginable power that will either destroy or save the worlds. You will face trials. You will face enemies. But most of all, you will face yourself. The Starborn legacy is a test. And you will be judged."
Yunshi stumbled back, gasping for breath. The words echoed in his mind, but they made no sense. A weapon? A test?
Wei grabbed his shoulder, his voice filled with concern. "Yunshi! What's happening?"
The energy from the tablet seemed to subside, and Yunshi blinked, his vision returning to normal. His body was cold, his palms slick with sweat. He had no words. No answers.
But one thing was certain: the price of the Starborn legacy was far steeper than he could have ever imagined.