EXT. SHOUZHOU MOUNTAIN – MORNING
The rain has stopped.
A veil of mist hangs over the mountain. Birds sing among ancient pine trees as the expedition continues climbing steep stone steps carved into the cliff centuries ago.
DISCIPLE #1
We've been climbing for three hours...
DISCIPLE #2
Senior Xuan...
Are we almost there?
XUAN DAO
(without turning around)
If you're already tired...
Go back.
The mountain isn't forcing you to climb.
DISCIPLE #2
...
I'll keep climbing.
SHIN
(breathing heavily)
Brother...
Carry me...
SHINZI
You said the same thing yesterday.
SHIN
Yesterday was yesterday.
Today is today.
SHINZI
No.
SHIN
You're a terrible brother.
QIAO TIAN
(quietly)
I'll carry her.
Everyone turns.
SHINZI
Young Master Qiao...
You don't have to—
QIAO TIAN
She's still recovering.
Without another word, Qiao Tian kneels.
QIAO TIAN
Come.
Shin's eyes light up.
SHIN
Really?
QIAO TIAN
Mm.
She happily climbs onto Qiao Tian's back.
SHIN
(grinning)
You're much nicer than my brother.
SHINZI
I heard that.
SHIN
Good.
I wanted you to.
The disciples laugh.
Even Xuan Dao smiles.
XUAN DAO
Qiao Tian...
You're spoiling her.
QIAO TIAN
She's light.
SHIN
(proudly)
See?
I'm not heavy.
XUAN DAO
That's because you're half the size of everyone else.
Shin pouts.
Two hours later...
The group reaches a massive stone gate.
Ancient characters glow faintly across its surface.
"Only those of unwavering heart may pass."
SHINZI
This must be the entrance.
As he steps forward—
RUMBLE!
The entire mountain shakes.
Stone warriors emerge from the cliffs.
Each stands nearly ten feet tall.
Their eyes ignite with blue flames.
DISCIPLE
Guardian Golems!
XUAN DAO
Looks like the mountain wants to test us.
One golem raises a colossal stone sword.
SHINZI
Formation!
The disciples spread out.
The golems attack.
BOOM!
A massive blade crashes into the ground.
Rocks explode.
QIAO TIAN
Their joints!
Aim for the joints!
SHINZI
Understood!
The two charge from opposite sides.
CLANG!
Qiao Tian's sword strikes the golem's knee.
Cracks spread.
SHINZI
Now!
He leaps high into the air.
With a powerful downward strike—
CRASH!
The golem collapses.
DISCIPLE
Amazing!
Three more golems advance.
SHIN
Leave one to me!
SHINZI
Stay back!
Before he can stop her—
Shin runs toward the smallest golem.
SHIN
Take this!
She punches its leg.
Nothing happens.
Everyone goes silent.
SHIN
(looking at her hand)
...
That hurt.
The golem slowly looks down at her.
SHIN
Uh-oh.
It raises its giant fist.
SHINZI
SHIN!
Before it can strike—
Qiao Tian appears between them.
BOOM!
She blocks the punch with both hands, sliding backward several meters.
QIAO TIAN
Princess.
Behind me.
Shin nods sheepishly.
SHIN
Sorry...
I thought it would work.
XUAN DAO
Confidence.
Excellent.
Planning.
Terrible.
Even Shinzi chuckles.
Minutes later...
The final guardian falls.
The mountain grows silent once more.
The ancient stone gate slowly opens.
A brilliant golden light pours from within.
INT. CELESTIAL SHRINE
An enormous chamber lies hidden inside the mountain.
At its center...
A lone sword rests upon a stone pedestal surrounded by blooming white lotus flowers.
Its blade shines like moonlight.
Golden spiritual energy circles around it.
Everyone stands speechless.
DISCIPLE
(whispering)
The Heavenly Lotus Sword...
SHINZI
After three hundred years...
QIAO TIAN
We've found it.
As Shinzi approaches—
The sword begins humming.
The light grows brighter.
DISCIPLE
It's rejecting us!
A powerful wave of spiritual energy forces everyone back.
Everyone...
Except Qiao Tian and Shin.
SHIN
Huh?
Why didn't it push us?
Qiao Tian looks at the sword thoughtfully.
XUAN DAO
(smiling knowingly)
Interesting...
SHINZI
Senior?
XUAN DAO
Some treasures...
Choose the hearts they trust.
Shin slowly walks toward the pedestal.
SHINZI
Careful.
She gently touches the sword's hilt.
The violent spiritual energy instantly calms.
The chamber becomes peaceful.
Lotus petals drift gently through the air.
SHIN
(smiling)
It's...
warm.
She looks toward Qiao Tian.
SHIN
Young Master Qiao...
Come here.
Qiao Tian steps beside her.
Together...
They grasp the sword.
The blade rises effortlessly from the pedestal.
A beam of golden light shoots toward the sky.
The entire mountain trembles.
Far away...
On a distant ridge...
Yu Yan watches the golden pillar of light.
A cold smile spreads across his face.
YU YAN
They've claimed it...
Good.
That saves me the trouble.
He slowly draws his black sword.
Behind him...
More than a hundred masked cultivators emerge from the forest.
YU YAN
Prepare yourselves.
No one leaves this mountain alive.
CUT TO BLACK