THE TRIAL OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR
1617 Words
The first rays of dawn pierced the mist surrounding Dragon Mountain (**). Ancient bells echoed through the Hidden Dragon Clan's sanctuary as disciples hurried across the stone courtyards. The atmosphere was unusually tense.
Li Chen stood alone before the massive dragon statue in the Hall of Ancestors. The Dragon Emperor Ring (***) glowed faintly on his finger, as though responding to the ancient spiritual energy surrounding him.
Behind him, footsteps echoed across the polished stone floor.
Elder Long entered with Elder Han and six other clan elders.
"Young Master," Elder Long said solemnly, "today is the day of your first trial."
Li Chen turned.
"What kind of trial?"
"The trial every Dragon Emperor must face before leading the Hidden Dragon Clan."
He pointed toward the giant dragon statue.
"For thousands of years, every successor has been tested here. Some succeeded."
His expression darkened.
"Many did not."
Li Chen remained calm.
"What happens if I fail?"
The elders exchanged uneasy glances.
Finally, Elder Han answered.
"The Dragon Emperor Ring will reject you."
"The clan will lose its rightful leader."
"And the Shadow Alliance will stop at nothing until every member of our bloodline is destroyed."
Silence filled the hall.
Li Chen looked at the ancient statue.
"I'll take the trial."
Elder Long smiled with approval.
"I expected nothing less."
He raised both hands.
The dragon statue trembled violently.
Golden light spread across the floor, forming an enormous circle beneath Li Chen's feet.
Ancient runes appeared one after another, shining with brilliant light.
A deep voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Successor of the Dragon Emperor..."
"State your purpose."
The voice was so powerful that even the elders instinctively lowered their heads.
Li Chen stepped forward.
"I seek strength."
The light dimmed.
The mysterious voice spoke again.
"Strength... for what purpose?"
Li Chen closed his eyes.
Images flashed through his mind.
The Su Family mocking him.
Su Xinyi defending him despite the insults.
His grandfather's final smile.
The innocent people of Jiang City.
He opened his eyes.
"I seek strength to protect."
The dragon statue roared.
A beam of golden light shot into the sky before descending directly onto Li Chen.
The hall disappeared.
When Li Chen opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in an endless white world.
There was no sky.
No earth.
Only silence.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
He turned.
An elderly man wearing golden robes approached with slow, steady steps.
His long white hair flowed behind him like silver silk.
Although Li Chen had never met him before...
He immediately knew who the man was.
"The First Dragon Emperor..."
The old man smiled.
"You inherited more than my blood."
"You inherited my burden."
Li Chen bowed respectfully.
"It is an honour."
The First Dragon Emperor studied him carefully.
"You've suffered greatly."
"I chose that path myself," Li Chen replied.
The old man nodded.
"Most men who gain power desire revenge."
"Do you?"
Li Chen answered without hesitation.
"No."
The First Dragon Emperor seemed pleased.
"Why not?"
"Because revenge never heals yesterday."
"It only creates more pain tomorrow."
For the first time, the ancient emperor laughed.
"A good answer."
He raised one hand.
The white world suddenly changed.
Li Chen found himself standing inside the Su Family banquet hall once again.
Everything appeared exactly as it had on Old Madam Su's birthday.
The laughter.
The insults.
The humiliation.
Even Su Hao stood in front of him with the same arrogant smile.
"So," Su Hao sneered.
"The useless son-in-law is back."
Li Chen frowned.
"This isn't real."
"No," the First Dragon Emperor's voice echoed through the illusion.
"But your emotions are."
Old Madam Su pointed her cane toward him.
"Throw him out."
Several relatives rushed toward Li Chen.
This time...
He possessed the power to defeat every one of them.
One strike would be enough.
His hand slowly reached for the Dragon Soul Sword.
Then he stopped.
Instead of drawing the sword...
He simply stepped aside.
The relatives passed through him like smoke before disappearing.
The banquet hall collapsed into countless fragments of light.
The First Dragon Emperor appeared once more.
"Why didn't you fight?"
Li Chen smiled faintly.
"Because they were never my true enemies."
"They were only ordinary people blinded by pride."
"If I use my strength against the weak..."
"I don't deserve it."
The old emperor's eyes shone with approval.
"The first trial is nearly complete."
"But one final question remains."
His expression became serious.
"If one day..."
"You must choose between saving the world..."
"...or saving the woman you love..."
"What will you do?"
Li Chen stood silently.
It was the most difficult question he had ever faced.
His answer would determine not only his future...
But the fate of the Dragon Emperor himself.
Silence filled the endless white world.
The First Dragon Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, patiently waiting for Li Chen's answer.
The question weighed heavily on Li Chen's heart.
"If one day you must choose between saving the world... or saving the woman you love... what will you do?"
For a long moment, he remained silent.
He thought of Su Xinyi (***)—the only person who had stood beside him when everyone else mocked him. She had never cared about wealth or status. Even when the entire Su Family treated him like a burden, she had defended him without hesitation.
He also thought of the countless innocent people living peaceful lives, unaware that an ancient war was beginning to unfold around them.
Finally, Li Chen looked into the old emperor's eyes.
"I don't believe those are the only two choices."
The First Dragon Emperor raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Li Chen nodded.
"If I become strong enough, I will protect both."
"If destiny forces me to choose, then I will fight against destiny itself."
For several seconds, the old emperor said nothing.
Then a warm smile spread across his face.
"Exactly as your grandfather answered many years ago."
The white world dissolved into golden light.
The dragon statue reappeared before Li Chen, but it was no longer made of stone. It had transformed into a magnificent golden dragon whose eyes shone like two blazing suns.
The dragon lowered its enormous head.
"Successor..."
"You have passed the Trial of the Heart."
The Dragon Emperor Ring burst with brilliant light.
Ancient golden symbols circled around Li Chen before disappearing into his body.
A surge of pure spiritual energy flowed through every meridian.
His cultivation advanced instantly.
Elder Long and the others, who had been watching from outside the illusion, gasped in amazement.
"He broke through!"
"The Young Master has reached the Second Dragon Realm!"
Powerful spiritual pressure swept across the sanctuary, causing every disciple to stop what they were doing.
Even the ancient dragon bells rang on their own.
Li Chen slowly opened his eyes.
Everything around him seemed clearer than before. He could hear distant footsteps, feel the flow of spiritual energy beneath the mountain, and sense every living presence within the sanctuary.
The First Dragon Emperor's voice echoed one final time.
"Power without wisdom destroys kingdoms."
"Power guided by compassion protects generations."
"Never forget who you are."
The voice faded.
The golden dragon returned to stone.
The hall became quiet once more.
Elder Long stepped forward with excitement written across his face.
"Young Master, in over three hundred years, no successor has passed the first trial so quickly."
Li Chen shook his head.
"I still have much to learn."
"And that," Elder Han said with a smile, "is why you will become a great leader."
Before anyone could celebrate further, the Dragon Command Token hanging from Elder Long's waist began flashing red.
His expression immediately changed.
"This is impossible..."
A young disciple burst into the hall, breathing heavily.
"Elder Long!"
"The eastern watchtower has been attacked!"
"What?"
"The Shadow Alliance has breached our outer defensive barrier!"
The elders instantly drew their weapons.
Outside, warning bells echoed throughout Dragon Mountain.
Disciples rushed toward the mountain gates while spiritual formations lit up across the sanctuary.
Li Chen walked toward the entrance of the hall.
"What is happening?"
Elder Han looked into the distance.
"They're testing our defenses."
"No..."
Elder Long corrected him, his voice grim.
"They're searching for you."
At that moment, a thunderous explosion shook the mountain.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
One of the sanctuary's protective barriers shattered like glass.
A chilling laugh echoed through the valley.
"Li Chen!"
A powerful voice boomed across Dragon Mountain.
"You defeated Blood Wolf."
"Now face someone worthy of carrying the Shadow King's name."
An overwhelming dark aura swept across the sanctuary.
Many younger disciples collapsed to their knees, unable to withstand the pressure.
Li Chen narrowed his eyes.
Standing on a distant cliff was a tall man dressed in black armour. A crimson cape fluttered behind him, and a massive black spear rested in his hand.
His face was hidden behind a dragon-shaped mask.
Elder Long's expression darkened.
"It's him..."
"The First Shadow King..."
Li Chen gripped the hilt of the Dragon Soul Sword.
For the first time since inheriting the Dragon Emperor's legacy, he felt the presence of a truly terrifying opponent.
The masked warrior slowly pointed his spear toward Dragon Mountain.
"I'll give you one chance."
"Hand over the Dragon Emperor Ring..."
"...or watch everyone in this sanctuary die."
A fierce mountain wind swept across the battlefield.
Li Chen took one step forward.
His golden aura erupted around him.
"I've spent three years enduring humiliation to protect the people I love."
"I'm not about to surrender now."
The Shadow King laughed.
"Excellent."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
The battle for Dragon Mountain was about to begin.
- Writer
