The golden light burst out from Li Ming's chest like a small sun, pushing the shadows back. He stumbled two steps, blinking fast.

"Okay, seal… maybe not that bright. I like my eyeballs."

The hooded figure hissed, voice cold. "You cannot control it yet. Soon… it will consume everything."

Li Ming squinted through the glow. "Consume… everything? Can we start with snacks, then move up?"

Lan Yue's sword flashed beside him, cutting through a shadow tendril. "Li Ming, focus! That light—it listens to your will. Guide it!"

"Guide it?" Li Ming gulped. "What if it doesn't want to be guided?"

The seal pulsed again, golden threads swirling around him like ribbons. The ground cracked beneath his feet. Even the Borderlands trembled, as if waiting to see what chaos he'd cause this time.

Lan Yue gave a sharp nod. "Move forward. The altar is ahead."

Li Ming turned. In the distance, a dark altar rose, carved with glowing marks. Every pulse of his seal made the altar shimmer brighter.

"Of course," he muttered. "Scary altar in a spooky wasteland. Totally safe."

He took a step. Shadows lunged again, dozens of them, but the golden light flared, striking them down before they reached him. Li Ming blinked. "Oh? Hey! That wasn't so bad!"

Another tendril appeared—much bigger. It swung down like a mountain.

Li Ming yelped, diving aside as it smashed into the ground. Dust flew everywhere. He coughed, glaring. "Alright! That one was personal!"

Lan Yue sliced through the lingering darkness. "Breathe. Let the energy flow with your movements."

Li Ming tried to steady himself. The seal's energy moved in rhythm with his breath. The warmth spread through his chest, down to his arms. For once, it didn't feel wild. It felt… like it trusted him.

He raised his hands again. Golden light flowed outward, calm but strong. It pushed the smaller shadows away.

Bai Guo hovered nearby in human form, eyes wide. "Not bad, descendant. For someone who once lost to a chicken, you're doing alright."

Li Ming shot him a glare. "Now's not the time!"

"Agreed," Bai Guo said, but he didn't hide his grin.

Li Ming pushed forward, step by step, the altar drawing him closer. Each pulse of the seal made the ground rumble. The Borderlands themselves seemed alive, reacting to his presence.

The hooded figure raised both hands. "You awaken what should sleep. Foolish descendant!"

The shadows exploded upward. Black tendrils lashed in all directions. Li Ming didn't flinch this time. He thrust his hands forward, golden light streaming out, clashing with the dark energy midair.

Boom!

The collision sent shockwaves rippling. Dust whipped around him, but Li Ming held firm. His hair stuck out wildly, eyes blazing with golden reflections.

"Whoa… that actually worked!"

Lan Yue's lips curved slightly. "Then don't lose focus."

"Right! Focus! I'm totally… focused!" he said—just before tripping over a rock.

He caught himself, face red, and muttered, "That rock came out of nowhere."

Despite the chaos, the energy around him didn't fade. In fact, it steadied, matching his every move. He could feel it listening. Responding.

Lan Yue slashed another tendril aside. "You're getting used to it. The seal is syncing with you."

Li Ming blinked. "Syncing? Like… partners?"

"If that helps you focus, yes," she said simply.

He nodded, more confident. The golden threads around him thickened, spinning like a shield. Shadows struck it, but bounced away with loud cracks.

The hooded figure growled, cloak billowing. "You think you can stand against destiny?"

Li Ming wiped sweat from his brow. "Destiny? Sorry, I'm still trying to stand against gravity."

Lan Yue gestured forward. "The altar is reacting. Go!"

Li Ming turned. The altar glowed brighter, symbols pulsing like a heartbeat. The seal on his chest responded, golden veins of light linking him to it.

He took a step, then another. Shadows tried to block his path, but his light cleared the way. The ground trembled.

He could feel the altar calling to him now. The energy inside him roared in response.

The hooded figure hissed, throwing its hands out. Darkness surged again, forming a massive spear aimed straight for Li Ming's heart.

He braced himself. The seal flared, golden light spiraling around him.

For once, his body didn't freeze. His fear didn't take over.

He moved on instinct, golden threads whipping forward, colliding with the spear midair.

A blinding flash filled the Borderlands. The ground cracked, shadows shattered, and Li Ming stood tall, chest glowing like a star.

Lan Yue landed beside him, calm but alert. "Good. You've taken the first step."

Li Ming panted, chest heaving. "First step? How many steps are there?"

"Enough to keep you busy," Bai Guo muttered.

Li Ming groaned. "Figures…"

The altar pulsed again, brighter than before. The golden light around Li Ming grew wild, circling him faster. He clenched his fists, sweat dripping down his face.

"Alright," he muttered, steadying his breath. "Let's see what comes next."

----

The air vibrated. Symbols rose off the altar's surface, spinning around him in circles.

Lan Yue narrowed her eyes. "The altar's reacting to your seal. Stay calm."

Li Ming glanced at her, voice trembling. "You say that like this happens every day!"

The hooded figure hissed, cloak flaring. "You meddle in powers beyond you! The seal must remain locked!"

"Then why stick it on me?!" Li Ming shot back, pointing at his chest. "I'm just a normal—uh—mostly normal guy!"

Bai Guo crossed his arms, muttering, "Normal's not the word I'd use."

Li Ming ignored him, turning toward the altar. The symbols were moving faster now, spinning until they blurred into rings of light. The seal on his chest pulsed with the same rhythm, pulling his body forward.

Lan Yue took a step closer, sword ready. "If you feel anything strange, tell me immediately."

"I already feel strange!" Li Ming shouted over the noise. "Everything's spinning!"

The light swirled around him, tightening into a vortex. He tried to hold his ground, but his feet slid on the shaking floor.

Bai Guo's feathers fluffed up. "Descendant! You're syncing too fast! You'll—"

Before he could finish, the altar flashed.

Boom!

A wave of energy shot outward, tossing all three back. Li Ming crashed to one knee, golden sparks flying from his hands. His chest burned where the seal lay, the mark shining through his robe.

"Okay," he coughed, "that hurt."

When the dust settled, the altar had changed. Its surface was split open, revealing an inner chamber—glowing faintly, filled with mist. And at the center, a faint shape floated.

It looked like… a dragon.

Li Ming blinked hard. "Is… that a lizard?!"

Lan Yue's eyes widened. "No. That's a fragment of the seal's source."

The hooded figure froze mid-step. "Impossible… it's awakening."

The mist curled outward, and for a second, Li Ming swore he heard a voice—a deep rumble, ancient and tired.

"Who dares…"

The words echoed directly inside his head. Li Ming stiffened. "Oh great. Now I'm hearing voices!"

The golden light around him flickered wildly. His heartbeat matched its rhythm—fast, uneven, like two forces pulling him in different directions.

Lan Yue rushed forward. "Li Ming! Focus! Don't let it control you!"

"I'm trying!" He pressed his hand against his chest. The energy inside was swirling too fast, tugging at his thoughts. His mind filled with images he didn't understand—ruins, storms, and eyes glowing gold.

The hooded figure stepped closer. "You cannot contain it. The seal will devour you!"

"Yeah, you keep saying that!" Li Ming yelled, staggering backward. "Maybe suggest something useful next time!"

The seal flared brighter—too bright. The ground cracked again. The Borderlands' sky turned gold and black, lightning flashing between the clouds.

Bai Guo darted forward, wings beating fast. "Descendant! You need to anchor your mind! Think of something peaceful!"

"Peaceful?!" Li Ming shouted, gripping his head. "I'm being roasted alive by cosmic light!"

Lan Yue's aura surged, trying to stabilize the area, but even she was pushed back a step. "Li Ming, if you lose control now—"

"I know!" he gasped. "I'm trying to not explode!"

The energy around him pulsed one final time—then everything stopped.

The air froze. The shadows disappeared. The altar fell silent.

Li Ming blinked. "Wait… did I do it?"

For a brief moment, peace settled over the ruins. The golden glow dimmed, fading back into his chest.

Li Ming let out a shaky laugh. "Ha… I think it's over—"

The ground rumbled again.

He froze. "...Oh no."

A crack ran through the altar's base, and dark mist poured out. Not like the earlier shadows—this one was heavier, colder, alive.

Lan Yue's face hardened. "This isn't the same energy."

The hooded figure took a step back, voice trembling. "You've… awakened the gate!"

Li Ming blinked rapidly. "Gate? What gate?!"

The dark mist swirled faster, forming a vortex beneath the altar. Shapes moved inside—vague silhouettes, whispering, clawing at the edges.

Bai Guo's feathers puffed. "Uh… descendant? You might've just opened… something really bad."

Li Ming's mouth went dry. "Oh come on! I just closed one mess!"

The wind howled through the Borderlands, dragging loose stones and dust into the spinning void. The air thickened, cold and sharp.

Lan Yue pulled Li Ming back. "Stay behind me."

He glanced at her, heart racing. "Lan Yue… what's happening?"

She didn't answer immediately, eyes locked on the swirling mist. Then she whispered,

"…We need to leave. Now."

Li Ming blinked. "What? Why?!"

The hooded figure's cloak tore in the wind, voice breaking. "You've woken what sleeps beneath the Borderlands. The seal is only the key. The gate—"

A deep rumble cut him off. From inside the mist, something knocked—a sound that shook the entire wasteland.

Li Ming froze. "…Was that… knocking?"

Lan Yue's grip tightened on her sword. "Li Ming… whatever's behind that gate… it's waking up."

The seal on his chest pulsed once more—slow, steady.

Li Ming's throat went dry. "Oh no."

The mist began to part, revealing a pair of golden eyes staring from the darkness.

Everything went silent.

Then—

Boom!

The altar split apart.

A roar shook the Borderlands.

And Li Ming whispered, eyes wide—

"…What did I just unleash?"

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