The sun was setting over the forest, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold as Li Ming stood in the center of the ancient training ground. Xiao-Lei had been relentless, pushing him to his limits with drills that seemed both simple and impossible at the same time.
"Focus, Li Ming!" Xiao-Lei barked, circling him. "The energy within you is wild, like a storm. You must learn to control it. Channel it, or it will destroy you."
Li Ming clenched his fists, his body trembling as golden energy flickered around him, surging and fading in uneven bursts. The Echo's power felt alive, resisting his attempts to command it.
"I'm trying!" he shouted, frustration bubbling over. "But it's like it doesn't want to listen!"
Xiao-Lei stopped and fixed him with a steady gaze. "It doesn't want to listen because it's waiting for you to understand. You are not Li Zhang, but his Echo chose you for a reason. Stop fighting it. Accept it."
Li Ming gritted his teeth, closing his eyes. He let out a slow breath, reaching deep within himself to the pulsing energy that had become a part of him.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the air, followed by the sound of clashing steel. Xiao-Lei's head snapped toward the edge of the clearing, his hand moving instinctively to the blade at his side.
"We're not alone," Xiao-Lei said, his voice low.
Li Ming turned, his heart racing, as a figure emerged from the shadows. A young woman, dressed in flowing robes that shimmered like the surface of a river, stepped into the clearing. Her long black hair was tied back, revealing striking features and piercing blue eyes.
"Who are you?" Xiao-Lei demanded, his stance guarded.
The woman raised her hands in a gesture of peace. "I mean no harm. My name is Mei-Ling. I've been searching for you."
"For us?" Li Ming asked, his suspicion mixing with curiosity.
"For him," she said, her gaze locking onto Li Ming. "The one who bears the Echo of the Whispering Shadow."
Li Ming's hand instinctively went to his pocket, where the shard pulsed faintly. "How do you know about that?"
Mei-Ling took a step closer, her voice calm but firm. "The Echo chose you, but its power affects the world around it. I felt its awakening days ago. Others will have felt it too—those who wish to destroy you and those who wish to use you."
Xiao-Lei's eyes narrowed. "And which are you?"
Mei-Ling hesitated, as if weighing her words. "I'm a friend. My clan has protected the secrets of the Echoes for generations. I've come to warn you—Jian-Ze's agents are already moving. If you're not prepared, you won't survive what's coming."
Li Ming stepped forward, his exhaustion forgotten. "If you're here to help, then tell me—what do you know about Jian-Ze?"
Mei-Ling's expression darkened. "Jian-Ze is no ordinary warrior. He's consumed dozens of Echoes, growing stronger with each one. But his hunger for power has no limits. He's searching for something—an artifact said to amplify the power of any Echo tenfold."
"What artifact?" Xiao-Lei asked sharply.
Mei-Ling glanced at Li Ming, then back to Xiao-Lei. "The Echo Core. It's said to be the source of all Echoes, capable of reshaping the world—or destroying it."
The clearing fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a shroud.
"If Jian-Ze finds it," Mei-Ling continued, "no one will be able to stop him. That's why you need to be ready. Your Echo isn't just a tool—it's a key to stopping him."
Li Ming felt a knot form in his stomach. The responsibility was suffocating, but he couldn't ignore it. "Then teach me," he said, his voice steady. "Help me master this power."
Mei-Ling nodded. "We'll need to move quickly. Jian-Ze's agents won't stop until they find you."
Xiao-Lei frowned, clearly reluctant to trust her, but he didn't argue. "We'll start tomorrow. For now, we rest. The journey ahead will only grow more dangerous."
As they prepared to leave the clearing, Mei-Ling approached Li Ming, her voice soft. "You don't have to do this alone, you know. There are people who will stand by you."
Li Ming glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her tone. "Thanks," he said simply, though the weight of her words stayed with him.
That night, as the campfire crackled and the stars shone above, Li Ming stared at the shard in his hand. He could feel its energy, alive and waiting.
"I'll protect this world," he whispered to himself. "No matter what it takes."
Mei-Ling watched him from a distance, her expression unreadable. She knew the road ahead would test them all, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a spark of hope.