Before Kent aimed his bow, the Fire Kirin roared, with his front legs raised high into the air. In the next second, it releases a blazing fireball from its mouth. As the fire ball passed along the straight path, all the obstacles, including thick trees, were slashed and burned like paper.
Kent, who had never witnessed the might of Fire Kirin, stared at the streaking fireball, which continued to burn down things in its path.
Soon, the fire Kirin began moving through the burning fire, streaking along the path. Kent did not stop its momentum. He leaned forward and held onto its horns, which were decorated with gold.
"Shhh… Shhh…"
The Fire Kirin released the fire ball from time to time and continued to run along the path, ignoring the burning fires. Thankfully, the brick lining stopped the fire from spreading all around. But the rocky surface of the path continued to burn even after several moments.
Soon, the Fire Kirin came to stop before a large gate that was shaped like a sun arc.
"Rising Sun Peak"
The name is not written like he saw at other peaks. Small holes were drilled in a thick word to shape the letters on it. May be due to a lack of attention, the name almost faded and several vines grew along the entrance gate, binding it like serpents.
Even after checking for a long time, Kent did not find any side paths. So he broke the entrance gate with his knuckle punch. Thankfully, the gate lost all the enchantment, and Kent felt no rebound.
A straight path of rocky steps stretched towards the peak. Kent ascended the rocky steps on his majestic Fire Kirin, its fiery mane blazing as it effortlessly navigated the treacherous terrain.
With each step, obstacles along the path were engulfed in flames, clearing the way for their ascent. While climbing the rocky steps, Kent saw several statues lined in uniform along the path. They seem very lively and human-like.
As they reached the summit, the guardian sun greeted them, casting its warm rays upon the rugged landscape. The sky was painted in hues of orange and gold, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty.
"What a beautiful sight!" Kent muttered while staring at the guardian sun, who rose to the height of the peak and is glowing in a fiery orange color.
However, the serenity of the moment, changed by the sight that met Kent's eyes. The peak, once revered as a sacred training ground, now lay littered with debris and overgrown with tangled vines and gnarled trees. Kent didn't find a single soul on the peak.
Nature had reclaimed its territory, with tangled vines and overgrown trees obscuring any signs of human habitation. The once grand training places were now crumbling ruins, their walls adorned with moss and lichen.
Kent dismounted his Fire Kirin, his heart filled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. If everything works well, this has to be his new home, a place where he would train and hone his skills under the guidance of the Grand Master Porus.
Kent wondered whether to walk forward or leave the peak. But after much thought, Kent decided to first check out this place fully.
With a determined spirit, Kent set out to explore the ruins, his footsteps echoing against the silent backdrop of the peak. He wandered through abandoned courtyards and dilapidated halls, his curiosity driving him forward despite the eerie emptiness that surrounded him.
The training places, once bustling with disciples honing their skills, now stood empty and neglected. Tattered buildings, remnants of administration halls, stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time.
Decades of neglect had taken their toll, erasing the glory that once adorned the peak. While observing everything closely, Kent reached a raised platform in the center of this desolate peak.
As Kent raised his gaze, he saw a chariot on the platform. Kent stepped on the platform to take a closer look at the chariot, which attracted him with one glance.
As Kent observed closely, he found out that it is not a normal chariot used for travel. Its appearance is deceptively mundane without the glow of its latent magic. Crafted from polished metal and adorned with intricate carvings, it seemed like any other war carriage.
Kent caressed the surface of the chariot, wondering the use of this chariot, which didn't have any links to tie with beasts or flying pets.
Yet, despite its outward appearance of dormancy, there was an undeniable air of mystery that clung to the chariot, as if whispering of the secrets that lay dormant within its silent form.
"Mhmmm… an intruder."
Kent heard a lazy voice from the chariot. He hurriedly distanced himself from it. But upon closer look, he saw an old man struggling to stand up on the inner area of the chariot.
"B-Boy, what are you doing here?" the elder man asked in a drunken tone while holding the side pole of the chariot.
This time, Kent clearly saw the person. While supporting his stout body on the chariot walls, the old man is sipping wine from a wooden jar. His figure was immense, touching the ceiling of the chariot. With a rugged, unkempt appearance, he stood inside the chariot.
"Is he sleeping inside the chariot?" Kent muttered while facing the rugged man with a brave stance.
"I came to meet Elder Porus. I have a recommendation." Kent replied while waving the letter given by Elder Sinara.
The rugged man's brows furrowed as he stared at Kent from top to bottom. Balancing his heavy body, he began getting down from the chariot.
Kent observed the rugged man's stature as he got down from the chariot. Wild, tangled hair cascading down broad shoulders, framing a weathered face adorned with a bushy beard and lively, twinkling eyes.
Clad in rough, oversized garments that seemed perpetually rumpled, he exuded an aura of rugged charm and authenticity. Despite his formidable size, there was a gentleness to his demeanor, a kindness that shone through in his every gesture and expression.
With a lazy look, the rugged man snatched the letter from Kent's hand. thanks for reading on m|v|l|e|m|p|y|r
My little finger is twitching involuntarily. Afraid of losing sensation, I took a long rest. So, please excuse me for this late release. We are falling behind WIN-WIN ranks, Please unlock more privileged chapters. TQ guys.