"You've finally woken up?"
…
A voice unknown to Tao Fuyuan brought the youth back to consciousness. He sat up, seemingly still in a state of muddle headedness, and rubbed his eyes before raising his head to search for the voice's owner. Instead, was greeted by nothing but absolute darkness. He was thoroughly perplexed. Was it still midnight?
"Your name is Tao Fuyuan, right?"
That peculiar voice sounded again.
He didn't respond.
The owner of that mysterious voice seemed to have taken notice of the human youth's wariness, and sighed.
"I am the previous host of that body you're currently dwelling in, Xiao Hei. My soul has been gravely injured thousands of years ago, rendering me powerless and unable to recover. I won't harm you. On the contrary, can you do me a favor?"
"A favor?"
Tao Fuyuan was stunned. The past two days had completely shattered his previous worldviews. Not to mention that, everytime something happened to him, he would be absolutely convinced that it couldn't get any worse or weirder.
But it always does!
"Yes. I have been preserving my soulless body for thousands of years, searching for a suitable soul to host it in my stead. I haven't had any luck until I discovered you not too long ago." He took a breath before continuing, "You possess the rare Yin Attribute, like I did. Only 2 human beings possessing the Yin attribute had ever been found since the beginning of time, me included. Today, I will be passing my knowledge and belongings on to you. In exchange, I want you to find and bond with Shen Qie Duan. That's all I ask of you."
...
I only need to find someone?
Doesn't that sound too easy?
Tao Fuyuan has decided to voice his concerns.
"I only need to find someone? Compared to the things you, a renowned master, are willing to hand over to me...your previous belongings must be extraordinary. I'm afraid that I would be lowballing you."
"Pff…"
Contrary to Tao Fuyuan's beliefs, upon hearing him speak, Xiao Hei has begun to...laugh?
Ah?
"Youngster, you're an honest person! I quite like that. However, Shen Qie Duan isn't a person, it's an object. A blade to be precise, commonly referred to as 'soul reaver', but its original name is Shen Qie Duan. It's a formidable blade, capable of slicing and destroying someone's soul without damaging the body in the slightest. It's the only one of its kind."
"Then...why do you want me to find it? That wouldn't benefit you at all, would it?"
"At least, it would help me get rid of my guilty conscience. In fact, I was the one who created that weapon...but an accident caused Shen Qie Duan to develop its own consciousness, causing destruction left, right and center. I had been able to seal it, but most of my soul had been destroyed during the process. My memories had been severely damaged as well, so I no longer know where it's located…"
"...I see."
In truth, Tao Fuyuan did not want to take on that task. He is a mage, perhaps even crippled. That sword would be useless to him. Then again, Xiao Hei had gifted him his own, healthy body, amongst other promised things. Turning him down would be too heartless, wouldn't it?
Tao Fuyuan was deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons of the 'offer' he'd received. Xiao Hei grew more and more nervous. Although he couldn't take on any forms or possess empty bodies, he still had feelings.
"Alright, I will do it."
Tao Fuyuan's response took Xiao Hei by surprise. A few breaths later, tiny white fragments filled the young man's surroundings.
"What's that?"
"I'm passing my possessions on to you, as promised. We're currently located inside a rift between time and space. Once you exit this rift, a red crest will appear on your forehead. My belongings are stored inside of it." Xiao Hei paused before continuing, "It's a wide land commonly referred to as 'dimensions'. But the one I'm giving you is special, so you should refrain from telling outsiders about it. Riches attract the masses."
At that moment, a bright light suddenly appeared in the distance, very much resembling the exit of a tunnel. It was, in fact, the passage out of this rift. Tao Fuyuan made his way towards the exit in a leisurely manner, asking Xiao Hei a couple more questions about his 'new' dimension.
At last, he had arrived in front of the passage out.
"You may leave now. I will be moving on as well. I wish you success, Tao Fuyuan!"
These spoken words tug at Tao Fuyuan's heart strings. He wasn't particularly fond of goodbyes, especially if the latter was about to pass away. But, knowing about that poor soul's condition, will he even have a new world to be born into?
How could a crippled and damaged soul enter the cycle of reincarnation?
The youth turned around once more, seemingly hesitating.
"...Xiao Hei?"
He received no answer.
Tao Fuyuan shook his head before turning around once more.
"Thank you for lending me your body. I will do my absolute best!"
With that, he left.