The peach blossoms were falling in torrents as Sheung stormed across the bridges of the Heart Palace. His breath came ragged, chest tight with a fury that burned hotter than any flame.
Longyin materialized above him, swirling gold and crimson. "Sheung—wait! You cannot rush into this!"
"I'm tired of secrets!" he yelled. "My father… the sect… the Dragon Cavern holds everything! If I'm the Dragonblood heir, then I'll prove it!"
Longyin hovered in front of him, voice low and urgent. "The seals were placed for your protection. You have not reached the required realm—"
"Then I'll shatter it!"
A surge of power rolled off him, fueled by stubborn will. He thrust his brush forward. The golden bristles ignited with radiant talisman light.
Far below the shining pavilions, a ripple spread over the Heart Palace floor. Slabs of jade shifted, revealing a vast spiral staircase plunging into darkness. Winds howled up from the depths.
Longyin's eyes widened. "So be it… but remember: if you fail, you die."
Sheung clenched his brush. "I'll take that chance."
He descended into blackness for what seemed like hours, each step lit only by the brush's glow. His heart thundered as he finally reached a pair of enormous bronze doors engraved with twisting dragons. They pulsed as if alive.
Longyin appeared beside him, solemn. "Speak your name. And be judged."
Sheung raised his chin. "I am Sheung Longyao, heir of the Dragonblood Taoist Sect!"
The doors shuddered. Runes ignited across their surface. With a deafening groan, they swung open.
Inside lay a cavern vast as a cathedral, its ceiling lost in darkness. Rivers of red and gold lava snaked across the stone floor. High on a rock spire lay a colossal creature: a dragon of bronze scales, vast antlered horns, and eyes like burning stars. Its sinuous body coiled through the cavern, so massive that parts disappeared into swirling mist.
The dragon opened one blazing eye. Its voice echoed like an avalanche.
"Heir of Dragonblood… why do you disturb my slumber?"
Sheung swallowed. "I came for answers. About my father. About my sect. About the power hidden here!"
The dragon's gaze narrowed. "You trespass before your time. The blood within you is not yet tempered."
"I don't care. Test me!" Sheung shouted.
A deep growl rumbled from the dragon's chest. Flames rippled outward. "Very well, mortal child. The Trial begins."
Suddenly, the cavern shifted. The lava rivers froze into mirrored floors. Shadows gathered into monstrous shapes—each one a spirit beast, black as ink, fangs gleaming.
The dragon intoned:
"Your first trial: the beasts of your own doubt. Slay them… or be consumed."
The shadows lunged. Claws raked Sheung's robes. He staggered back, raising his brush. He drew in the air the strokes for FU number 6 from his Grandather's book - Suppress!
Golden talisman light slammed into the beasts, scattering them like black mist. But each time one dissolved, another rose.
Longyin's voice whispered in his mind: "These are your fears, Sheung! You cannot simply destroy them. You must accept them."
Panting, Sheung stared at the encroaching monsters. His father's face seemed to flicker among the shadows, eyes full of blame.
"You're too weak. You'll never be enough."
Sheung's vision blurred. His brush wavered. But then he thought of Elder Hua… of the disciples waiting for a future.
He gritted his teeth. "I am afraid… but I'll keep going anyway!"
The shadows froze. One by one, they melted into golden mist, leaving the cavern quiet.
The dragon's voice boomed:
"First trial passed. Now… the fire of the blood."
Columns of flame erupted around Sheung, forming a blazing cage. The heat seared his skin.
"Only the true heir can endure the Dragonblood flames. Survive… or perish."
The fire roared closer. Sheung screamed as it engulfed him. His brush flared with blinding brilliance, protective seals spinning around him. Yet the heat penetrated everything, seeking his bones.
He felt his consciousness slip. Memories spilled into the flames: his grandfather's smile… Elder Hua's soft voice… Longyin's watchful presence…
No. I won't lose them.
Deep inside him, something roared awake—a surge of power older than his mortal flesh. Scales of golden light flickered across his skin. His blood pulsed like thunder.
The flames parted. The dragon lowered its massive head until its eye glimmered inches from Sheung.
"Blood recognized. Spirit proven. You… are worthy."
It exhaled, bathing Sheung in cool mist. The cavern brightened. Floating before him appeared a coiling golden scroll.
"Take it, Heir of Dragonblood. The first key to your legacy."
Trembling, Sheung reached out. As his fingers touched the scroll, knowledge flooded his mind—secrets of hidden arts, lost Fu, and the faint echo of his father's voice…
"I'm waiting for you, my son… deep within the heart."
Tears streamed down Sheung's cheeks. The dragon rumbled:
"There are deeper trials yet. But for now… live. And grow strong."
The cavern faded around him. Sheung collapsed onto the peach-blossom bridge above. Longyin caught him before he struck the stone.
She hovered, eyes shining. "You stubborn, reckless boy. You truly carry the Dragon's spirit."
Sheung gasped, exhausted, clutching the scroll to his chest. "I… I have to save my father. And the sect."
Above him, peach petals swirled, and far below, the Dragon's approving roar echoed through the Heart Palace halls.