After the Heavenly Sect had settled and Rayan regained control over matters, he had no idea that an ancient secret was about to emerge.
In recent days, the three disciples noticed strange phenomena within the sect—mysterious energy seeping through the walls, a faint blue light flickering in some of the old corridors, and a low hum echoing in the air without any clear source. At first, everyone thought it was just an illusion, but when some ancient stones began to move on their own, Rayan realized that something unnatural was happening.
"The seal is beginning to weaken..."
Those were the words of the Celestial Dragon, who stood beside Rayan as they both observed the strange aura gathering in one of the sect's forgotten wings.
That night, as Rayan inspected the old parts of the sect, he felt an unfamiliar energy flowing from one of the ancient stone buildings. That wing had been sealed for a long time, and no one dared approach it.
When he slowly pushed the door open, the darkness revealed a massive stone gate etched with ancient inscriptions glowing with a mysterious blue light. The engraved spells evoked a sense of dread and awe, as if warning anyone from attempting to open it.
Rayan took a deep breath and looked at the Celestial Dragon, who was watching the gate with narrowed eyes.
"What is this place?"
The Celestial Dragon looked at him for a moment before replying:
"This gate has been sealed since the golden age of the sect. Behind it lies a secret that was never meant to be revealed again."
Rayan's eyes gleamed. If this place held a dangerous power, then it surely also held ancient knowledge he could benefit from.
"If there's a buried secret here… I'll be the first to uncover it."
Before Rayan could touch the gate, a faint light appeared before him, and a semi-transparent figure began to form. It was an old man in a heavenly robe, his eyes filled with indescribable wisdom.
"At last… a new heir to the Heavenly Sect."
Rayan instantly knew that this was the spirit of one of the ancient ancestors.
"Who are you?"
The old man chuckled softly.
"I am the second Formation Master of the Heavenly Sect. I was responsible for building most of its defenses, and also… for sealing this gate."
Rayan pointed to the gate with a serious expression.
"Why was it sealed? And what lies behind it?"
The old man's face grew solemn, and he replied in a low voice:
"Behind this gate lies something dangerous… but also the greatest trial a sect leader can face."
"A trial?"
The old man nodded.
"Every leader of the Heavenly Sect has had to face this challenge before being truly acknowledged. It is the test of true inheritance, and no one has managed to complete it throughout the ages…"
Rayan stood before the gate, feeling the weight of the old man's words. If this was the true trial of a leader, then there was no reason to hesitate.
He raised his hand and released his heavenly energy toward the engraved inscriptions. The moment his energy touched the stone, a strong blue flash erupted, and the gate began to tremble slowly.
The three disciples who witnessed the scene stepped back, while Rayan remained firm, watching the gate open slowly, revealing a mysterious dark passage that extended deep into the earth.
Rayan looked at the Celestial Dragon, who said nothing but gave him a nod, signaling that he should proceed.
Rayan took a deep breath, then stepped into the passage, knowing that what awaited inside would change his destiny forever...
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