Before Lin Tian could react, the world around him shifted. The temple disappeared, replaced by a barren, desolate landscape. Black skies loomed overhead, and the ground beneath his feet was cracked and lifeless. In the distance, a monstrous roar echoed, shaking the earth.
"This is the Abyssal Plane," Tianlong's voice resonated in Lin Tian's mind. "Your first trial is to defeat the Abyssal Guardian, a creature born of despair and chaos. Only by conquering it will you unlock the first of the Nine Arts: The Dragon's Breath."
Lin Tian's instincts flared as the ground trembled, and a massive, shadowy beast emerged from the darkness. Its body was covered in jagged scales, and its red eyes burned with primal rage. The Abyssal Guardian towered over him, its claws capable of rending mountains.
Lin Tian's heart pounded, but he stood his ground. "I'm not the man I was yesterday," he muttered. The golden aura around him flared, and the dragon's roar echoed once more. He felt his blood surge, the power of his ancestors awakening within him.
The beast lunged, its claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Lin Tian dodged, his movements sharper and faster than ever before. He countered with a strike, his fist glowing with golden energy as it connected with the creature's scales, sending a shockwave through the Abyss.
The battle raged on, each exchange more intense than the last. Lin Tian's body burned with exhaustion, but he refused to yield. The words of his ancestor echoed in his mind: "A dragon never submits. A dragon always rises."
With a final roar, Lin Tian summoned all his strength. A golden flame erupted from his fists, engulfing the Abyssal Guardian. The beast let out a deafening cry before collapsing into a pile of ash. The golden aura around Lin Tian intensified, and he felt a surge of power coursing through him.
The First Step
As the Abyssal Plane dissolved, Lin Tian found himself back in the temple. The jade pendant now glowed brighter, and the voice of his ancestor rang out.
"You have passed the first trial and unlocked the Dragon's Breath. With this power, you can channel the essence of your bloodline into devastating attacks. But remember, this is only the beginning. Eight more trials await you."
Lin Tian stood taller, his confidence renewed. The weight of his past was still heavy, but he could feel the chains of mediocrity breaking. He wasn't the forsaken son-in-law anymore—he was the reborn Dragon Emperor.
And the world would soon know it.