The Trial Grounds were not calm. Every step Chen Ho took sank into ground that seemed to breathe, and every tree shook even though there was no wind.
The Phoenix on his shoulder had been shaking since dawn. Its feathers burned a bright gold-red, brighter than ever, and each spark floated up like stars breaking free of gravity.
Chen Ho held on to the Dragon Scale in his pouch even tighter. The piece pulsed softly, shaking in time with the tremors below.
The map's inked lines stopped in a blank area with no paths or marks. Only a faint note written by someone else said, "Deep Current."
He still stepped forward.
The Secret Basin
The forest ended in a wide basin. There was a pool of molten fire and liquid silver in the middle of it all. The two never mixed, but they clashed. The steam rose in waves, bringing with it the smell of rain and lightning.
The Phoenix screamed and spread its wings wide. Flames shot out of its body, responding to the pool without thinking.
The ground shook after that.
Bubbles the size of carts popped up from the hot surface. There was a low rumble across the basin, not sound but weight pressing into bone.
Chen Ho stopped moving. He couldn't breathe.
The pool broke apart.
The Dragon Shows Up
A huge shape rose from the hot water. Its scales were black-green with gold streaks, its horns curled like storm clouds, and its eyes glowed a faint silver.
A baby dragon.
Its body curled up, huge even in its early stages. It was covered in smoke and steam.
The Phoenix screamed again, the fire got hotter, and its wings shook—not out of fear, but out of recognition.
The Dragon's eyes moved. Silver's eyes were fixed on Chen Ho and the Phoenix next to him.
For a moment, everything stopped—wind, heat, and even thought.
Chen Ho's hidden awakenings flared up under his ribs, and four SSS talents hummed as if the Dragon's gaze had peeled them bare.
The Dragon growled. The ground broke. Lightning moved across the hot pool.
Acknowledgment
The Phoenix shot up into the air, flames swirling around it. It flew in circles over the Dragon, its cry sharp, piercing, full of defiance and desire.
The Dragon turned its head and let out a cloud of steam that smelled like rain. For a moment, its huge body dropped a little, as if it were acknowledging the smaller flame in front of it.
Chen Ho's heart raced. They are familiar with each other. Not by memory, but by bloodline.
He moved forward, but the Dragon's eyes went back to him. The pressure made the air so dense that it forced him to his knees.
Not mad. Not a threat. A warning.
Not yet.
Suspense
The Dragon stood up and coiled back into the hot pool. Its body disappeared under silver and fire, leaving behind ripples that looked like cracks in the world.
The Phoenix landed on Chen Ho's shoulder, its feathers on fire and its chest rising and falling quickly.
Chen Ho let out a long breath, and every muscle in his body was tense and alive.
He felt the Dragon Scale in his pocket. It pulsed once and then stopped.
He whispered the name "Su Jie," which had come to him out of nowhere. "I'll find you again."
The clouds rumbled above. Thunder rolled through the basin, promising more storms to come.
Chen Ho turned around and walked away, his steps steady. There were still beasts to kill, loot to collect, and enemies to silence in the Trial Grounds.
But now he was sure.
The Phoenix was not by itself.
And fate had already made up his mind.