The journey to the jade forest takes three days. Tao, Linh and Kai leave the Temple of Clouds at dawn, their bags on their backs, the star map carefully rolled up in Tao's bag.

The first few days of hiking are difficult. The mountain trails are steep and rocky. But the three friends keep their spirits up. Kai tells jokes. Linh talks to the birds they meet, who show them the best paths. Tao feels a growing pull eastward, as if something is calling him.

On the evening of the second day, they camped near a river. Around the fire, Kai asked:
"Do you think it will be dangerous?"
"Probably," Tao replies honestly. "But we're together. It'll be okay."
Linh adds: "The spirits of the forest protect the egg. They will test us. We must prepare."

On the third day, in the late afternoon, they finally arrived at the edge of the jade forest.

Tao stopped, awestruck. The trees were colossal, their trunks as wide as houses. The leaves shone with such an intense green that they seemed to be made of real jade. The sunlight filtering through the branches created golden rays that danced in the air filled with a light mist.

"It's even more beautiful than in the books," Linh murmured admiringly.

They enter the forest. Immediately, the atmosphere changes. Everything becomes calm. Too calm. No birdsong, no rustling of wind. Only the sound of their footsteps on the moss-covered ground.

After a few minutes of walking, a voice resonates all around them. It doesn't come from any particular place but seems to emanate from the trees themselves. It is an ancient voice, soft yet powerful like the murmur of a river.

"Who are you to dare enter the sacred forest?"

The three friends stopped, looking all around. They saw no one.

Tao summoned his courage. "My name is Tao. I have dragon blood. I've come to find the green egg."

"Many came before you with the same quest. Few were worthy of it."
Why should we trust you?

"Because the last dragon, Long, asked me to do it. Because dragons must return to the world. Because I have a pure heart."

A silence. Then the voice resumes: "Words are easy to say. Intentions are harder to prove. But we're giving you a chance."

Ahead of them, between the trees, a luminous path appears. It is made of green light that pulses gently, like a beating heart.

"Follow this path. It will lead you to the heart of the forest. There, you will have to prove your intentions. If you succeed, the egg will be yours. If you fail... you will have to leave."

"What if we refuse to leave?" Kai asks, a little provocatively.

"The forest does not let go of those who defy it."

The message is clear. The three friends exchange a glance and nod. They follow the path of light.

The walk is strange. Time seems to distort. Sometimes they feel as if they've been walking for hours, sometimes for just a few minutes. The trees around them grow taller and older. Some are so old that their trunks are covered in thick moss and bioluminescent fungi.

Finally, the path leads them to a circular clearing. In the center is a circle of mossy stones. And there, waiting for them, are three strange and magnificent figures.

They are nature spirits. They vaguely resemble human beings, but their bodies are made of green light and leaves. Their faces areThey are serene, almost expressionless. They exude an aura of ancient power.

"Welcome, children," said the first spirit. "We have been the guardians of this egg for centuries. To take it, you must answer three questions. Answer with your heart, not with your mind."

The first spirit approaches Tao. "First question: Why do you want to save the dragons? What will it bring you personally?"

Tao thought about it. He could lie, give a noble answer. But he decided to be honest.

"My mother disappeared while searching for answers about dragons. If I save the dragons, maybe I'll find out what happened to her. But also... it's only right. Dragons don't deserve to disappear. And my family owes them something."

The spirit slowly nods its head.

The second spirit approaches. "Second question: Are you willing to give up something precious to complete this quest?"

"Yes," Tao replied without hesitation. "I've already left my grandmother. I'm ready to give what it takes."

The third spirit asks the final question: "If you obtain these eggs, if the dragons are reborn, will you use this power for good or for yourself?"

"For the greater good," Tao said firmly. "I don't want power. I just want things to be fair."

The three spirits look at each other. Then they turn towards Linh and Kai.

"And you? Why are you helping him?"

"Because he's my friend," Linh said simply. "And because I believe in him."
"Because it's the right thing to do," Kai adds.

The spirits shine brighter. A green light fills the clearing. Then they smile - a strange and wonderful smile.

"Your hearts are pure. Your intentions are true. You are worthy."

The ground in the center of the stone circle begins to tremble. The earth opens slowly, without violence. And there, emerging from the ground like a blossoming flower, appears the egg.

It is magnificent. As large as a barrel, its shell is such a pure emerald green that it seems to contain all the life of the forest. Veins of golden light run across its surface, pulsing gently like a beating heart.

Tao approaches slowly and respectfully. When he places his hands on the egg, he feels a gentle, comforting warmth. The egg vibrates beneath his palms, as if responding to his touch.

"He recognizes you," Linh whispers, tears welling in her eyes. "He knows who you are."

The spirits begin to disappear, merging into the trees.

"Take good care of it, dragon child," their voices faded away. "It's a priceless treasure. One day, a little dragon will hatch from this shell. Be worthy of that trust."

And they disappear completely.

The journey to the jade forest begins the next day at dawn. Tao, Linh, and Kai get up before sunrise, gather their carefully prepared belongings, and meet in the temple courtyard where Master Shen awaits them.

The old man looks at them with a mixture of pride and concern. He checks their bags, making sure they have everything they need: food, water, blankets, the star map, and some magical items he gave them - crystals of light for dark places, an enchanted compass that always points to what its bearer is looking for, and medicinal herbs.

"Remember," he said solemnly, "you represent the temple. But more importantly, you carry the hope of the dragons. Be brave, but also be careful. The jade forest is ancient, and its guardians are not easily persuaded."

"We will succeed," Tao promises, trying to appear more confident than he really is.

The three young adventurers passed through the great gates of the temple as the first glimmers of dawn colored the sky.

The first three days of the journey are challenging but full of discoveries. They descend steep mountain paths, cross verdant valleys, and follow fast-flowing rivers. The star map guides them, the three bright points visible even in broad daylight when Tao unrolls it.

Tao feels the pull of the egg more and more strongly. It's a sensation difficult to describe - like a magnetic attraction, but also like a melody that only he can hear.

In the evenings, around their campfire, the three friends talk, sharing their fears and hopes. Kai, always optimistic, tells jokes to lighten the mood. Linh listens to the nocturnal animals and relays safety messages to them. Tao writes letters to his grandmother, telling her about everything he sees and experiences.

On the morning of the third day, as they descended a hill covered in wildflowers, they finally saw it: the jade forest.

It stretched before them, vast and mysterious, unlike any forest they had ever seen. The trees were gigantic, ancient, their trunks so wide that it would take ten people holding hands to encircle them. But what was most remarkable were the leaves. They shone with such a pure, intense green that they seemed to be made of real jade—hence the forest's name. When the sun struck them, they sparkled like precious stones, creating a dazzling display of light.

"It's... it's incredible," Kai murmured, for once at a loss for words.

"I feel so much life here," said Linh, closing her eyes and concentrating. "The spirits of nature are everywhere. They are watching us."

Tao felt the pendant around his neck getting warmer. The egg was there, somewhere in that forest. He could feel it.

They descend towards the edge of the forest and stop at the edge, taking a moment to prepare themselves mentally. The atmosphere changes palpably as they cross the invisible boundary between the outside world and the sacred forest.

The silence is the first thing they notice. A profound, almost supernatural silence. No birdsong, no rustling of wind in the branches, no crackling of twigs. Only the muffled sound of their footsteps on the ground covered with thick, green moss.

The light is different too. It filters through the jade leaves, creating green and gold rays that dance in the light mist floating between the trees. Everything seems bathed in a magical aura./>
They walk for about half an hour, going deeper into the forest, when suddenly a voice rings out. It doesn't come from a specific place but seems to emanate from the forest itself, as if every tree, every leaf, every stone were speaking in unison.

"Stop."

The three children immediately froze, their hearts pounding.

"Who are you to dare enter the sacred forest? Who are you to walk on this land that few humans have trod?"

The voice is ancient, neither masculine nor feminine, soft as a whisper but powerful as thunder. It inspires both fear and respect.
Tao takes a step forward. His voice trembles slightly, but he speaks clearly: "I am Tao, descendant of Mei who saved a golden dragon two hundred years ago. I have dragon blood in my veins. I have come to retrieve the green egg that sleeps in your forest."

"Many have come before you with the same quest," the voice replies. "Some with good intentions, others with greed in their hearts."
They all failed our test. Why should you succeed where they failed?

"Because Long, the last of the great golden dragons, entrusted me with this mission. Because the dragons are on the verge of extinction and I may be their last hope. Because I come not to take, but to protect."

A silence. Tao can almost feel the forest reflecting, weighing his words.
"Well-chosen words. But words are easy. The intentions of the heart are harder to decipher. So we will test you, dragon child. You and your companions."

Suddenly, before them, between the immense trees, a path appeared. It hadn't been there a moment before. It was a path of green light that pulsed gently, rhythmically, like the beating of a living heart.

"Follow this path. It will lead you to the heart of the forest, where the egg has lain for centuries. But beware: the path will test your courage, your honesty, and the purity of your intentions. If you are found unworthy, the forest will expel you and you will never be able to return. If you withstand the trials, the egg will be entrusted to you. Choose now: advance or leave."

"We're moving forward," Tao said without hesitation. Linh and Kai nodded vigorously.

"So the journey begins."

They set out onto the luminous path. Immediately, a strange sensation overwhelms them. Time seems to lose its normal meaning. Sometimes they feel as though they've been walking for hours, their legs weary, then suddenly they realize that only a few minutes have passed. Sometimes it's the opposite—they think they've walked for a few minutes, but the sun in the sky has changed position considerably.

The trees around them gradually become older, more majestic. Some are so old that their trunks are covered in thick, fur-like moss, bioluminescent fungi that glow softly, and vines that hang like hair. They seem like silent guardians, witnesses to millennia of history.

During the walk, they begin to hear whispers. Indistinct voices that seem to be asking questions, making comments. Tao cannot understand the words, but he senses that these voices are evaluating them, judging them.
Finally, after what seemed like both an eternity and an instant, the path led them to a perfectly circular clearing. It was a place of otherworldly beauty. The ground was covered with vibrant green grass, dotted with luminous flowers that seemed made of crystal. In the center...finds a circle of ancient stones, covered with engraved symbols that shine with a soft light.

And there, waiting for them with infinite patience, stand three extraordinary beings.

They are the guardians of the forest. Nature spirits in their purest form. They vaguely resemble human beings, but their bodies are composed of green light intertwined with leaves, branches, and flowers. Their faces are serene, almost expressionless, but their eyes—if they can be called eyes—shine with an ancient and profound intelligence.

"Welcome, children of the outside world," said the first guardian. His voice was like the rustling of leaves in the wind. "We are the guardians of the green egg, the protectors of this treasure since it was hidden here three hundred years ago. To take it, you must prove yourselves worthy. We will ask you three questions. Answer with your heart, not with your mind. Lies are as transparent to us as clear water."

The first guardian steps forward towards Tao, bending down to be at eye level.

"First question, dragon child: Why do you really want to save the dragons? What will it bring you personally? And don't tell me you're doing it only for the good of the world. We want the whole truth."

Tao swallowed. It was a difficult question. He could give a noble, altruistic answer. But the guards said they would see through the lie. He decided to be completely honest, even if it revealed motives he wasn't proud to have.

"My mother disappeared seven years ago while searching for answers about dragons and dragon children. If I save the dragons, if I bring Long back to life, maybe he can tell me what happened to him. Maybe I can finally get some answers. Maybe... maybe she's still alive somewhere and I can find her."

He takes a deep breath and continues: "But it's also because my family owes something to the dragons. Mei received an extraordinary gift. I feel I must honor this bond. And yes, because it's right. Dragons don't deserve to disappear just because humans were afraid."

The first guard remained motionless for a long moment, staring intently at him. Then he nodded slowly. "You're telling the truth. Personal motives aren't bad as long as they aren't the only ones. You pass."

The second guardian now approaches. "Second question: This quest will be difficult. Dangerous. You could lose precious things. Are you ready to sacrifice what you love to complete this mission? Are you ready to go all the way, whatever the cost?"

Tao thinks of his grandmother, the temple, his new friends. He thinks of the peaceful life he could have had. But he also thinks of Long imprisoned, the vanished dragons, the imbalance of the world.

"Yes," he said firmly. "I've already left my grandmother, the only family I had left. I've left the only home I've ever known. I will continue to give what it takes to succeed. But," he added with a determined look, "I will do everything in my power to keep my friends safe. I will not sacrifice their lives."

The second guard smiled—a strange and wonderful smile on that face made of light and leaves. "A good answer. The willingness to sacrifice, tempered by compassion. You pass."

The third guardian, the largest and most imposing, finally steps forward. "Third and final question: If you succeed, if the three eggs are reunited, if the baby dragonsWhen they are born, you will have a unique bond with them. You will have a power that few have ever possessed. How will you use this power? For yourself? To dominate? Or for something else?

This is the most important question, Tao senses it. His answer will determine whether they get the egg or not.

He thinks of Long in his crystal prison, of Grandma teaching him kindness and humility, of Master Shen talking to him about responsibility.

"I don't want power for myself," he said with conviction. "I just want things to be right. The dragons were imprisoned and nearly exterminated out of fear and ignorance. They deserve a second chance. If the little dragons trust me, I will use that trust to protect them, to help them grow up safely, and perhaps to teach humans that we can coexist with them. Not to control them. Not to become powerful. Just... to do what is right."

A profound silence filled the clearing. The three guardians looked at each other, communicating silently in a way that Tao could not understand.

Then they turn to Linh and Kai.

"And you two? Why are you helping him in this quest? What do you stand to gain from it?"

Linh steps forward, his voice clear and confident. "Tao is my friend. That's the simplest and truest reason. But also, I've always felt a deep connection with nature and animals. Helping to bring back the dragons is helping to restore the natural balance of the world. That's important to me."

Kai adds: "Because it's the right thing to do. And because I believe in Tao. I know he'll do what's necessary with the eggs. And frankly, being part of the dragons' rebirth? It's pretty much the coolest adventure anyone could have!"

The guardians suddenly began to glow, their green light growing more and more intense until it filled the entire clearing. Tao and his friends had to close their eyes because the brightness was so strong.

Then the light gradually fades. When they open their eyes again, the three guardians smile - a radiant and benevolent smile.

"Your hearts are pure. Your intentions are true. You understand the gravity and importance of what you are doing. You are worthy of the egg."

The ground in the center of the stone circle begins to tremble gently. It's not violent or frightening—it's almost like a sigh of relief. The earth opens slowly, delicately, like flower petals unfurling.
And there, emerging from the soil that protected it for three centuries, the egg appears.

It is absolutely magnificent. The size of a large barrel, its shell is such a deep, pure emerald green that it seems to contain the very essence of plant life. Veins of golden light run through it like rivers on a map, pulsing gently to the rhythm of a beating heart. When sunlight strikes it, rainbows dance across its surface.

Tao approaches slowly, reverently, almost fearfully. Each step seems important, sacred. When he reaches the egg, he extends his trembling hands and gently places them on the shell.

The sensation is indescribable. The egg is warm, but with a gentle, comforting warmth. It vibrates beneath his palms, and Tao can feel—truly feel—the life within. A small dragon, asleep, waiting for the right moment to hatch. And something extraordinary happens: the egg responds to his touch. The golden glow intensifies where his hands rest, as if the egg recognizes him, accepts him.

"He knows who you are," Linh murmured, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. "He was waiting for you."
Kai also places a hand on the egg, and Linh does the same. The egg pulses more strongly, as if it were happy to meet them all.

The three guardians begin to fade, their forms becoming more transparent, slowly merging into the surrounding trees.

"Take good care of him, dragon child," their voices echoed away. "He is one of the last hopes of your kind. Treat him with the love and respect he deserves. One day, perhaps months or years from now, when the time is right, a little dragon will emerge from this shell. Be worthy of that trust."

And they disappear completely, leaving only the whisper of the wind in the jade leaves.

The three friends remained silent for a long time, simply looking at the egg, touching its warm surface, marveling at what they had just accomplished.
"We did it," Kai finally murmured, his voice full of disbelief. "We really found the first egg."

Tao nods, overcome with emotion. One egg out of three. It's a start. But there are still two more quests to go, perhaps even more difficult.

He wonders how they will transport the egg. As if reading his thoughts, the egg begins to shrink gently. It becomes smaller, lighter, until it is the size of a large apple. Small enough to fit in Tao's bag, but Tao senses that it still carries its true weight in importance.

"The magic of the forest," Linh said admiringly. "It helps us."

Tao carefully wraps the egg in soft fabrics and places it in his bag. He can feel its warmth against his back, comforting.

The luminous path reappears, this time leading towards the exit of the forest. They follow it, and in a few minutes that seem both very short and very long, they find themselves at the edge of the jade forest.

The sun sets, painting the sky red and gold. The three friends turn back one last time towards the forest. It shines in the twilight, beautiful and mysterious.

"Thank you," Tao murmured towards the trees.

A whisper replies, carried by the wind: "Good luck, dragon child. May your path be lit."

That night, they camped just outside the forest. Around the fire, they celebrated their first success. But Tao knew it was only the beginning. Ice caves awaited them to the north. And after that, the fiery volcano to the south.

Two eggs remain to be found. The adventure continues.