Secrets Beneath the Stone

The deeper they ventured into the Abyssal Forest, the more unnatural the landscape became. Han Tianlong could feel the oppressive weight of something ancient pressing down upon him, as if the forest itself were a living entity, observing their every move. His grandmother, though silent, appeared just as tense, her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings as they moved with caution.

The forest floor, once covered in thick moss and foliage, gradually gave way to patches of bare, dark earth. Strange, jagged stones jutted out from the ground at odd angles, some etched with symbols that seemed to pulse with a faint, ethereal light. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and decay, yet Tianlong felt an odd pull in his chest, like a string guiding him forward.

"We're close," his grandmother said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Tianlong glanced at her, noticing the strain in her voice. She had grown pale over the last few hours, her movements slower and more deliberate. The journey was clearly taking its toll on her frail body, but her determination was unwavering.

He nodded, though the growing sense of unease gnawed at him. "The ruins?"

His grandmother's gaze shifted ahead, to where the dense trees gave way to a clearing. "Yes. But these ruins are not ordinary. The stories say they belong to an era long forgotten, when cultivators could manipulate the very fabric of reality. What we seek… lies deep within."

Tianlong followed her gaze, his pulse quickening. The trees parted to reveal a massive stone structure, half-buried in the earth. It was ancient, its surface covered in thick vines and moss, yet the intricate carvings on its surface were still visible, untouched by time. The entrance to the ruin was a gaping maw of darkness, like a void that swallowed all light.

As they approached the entrance, a sudden chill ran down Tianlong's spine. There was something about this place that felt wrong—something otherworldly. He hesitated, his hand instinctively moving toward the blade at his side.

His grandmother placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch light but firm. "Be cautious, Tianlong. The power that lies within these ruins is not something to be taken lightly. It has been sealed for a reason."

Tianlong nodded, though his unease only grew stronger. Together, they stepped into the entrance of the ruin, the darkness enveloping them like a thick fog. The air inside was cold, unnaturally so, and carried the faint scent of something metallic.

The stone corridor stretched ahead of them, lit by the faint glow of the strange symbols etched into the walls. Their footsteps echoed eerily in the stillness. As they walked, Tianlong couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a large chamber. At the center of the room stood an ancient stone altar, its surface covered in dust and cobwebs. Surrounding the altar were towering stone pillars, each adorned with intricate carvings of celestial beings and arcane symbols. In the air, a heavy, palpable energy pulsed, as though the ruin itself was alive.

"This is it," his grandmother whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anticipation. "The place where it all began."

Tianlong stepped closer to the altar, his heart pounding in his chest. There was something here—something calling out to him. As he approached, he felt the familiar pull of the tablet in his pack, its energy growing stronger. He reached for it, hesitating only briefly before pulling it out.

The moment the tablet was exposed, the air in the chamber shifted. A low hum reverberated through the stone walls, and the symbols on the altar began to glow with a soft, golden light. Tianlong's breath caught in his throat as the tablet seemed to resonate with the ancient structure, its surface vibrating with barely contained energy.

"What… is this place?" he murmured, his eyes wide as he watched the symbols light up one by one.

His grandmother stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the altar. "This is a place of ancient power, Tianlong. A temple dedicated to those who sought the Dao—the path to immortality. But it is also a place of great danger. The energies here are not meant for mortal hands."

Tianlong's grip tightened on the tablet, his mind racing. The power he felt now was far beyond anything he had experienced before. It was overwhelming, intoxicating—and terrifying. He could feel it pulling at him, urging him to unlock its secrets.

As he stood there, the tablet's surface began to change. The once faded characters etched into the stone tablet glowed with an intensity that filled the chamber with a warm, pulsating light. Before Tianlong could react, the tablet emitted a soft hum, and a stream of light shot out from it, hitting the altar.

The light cascaded over the stone surface, illuminating a hidden compartment beneath the dust. Slowly, the compartment slid open with a soft click, revealing a small, weathered scroll lying within.

Tianlong exchanged a glance with his grandmother, both of them wary. But he couldn't deny the pull—this scroll was the key, he could feel it. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and picked it up.

The moment his fingers touched the parchment, a surge of energy shot through him. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to dissolve into a sea of stars. Time and space lost meaning as he was pulled into a vast, swirling vortex of light.

When his vision cleared, Tianlong found himself standing in a vast, ethereal landscape. The sky above was a deep, endless void, filled with shimmering constellations. Before him stood a towering figure, cloaked in robes of pure light. Its face was obscured, but its presence radiated an overwhelming sense of power and authority.

"You have come," the figure said, its voice echoing in Tianlong's mind. "You are the one chosen to inherit the Eternal Dao."

Tianlong's heart raced. The Eternal Dao… He had heard whispers of it in ancient texts, tales of a cultivation path that transcended all others, a path to true immortality. But those were just legends, stories passed down through generations. Could it really be real?

"What… What does this mean?" Tianlong asked, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe.

The figure raised a hand, and a stream of golden light flowed from its fingertips, enveloping Tianlong in warmth. "The Eternal Dao is not just a path—it is a destiny. To walk this path is to defy the heavens, to stand against the very forces of fate. But beware, for the price of power is great."

As the light flowed through him, Tianlong felt something within him shift. His body, his very soul, seemed to expand, resonating with the energy of the Eternal Dao. Visions of the future flashed before his eyes—battles, betrayals, unimaginable power, and a lonely figure standing atop the heavens.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the vision ended. Tianlong was back in the chamber, the scroll clutched tightly in his hands. His body trembled, the weight of what he had just experienced pressing down on him.

"Tianlong?" his grandmother's voice broke through the haze, her face filled with concern.

He looked at her, his eyes still wide with shock. "The Eternal Dao… It's real."

His grandmother's expression shifted, a mix of fear and understanding crossing her face. "Then your path is set, my grandson. But be warned, the power you now seek is coveted by many. You must be stronger, smarter, and more cautious than ever before."

Tianlong nodded, though the enormity of what he had just learned still weighed heavily on him. The Eternal Dao had chosen him, but at what cost? As they left the ruin, his mind was already racing with the possibilities—and the dangers—that lay ahead.