The gates of the Ashen Temple of Blazing Breath creaked open.
It stood near the rim of the Pyrelight Maw, a colossal lava chasm glowing with molten light. A line of warriors meditated barefoot on smoldering stones, steam rising from their skin.
Qingsai stepped forward, robes billowing. His eyes gleamed with determination. Waiting at the entrance was Master Kai'Zor Embercall, a stern, gray-bearded man with a blackened metal staff and eyes like live coals.
> "Soulkindled," Master Kai'Zor intoned, "you wield flame—but you do not yet own it. Here, flame is breath, and breath is spirit. Let's see what your soul can endure."
Training began immediately.
The Trial of Breath and Burn was Qingsai's first lesson: walking across burning coals while maintaining meditative breath control. With every step, his spiritual flame flickered more steadily.
> "Only the calm flame survives the storm," Kai'Zor reminded him.
As night fell, Qingsai collapsed in exhaustion. But something within him pulsed stronger than before—his fire wasn't just destructive now. It was becoming refined.