The light from the strange, glowing wheel faded, leaving Lin Fan standing in silence within the clearing. The wolf-beast had fled moments before, cowed by the radiant power of the mysterious artifact, but the oppressive weight of the surrounding forest remained. The ancient stone altar, now dim once more, seemed almost lifeless, though the wheel still sat at its center, its intricate carvings faintly shimmering in the moonlight.
Lin Fan's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. His legs trembled from exhaustion, but his gaze remained fixed on the wheel. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. The symbols etched into its surface seemed to pulse faintly, as though alive, and the energy it radiated had filled him with an inexplicable sense of awe.
"This..." Lin Fan muttered, stepping closer to the altar. "What is this thing? Why does it feel... as if it's calling to me?"
He reached out hesitantly, his fingers brushing against the smooth, cold surface of the wheel. The moment his skin made contact, a surge of energy shot through his body, causing him to gasp in shock. His vision blurred, and for a brief moment, he felt as though he were floating in a vast expanse of stars and swirling light.
A deep, otherworldly voice echoed in his mind:
"The Wheel of Destiny... shall turn for you."
Before Lin Fan could comprehend the meaning of the voice, the vision shattered, and he stumbled backward, falling to the ground. The wheel on the altar began to spin once more, though this time it moved slowly, deliberately, as if responding to his touch.
Lin Fan watched in stunned silence as the symbols on the wheel glowed one by one, their light growing brighter with each passing moment. Finally, the wheel came to a stop, and a single symbol burned brightly at its center—a shape resembling a flame.
From the wheel, a small object materialized, floating gently into Lin Fan's outstretched hands. It was a glowing red crystal, warm to the touch, and filled with a flickering inner light that seemed to dance like fire.
"Flame Essence Crystal," the voice in his mind intoned. "A fragment of the elemental flame, capable of igniting the spark within the untalented. Use it wisely."
Lin Fan's eyes widened as he stared at the crystal. His heart raced with excitement and disbelief. Could this be… a chance to finally cultivate? A chance to escape the fate of a powerless mortal?
He clutched the crystal tightly, his mind racing with possibilities. But before he could fully process what had just happened, a distant, guttural roar echoed through the forest.
Lin Fan's head snapped up. The sound was unlike anything he had heard before—deep, resonant, and filled with menace. It was not the wolf-beast from before. Whatever had made that sound was far larger, and far more dangerous.
The ground beneath him trembled slightly, and the rustling of distant foliage grew louder. Lin Fan's instincts screamed at him to run, but his body felt frozen in place.
A massive figure emerged from the shadows of the forest, stepping into the clearing with deliberate, heavy movements. It was a bear-like creature, but far more grotesque. Its fur was matted and black as tar, its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and its claws gleamed like steel. The air around it seemed to shimmer with a faint, malevolent energy.
"A spirit beast..." Lin Fan whispered, his voice barely audible. He had heard stories of these creatures—beasts infused with spiritual energy that could rival powerful cultivators in strength. This one, judging by its size and aura, was far beyond anything he could hope to face.
The bear's glowing eyes locked onto Lin Fan, and it let out another earth-shaking roar. Drool dripped from its fanged maw as it began to lumber toward him, each step causing the ground to quake.
Lin Fan's mind raced. He had no weapon, no cultivation, and no hope of outrunning the beast. His eyes darted to the glowing crystal in his hand—the Flame Essence Crystal. It was his only chance.
Summoning every ounce of courage he had, Lin Fan gripped the crystal tightly and focused on the flickering energy within it. He had no idea how to activate it, but desperation fueled his attempts. He closed his eyes, willing the crystal's power to awaken, to do something—anything—that could save him.
The crystal grew hot in his hand, and a surge of warmth spread through his body. Lin Fan opened his eyes to see the crystal glowing brightly, its inner flame now raging like an inferno. The heat was almost unbearable, but he held on, refusing to let go.
The bear-beast lunged, its massive claws swiping toward Lin Fan with deadly force.
In that instant, the crystal's energy erupted. A burst of flame shot from Lin Fan's hand, engulfing the bear in a blinding torrent of fire. The beast howled in pain, thrashing wildly as the flames consumed it. The stench of burning fur filled the air, and the ground around the creature scorched black.
Lin Fan stumbled backward, his body trembling from the sheer force of the energy he had unleashed. The bear collapsed to the ground, its charred form motionless.
For a moment, there was silence. Lin Fan stared at the smoldering remains of the beast, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. He looked down at the crystal in his hand. Its glow had faded, and it now felt cool to the touch, but the memory of its power remained vivid in his mind.
He sank to his knees, exhaustion washing over him. But despite the fatigue, a small, triumphant smile crept onto his face.
"I… I'm not powerless," he whispered.
For the first time in his life, Lin Fan felt a glimmer of hope—not just for survival, but for something greater. The voice had called it the Wheel of Destiny, and though he did not yet fully understand its power, he knew one thing for certain: his fate was no longer bound by the scorn of others.
The wheel had turned, and Lin Fan's journey was just beginning.