The forest seemed to hold its breath. Mist curled around the trees like ghostly fingers, and the faint metallic hum of chains whispered through the air. Jeng Minh's senses were sharpened beyond ordinary limits; every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, every faint pulse of the earth beneath the horses' hooves was clear in his mind.
The shadows moved again, faster this time, splitting into three forms, circling like predators testing prey. Their bodies were humanoid, but their movements were jagged, unnatural, limbs bending in ways no human should. They were scouting for weaknesses—and the Chainbearer's pulse throbbed in Jeng Minh's chest like a drum of warning.
Bai Ye's calm voice cut through the tension. "Do not hesitate. Flow with the chain. Feel its rhythm. Let it guide you, not just your body, but your decisions."
Jeng Minh closed his eyes briefly. He let the pulse of the chain take the lead, flowing through him like a river of ice and fire. Zhou Chen's muscle memory merged with his own instincts. When he opened his eyes, the world had sharpened to crystal clarity—the shadows were no longer a threat lurking in fog, they were markers, points in a dance that he had to lead.
The first shadow lunged. Jeng Minh pivoted, the spear moving almost of its own accord. The tip struck the attacker's chest, and the shadow recoiled with a shriek that chilled the blood. Before it could recover, another shadow tried to flank him. Jeng Minh twisted his body, spinning the spear in a perfect arc, knocking it aside.
The chain pulsed, guiding his strikes, feeding him flashes of insight—tiny sparks showing where his enemy would move next, how to exploit the unnatural angles of their limbs.
"Good," Bai Ye murmured from the sidelines. "Your body follows… but the vessel must also see."
The third shadow attacked in a blur. Jeng Minh felt a sudden jolt—a resonance in the chain that tingled through every nerve. Without thinking, he leapt forward, spear thrusting in a straight line. The tip connected with a satisfying crack. The shadow dissolved into smoke and ash, leaving only a faint metallic echo behind.
Breathing hard, Jeng Minh stepped back, spear ready. His body felt lighter, faster, but he could sense the chain straining, testing him. It isn't just giving me power—it's demanding it.
Bai Ye's voice broke through again. "The chain is not your servant. It is part of you. Every use of it drains and strengthens simultaneously. You must learn balance, or it will consume you."
The forest around them stilled. The mist thickened, and from it, the faint outline of the Chainbearer appeared. He moved silently, chains trailing behind him like living snakes. His horned mask gleamed with malice.
"You awaken," the Chainbearer said, his voice layered, echoing unnaturally. "And yet… you are unstable. Too early. You will break—or you will destroy everything around you."
Jeng Minh's pulse quickened, not in fear, but in focus. He could feel the chain pulsing violently now, warning him, guiding him. Zhou Chen's instincts combined with Jeng Minh's wit. He planted his spear in the ground, pivoted, and let the chain's guidance flow through him.
The Chainbearer struck first. Chains shot forward like serpents, aiming to entangle and crush. Jeng Minh dodged and countered, spear swinging in arcs that seemed impossible—each movement flowing seamlessly from the last. One chain struck his shoulder, but the pulse in his chest flared, reinforcing his body against the blow. Pain was there, but it passed through like static, leaving only clarity.
"You are strong… but strength alone will not save you," the Chainbearer hissed.
Jeng Minh didn't answer. He focused, letting the chain's rhythm guide him. His strikes grew faster, more precise. Sparks flew as steel met metal, and the echoes of clashing weapons rang through the misty forest.
Feng and Xie Yaling stayed at a distance, but their eyes were wide in shock. They had seen Zhou Chen fight before—but this was something else entirely. This was Jeng Minh and Zhou Chen combined, and the chain lending him preternatural guidance.
Finally, Jeng Minh leapt into the air, spear arcing downward with perfect force. The Chainbearer barely moved in time, deflecting—but the effort caused his chains to ripple, temporarily destabilizing them. The pulse in Jeng Minh's chest screamed encouragement, and he felt the surge of raw energy coursing through him.
The Chainbearer froze, studying him carefully. "The vessel… is awakening indeed. But do not mistake power for mastery. The chain will test you again. Soon. And the next trial… will not allow retreat."
With a swirl of darkness, the Chainbearer vanished, leaving only the faint metallic chime and the smell of ozone behind. The shadows that had accompanied him evaporated like mist.
Jeng Minh collapsed to one knee, panting, spear clattering to the ground. His body was drenched in sweat, every muscle screaming, but inside, a quiet clarity had settled. He had faced the first true trial—and survived.
Bai Ye approached, silent as a shadow. "You have passed the initial test," he said. "But the awakening of the vessel is only beginning. Each battle will push you further, and each step will reveal the nature of the chain—and the power it demands."
Jeng Minh looked at him, chest heaving. "Then I will meet every trial. I will master it. I will control my own fate."
Bai Ye inclined his masked head. "Good. But remember… even a vessel that awakens can be shattered. The Chainbearer will return. And next time, he will not be alone."
The mist swirled around them as the forest settled into an uneasy silence. Jeng Minh retrieved his spear, feeling the subtle pulse of the chain still lingering in his chest.
He was no longer just a man, nor merely Zhou Chen's body. He was the vessel.
And the war for his awakening—and for the fate of countless others—had only just begun.