The storm raged on as Lin Tian walked away from the Zhao mansion, each step carrying him further from his past and closer to his destiny. The golden aura surrounding him was faint but undeniable, and the rain evaporated before it could touch him. He could feel the power awakening within him, a force he hadn't known for years yet felt as natural as breathing.
Lin Tian reached the outskirts of the city, where the air was quiet and the shadows deep. He stopped in front of an old, abandoned temple—one he had passed many times before without a second thought. But tonight, it called to him. The dragon's roar in his mind grew louder, and he knew this was where it would all begin.
Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, Lin Tian stepped inside. The temple was decrepit, with vines creeping through cracks in the walls, but the air was thick with an ancient energy. At the center of the room stood an altar, and on it lay a small, glowing jade pendant shaped like a dragon's claw.
"This is your inheritance, the key to your rebirth," the deep, ancient voice echoed in his mind.
Lin Tian approached the altar, his heart pounding. As he reached for the pendant, a sharp gust of wind filled the temple, and a phantom figure emerged—a tall man in shimmering dragon-scaled armor with piercing golden eyes.
"Lin Tian," the figure said, his voice resonating like thunder. "You have awakened the bloodline of the Heavenly Dragon Clan. I am your ancestor, Tianlong, the first Dragon Emperor. For centuries, our clan ruled the realms, but betrayal and greed shattered our legacy. You are the last of our bloodline. The world has forgotten us, but through you, we will rise again."
Lin Tian knelt instinctively, his head bowed. "Ancestor Tianlong, I will honor our bloodline. Teach me how to reclaim what was lost."
Tianlong's eyes glowed brighter. "The path of the dragon is treacherous. To reclaim your destiny, you must master the Nine Heavenly Dragon Arts, each step unlocking a new realm of power. Are you prepared to face death and rise stronger?"
Lin Tian clenched his fists. "I have faced death once already. I will face it again if it means protecting those I care for and fulfilling my purpose."
Tianlong nodded. "Good. Your first trial begins now."