Beast Master: I'm the strongest.

Night had fallen over Verdant Hollow by the time Yǒnghéng and Seris returned to the village. The streets were quiet, the faint glow of mana lanterns casting long shadows on the cobbled paths. Yǒnghéng's thoughts churned, the stranger's cryptic words echoing in his mind. He glanced down at his hand, the Ethereal Flame's steady pulse a reminder of the power he bore—and the danger it represented.

Seris walked beside him, her expression set in a mix of determination and concern. She broke the silence first.

"Do you trust him? That figure?"

Yǒnghéng hesitated before answering. "No. But I can't ignore what they said. If there's more to this flame, I have to understand it."

"And the Lunar Pinnacle…" Seris frowned, crossing her arms. "It's not exactly a friendly place. The wild mana storms alone could kill an unprepared traveler."

"I know." Yǒnghéng stopped walking and looked at her. "That's why I need to prepare. Kael might have answers. He knows more about the Ethereal Flame than he's told me."

Seris nodded. "I'll talk to the others, see if anyone has maps or supplies for the Pinnacle. But don't go doing anything reckless while I'm gone."

Yǒnghéng gave her a faint smile. "No promises."

As Seris headed toward the town's inn, Yǒnghéng made his way to the elder's hall. The grand structure loomed in the moonlight, its living wood shimmering faintly with ancient runes. The doors creaked open under his touch, and he stepped inside.

Kael was seated by the central hearth, his staff resting against his chair. He looked up as Yǒnghéng entered, his piercing gaze cutting through the dim light.

"You've returned," Kael said, his voice calm but heavy with meaning. "I take it the grove wasn't the end of your trials."

"No," Yǒnghéng admitted, sitting across from him. "There's more. I met someone… or something. They claimed the Ethereal Flame is part of something greater. They told me to go to the Lunar Pinnacle to learn the truth."

Kael's expression darkened. He leaned back in his chair, the firelight casting sharp shadows across his face. "The Pinnacle," he murmured. "A dangerous place, and not one to be traveled lightly. Why would they send you there?"

"They said I need to understand the flame," Yǒnghéng said. "That if I don't, it'll destroy me—and everything around me."

Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. "The Ethereal Flame is no ordinary power. It's a fragment of chaos, a force that existed before balance was imposed on the world. Few who've wielded it have lived long enough to master it."

"But someone has?" Yǒnghéng pressed.

"Once," Kael admitted, his tone heavy with reluctance. "Long ago, there was a warrior who bore the flame and survived. They traveled to the Lunar Pinnacle, seeking answers from the Aetherial Guardians. What they learned there changed the course of their life—and the world."

"What did they learn?"

Kael shook his head. "That, I do not know. But the flame burns within you now, and your path may lead to the same truths—or greater peril. If you are set on this journey, you must be prepared. The Pinnacle is not just a place; it is a crucible. It will test your body, your mind, and your soul."

Yǒnghéng nodded, determination hardening his resolve. "What do I need to do?"

Kael rose and retrieved a small, ornately carved box from a shelf. He handed it to Yǒnghéng, his expression somber. "Inside is an elixir. It will strengthen your connection to the flame but at a cost. It amplifies the chaos within, forcing you to confront its true nature. You must take it before you reach the Pinnacle."

Yǒnghéng accepted the box, feeling the weight of its significance. "Thank you, Elder."

Kael placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm. "Do not take this journey lightly, boy. The Pinnacle will reveal who you truly are—and you may not like what you see."

Yǒnghéng met the elder's gaze, his voice steady. "I'm ready."

As he left the hall, the stars above seemed to burn brighter, as if the universe itself acknowledged the path he had chosen. With Seris and the village's support, Yǒnghéng knew the journey ahead would be perilous, but he also knew there was no turning back.

The Lunar Pinnacle awaited, its secrets promising either salvation or ruin.