The faint glow of dawn painted the sky in hues of amber and violet as Yuwen emerged from his small, ramshackle home. He glanced back at the village of Shuili, a place he had called home for as long as he could remember. The crooked fences, the fading rooftops, and the dirt paths worn smooth by generations of villagers—all of it was etched into his memory. Yet, as familiar as it was, it felt distant now, like a painting he could no longer touch. The pearl's warmth in his chest was an ever-present reminder that he no longer belonged to this simple life. His path was now intertwined with something far greater, though its full scope remained shrouded in uncertainty.
At the edge of the village, Huan Shi stood waiting, his silhouette framed by the jagged mountains looming in the distance. His dark robes seemed to absorb the morning light, making him appear more like a shadow than a man. Beside him was Jian Yu, the bedraggled scholar who had arrived the night before with warnings of the Nightshade Sect. Though his posture was steadier, his eyes betrayed a lingering fear that had not dissipated. Yuwen approached them with measured steps, his satchel hanging loosely from his shoulder, though his fingers toyed with the dagger hidden beneath his tunic.
"You're late," Huan Shi said, his tone calm but pointed, like a blade hovering just above the skin.
"The sun's barely risen," Yuwen replied, his voice even, though there was a faint edge of defiance. "What more do you want from me?"
Huan Shi turned to face him fully, his piercing gaze cutting through the boy's composure. "What I want," he began, "is for you to understand the weight of your situation. You carry the essence of the Dragon God, a power that will shape the fate of this world. Yet here you stand, treating it like an inconvenience." He stepped closer, towering over Yuwen. "Discipline, boy. Without it, power is nothing but a spark in the wind."
Yuwen met his gaze, his jaw tightening. "I didn't ask for this power," he said, the words low and firm. "But if it's mine, I'll decide how to use it."
Huan Shi's lips curled into a faint smile, though it held no warmth. "Good. A spine is a start. Now let's see if you have the will to back it up."
The three of them set off shortly after, leaving the village behind as the path wound its way toward the mountains. The dense forest that surrounded Shuili quickly swallowed them, its towering trees casting long shadows in the pale morning light. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and pine, and the distant calls of birds provided a rare moment of serenity. Yet Yuwen couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. His eyes darted to the shadows between the trees, his hand never straying far from his dagger.
"You feel it, don't you?" Huan Shi asked, his voice breaking the silence.
Yuwen hesitated, then nodded. "We're not alone."
Huan Shi's expression didn't change, but there was a glint of approval in his eyes. "Good. Your instincts are sharp. But don't let your fear betray you. Fear is like blood in the water—it draws predators."
Jian Yu, walking a few paces behind, seemed to shrink further into himself at the words. "If it's the Nightshade Sect, we should pick up the pace," he said, his voice low. "They're not the type to leave survivors."
Huan Shi shot him a glance. "Fear won't save you, scholar. If they attack, they'll regret it." He turned to Yuwen, his gaze hardening. "But it's not the Nightshade Sect—not yet. Their hounds may sniff the trail, but the true predators are still far behind. Still, stay sharp. The forest has dangers of its own."
As the morning wore on, the trees began to thin, giving way to rocky outcroppings and narrow trails that clung precariously to the mountainside. The air grew colder, biting at Yuwen's skin, but he welcomed the chill—it kept him alert. They stopped briefly at a cliff overlooking the valley, the village of Shuili now a distant speck beneath the canopy of trees. Yuwen's gaze lingered on it, a strange mix of longing and relief washing over him.
"This is your last look at the life you knew," Huan Shi said, his voice softer than before. "Once we cross these peaks, there's no turning back."
"I'm not looking back," Yuwen replied, his tone resolute. "I just want to remember."
Huan Shi nodded but said nothing more. They resumed their journey, the path growing steeper and more treacherous as the day wore on. The sun hung high in the sky when they reached a deep ravine, its jagged walls disappearing into a swirling mist below. A narrow wooden bridge stretched across it, swaying dangerously in the wind.
"We cross here," Huan Shi said, his voice as steady as the cliffs around them.
Yuwen stared at the bridge, his stomach churning. "Are you sure that thing won't collapse?"
"Doubt will only make your steps falter," Huan Shi replied. "Trust in your footing—or fall."
Jian Yu went first, his movements slow and cautious as the bridge creaked beneath his weight. Yuwen followed, his heart pounding with each step. The pearl's warmth flared briefly, as though reassuring him, and he forced himself to focus. When they finally reached the other side, Huan Shi was already waiting, his expression unreadable.
As they continued, the terrain grew harsher, the air thinner. The mountains loomed higher, their peaks shrouded in clouds. Huan Shi finally broke the silence, his voice carrying over the wind. "Beyond these peaks lies the Warring Wastes. It is there that we will find the entrance to the True Abyss."
Yuwen frowned. "The True Abyss… what is it?"
Huan Shi's eyes darkened. "It is a place where the boundaries between realms weaken, where chaos and creation intertwine. It is a crucible—a place that will test your strength, your will, and your worth. If you wish to master the pearl's power, you must face what lies within."
The weight of his words settled heavily on Yuwen, but he didn't falter. He glanced at the jagged peaks ahead, the pearl's pulse steady within him. "Then let's keep moving," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I didn't come this far to stop now."
Huan Shi's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he nodded. "Good. But remember this, boy: the journey ahead is not just about survival. It's about transformation. You must become more than you are—more than you think you can be. Only then will you truly wield the power of the Dragon God."
Yuwen tightened his grip on his satchel, his resolve hardening. The path before him was steep, treacherous, and uncertain, but he would walk it. The pearl's warmth filled him with quiet confidence, a reminder that he was no longer just a boy from a forgotten village. He was something more—something yet to be defined.
And he would carve that definition with his hand