The journey to the Vermilion Bird Sect was unlike anything Li Wei had ever experienced. The woman, who introduced herself as Elder Mei, led him through lush forests, across roaring rivers, and over towering mountain passes. Along the way, she tested his resolve, pushing him to his limits both physically and mentally. By the time they reached the sect's headquarters, Li Wei was exhausted but exhilarated.
The Vermilion Bird Sect was a sight to behold. Nestled in the heart of a volcanic range, its buildings were carved from black stone and adorned with intricate carvings of phoenixes and flames. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and the hum of powerful *Qi*. Disciples in crimson robes trained in courtyards, their movements precise and their auras blazing with fiery energy.
Elder Mei brought Li Wei before the sect master, a towering figure with a long, flowing beard and eyes that seemed to pierce through his very soul. The sect master examined him in silence, his gaze lingering on the faint golden glow emanating from Li Wei's chest.
"You carry the mark of the Eternal Flame," the sect master said at last, his voice deep and resonant. "A rare and powerful legacy. But power without discipline is dangerous. Elder Mei will oversee your training. Prove yourself worthy, and you may yet rise to greatness."
Li Wei bowed deeply, his heart swelling with determination. He was given a set of crimson robes and assigned to a small room in the disciples' quarters. That night, as he lay on his cot, he couldn't help but marvel at how far he had come. Yet, he knew this was only the beginning.
---
**Training Begins**
The next morning, Li Wei joined the other disciples in the training courtyard. Elder Mei stood at the center, her presence commanding attention.
"Cultivation is not merely about accumulating power," she began. "It is about understanding the flow of *Qi*, the balance of the elements, and the harmony of body and spirit. Today, we will begin with the basics."
The first exercise was simple yet grueling: meditation. The disciples were instructed to sit in the lotus position and focus on drawing *Qi* into their bodies. Li Wei closed his eyes and concentrated, but his mind kept wandering. The warmth in his chest pulsed gently, as if reminding him of its presence.
"Focus, Li Wei," Elder Mei's voice cut through his thoughts. "Feel the energy around you. Let it flow through you, like a river through a canyon."
Gradually, Li Wei began to relax. He felt the *Qi* in the air, a vibrant, living force that seemed to dance around him. As he drew it in, the warmth in his chest grew stronger, and he felt a sense of clarity he had never experienced before.
---
**The First Trial**
Days turned into weeks, and Li Wei's progress was remarkable. He quickly mastered the basic techniques and began to experiment with channeling the pendant's energy. But not everyone was pleased with his rapid advancement.
One of the senior disciples, a proud and arrogant young man named Feng, took particular offense at Li Wei's rise. Feng had been the top disciple in his cohort, and he saw Li Wei as a threat to his status.
"You think you're special because of that trinket you carry?" Feng sneered one day after training. "Let's see how you fare against someone who's earned their power."
Before Li Wei could respond, Feng lunged, his fists wreathed in flames. Li Wei barely managed to dodge, but Feng's attacks were relentless. The other disciples gathered around, watching intently.
Li Wei struggled to keep up. Feng's techniques were refined, his movements precise. But as the fight dragged on, Li Wei noticed something: Feng's flames were wild, uncontrolled. They burned brightly, but they lacked the subtlety and balance Elder Mei had emphasized.
Drawing on the pendant's energy, Li Wei focused on his own flames, shaping them into a thin, concentrated blade. When Feng attacked again, Li Wei sidestepped and countered, his blade slicing through Feng's fiery aura. The senior disciple stumbled, his flames flickering and dying.
The courtyard fell silent. Feng glared at Li Wei, his face flushed with humiliation, but he said nothing. Elder Mei stepped forward, her expression unreadable.
"A lesson for all of you," she said. "Power without control is meaningless. Li Wei, you have potential, but do not let it go to your head. Feng, reflect on your arrogance."
---
**The Secret of the Pendant**
That night, Li Wei returned to his room, his mind racing. He took out the jade pendant, which he had kept hidden beneath his robes, and examined it closely. The carvings seemed to shift and change in the flickering candlelight, as if alive.
As he focused on the pendant, a voice echoed in his mind—a deep, resonant voice that seemed to come from within the pendant itself.
*"You have taken the first step, but the path ahead is long and fraught with peril. The Eternal Flame is not merely a technique; it is a legacy, a responsibility. To master it, you must first master yourself."*
Li Wei's heart pounded. "Who are you?" he whispered.
*"I am the remnant of the one who came before you, the last bearer of the Eternal Flame. Seek the Phoenix Shrine, hidden deep within the volcanic caverns. There, you will find the next piece of your destiny."*
The voice faded, leaving Li Wei with more questions than answers. But one thing was clear: his journey was far from over.
Li Wei began to recall his confrontations with Feng. Feng has spend more time in the sect and have received the guidance of an Elder, while he, on the other hand got struck by lady luck. "Though I have the pendant to rely on but what if I ran into a thougher enemy in the future, I won't be able to stand my ground" He thought to himself.
"If I must beat Feng without help, I have to work harder"
"But the pendant! What kind of power lies within it" Li Wei muttered.