Li Wei’s mind spun as he stood in the heart of the Xinglong, the Dragon Starship. The hum of ancient technologies vibrated through the walls, and the faint glow of jade panels illuminated his path as he walked down the grand corridor. Every step he took felt surreal, like he was moving through a dream—one that he had no control over. A small part of him still wondered if he had somehow slipped into a hallucination, but the sharp clarity of the starship’s interior told him otherwise.

The walls were decorated with symbols he had never seen before—symbols of dragons, phoenixes, and other creatures of myth. The air seemed thick with the weight of history, as if the ship itself had witnessed the rise and fall of empires. This wasn’t just a vessel—it was a living monument to the past, and somehow, it had chosen him.

“Commander Li Wei,” the calm voice of the ship resonated again, echoing through the hallways. It was as if the ship itself had a soul, one that watched over him with patience and wisdom. “You must now begin the awakening process. The Xinglong has slept for many years, but its power is still within you. Your ancestors’ wisdom lies hidden within the systems of this ship. Trust in your instincts.”

Li Wei stopped in his tracks. “Awakening process?” he muttered to himself. “What does that even mean?”

The voice responded with soft, reassuring tones. “The ship is not only a vessel, Commander. It is a weapon—an ancient dragon that has slumbered for centuries. But it must be awakened from its dormancy. Its power, both physical and spiritual, can only be unlocked by you. You must learn to connect with it.”

He sighed, rubbing his temple as the weight of the situation began to settle in. The fate of humanity rested on his shoulders, yet he was no warrior, no strategist—he was just a technician who fixed machines. And now, he was supposed to awaken an ancient starship of immense power?

The voice spoke again, cutting through his thoughts. “The Xinglong is ready. Will you answer its call?”

Li Wei closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing heart. He wasn’t ready for this, not by a long shot. But there was no turning back now. The galaxy was waiting for him to act.

With a deep breath, he nodded. “I’ll do it,” he said, though his words felt foreign to him. “I’ll try.”

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As he stepped further into the ship’s control center, a vast space unfolded before him, dominated by a central platform that floated in the middle of the room. Above it was a massive crystalline orb, glowing with an ethereal light. The entire room was silent except for the hum of the energy that pulsed from the orb. It was as if the ship itself was alive, waiting for him to make the first move.

“What do I do now?” Li Wei asked, his voice trembling.

“The time has come,” the voice replied. “Place your hand upon the Orb of the Dragon, Commander. Only then will you begin to unlock the true power of the Xinglong.”

Li Wei approached the orb hesitantly, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He had never felt so out of place, so unprepared. He had always been the one behind the scenes, fixing broken parts, tweaking systems. But now, he was standing on the precipice of something far greater than himself.

Taking another deep breath, he placed his hand upon the glowing orb.

Immediately, a shock of energy coursed through his body. His vision blurred, and he gasped in shock as ancient symbols flashed before his eyes, ones that seemed familiar and foreign all at once. His mind was flooded with images of battles long past—warriors clad in ancient armor, wielding weapons of unimaginable power. There were flashes of dragons soaring through the sky, their roars echoing through the ages. The ship’s past, its legacy, flowed through him, and for a moment, Li Wei could almost feel the power of the Xinglong itself, a vast and ancient dragon awakening from a long slumber.

For a brief moment, he saw himself standing at the helm of the ship, leading fleets of starships against enemies from distant galaxies. He saw his hands guiding the ship’s mighty weapons, directing its power with the force of his will. He saw victory, saw humanity thriving in a future he could scarcely comprehend.

And then, as quickly as it began, the vision faded.

Li Wei gasped, pulling his hand away from the orb, his body trembling with the remnants of the power he had just experienced. His heart pounded in his chest, and he felt a strange sensation—the weight of centuries of history resting on him. His hands shook as he tried to steady himself, but he knew one thing for certain: the Xinglong was no ordinary ship. It was a vessel of immense power, and now, it had chosen him to wield that power.

“What... what just happened?” Li Wei whispered, his voice barely audible.

“The awakening is complete,” the voice said softly. “You have unlocked the first part of the ship’s power. The Xinglong is now bound to you, Commander. The spirits of your ancestors will guide you. But remember—this is only the beginning.”

Li Wei stared at his hands, still trembling from the overwhelming experience. He had no idea what he had just unleashed, or what was to come. But one thing was clear: there was no going back now. He was no longer just a technician—he was the commander of the Xinglong, and the fate of humanity rested in his hands.