The Lazy Sovereign

Xu Tian followed Shen Feng through the forest, his hoe slung over his shoulder and a scowl plastered on his face.

"You know," he muttered, "most people's lives don't involve glowing symbols, assassins, or psychotic birds. Why can't mine be normal?"

Shen Feng smirked, pushing aside a branch. "Normal's overrated. Besides, you've got me to guide you now. Consider yourself lucky!"

Xu Tian sighed. "Somehow, I doubt that."

The glowing symbol on Xu Tian's palm pulsed again, the light growing brighter with each step.

Shen Feng glanced at it, his expression turning thoughtful. "Looks like your seal is trying to lead us somewhere."

Xu Tian held up his hand, frowning. "Great. First it gets me into trouble, and now it wants me to follow it? What if it's leading us to a trap?"

"Only one way to find out," Shen Feng said cheerfully, marching ahead.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Xu Tian grumbled, reluctantly following.

After what felt like hours of trekking, they emerged into a clearing. In the center stood a crumbling stone archway, overgrown with vines and moss. Strange runes were etched into the arch, faintly glowing with the same light as Xu Tian's seal.

Shen Feng whistled. "Now this is interesting. Looks like you've stumbled onto something big."

Xu Tian crossed his arms. "Why does 'big' always sound like more problems?"

As they approached the arch, the runes began to shimmer more brightly. The air grew heavy, charged with an almost palpable energy.

Shen Feng reached out to touch one of the runes but stopped short, his hand hovering just inches away. "Hmm. There's a barrier here. Seems like only you can pass through."

Xu Tian took a step back. "Oh no. No way. I'm not going in there alone."

"Relax," Shen Feng said, grinning. "I'll be right here, cheering you on."

Reluctantly, Xu Tian stepped forward. As his hand touched the arch, the runes flared to life, and the barrier dissolved with a faint hum.

The moment he stepped through, the world around him shifted. The forest vanished, replaced by a vast, dimly lit chamber. Towering statues lined the walls, each one depicting a different mythical beast.

Xu Tian swallowed hard. "Why do I feel like I just walked into someone's tomb?"

A deep voice echoed through the chamber, making him jump.

"Bearer of the Heavenly Seal… you have been chosen."

Xu Tian spun around, looking for the source of the voice. "Chosen? Chosen for what?"

The voice ignored his question. "Prove your worth, or face annihilation."

Xu Tian groaned. "Of course. It's never something simple, like a free meal."

One of the statues began to move, its eyes glowing red as it stepped off its pedestal. The beast it depicted—a massive, serpentine dragon—snarled, its stone body creaking with each movement.

Xu Tian clutched his hoe tightly. "You've got to be kidding me. A dragon? I don't even know how to fight!"

The dragon lunged, its jaws snapping shut just inches from Xu Tian. He scrambled backward, his heart pounding.

"Think, Xu Tian, think!" he muttered. "There's got to be a way out of this!"

As the dragon lunged again, the seal on Xu Tian's palm flared. A surge of energy shot through his body, and before he knew it, he was standing on the other side of the chamber.

He stared at his glowing hand in disbelief. "Did… did I just teleport?"

The dragon roared, its glowing eyes locking onto him once more.

"Okay," Xu Tian said, raising his hoe. "If I'm going to survive this, I need to figure out how to use this thing. Fast."

Back outside the archway, Shen Feng leaned against a tree, whistling a cheerful tune.

"I give him about five minutes before he starts screaming for help," he said to himself.

A sudden rumble shook the ground, and the light from the runes intensified. Shen Feng's grin widened. "Or maybe three."