The ancient, profound voice of the massive dragon echoed directly within the divine sense of the five individuals—not through sound, but through a type of primordial soul communion. It carried no killing intent, yet harbored the majesty of the ages, the vicissitudes of an entity that had witnessed the rise and fall of an entire civilization.
The ferocious Chaos Beasts, upon hearing that voice, grew even more terrified. They dared not growl, silently retreating deeper into the pitch-black abyss, like trembling subjects before their sovereign.
On the crystalline path, the air seemed to freeze. Trinh Cong and Ly Tin had entirely lost their capacity for thought, only able to stare dumbfoundedly at the magnificent creature before them. Lam Vy hid behind her grandfather's back, one hand tightly gripping the Lac Bird pottery shard, the other clutching the hem of Tran Kien's robes; her eyes held a mix of fear and boundless curiosity.
Uncle Kiem was the sole person able to maintain his composure. He withdrew his sword intent, clasped his hands, and bowed solemnly—a bow of a junior to a Senior who had lived for millennia. "This junior is of the Duke Dingguo's Mansion, escorting the Young Lady here. Might I ask how Senior is addressed?"
The giant dragon slowly lowered its ferocious head, its golden eyes, as large as two small suns, staring straight at them. Finally, its gaze rested upon Tran Kien, who was still maintaining the "Guardian" halo.
"I have no name," the voice echoed once more. "The ancient people of Lac Viet called me the Dragon Guardian — Keeper of the Heart of the Dragon. I have been here, in this solitary world, waiting for you all... for over three thousand years."
"Three thousand years?" Ly Tin muttered in horror. Could a living creature truly exist for so long?
"This world," the Dragon Guardian seemingly read their thoughts, "is not a place that adheres to the temporal laws of the outside world. It is a 'Minor World', a 'Secret Realm' forged by the greatest Grand Magi of Lac Viet, using their very life force and the power of the Dragon Vein."
The massive dragon raised its head, looking toward the crimson crystal slowly pulsating at the center of the mountain.
"That which you call the 'Heart of the Dragon' is not merely an energy crystal. It is the core of the Dai Viet's Dragon Vein, the genesis of life and the providence of an entire nation. Your ancestors, fearing that one day their legacy and bloodline would be annihilated by their foes, utilized a great divine ability to sever the core of the Dragon Vein, concealing it within this 'Minor World', and created me, a covenant beast, to be its keeper."
Only now did Tran Kien understand everything. The ancient waterways, the holy land, the subterranean world... they were all layers of protection, gateways leading to this most absolute core secret. He looked at the dragon before him, a sense of deep reverence swelling in his heart. A covenant, a vigil lasting three thousand years. Such loyalty and righteousness were truly worthy of the utmost respect from future generations.
"Then... Senior," Tran Kien spoke, his voice filled with reverence. "You waited for us, because..."
"Because of the inheritance," the Dragon Guardian replied. "I am merely the keeper, not the master. The power of the Dragon Vein has been gradually waning after thousands of years. It requires a new master, one who bears the pure bloodline of Lac Viet, someone who can fuse with it, guide it, and cause it to shine brilliantly once more."
Its golden eyes stared directly at Tran Kien again. "Young boy, you possess the token of the Crown Princess, you have acquired the shard of the Solar Essence, and you have comprehended the Primordial Qi. You have obtained the 'key'. But having the key does not necessarily mean you can open the door. To become the master of the Heart of the Dragon, you must prove your qualifications."
"How do I prove them?"
"By passing my trial," the Dragon Guardian said, its voice turning majestic. "This trial is not one of combat, nor is it of sheer strength. I have lived for far too long, and I have seen far too many powerhouses who possessed hollow hearts. My trial is a test of the 'soul'."
The giant dragon lightly flapped its leathery wings. The entire space quaked. The crystalline path beneath their feet began to extend, forming a path of light that led directly to the base of the dragon mountain.
"The path before you is the path leading to the Heart of the Dragon. But upon this path, you will face illusionary realms, riddles forged from the very history and legends of your people. You will have to face the wrath of Thuy Tinh, uncover the truth behind the unjust suffering of Lady Tam, and comprehend the sacrifice within the legend of the Betel and Areca..."
"This trial is not solely for this young boy," the dragon looked at all five of them. "Each of you will have to face your own individual trial, a trial that reflects your innermost hearts and obsessions. Only when all of you have passed will the final door open."
"Remember this well," the Dragon Guardian's voice became incomparably solemn. "The Heart of the Dragon is the source of the nation's providence. Should it fall into the hands of one with a righteous and luminous heart, the nation will prosper and the people will be at peace. But should it fall into the hands of an ambitious schemer like the Marquis of Eternal Peace, he could use it to corrupt the Dragon Vein, plunging all of Dai Viet into misery and chaos. Your choices will not only determine your own fates, but the destiny of an entire nation."
Having said this, the Dragon Guardian spoke no more. It slowly ascended, its massive silhouette blending into the deep purple sky, leaving only its golden eyes silently observing them from above.
The five individuals stood before the path of light, a myriad of complex thoughts churning within each of their hearts. This chess game had been elevated to an entirely new level. The stakes were no longer merely their lives, but the fate of the nation.
Tran Kien tightly clenched his fists. He looked at the crystalline path stretching out before his eyes, then at the companions by his side. He no longer felt alone.
"We have no path of retreat," he said, his voice resolute.
"Indeed," Uncle Kiem nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his wooden sword. "The path of the Duke Dingguo's Mansion has never known the word 'retreat'."
Lam Vy, Trinh Cong, and Ly Tin simultaneously nodded, an unprecedented determination gleaming in their eyes.
Five people, five destinies, united for a common goal. Together, they took their first steps, walking upon the path of light, advancing toward the trials of history and of their own very selves.