Author: so I have to create a creative qoute here but what happens when I am at a none creative place?
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Liang Feng paused at the edge of the clearing, his breaths shallow and deliberate. The cursed flame flickered weakly in his palm, a faint beacon of warmth against the encroaching darkness. The presence that had haunted him through the forest now felt closer than ever, a weight pressing against the back of his mind. He turned slowly, scanning the trees. Shadows danced in the pale light of the crescent moon, but nothing moved. Yet the feeling remained, unrelenting.
He adjusted the strap of his satchel and pressed forward, stepping carefully over uneven terrain. The Flame Ridge Mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks rising like the spines of some great, slumbering beast. He could feel the cursed flame responding to the proximity of the mountains, its erratic pulses growing steadier, as though it sensed the power buried within. The sensation was both a reassurance and a warning. Whatever awaited him there was not to be taken lightly.
The path grew steeper as he climbed. The forest began to thin, the trees replaced by scattered shrubs and bare rock. Each step carried him closer to the ridge, and each step seemed to deepen the weight of the unseen eyes upon him. Liang paused again, this time planting his blade's tip into the ground as he turned to face the trail behind him.
"I know you're there," he said, his voice steady despite the rapid thudding of his heart. "Show yourself."
For a moment, the silence was absolute. Then, from the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged. They hovered low to the ground, narrowing as they fixed on Liang. A low growl rumbled through the air, and the shape of a massive wolf-like beast stepped into the faint light of the cursed flame. Its fur was dark and matted, and its fangs gleamed as it bared them in a snarl. The creature's claws scraped against the rocky ground, and its movements were deliberate, predatory.
Liang's cursed flame flared instinctively, casting a brighter glow around him. The beast's eyes flickered with a strange intelligence, as if it was studying him. Liang tightened his grip on his blade, his mind racing. This was no ordinary predator. The flame in his palm reacted to its presence, pulsing in warning.
The beast let out a sharp bark and lunged, its powerful limbs propelling it forward. Liang sidestepped just in time, the creature's claws raking the air where he had stood moments before. He swung his blade in a wide arc, the steel slicing through the night. The wolf-like beast dodged nimbly, circling him with a low growl that sent shivers down his spine.
"You're not stopping me," Liang muttered, raising his blade defensively. The cursed flame pulsed, and he channeled its energy into his weapon. The blade ignited with a crimson glow, illuminating the narrow path.
The beast's eyes widened briefly at the sight of the flame, but it showed no fear. It lunged again, this time faster and with more precision. Liang met it head-on, the clash of steel and claws ringing out into the night. Sparks flew as his blade struck the beast's hide, but its movements were relentless, its strength pushing him back step by step.
The battle continued, a deadly dance of strikes and dodges. Liang's breathing grew heavier, and his muscles ached with the effort of keeping up with the creature's speed. The cursed flame burned hot in his palm, fueling his attacks but draining his energy with every burst of power. The beast, too, was tiring, its movements becoming less fluid as the fight wore on.
Finally, Liang saw his opening. As the beast lunged for him once more, he dropped low, pivoting on one foot and driving his blade upward. The steel found its mark, piercing the creature's flank. The beast let out a pained howl, its body twisting as it tried to wrench itself free. Liang twisted the blade, the cursed flame surging through the weapon and searing the wound.
With a final, desperate snarl, the beast retreated, limping back into the shadows. Its glowing eyes lingered on Liang for a moment before disappearing entirely. The forest fell silent once more, save for the sound of Liang's labored breathing. He remained still, his blade held ready, until he was certain the creature was gone.
Exhausted, Liang sheathed his blade and turned back to the path. The Flame Ridge Mountains towered above him as he crested the final rise. Liang stopped to catch his breath, his gaze sweeping over the landscape that stretched before him. The ridge was a labyrinth of jagged cliffs and narrow paths, its surface scarred by deep fissures that glowed faintly with molten heat. Pillars of smoke rose from unseen vents, twisting skyward like the breath of a great dragon. The sky above was an endless expanse of gray, the sun obscured by a shroud of ash that dimmed the light to an eerie twilight.
At the heart of the ridge stood the trial site.
Liang's cursed flame reacted instantly, flaring to life in his palm without his command. The light revealed the details of the structure before him: a massive gate carved into the mountainside, its surface adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and writhe under the flame's glow. The carvings depicted phoenixes in flight, their wings outstretched as if to embrace the heavens. Between them, a series of runes glimmered faintly, their meaning lost to time but their power undeniable.
The gate was flanked by twin statues, each depicting a phoenix with its wings folded, their heads bowed in solemn vigilance. Their eyes, inlaid with gemstones that caught the faint light of the cursed flame, seemed to watch him as he approached. Liang hesitated at the base of the steps leading to the gate. The air here was heavier, charged with an energy that pressed against his chest and made each breath an effort.
"The Phoenix Clan…" he murmured, his voice barely audible. This was no myth, no mere story whispered in the shadows of the sect. The trial site was real, and its presence radiated a power that sent both fear and hope coursing through him.
He climbed the steps slowly, each movement deliberate. The cursed flame in his palm burned steadily now, its erratic nature subdued as though it recognized the significance of this place. As he reached the top, Liang's eyes traced the runes on the gate. They seemed to pulse faintly, responding to the proximity of his flame. He raised his hand, letting the light fall upon the carvings. The runes flared brightly for an instant, then dimmed, as if acknowledging his arrival.
Liang lowered his hand, his gaze lingering on the gate. Beyond it lay the answers he sought, the secrets of the Phoenix Clan and the means to tame the cursed flame. Yet, as he stood before it, the weight of his journey settled upon him. This was only the beginning, and the trials ahead would demand everything he had to give—and more.
The cursed flame pulsed faintly, a quiet rhythm that echoed in time with his heartbeat. Liang clenched his fist, extinguishing the light. The path behind him had been fraught with danger, but it was the path ahead that would determine his fate.
He took a deep breath and stepped forward.