The glow of dawn filtered into the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's expansive courtyard, illuminating the serene beauty of the ethereal realm. Liu Chen had spent the night pouring over the golden scroll, his head nodding in exhaustion but his spirit aflame with excitement. Across the field, Qiu Lan had not stopped moving, her sword slicing through the air with an intensity born of determination. The blacksmith's forge still glowed faintly, though its owner now rested beside a pile of newly crafted weapons.
Wei Long stood at the pavilion's entrance, watching the early morning stirrings of the chosen ones. The sight brought a faint smile to his face.
"Progress," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
"They are coming along well."
The master's voice came from behind him, calm yet filled with authority. He stepped beside Wei Long, his golden robes flowing as though untouched by the world's elements. His gaze swept over the training ground, where the sounds of Liu Chen's mutterings and Qiu Lan's blade strikes interwove like a symphony.
"But there is no time for them to grow comfortable," the master continued. "Fate will not wait. Today, they face their first trial."
Wei Long's brows furrowed. "A trial? Already?"
The master turned, his golden eyes fixed on the shimmering barrier of the pavilion gates. "The Emperor draws near."
Wei Long blinked, startled. "The Emperor? Qin Shi Huang himself?"
The master nodded. "The will of Heaven has led him here. He is a man of destiny, but his presence carries shadows—shadows that may test the chosen ones before they are ready."
Wei Long swallowed hard, glancing back at Liu Chen and Qiu Lan. "Will they be able to handle this?"
The master's voice grew distant, as though he were speaking of events already written. "They must."
The Heavenly Secret Pavilion's gates rippled as the invisible barrier weakened, allowing entry. Beyond the gates, the imperial entourage approached in all its majesty. An army of soldiers marched in perfect unison, their golden armor gleaming beneath the rising sun. At the heart of the procession was a grand chariot, drawn by six powerful horses, each clad in ornate coverings that shimmered like polished steel.
Atop the chariot sat the man who had unified China—Emperor Qin Shi Huang. He was a figure of imposing authority, his dragon robes heavy with intricate embroidery. His eyes were sharp as hawks, surveying everything with the weight of his imperial will. Beside him stood a shadowy figure, cloaked and hooded, radiating a faint aura of malice.
"This is the place?" the Emperor asked, his deep voice echoing over the still air.
The cloaked figure bowed low. "Yes, Your Majesty. The Heavenly Secret Pavilion. A place of legend… and power."
Qin Shi Huang's gaze fell on the small shop-like structure before him. To his soldiers and ministers, it looked unremarkable—just another building in a bustling capital. But to the Emperor, a man attuned to the weight of destiny, it was something far more.
"Power, you say?" Qin Shi Huang stepped down from the chariot, his robes trailing behind him. The soldiers immediately formed a perimeter around the pavilion. "I shall see for myself."
Inside the pavilion, Liu Chen and Qiu Lan had been gathered in the main hall. The blacksmith stood behind them, his broad arms crossed, while Wei Long paced near the door, his unease growing with every moment.
"Why would the Emperor come here?" Qiu Lan asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. "Doesn't he have an empire to rule?"
Wei Long shot her a sharp look. "You underestimate the Emperor's intuition. He is a man who senses destiny like few others. If he is here, it is no coincidence."
Liu Chen looked nervous, fiddling with the hem of his robes. "But what does he want? Is he here to… to challenge the master?"
Before Wei Long could answer, the master appeared at the far end of the hall, his golden aura immediately silencing the room. His gaze was calm, but there was a gravity to his presence that sent a shiver down their spines.
"The Emperor is a man of ambition," the master said, his voice carrying through the room like a gentle wind. "He seeks power to solidify his rule. But power without wisdom leads to ruin. Your task is to witness his intent and hold steadfast to your roles."
The blacksmith frowned. "Do you mean… we're to fight him?"
"No," the master said firmly. "To challenge a dragon directly is foolish. You will observe, you will listen, and you will understand. That is all."
Before any of them could respond, the pavilion's doors swung open with a soft creak. A ripple of energy washed over the room as Qin Shi Huang entered, his presence as heavy as a thundercloud. His soldiers remained outside, leaving only him and the cloaked figure to step into the otherworldly beauty of the pavilion.
The Emperor's sharp gaze fell upon the master. "So you are the one they call the Keeper of Secrets."
The master inclined his head in greeting. "Welcome, Emperor of Qin. This is the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. You have found your way here, as was foretold."
Qin Shi Huang's expression betrayed nothing, though his eyes seemed to pierce into the master's very soul. "Foretold, you say? Then tell me… what secrets does this place hold?"
The master smiled faintly. "Secrets are not given freely, Your Majesty. They must be earned."
The cloaked figure beside the Emperor shifted slightly, his aura flaring for a brief moment. Wei Long tensed, instinctively stepping closer to the master.
"Your companion," the master said, his gaze falling on the cloaked figure. "He is no ordinary man."
Qin Shi Huang's lips curled into a faint smile. "You see much. Perhaps that is why they call you the Keeper of Secrets."
The cloaked figure stepped forward, and for the first time, he spoke. His voice was low and distorted, as though it came from deep within the earth.
"This place… it does not belong to this world."
The master's expression did not waver. "And yet here you stand."
The figure's aura flared again, dark energy pooling around him like a coiled serpent. Qiu Lan instinctively moved her hand toward her sword, but the master lifted a hand to stop her.
"There is no need for violence here," he said calmly. His golden eyes locked onto the cloaked figure. "Your darkness holds no dominion in this place."
The figure hissed softly, but he did not attack. Qin Shi Huang raised a hand, signaling the figure to stand down.
"Impressive," the Emperor said, his gaze returning to the master. "You are not a man to be trifled with. Tell me… what do you see in my destiny?"
The master regarded the Emperor for a long moment before speaking. "You are a dragon who seeks to rule Heaven and Earth. But even dragons must beware the shadows that dwell beyond the light."
Qin Shi Huang's eyes narrowed. "Cryptic words. Perhaps you underestimate me."
"On the contrary," the master replied. "I know you better than you know yourself. Your path is long, and your empire vast. But power alone will not bring you peace."
The Emperor's gaze darkened, but he said nothing. After a long pause, he turned and gestured for the cloaked figure to follow him.
"This is not the last you will see of me," Qin Shi Huang said as he strode toward the door. "The Heavenly Secret Pavilion will not remain hidden forever."
As the Emperor departed, the room fell into an uneasy silence. Wei Long released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"That… could have gone worse," he muttered.
The master turned to his students, his expression serene. "And so, the first shadow has passed. But more will come. Prepare yourselves."
Qiu Lan tightened her grip on her sword. Liu Chen swallowed hard, clutching the golden scroll.
The real trials were only just beginning.