The sun had only begun its descent when the gates of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion rippled again. Wei Long stood on the pavilion's edge, leaning on the railing as he scanned the path leading up to the ethereal gates. Over the past two days, the blacksmith had been the sole arrival, tirelessly honing his skills in the expanded pavilion under the master's guidance. But today was different—Wei Long could feel it in the air.
"Master," Wei Long called, turning toward the main hall, "someone approaches."
Inside, the master sat cross-legged, his golden aura serene and powerful. At Wei Long's words, his eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes that shimmered with infinite wisdom.
"They come in pairs this time," the master said softly, his tone carrying absolute certainty.
Wei Long blinked. "Pairs? But how…?"
The master rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back. He strode out onto the pavilion's steps, his aura flowing like calm water, yet carrying the depth of a boundless sea. Wei Long followed closely, his mind racing.
And then they appeared—two figures, emerging from the shimmering barrier of the pavilion's gates. One was a slender scholar, robes dusty from travel, clutching a worn scroll tightly against his chest. The other was a woman in light armor, a longsword strapped across her back, her posture unyielding as a mountain.
The scholar stumbled slightly, his breath coming in heavy gasps as he adjusted his spectacles. "This… this is the Heavenly Secret Pavilion?" he murmured, eyes wide with disbelief. "It's magnificent."
The swordswoman said nothing, her sharp gaze darting across the scene before her, assessing every detail. She locked eyes with the master, her hand hovering near her sword hilt instinctively.
The master inclined his head slightly. "Welcome. You heard the call, and you have answered it."
The scholar straightened, trying to smooth out his crumpled robes. "Yes, senior. My name is Liu Chen. I am but a humble scholar who…" He hesitated, clearly unsure how to explain the strange pull that had drawn him here.
The swordswoman stepped forward. Her voice was low and steady, tinged with wariness. "I am Qiu Lan. I followed the voice. It brought me here."
The master regarded them both, his golden gaze sweeping over them like a gentle breeze. "You are both destined. That is all that matters."
Qiu Lan's brows furrowed. "Destined? For what?"
The master turned, motioning for them to follow him into the pavilion. "Come. All will be revealed in time."
Inside the pavilion's ethereal realm, Liu Chen and Qiu Lan were greeted by a world unlike any they had ever seen. Floating islands drifted through the air, their waterfalls cascading into glowing pools below. The air shimmered with soft light, and the spiritual energy was so dense that even Liu Chen, who had no martial foundation, felt invigorated.
"Is this place even real?" Liu Chen whispered, his voice tinged with awe.
Wei Long, who had led them inside, smirked. "Real enough. You'll get used to it soon enough."
Qiu Lan remained silent, though her sharp eyes never stopped moving, taking in every detail. Her warrior's instincts told her this was a place of power—and a place of danger.
The master led them to a training ground situated on a flat expanse of white stone. It was surrounded by crystalline formations that pulsed faintly with energy. In the center of the ground, the blacksmith—the first of the destined ones—was hard at work, hammering a glowing blade on an anvil that seemed to hum with life.
The master turned to Liu Chen and Qiu Lan, his voice calm yet commanding. "This pavilion exists beyond mortal comprehension. Here, you will unlock your potential and forge your destinies. But understand this—you are not here by accident. You have been chosen by fate to stand against the coming darkness."
Liu Chen blinked, pushing up his glasses nervously. "Darkness? What darkness?"
"The shadows that stir in this world," the master replied. "A force that seeks to consume everything. It has already begun its work. If left unchecked, it will spread across the empire… and beyond."
Qiu Lan's voice was steady, though her fists clenched tightly. "And you want us to fight this darkness?"
"No," the master said, his gaze piercing. "I will fight it. You will train to become strong enough to stand beside me."
Wei Long stepped forward, arms crossed. "The master's methods may seem strange to you now, but if you trust in his guidance, you'll understand soon enough. Strength doesn't come from blind effort—it comes from purpose."
The blacksmith looked up from his work, wiping sweat from his brow. "He's right," he said, his voice deep and steady. "Since coming here, I've seen my skills grow beyond anything I thought possible."
The master gestured to the training grounds. "Your paths begin here. Each of you has a role to play, a strength that must be honed. Liu Chen."
Liu Chen straightened, startled. "Y-Yes, senior?"
The master extended his hand, and a scroll appeared in his palm, glowing faintly. "You will study the Dao of knowledge. Your mind will become the key that unlocks truths hidden to others. Begin with this."
Liu Chen took the scroll carefully, as though it might crumble to dust. His heart pounded as he unrolled it slightly, seeing lines of golden text written in an ancient, flowing script.
"This… this is incredible," he whispered.
The master turned to Qiu Lan. "And you, Qiu Lan."
The swordswoman stood tall, her expression resolute. "What is my role?"
The master raised his hand, and a blade appeared in the air before her. It gleamed with a silver light, its edge so sharp it seemed to hum.
"You will walk the path of the sword," the master said. "Your blade will carve through the darkness. Train your body and mind, and you will become a warrior who stands unshaken against any foe."
Qiu Lan reached for the blade, her fingers closing around its hilt. As soon as she touched it, a surge of energy rushed through her body, and her eyes widened in shock.
"This… this sword…"
"It is forged of heavenly law," the master explained. "It will test you, and in turn, it will make you stronger."
Qiu Lan took a deep breath, steadying herself. She looked up at the master and nodded. "I understand."
The master smiled faintly. "Good. Now begin."
As the sun sank beneath the horizon, the pavilion was alive with the sounds of training. Liu Chen sat cross-legged on a floating platform, the golden scroll open before him, his brow furrowed as he studied its ancient teachings. Nearby, Qiu Lan moved through sword forms, her blade cutting through the air with increasing precision and power.
The blacksmith worked tirelessly at his forge, sparks flying as he hammered out weapons imbued with spiritual energy. Wei Long watched over them all, occasionally offering guidance but otherwise remaining silent. The master observed from a distance, his gaze serene as he monitored their progress.
"They are learning," Wei Long said quietly as he approached the master. "But will it be enough?"
The master did not look away from the training grounds. "It is a beginning. The darkness has not yet shown its full strength, but when it does… they will be ready."
Wei Long sighed, his expression troubled. "And if they aren't?"
The master's eyes glowed faintly in the fading light. "Then I will hold the line alone. But I do not believe it will come to that. Destiny has chosen them for a reason."
As the stars began to fill the sky, the master turned his gaze upward, his expression unreadable.
"The first steps have been taken," he murmured. "Now, the real journey begins."