After spending several days inside the Temple of Eternal Flame, Xiao Yan began to sense profound changes within himself. With each step deeper into the temple, the waves of energy surging through his body grew stronger. What once felt like mere physical power now seemed alive, as though it were an intrinsic part of a greater, more potent version of himself.
The elderly guardian of the flame—known as the Keeper of the Ancestral Fire—watched Xiao Yan's progress with unwavering focus. Every movement, every spark of fire emanating from Xiao Yan's body, grew more controlled and more profound. Yet, behind it all, one thought lingered in the old man's mind: sacrifice.
After some time, the Keeper decided to test Xiao Yan's readiness with a challenge that would change everything. Deep within the temple lay a place called the Chamber of Soulfire, where one could confront a reflection of their innermost self, forged in flames. This was no ordinary self—it was the embodiment of discarded fears, suppressed desires, and hidden truths. To achieve true mastery, Xiao Yan would have to face and overcome this aspect of his soul.
"Xiao Yan," the Keeper began, his voice heavy with gravity, "only by confronting yourself will you know if you are worthy of wielding the Ancestral Flame. This chamber will summon a version of you that you have never encountered before. Prepare yourself, for what you face will not be an ordinary enemy—it will be you."
Xiao Yan gazed at the Keeper with steely determination, understanding that this trial would surpass anything he had endured before. But he did not waver. He had come too far to turn back now.
"If this is the path to the power I seek, then I am ready," Xiao Yan declared, his resolve hardening.
With firm steps, Xiao Yan entered the Chamber of Soulfire. As he crossed the threshold, the room ignited in vibrant flames—not ordinary fire, but a living, flowing force, blending with the air and shifting unpredictably. At the center of the room, a massive mirror emerged before him. But this was no ordinary mirror. It reflected not his face, but a darker, more terrifying shadow of himself.
The shadow in the mirror began to speak, its voice echoing deep within Xiao Yan's soul.
"You have chased power for so long, but have you ever asked yourself—what are you truly seeking? Power for revenge? Power to dominate the world? Or are you simply running from your deepest fears?"
Xiao Yan locked eyes with the shadow, his voice steady. "I seek peace. I seek justice. I seek a better world for those I love."
The shadow laughed, its mirth sharp as thorns piercing Xiao Yan's spirit. "Your desires sound noble, but do you realize that in your pursuit, you have lost yourself? You have sacrificed everything, even fragments of your soul. The power you chase—does it truly belong to you, or are you merely pursuing the ghost of a flame that was never yours?"
The words struck like searing flames, igniting an ache deep within Xiao Yan's heart. He knew he had sacrificed much, but he also knew it was all for a greater purpose. Still, the shadow in the mirror continued to sow doubt.
"Do not let yourself be consumed by uncertainty," the shadow warned, its tone menacing. "In the end, you will become part of this fire. You will be burned by uncontrollable desire, and when that moment comes, nothing will save you."
Xiao Yan's gaze intensified as he faced the shadow. "I will not let myself be destroyed by the flames. I am the master of fire, not its slave."
With unshakable resolve, Xiao Yan stepped forward and touched the surface of the mirror. The moment he did, the entire chamber erupted in a blaze of extraordinary fire. Thunderous roars filled the air as flames engulfed Xiao Yan, but this time, he did not retreat. He felt the fire's immense power coursing through him, and instead of resisting, he embraced it. The flames became part of him, and he wielded them with newfound mastery.
What once felt like a terrifying force now transformed into a source of unparalleled strength. The fire fused with his body and soul, flowing harmoniously within him.
As the flames subsided and the chamber returned to calm, the shadow vanished. The mirror, which had reflected his darker self, now showed Xiao Yan's true face—one filled with peace and serenity he had never known before.