The Coiled Dragon’s Legacy

The first light of dawn barely touched the horizon, yet the world already bristled with tension. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, the trees looming like silent sentinels around Li Feng and Mei Lian as they crouched behind a dense thicket. The events of the night still pulsed in their minds—the shrine's collapse, the shadows that had pursued them, the strange energy that still hummed through the jade ring pressed against Li Feng's chest.

Mei Lian studied their surroundings with practiced precision, her keen green eyes darting between the trees. "We need to keep moving," she murmured, adjusting the grip on her dagger. "Shen Longwei's men won't stop searching just because we had a head start."

Li Feng nodded, though exhaustion threatened to drag him down. His body ached from the relentless pace they had maintained since fleeing the shrine. He clutched the small, ornate box they had retrieved, its weight a burden both physical and symbolic. "Where do we go now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mei Lian exhaled sharply. "There's a town a few days' walk from here—Huangbei. If we can make it there, we might find shelter and answers. But getting there won't be easy. The Scarlet Iron Sect will have spread their forces through the region."

Li Feng tightened his grip on the box. "Then we move carefully."

A sudden rustling in the underbrush sent both of them into alert stances. Mei Lian's dagger was in her hand before Li Feng could even blink. He reached for a nearby branch, his fingers wrapping around the rough bark as he prepared to defend himself.

From the darkness of the forest, a figure emerged. Cloaked in a deep blue robe, the man moved with an eerie silence. His face was partially hidden beneath a hood, but Li Feng could see the faint glimmer of wisdom in his eyes. His presence was not threatening, but it was commanding.

"You carry something that does not belong to you," the man said, his voice a smooth blend of authority and mystery.

Mei Lian's grip on her dagger tightened. "And who are you to say that?"

The man smiled, his gaze shifting to Li Feng. "I am Master Zheng Wei, guardian of the ancient ways. And you, young warrior, have awakened a force beyond your understanding."

Li Feng's heart pounded. "You know what this is?" He held up the box, its delicate engravings catching the dim morning light.

Zheng Wei nodded. "Indeed. And you are not the only one who seeks it. If you truly wish to fulfill your destiny, you must learn what it is you now protect."

Mei Lian glanced between them, skepticism in her sharp gaze. "And why should we trust you?"

The old master chuckled, stepping closer. "Because, child, without my guidance, the power you hold will consume you before Shen Longwei ever lays a hand on it."

A tense silence settled over them. Li Feng exchanged a glance with Mei Lian. They had spent so much time running, fighting to survive—but understanding the truth of his legacy had never been an option. Now, with this mysterious figure before them, the chance lay within his grasp.

Li Feng swallowed hard. "Then teach me."

Zheng Wei's eyes gleamed with knowing. "Then follow me, young dragon. Time is shorter than you think."

As the sun finally broke through the trees, casting golden light across the damp forest floor, Li Feng took his first step toward a path far greater than mere survival.

And deep within the shadows, unseen eyes watched, waiting.