The wind cut through the mountains like invisible blades, carrying whispers from ancient times, whispers that only the most sensitive could hear. In the heart of the continent of Xianlong, the mountains rose with imposing majesty, their peaks touching the stars, as if the sky itself had decided to rest upon them. With each gust of wind, the ancient stones resonated, echoing memories of past battles and promises made millennia ago. Among these mountains, a temple stood, isolated, guardian of secrets and forgotten stories.

The temple was atop a steep cliff, its grandeur defying the laws of nature. The jade and gold columns that supported the building seemed to float over the abyss, reflecting the moonlight in a mystical glow. The stone stairs leading to the entrance were long and steep, as if the path itself were a journey to the heavens. At night, the roof of the temple, shaped like a dragon in flight, seemed to merge with the clouds, disappearing into the darkness.

Inside, a group of elders was gathered. Their long, colorful robes reflected the weight of a millennia-old tradition, but their faces, though marked by time, still held the strength of wisdom acquired over the centuries. The smell of incense and exotic herbs filled the air, blending with the respectful silence that reigned in the room.

In the center of the room, bathed in a soft golden light emanating from an enchanted lamp, one elder stood out. He was the Great Prophet Liang, a man whose age seemed to defy time, as if he had been touched by eternity. His face was serene, but his penetrating gaze reflected the weight of a destiny he carried alone, like an invisible mountain that only he could bear. His long, white beard fell softly over his chest, and his golden robes glowed in the light, as if he were a figure from an ancient legend.

With each word he spoke, those present felt the weight of history on their souls, as if his words were fragments of a reality beyond time. The atmosphere, charged with mystical energy, seemed to bend before him, absorbing every word as if it were a divine decree.

"A years ago, a vow was sealed under the starry sky," Liang said, his deep voice echoing off the stone walls of the temple, reverberating in the hearts of those present. "A dark power was banished from this world, locked away in the depths of the abyss. However, the gates of this abyss have begun to weaken, and the return of the darkness is inevitable."

The words fell heavy upon the room, like distant thunder, reverberating in the minds and hearts of the disciples. The younger disciples, seated in meditation around the room, exchanged anxious glances. The Great Prophet's words were not new to them, but every time the prophecy was recalled, a shadow of fear fell over their hearts.

Everyone knew the legend of the Dark King of the Void, an entity so powerful and feared that no single sect could defeat him. Only a joint sacrifice had been enough to seal his existence millennia ago. But now, the winds of destiny were blowing once again, and the balance between light and darkness was about to be broken.

The Great Prophet continued, his gaze distant, as though he could see beyond the present, as though he were watching the threads of fate intertwining. His eyes shone with an intensity that made everyone in the room feel small before him.

"But light will not abandon this world. The sky will send a champion, the Ascendant Dragon, whose strength and determination will be enough to unite the continent. He will not be just a warrior; he will be a symbol of hope in times of despair."

Liang's words reverberated like thunder in the souls of those present. The Ascendant Dragon... everyone knew what that meant. It was the prophecy that had been passed down from generation to generation, a story that spoke of a hero who would arise to defeat the darkness, an unbeatable being who would bring peace to the world. But although the legend was known to all, the circumstances of the continent of Xianlong had changed drastically in recent centuries. The land was fragmented, divided by conflicts and rivalries that weakened even the most powerful sects.

Master Hua, one of the most respected elders in the temple, stood up, his expression grave. He was known for his practical wisdom and firm voice, which rarely wavered. With his eyes fixed on the Great Prophet, he spoke with caution, but also with uncertainty.

"Prophet Liang, we have known the prophecy for centuries. However, the continent is divided. Sects fight among themselves for territory and power. Alliances are broken, and even the disciples of the sects distrust each other. How can we expect anyone to unite these clans that barely tolerate each other? How can we believe that the Ascendant Dragon, whoever he is, will be able to overcome the divisions that plague us?"

The Great Prophet looked at Master Hua with a gaze that seemed to pierce his soul. There was no anger in his gaze, only an unwavering calm, as if he knew something that the others could not comprehend. He slowly raised a hand, as if he wanted everyone to calm down and listen carefully to what he had to say.

"The Ascendant Dragon will come from where it is least expected. He will not be molded by luxuries or privileged teachings, but by pain and necessity. He will not seek glory, but justice. The strength of the Ascendant Dragon will not come from intense training or a legacy of power. He will be forged in suffering, loss, and sacrifice. He will be someone who, like all of us, will have faced the adversities of life but will never surrender."

Liang paused, allowing his words to settle in everyone's minds. He knew that the answer would not be easy. The truth was often hard to accept, but it was necessary. When he spoke again, his voice seemed quieter, more personal, as if he were sharing a secret with those present.

"He will not be a golden prince, nor a venerated hero. He will come from the shadows, from those forgotten lands, where hope has been buried. He will not be recognized as a leader, but he will be an ordinary man, like any of you. But he will have something that no one else possesses: the power to unite the hearts of men, the power to restore balance. He will be the only one capable of facing the darkness that approaches."

As Liang spoke, an ancient map floated from the central altar, its edges worn by time, but the golden runes still glowed with a soft, mystical light. The map was vast, detailed with precision, and extended across the entire continent of Xianlong. It unfurled in the air like a magical vision, its surface shimmering as the runes danced across the paper. All eyes turned to the map, and the room fell silent, awaiting the revelation.

A point on the map glowed in red, at the far west, in a remote and little-known region. The area was shrouded in mystery, marked by treacherous mountains, dense forests, and isolated villages. No one there was sure what lay in that place, but the glow of the red point seemed to indicate something important.

Liang extended his hand, pointing to the location. His voice was low, almost a whisper, but full of authority.

"There." He said, his voice echoing in the hall.There is where the seed of destiny will be planted. Where the Ascendant Dragon will be born, not knowing that he is being forged by destiny. This will be the beginning of the journey that will forever change the course of Xianlong's history.

The Great Prophet stepped back, his gaze still fixed on the red point on the map. The entire room was silent, absorbing the weight of the words and the prophecy that had been revealed. For some, the sight of the red point seemed like a beacon of hope, for others, an imminent threat. Liang's words had opened a door to an uncertain future, and now there was no turning back.

The elders exchanged worried glances, but did not dare interrupt the Prophet. They knew that destiny had already begun to unfold, and any resistance would be futile. The Ascendant Dragon would come, and his arrival would change everything. But until then, the winds of destiny were still forming, and the future was filled with uncertainties.

The prophecy was set.