"Noooo…"
Feng Tian's anguished cry reverberated through the void, a stark contrast to the oppressive silence that enveloped him. He felt himself being pulled through the endless darkness, disoriented and struggling to grasp what was happening.
"What the hell? What is happening here?" he shouted, his voice filled with both frustration and a hint of desperation. The darkness around him seemed to mock his predicament, stretching on infinitely.
A deep, resonant voice emerged from the darkness, carrying an air of familiarity mixed with cryptic wisdom. "Good boy. You didn't disappoint me. Had you accepted that choice and opted for a simple, easy life, I would have been greatly disappointed."
Feng Tian's anger flared at the voice, recognizing it with mounting frustration. "You! Old man! You told me I didn't have much time and then sent me away with that worthless system! Now, what do you want from me?"
"Calm down, boy," the voice said, now more authoritative, almost soothing. "I suppose it's time to properly introduce myself. I am known by many names across different worlds. The most common one is 'The One.' You may call me Di Xunhuan, the God of Cycles—more specifically, the Yin-Yang Cycle. I have chosen you as my successor. The previous test was to assess your worthiness. If you had accepted the easy path offered by that system, you would have failed. But you've passed, so I will now give you a true mission."
Feng Tian, still reeling from his recent experiences, was filled with suspicion. "Old man, are you serious? You're laying all this out in the open? I expected you to act like those ancient, mysterious figures in novels—being all cryptic and playing games with me."
Di Xunhuan's voice carried a soft, almost amused tone. "I have no need to deceive you, Feng Tian. This isn't a novel where I must play tricks. Since I have chosen you as my successor, you have the right to know the truth."
Feng Tian struggled with his own emotions. "Okay, fine, but I don't need your so-called truth. I'm dead now, and I'd rather stay that way."
"Don't be so hasty," Di Xunhuan's voice carried a hint of intrigue. "Once you're there, you won't want to reject my offer."
"You just told me you wouldn't act mysteriously and now you're being cryptic again," Feng Tian said, his suspicion growing stronger. "Make up your mind!"
"Enough," Di Xunhuan commanded, his voice taking on a more commanding tone. "Your time has come. Prepare to leave."
"Wait! Don't just send me off without a full explanation!" Feng Tian protested, but his words were swallowed by the void as he felt himself being drawn away once more, leaving behind the enigmatic figure who had been speaking to him.
…
Feng Tian's eyes fluttered open in a dimly lit room. The space was opulent yet foreboding, with rich, dark colors dominating the décor. The room was large and furnished with luxurious, but heavy and shadowy, pieces that added to the oppressive atmosphere. The air was thick with an unsettling stillness.
He stumbled out of bed and moved toward a window draped with heavy, dark curtains. With a sense of unease, he pulled them aside. Outside, the sky was an unusual shade of deep purple, streaked with dark clouds that seemed to churn ominously. The sight was both haunting and mesmerizing, casting a strange glow on the surroundings.
"What place is this?" he muttered, a mix of curiosity and trepidation in his voice as he took in the unfamiliar environment.
He walked over to a full-sized mirror and peered at his reflection. The image that greeted him was of a handsome young man with striking blonde hair. The face was unfamiliar, yet there was a faint sense of recognition that stirred within him.
Feng Tian sifted through the memories flooding his mind. "This is... the DXD world?" He recalled the previous life he had briefly inhabited, his thoughts racing to piece together the situation. "Is this another test or some kind of trick? Old man, I don't want to be your successor. If you really believe that I would change my mind, just let me die."
"Don't be so anxious, boy," Di Xunhuan's voice echoed in his mind, calm and reassuring. "Look inside yourself. Feel what's flowing within you, and then make your decision."
Skeptical but curious, Feng Tian complied. He sat cross-legged on the floor and focused inward, probing the energies that coursed through his new body.
"The body seems decent, though not well-trained," he assessed silently. "The Phoenix flame burns with vital energy... demonic qi is rich... and there's a trace of devil qi... but what's this... the bloodline...?"
His voice trailed off as he made a startling discovery. "WHAT THE HELL!!! How is this possible? How can it be? There's a trace of *her* bloodline in this body. But she's dead... How is her bloodline here in a different world?"
His mind raced, overwhelmed by the implications of this discovery. "Tell me how this is possible! Isn't she dead?"
Di Xunhuan's voice returned, tinged with satisfaction. "Well, well, boy. Are you now interested? If you want answers, you must get strong as quickly as possible. The first test was her idea. And she isn't opposed to you having many women, but do keep it under control."
Feng Tian's emotions boiled over, a mix of confusion and desperation. "What do you mean by that? How do you know her? Is she alive? Let me speak to her!"
Di Xunhuan's tone remained even, with a touch of teasing. "It's not important right now. Get strong, and when the time comes, you'll meet her. If you manage to find her on your own, you might see her sooner. Goodbye for now. And remember, everything I've said is true. If I lied, may I be punished. So go all out and get strong as quickly as possible."
The voice faded into silence, leaving Feng Tian alone with his thoughts. He called out, his voice echoing in the empty room, but there was no reply.
After a period of silence, Feng Tian's resolve hardened. "So, I've been reborn as Raiser..." he muttered to himself, his mind trying to come to terms with the reality he found himself in.
*[DING]*
[YIN-YANG SYSTEM ONLINE…]
The notification echoed in his mind, confirming his new reality. Feng Tian took a deep breath, processing the information. "I've been reborn as Raiser with the Yin-Yang System..."
The implications of his new situation began to sink in. The enigmatic figure Di Xunhuan, the presence of *her* bloodline, and the mysterious world he now inhabited all pointed to a complex and uncertain destiny.
Feng Tian's thoughts swirled with questions and unresolved feelings. The journey ahead was shrouded in mystery, and the path before him was uncertain. Yet, one thing was clear: he was now bound to a new purpose and a new reality, and he would have to navigate it with the strength and resolve he could muster.
As he stood in the dimly lit room with the haunting purple sky outside, Feng Tian prepared himself for the challenges ahead. The answers he sought lay just beyond his grasp, and his journey to uncover the truth and fulfill his destiny had only just begun.
With determination burning within him, Feng Tian set his mind on the path forward. The mysteries of his rebirth, the enigmatic figure of Di Xunhuan, and the presence of *her* bloodline all pointed to a destiny that would test his strength and resolve. For now, he had no choice but to face the unknown and forge his own path in this strange new world.
---