Lost in the Void
Darkness stretched endlessly in all directions as Yang Kai floated through the collapsing Void Corridor, his senses disoriented by the shifting space around him. Time and space felt warped, making it impossible to gauge how long he had been drifting. His body felt weightless, as if he were floating between realities, trapped in a place where no living being was meant to linger.
Suddenly, a faint yet powerful presence brushed against his mind—a presence that carried with it an overwhelming sense of both power and isolation.
Voice (calm, yet heavy with time): "So, you've wandered into my domain, Yang Kai..."
Yang Kai's eyes snapped open, instantly on guard. This was not the first time he had sensed this presence. He had felt it before—during the conflict at the Thousand Peaks—a being so ancient and powerful that its very existence defied comprehension.
Yang Kai (voice firm but cautious): "Who are you?"
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The Taboo Speaks
Out of the void, a figure began to materialize, though its form was hazy and difficult to define. The presence, while powerful, did not seem threatening. Instead, it radiated a kind of melancholy and regret, as though burdened by the weight of its own existence.
Voice (soft, yet filled with power): "I am one who has been forgotten... a being erased from the annals of history, forsaken because I committed a taboo long ago."
The entity's words carried a weight that made Yang Kai pause. The term "taboo" held great significance, even in the world of cultivation. Those who committed such grievous acts were often wiped from existence, sent to places where even their names were forgotten.
Yang Kai (frowning): "Taboo? What did you do to be called that?"
The Taboo: "It is not a story for mortals to know. Suffice it to say, I walked a path that led me to powers not meant for this world, and for that, the universe itself rejected me."
The being's voice echoed through the endless void. Though the words were filled with sorrow, Yang Kai could sense a certain kindness behind them, as though the Taboo bore no ill will toward him.
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Yang Kai's Caution
Yang Kai remained cautious. This entity, whatever it was, had a power that was beyond his comprehension. Though the presence did not seem malevolent, Yang Kai knew that he had to keep his guard up. He could not afford to reveal his secrets—especially the fact that he was reborn with knowledge of the future.
Yang Kai (thoughts racing): "If this entity really is tied to the ancient Taboo... then I need to be careful. I can't let him know what I am."
The Taboo seemed to sense Yang Kai's wariness. Though it couldn't read his thoughts, it could feel the immense vitality within Yang Kai's body—a vitality that carried traces of forbidden power. Yet, curiously, this power was not rejected by the universe, as the Taboo had been.
The Taboo (curious but calm): "I see... there is a secret within you, one tied to life itself. Yet, unlike me, you are not cast out by the universe. You walk a fine line, Yang Kai."
Yang Kai said nothing, his silence speaking volumes. The entity's perception was incredible, but it made no move to pry deeper into Yang Kai's nature.
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The Taboo's Offer
After a moment of stillness, the Taboo spoke again, this time with a strange kindness in its voice.
The Taboo: "I cannot return to the world of the living, but in meeting you, I see a chance for something... different. I will grant you a gift—one that will push your cultivation beyond its current limits."
Without warning, a surge of power rushed through Yang Kai's body. His True Qi expanded, doubling and then tripling in intensity. The boundaries of his cultivation shattered as he rapidly ascended from the Immortal Ascension Boundary all the way to the Peak of the Transcendent Realm in a matter of moments.
Yang Kai (struggling to control the surge): "This... this power..."
The sheer force of the advancement was staggering, but the Taboo's influence made sure that Yang Kai would not be consumed by it. Instead, it stabilized his foundation, ensuring that he would not lose control.
The Taboo: "You will sleep here, in the void, for half a year. In that time, your body and mind will adjust, and your foundation will solidify."
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A Rest in the Void
Before Yang Kai could respond, he felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him. The energy that had surged through his body was immense, and though he had been given the strength to handle it, his body still required time to adapt. The Taboo had granted him this gift, not only of power but also of time to stabilize his newfound strength.
Yang Kai (slowly closing his eyes): "Six months... in the void."
As Yang Kai drifted into a deep slumber, the Taboo's voice echoed faintly around him.
The Taboo (softly, almost to itself): "Perhaps, one day, I too will be free. But until then, rest, Yang Kai. The future still awaits you."
The chapter ends with Yang Kai floating alone in the endless void, his body at peace as he prepares for the challenges that await him when he finally returns to the world.
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