THE RULER OF MAP

Zhang Xin's fingers brushed against the surface of the ancient statue, feeling the cold, weathered stone under his touch. He studied the statue, its ancient aura resonating with a strange energy he couldn't quite understand. Just as he was about to turn away, a sudden burst of light emerged from the statue—a shimmering, radiant glow that seemed alive. Before he could even comprehend what was happening, the light darted toward him, piercing directly into his mind.

Instantly, Zhang Xin felt a surge of pain radiate through his head, his eyes burning as though a searing flame had taken hold. He staggered, clutching his temples, vision momentarily blurring. Yet, just as quickly as the pain had come, it subsided, leaving a calm, almost peaceful sensation in its wake. He took a deep breath, his mind clearing. The strange vision still lingered in his thoughts, but he quickly composed himself and turned to the other disciples.

"Return to the Zi Xuan Sect," Zhang Xin ordered, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of something new, something powerful. The disciples obeyed, making their way down the mountain to where the leaders of the Zi Xuan Sect waited. Among them was Tang Cai Ji, who noticed the subtle change in Zhang Xin's aura. She watched him curiously, sensing an energy that seemed ancient and potent.

"Zhang Xin," she called out, stepping forward. "What did you find up there? Some kind of treasure?"

Zhang Xin hesitated, then nodded. "It's an ancient stone," he replied, pulling the stone from his robe to show her. Tang Cai Ji reached out to examine it, and the moment her fingers touched the stone, a powerful aura surged from it, catching her breath. It was almost as if the stone itself possessed a will, a presence that resonated with Zhang Xin. Returning the stone to him, she nodded.

"All right," she said. "Let's return to the sect."

Back at the Zi Xuan Sect, the sect leader gathered all the disciples in the grand hall. "To those of you who have obtained treasures, you will face a second test tomorrow. For now, go to your rooms and cultivate your energy."

The disciples bowed and began dispersing to their quarters. As Zhang Xin made his way through the crowd, Li Han and Lynn approached him. Both looked intrigued, eager to hear what Zhang Xin had acquired.

"So, what treasure did you find?" Li Han asked with a grin.

Zhang Xin lifted the stone slightly in his hand. "An ancient stone."

Li Han nodded, holding up a small vial. "I found healing pills," he said proudly, while Lynn unsheathed a glistening blade, its edge razor-sharp. "And I got this sword," he said.

Zhang Xin smiled. "I'm glad we've all found something valuable." He nodded at his friends, then continued on to his room.

Inside his quarters, Xiaobo, his roommate, was already getting ready for bed. "Zhang Xin, I found a scroll with fire techniques," Xiaobo said excitedly. "But tomorrow is the second test. We should rest now."

Zhang Xin nodded, but as Xiaobo lay down, he remained seated, unable to shake the memory of the mountain. The moment he had touched the ancient statue, he'd seen a vision—a fleeting image of his father, standing in a valley bathed in the glow of light, his form powerful and mysterious. Zhang Xin closed his eyes, trying to make sense of the vision. He called out to the golden dragon spirit, Zhu Wei, in his sea of consciousness, hoping for guidance, but the dragon remained silent. He then reached out to the spirit of the ancient stone, Qiyuan, but still, there was no response.

Suddenly, the same burning sensation flared in his eyes, stronger than before. It was as if the light from the mountain had reawakened within him. His vision blurred, his mind spiraling into darkness. Zhang Xin's head fell back as he slipped from the chair, fainting on the spot.

In the silent darkness, the last thing he felt was the faint, echoing presence of something vast and ancient, drawing him deeper into its mystery.

Zhang Xin regains consciousness in his room but finds himself feeling different. His senses are heightened, and he can sense a strange power stirring within him. He notices that his vision has changed—he can now see faint energies or auras around objects and people. This power might be connected to the ancient stone, or perhaps even the vision he saw of his father.

As he tries to make sense of these new abilities, he hears the voice of Zhu Wei, the golden dragon spirit, in his mind, finally answering his call. Zhu Wei explains that the power of the ancient stone is now merging with his soul, but warns that it comes with responsibilities and dangers Zhang Xin must face.

Zhang Xin falls back asleep and experiences a vivid, prophetic dream where he's transported to the Valley of Light, the place he saw in his vision. In the dream, he sees his father, who speaks to him cryptically, revealing that Zhang Xin is the chosen protector of an ancient legacy tied to their family.

Zhang Xin learns that the ancient stone is part of an artifact needed to unlock a hidden realm. But he is warned: others will seek this power, and not all of them have good intentions.

The next day, Zhang Xin and the other disciples gather for the second test. But Zhang Xin's heightened senses and newfound abilities cause him to perceive the test differently, allowing him to see and avoid dangers that other disciples can't. This test could involve overcoming illusions, facing spiritual trials, or defeating beasts.

During the test, Zhang Xin senses that someone among the disciples has dark intentions, and he begins to suspect that there might be a spy within the Zi Xuan Sect, seeking the stone for themselves.

Zhang Xin finally hears the voice of Qiyuan, the spirit of the ancient stone. Qiyuan reveals that Zhang Xin's journey has only just begun, and that he must prove himself worthy to wield the stone's full power.

Qiyuan might offer Zhang Xin a riddle or a task to unlock another layer of the stone's abilities, urging him to prepare for what lies ahead. The stone's spirit warns him that an ancient enemy is seeking the artifact with bad intentions. Zhang Xin says who is that enemy. Qiyuan said it's not a right time to tell you.