The twilight sky bathed the world in a golden hue as Li Yun and Zhiya rested inside one of the sheltering caves along the southern cliffs of the Silent Stone City ruins. After the battle against the members of the Blood Night Pavilion, Li Yun's body had yet to fully recover. But his mind was far more restless than his wounds—heritage scrolls, bloodline power, and the hidden threats lurking beneath the ancient ruins weighed heavily on his thoughts.
Zhiya was inspecting the protective formation outside the cave, when suddenly—
Ssshhk.
The air trembled faintly. The space in front of the cave shimmered, like a shadow being torn apart. From that tear emerged a tall man clad in white robes, with long silver hair and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. Beneath his dust-covered cloak was a symbol in the shape of a closed eye, the emblem of a mysterious organization rarely spoken of even among the elders of the sects: the Order of the Inner Eye.
Zhiya tensed. "You…"
The man looked at Zhiya, then turned to Li Yun, who was now struggling to stand.
"So this is the boy… He resembles his father, but he's too young."
Li Yun frowned. "Who are you?"
The figure stepped inside, unhurried, as if knowing no one would attack him.
"My name is Ji Luowen, last disciple of the Third Pillar's Guardian." His gaze locked onto Li Yun. "And I'm here... to observe whether your clan's blood still deserves to be called a flame of legacy."
Zhiya moved between them. "You're too early. He's not ready."
Ji Luowen did not flinch. "The world won't wait for him to be ready."
Despite his weariness, Li Yun took a step forward. "If you were sent by those watching over my clan… then you should know—this isn't about being worthy or not. It's about who can endure."
Ji Luowen narrowed his eyes, then gave a faint smile. "Good answer."
He tossed a small scroll toward Li Yun, who caught it swiftly.
"This formation… can open one of three legacy paths hidden within these ruins. But only one path suits you. The other two... will kill you."
Zhiya cried out, "You're insane! He's not strong enough yet!"
But Ji Luowen was already walking away, his figure dissolving into a veil of light and shadow. Before vanishing, his voice echoed softly:
"If you survive, we'll meet again. If not… then let the world forget one more hope."
Li Yun sat in silence for a long time, staring at the scroll. Three symbols were etched upon its surface: Lightning, Blood, and Soul.
Zhiya looked at him, worried. "You don't have to try this now."
"But I will," Li Yun said softly. "If not now, then when will I take my own step forward?"
Slowly, he selected the symbol of Blood.
As soon as the scroll was opened—crimson light burst forth, enveloping Li Yun's body and pulling him into a small dimensional vortex. When he regained awareness, he was already standing in the center of a stone circle, surrounded by nine giant statues, half-crumbling and ancient.
"This… is the legacy chamber."
A deep voice echoed through the air. It wasn't a human voice, but the resonance of a spirit.
"Remaining heir of the blood… prove yourself."
Eight of the nine statues raised their hands. Each unleashed a spiritual energy attack of a different element—water, earth, fire, wind, lightning, light, darkness, and metal. Only one statue remained still: the ninth, with a bloody eye symbol carved into its chest.
Li Yun summoned all his spiritual energy, enduring wave after wave. Each element tested his body, mind, and will.
Just as he was about to collapse, suddenly—
Boom!
One of the attacks struck the seal on his chest. His blood flared, and the aura of his clan—sealed until now—burst open a crack.
The ninth statue moved. From its hand, a crimson vortex emerged, fusing into Li Yun's body.
In an instant, all pain turned into heat.
And in his mind, the voice of his ancestor spoke for the first time:
"Child of the Final Ember… the legacy has not faded. Rise now, the last flame of Crimson Sky."
Meanwhile, outside the legacy chamber, Zhiya gazed at the night sky as clouds began to gather. Her heart was uneasy, but she remained waiting. In the distance, another figure watched from the shadows.
A young girl with bluish-silver hair, wrapped in a cloak of violet night wind, smiled faintly.
"So this is him… Li Yun."
She turned around. Beneath her cloak, the symbol of an ice-clawed bird could be seen—the emblem of a clan that had once been the bitter enemy of the Crimson Sky Clan.
And soon, their pasts would cross once again—beyond the fate they once knew.