The prismatic light dimmed, leaving only dust swirling through the air.Jin Wei remained kneeling, his massive plated head lowered in absolute submission. Ancient cracks across his armor glowed like molten gold, the crimson core in his chest pulsing steadily.
Qi Shan Wei stood speechless.
This giant… this divine-era puppet… this colossus from a forgotten time…
He had just called him Master.
Drakonix peeked over Shan Wei's shoulder and let out a squeaky, offended chirp.
He kneels first?! But I'm the pet! I should get priority!
The tiny dragon-phoenix puffed up his feathers, biting Shan Wei's collar with jealousy.
Ling Xueyao's cold eyes widened — only slightly, but enough for Elder Lu to notice.
"A Primordial Puppet…" she whispered."Even in damaged form… this is a weapon capable of crushing entire sects."
Elder Lu wiped sweat from his brow."Heavens above… Shan Wei… you've awakened a guardian that emperors once begged to command."
Shan Wei stepped forward, swallowing hard.He felt Jin Wei's ancient aura pressing on his bones, yet there was no hostility — only unwavering loyalty.
"Rise," Shan Wei said softly.
The ground trembled as Jin Wei obeyed, standing to his full towering height. Dust cascaded off his armor. His eye sockets glowed faint red — faint, yet filled with awareness.
"Awaiting orders, Master."
Shan Wei took a steadying breath.
Leadership.
Responsibility.
The mountain was watching.Ling Xueyao was watching.Even the heavens had turned their gaze here.
He couldn't afford to falter.
But before he could speak —
the ruin reacted.
The Ruin Awakens
The runes across the summit burned bright gold.Ancient circuits, silent for ages, roared to life.
BOOOOM.
A shockwave of primordial qi burst outward, sending Ling Xueyao sliding backward. She quickly formed an ice platform under her feet, rebalancing with elegant grace.
Drakonix squeaked and buried himself inside Shan Wei's robes.
Elder Lu shouted, "Shan Wei—! It's the Ruin's Defense Protocol!"
The air shimmered.
The stone floor split open.
From beneath emerged—
a 10-meter-tall guardian beast of molten stone and metal.
Its body was fused from ancient arrays — a monstrous construct shaped like a lion with blades of runic steel for teeth and molten-orange eyes that burned with merciless intent.
Ling Xueyao sucked in a breath."That's a Primordial Ferros Lion… a ruin guardian designed to kill intruders."
Elder Lu staggered back. "It's beyond Saint Realm peak-level!"
The lion roared, sending shockwaves that shattered nearby pillars.
Jin Wei's core flared in response.
For the first time, Shan Wei felt it —a sudden, powerful connection.
Jin Wei is waiting for my command…
This was no longer just survival.
This was a test of leadership.
Qi Shan Wei Takes Command
"Jin Wei," Shan Wei said, voice steadying, "protect everyone."
"Affirmative."
The titan stepped forward.
Each step cracked the ground.Golden runes rippled across his armor.His right arm transformed, armor shifting into a heavy, blade-like gauntlet.
The Ferros Lion roared and lunged.
Jin Wei caught the attack head-on —metal grinding against metal, sparks showering the summit.
A shockwave blasted through the air.Ling Xueyao raised a frost barrier, but even it cracked from the force.
Shan Wei immediately analyzed the battlefield.
He pointed quickly.
"Xueyao — freeze its back legs! Slow it down!"
She nodded, her cold aura surging as frost formed beneath the lion's massive paws.
"Drakonix," Shan Wei said, lowering his voice.The little beast peeked out."Burn its rune seams — only the glowing ones. They're its weak points."
Drakonix chirped, eyes determined.He darted out, wings fluttering clumsily as he fired tiny prismatic flames toward the lion's joints.
Shan Wei focused again.
"Jin Wei — strike its core! Chest cavity!"
"Understood."
Jin Wei swung his massive blade-arm, slicing across the lion's chest.
The beast staggered, molten fragments falling from its body.
Elder Lu stared in disbelief.
"He's… he's coordinating all of them flawlessly…"
The Pavilion Master, watching from afar, smiled faintly.
"Leadership," he murmured. "The boy was born with it."
Battle at the Peak
The lion roared again, shaking off ice and flame.Its tail struck downward — a massive spiked whip of molten metal.
Shan Wei shouted, "Jin Wei — shield!"
Jin Wei slammed a formation barrier into the ground, a shimmering golden shield rising—
CRAAASH!
The tail hit the shield, shattering the outer layer but protecting everyone behind.
Drakonix's flames hit a glowing seam —the beast roared in pain.
Ling Xueyao leapt forward, frost aura exploding.
"Frost Lotus — Bind!"
Ice vines erupted and wrapped around the lion's hind legs, freezing its joints solid.
"NOW!" Shan Wei commanded."Jin Wei — finish it!"
Jin Wei's core glowed brighter.He raised his bladed arm.Golden runes blazed to life.
He struck.
BOOOOOOM.
The lion's chest cracked —then shattered in a burst of molten shards and ancient qi.
The ruin guardian collapsed, its core flickering once before dying out.
Silence.
Dust settled.
Wind swept across the summit.
Aftermath
Jin Wei returned to his position behind Shan Wei and knelt once more.
"Threat neutralized. Awaiting next command."
Shan Wei exhaled shakily.
Drakonix leapt onto his head, chirping proudly.
Ling Xueyao approached, frost aura fading.She studied Shan Wei for a long moment.
"You… commanded us well," she admitted quietly.Her cheeks — ever so faintly — warmed.
Elder Lu laughed breathlessly."You led like a true cultivator general. Heaven help us — the Hidden Sect will have nightmares."
Shan Wei looked at Jin Wei… then at his companions.
This was the first time he felt something awaken inside him —
Not power.Not flame.Not courage.
But responsibility.
He clenched his fist.
"I don't want to lead because of destiny," he said softly."I want to lead because… I refuse to let anyone be harmed because of me again."
Xueyao blinked.Elder Lu's eyes softened.Drakonix purred.Jin Wei's core pulsed faintly.
And far below the mountain…in the depths of the forest…
A shadowed figure whispered:
"The boy grows too quickly…"
Another presence replied:
"Then we strike before he becomes unstoppable."
To be continued..
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