A Dream of the Past
As Yang Kai slept within the void, his consciousness drifted into a dream—a dream unlike any he had ever experienced. In the dream, he was not Yang Kai of the Central Capital, but Shiv, the man he had been in his past life, back on Earth. The familiar streets, the bustling noise of the city, and the mundane rhythm of life flowed through him, bringing a strange sense of calm.
Shiv (thinking to himself): "This… this is my world. The world before I became Yang Kai."
In his dream, he could see himself walking along the streets of Earth, surrounded by the familiar faces of people he once knew. Yet, there was a strange distortion to the dream—a feeling that this was not the whole truth.
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A Mysterious Presence
Suddenly, the peaceful scenes of Earth began to dissolve, replaced by something much more intense. The world around Shiv darkened, and in the distance, powerful auras filled the air, each one far beyond what he had ever felt. Shadows of figures loomed in the background, their power palpable, as if they controlled the very essence of the world around them.
Shiv (his heart pounding): "What is this place?"
Among the figures, one began to step forward, its form cloaked in a blinding light. The air grew thick with power, and Shiv could feel the weight of the being's presence. A voice echoed through the void, calling out to him.
Mysterious Voice (booming but indistinct): "Shiv, you must seek me... find the truth behind the Eternal Life. Only through it can you escape the fate that binds you."
The voice reverberated through his soul, sending shivers down his spine. The mention of the Eternal Life power stirred something deep within him. Though the dream was hazy, there was a clarity to the message—a message urging him to break free from Yang Kai's predetermined path.
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Warnings and Confusion
As the dream shifted once more, Shiv found himself standing at the edge of a vast, bottomless abyss. The dark chasm seemed to call to him, pulling at his very essence. The voice, now clearer, returned.
Mysterious Voice: "Escape the fate of Yang Kai. Your path is not his, and his end is not yours. Seek the power of Eternal Life... find it, before it is too late."
The words struck deep into Shiv's consciousness, but as the dream faded, he found himself unable to grasp the full meaning. The fragments of his past life and the warnings of the mysterious voice left him more confused than before. He knew that his power of Eternal Life held the key to something greater, but the details remained elusive, hidden behind the fog of the dream.
Shiv (thinking, his mind hazy): "Escape Yang Kai's fate... what does that mean?"
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A Fragmented Memory
Before he could make sense of the dream, the world around him shifted once again. The visions of Earth, the powerful figures, and the mysterious voice began to fade. The dream, once vivid and overwhelming, became fragmented, slipping through his fingers like sand.
Though Shiv could no longer hear the voice clearly, the message still echoed faintly in his mind: "Escape... find the Eternal Life... break free from fate."
As the dream faded into nothingness, he found himself grasping at half-remembered scenes—pieces of a puzzle that he could not yet put together.
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Awakening by the River
With a sudden jolt, Yang Kai awoke. The air was cool and fresh, and the sound of water rushing nearby filled his ears. He was no longer in the void but lying on the soft banks of a river, back in the mortal realm. His body, though heavy from his slumber, felt stronger than ever. The power gifted to him by the Taboo had settled, and his cultivation had stabilized at the Peak of the Transcendent Realm.
Yang Kai (breathing deeply, his eyes scanning the surroundings): "Where... where am I?"
The landscape around him was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos and power he had just experienced in his dream. Though he couldn't remember everything clearly, the message from the dream lingered in the back of his mind.
Yang Kai (thinking to himself): "The power of Eternal Life... I need to find out more. But for now, I must understand where I am."
The chapter ends with Yang Kai sitting by the river, gathering his thoughts as the morning sun rises, its light reflecting off the water. Though his body was whole, his mind was filled with questions about the path ahead.
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