The journey out of Fei Long Village was grueling. The narrow dirt roads twisted through dense forests and rocky cliffs, and every step seemed to drag Li Ming further from the only home he had ever known. Beside him, Xiao-Lei moved with purpose, his weathered face betraying no emotion.
Li Ming broke the silence. "Who was that man back there? And what did he mean when he said I was 'marked'?"
Xiao-Lei sighed, his shoulders heavy with an unseen weight. "That was a Shadow Collector—one of many who hunt Echoes. He was likely drawn here the moment your Echo activated. You're lucky you survived the encounter."
"Shadow Collector?" Li Ming repeated, frowning. "So there are more like him?"
"Many more," Xiao-Lei confirmed. "And most are far deadlier than the one you faced."
Li Ming's fists clenched. He had barely managed to fend off the stranger, and the thought of facing more—stronger—foes sent a chill down his spine.
Xiao-Lei stopped suddenly, turning to face Li Ming. "You deserve answers, but to understand the danger you're in, you need to know the truth about Echoes."
Li Ming nodded, his curiosity outweighing his fear.
"Echoes are not just artifacts," Xiao-Lei began, his voice somber. "They are fragments of power, pieces of souls from warriors long past. Each Echo carries the essence of its creator—their strength, their memories, their will. When an Echo bonds with someone, it awakens their latent potential, granting them abilities beyond ordinary humans."
Li Ming instinctively touched the shard in his pocket. "So… this Echo came from someone like me?"
"Not just someone like you," Xiao-Lei said, his gaze intense. "That Echo belonged to Li Zhang—the Whispering Shadow. He was a legend, a warrior whose name struck fear and admiration across the murim world."
Li Ming staggered, the weight of Xiao-Lei's words sinking in. "You're saying I'm… him?"
"No," Xiao-Lei clarified. "You're not Li Zhang. But his Echo has chosen you as its host. It sees something in you—something that made it awaken after centuries of dormancy."
Li Ming tried to process this. He was just an orphan, an errand boy from a forgotten village. How could he be connected to someone so powerful?
"So what happens now?" he asked hesitantly.
Xiao-Lei's expression darkened. "Now, we train. If you're going to survive what's coming, you need to master the power of your Echo. The Shadow Collectors won't stop, and Jian-Ze…"
The name sent a shiver down Li Ming's spine. "Who is Jian-Ze?"
"A former ally of Li Zhang," Xiao-Lei said grimly. "Now, he's your greatest threat. Jian-Ze has spent centuries gathering Echoes, growing stronger with each one he claims. He believes the power of Echoes can reshape the world—and he'll stop at nothing to achieve his vision."
Li Ming swallowed hard. "And he's coming for me?"
"Yes," Xiao-Lei said simply.
The gravity of his situation pressed down on Li Ming. He had no choice but to trust Xiao-Lei and embrace the power he didn't fully understand.
"Where do we start?" Li Ming asked, determination flickering in his voice.
Xiao-Lei smiled faintly, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "We start with the basics. You've already tapped into the Echo's power, but without control, it'll consume you."
He gestured toward a clearing ahead. "There's a training ground not far from here. It's secluded, protected. We'll have time to hone your skills before the next challenge arrives."
As they approached the clearing, Li Ming noticed the remnants of old ruins—a circular arena lined with moss-covered stones. The air was thick with an energy that made his skin tingle.
"This place…" Li Ming began.
"It was once a training ground for warriors like Li Zhang," Xiao-Lei explained. "Here, you'll learn to wield your Echo's power. But be warned, the path will not be easy."
Li Ming stepped into the arena, the weight of his destiny settling on his shoulders. He glanced back at Xiao-Lei, whose calm demeanor masked the burden of his own past.
"I'm ready," Li Ming said, though his voice betrayed a flicker of uncertainty.
Xiao-Lei nodded, stepping into the center of the arena. "Then let's begin. Show me what you've learned so far."
Li Ming took a deep breath, his hands glowing faintly as he summoned the energy coursing through him. The shard in his pocket pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat.