Wu Chen's loud exclamations echoed across the training room as he read the book, shaking his head in disbelief.
Jin's sharp eyes narrowed, and his calm, commanding voice cut through the chaos. "Wu Chen! Calm down. Put the book down. Stop reading and let's get back to training. We still have the last run to finish before we can rest."
Wu Chen huffed, reluctantly closing the book, but his hands twitched—he wasn't done arguing with the story. Liang Ze leaned back, smirking, while Huang Rui rolled his eyes dramatically from the corner. Xiao Tian, ever patient, simply adjusted his posture, eyes soft, waiting silently.
They returned to their final rehearsal, muscles burning, sweat dripping, but unity holding them steady. Jin guided the moves precisely, his voice firm but encouraging. Finally, as the last note of music ended, Jin clapped his hands together. "Alright, team. Circle!"
The members formed their usual circle. Hands met in the center, and a synchronized chant rose, grounding them in their brotherhood and shared energy.
But Wu Chen, still irritated by their obsession with the book, smirked mischievously. "Alright… forget the usual chant. Let's do a high-five with the book instead!"
Jin raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Wu Chen held the golden book aloft. "Put your hands on it! Just this once. Trust me—it'll be fun."
Liang Ze tilted his head, curiosity winning over logic, and placed his hand on the book. Xiao Tian, soft-spoken but amused, gently rested his hand as well. Huang Rui, dramatic as ever, positioned his hands like he was about to perform a grand ceremony. Jin exhaled, rolling his eyes, but carefully added his hand on top.
"One… two… three!" Wu Chen shouted.
Their hands pressed firmly on the book together. At first, it was subtle—a faint vibration under their palms. Then the floor trembled, small cracks appearing along the edges, dust trickling from the ceiling.
Huang Rui gasped dramatically, flinging his free hand into the air. "Oh my gosh! The room is… shaking! What did you do, Wu Chen?!"
Wu Chen laughed nervously, eyes wide. "I… I didn't do anything! Maybe… maybe the book is magical?"
Xiao Tian, calm but alert, whispered, "Everyone… step back. Stay focused."
Jin's voice cut through the growing tension, steady as ever. "Hold your positions. Don't pull away. Everyone… together."
The tremors intensified, making the walls sway. A low hum filled the room, reverberating in their chests. The golden dragon on the book shimmered, scales twisting as if alive. Liang Ze's analytical mind raced. "I… I can see the words moving…"
Huang Rui dramatically clutched the book, his face twisting into a hilarious expression of shock and awe. "What is happening?!"
Wu Chen's chaotic energy flared. "THIS… THIS IS CRAZY!"
Jin kept his hand firm on the book. "Stay calm. Trust your brotherhood. Whatever happens… we face it together."
The light from the book intensified, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. Dust swirled, shadows twisted unnaturally, and the air seemed to pulse with energy. Every heartbeat echoed in their ears.
Wu Chen laughed nervously and shouted, "I… I didn't think a book could do this!"
Xiao Tian's calm voice wavered slightly, but he held his position. Huang Rui's dramatic eyes were wide, and Liang Ze's analytical mind teetered on the edge of disbelief.
Then—
A pulse of energy shot from the book. Their hands tingled as the warmth spread through their bodies. The room seemed to stretch, walls blurring. The golden dragon on the cover coiled and shimmered intensely, scales catching every light.
L
Wu Chen blinked, awe and fear mixing on his face. "What's happening?!"
Jin's voice remained steady, though his eyes were sharp. "Brace yourselves… stay together… we face this as one."
And in the next heartbeat, the room around them dissolved into streaks of golden light, the glow from the book overwhelming their senses. Their hands remained on the cover, hearts pounding, breaths shallow, as the world bent and twisted around them.
Screams, laughter, and gasps mingled in the air as the five of them felt themselves being pulled into the story, their personalities, quirks, and brotherhood fully intact, ready to face whatever awaited them inside.