EXT. WU DAN MOUNTAINS - LATER
The path is a narrow, treacherous ledge on the side of a towering cliff. Master Yang moves with effortless grace. Po, while keeping up, is panting dramatically.
PO: "You know, for a mystical journey... to unlock ancient secrets... it involves a lot more walking than I expected. And a lot less... dumpling carts. Are you sure the universe couldn't have just, you know, faxed the secrets over?"
Master Yang continues in silence, a tiny, patient smile on his lips. Po sighs, then his expression turns serious. He knows now is the time to ask.
PO: "Master Yang... I have to tell you something. Last night, in the archives... I found a scroll. It was hidden away."
Master Yang listens, his long ears twitching in the wind.
PO: "It had a symbol on it, a glowing bird, and it talked about a power... a state of being... called the Celestial Phoenix."
Master Yang stops dead in his tracks. For the first time, his ancient composure is broken by a look of pure, unadulterated shock.
MASTER YANG: (His voice a stunned whisper) "The... Celestial Phoenix? That cannot be. It is a myth. A fairy tale whispered among the first masters, lost to time. My father searched for that legend his entire life. He believed it was the true peak of kung fu, but he never found proof it was real."
PO: "It is real, Master! I have it right here!"
To prove himself, Po takes out that very scroll from his sash and proudly hands it to Master Yang. "Look! It talks about three 'Great Keys'..."
Master Yang takes the ancient scroll with a sense of reverence. He unrolls it. But as he reads, his expression shifts from awe to confusion, and then to deep disappointment.
MASTER YANG: "Po... this is a simple maintenance manual. It's a treatise on waxing training dummies." He looks at Po with concern, as if worried the panda is unwell. He doesn't take it seriously.
PO: (His face falling, completely baffled) "What? No! It can't be! It was right here, I know it had that text!"
He takes the scroll back from Yang. As his own paws touch the parchment, his eyes go wide. The text changes for him only. The mundane words about floor wax fade away, and the elegant, glowing script of the Celestial Phoenix prophecy reappears. He can read the text, but nobody else can. He holds it back out to Yang.
PO: "Look! See? 'The Path of the Celestial Phoenix is unlocked by Three Great Keys'..."
Master Yang looks at the scroll, but all he sees is Po pointing excitedly at a manual about training dummies. He looks from the ordinary scroll to the look of pure, genuine awe on Po's face and finally understands. This is not a trick. This is a destiny so profound, he cannot even witness it himself.
A look of awe washes over Yang's face.
MASTER YANG: "I... I see."
He looks at Po, no longer as a student, but as a vessel for a power beyond his comprehension.
MASTER YANG: "Then this is a path you must walk alone, Spiritual Leader. I have no knowledge of these keys. It seems the universe has chosen you for a trial beyond even the Mystical Secrets."
He looks ahead, his resolve hardening.
MASTER YANG: "This makes our purpose here even more critical. I will teach you everything my father taught me. I will make your body and your chi a fortress. That is all I can do. But the Phoenix... that is a power only you can find."
With a shared, determined look, they continue their journey. They walk a few more steps along the cliff edge until they come around a corner. Before them, the vista opens up. They have arrived.
They stand on the edge of a high ridge, looking down upon the Wu Dan Valley. It is a mystical, breathtaking place. Waterfalls seem to flow upwards into floating, moss-covered islands that hang in the misty air. The very atmosphere hums with ancient energy. Po stares, speechless.
PO: (In a hushed whisper) "Whoa..."
Master Yang stands beside him, looking out at the valley with reverence.
MASTER YANG: (His voice deep with significance) "This is the source. The heart of kung fu. Now, your training begins."