Chapter 44 : The Astral Nexus Awakens
Xiao Feng slowly opened his eyes, his surroundings blurred and unfamiliar. His body felt weightless, and the ground beneath him seemed to hum with energy. As his vision cleared, he found himself in a vast chamber. The walls were smooth, metallic, and glowed faintly with a soft blue light, casting an eerie yet calming glow.
"Where am I?" Xiao Feng muttered, scanning the alien surroundings with growing confusion.
Around him, towering statues stood tall. These beings didn't resemble humans but seemed far more advanced, their forms exuding a sense of technological mastery and ancient power. Each statue had an intricate design, as if it represented something beyond Xiao Feng's current understanding.
Before he could take in more of the environment, a soft voice echoed through the chamber.
"Welcome. You are in the Nexus Space."
Xiao Feng turned sharply toward the source of the voice. Standing before him was a woman with long silver hair and glowing blue eyes. Her appearance was striking—though she looked human, there was an unmistakable precision and smoothness to her movements that revealed her true nature. She wasn't human at all.
"Who are you?" Xiao Feng asked, his voice tinged with both confusion and caution.
The woman's eyes glowed faintly as she spoke, her expression calm but direct. "I am Elysia, an advanced AI created by my master. My model is Celestra-EL-77X ."
"An AI?" Xiao Feng repeated, lowering his guard slightly but remaining wary.
"Not just any AI," Elysia continued. "I possess an advanced consciousness, capable of learning, reasoning, and adapting. My master designed me to guard his legacy."
"Your master? And why am I here? Where is this place?" Xiao Feng demanded, trying to make sense of everything.
"You were brought here by the Astral Nexus," Elysia replied matter-of-factly.
"Astral Nexus?" Xiao Feng frowned, the name unfamiliar. He reached into his robes and pulled out the stone he had always carried, now realizing it was no ordinary artifact. "This? You mean this stone?"
"Yes," Elysia confirmed, her mechanical eyes scanning the object. "It is no mere stone. The Astral Nexus is a rare and powerful artifact, one of only three in existence across the universe. It holds within it knowledge, power, and protection, bestowed only to those worthy of succeeding its master."
Xiao Feng's mind raced. "But... why did it choose me?"
"The Astral Nexus is bound to my master, Xytrion. You possess qualities he deemed worthy—determination, strength, and the will to continue what he could not finish. You were chosen as his successor."
"Xytrion?" Xiao Feng repeated, surprised. "Your master? Where is he now?"
Elysia's expression dimmed slightly, though she showed no sign of subservience. "My master, Xytrion, is no longer among the living. He perished long ago in a battle against overwhelming odds."
Xiao Feng's eyes widened. "Who could kill someone of such power? He was on the verge of becoming a Level 6 being!"
"It took 20 other beings, all at Level 5, to bring him down," Elysia explained. "Though they were not as powerful as him individually, their combined strength was enough to defeat him. Yet, even in death, Xytrion took half of them with him and left the survivors gravely injured."
Xiao Feng's thoughts raced. "So, he truly was unmatched, even in death..."
Elysia nodded but made no sign of lowering herself in respect to Xiao Feng. She regarded him not as her master, but as someone entrusted with a monumental task. "Now that you hold the Astral Nexus, you've drawn the attention of other powerful beings. Fortunately for you, none of them know that Xytrion left this artifact in a hidden void realm. They believe everything ended with his death."
"So, I've inherited his legacy... but I'm nowhere near strong enough to face even one of those beings," Xiao Feng admitted.
"You are not," Elysia agreed, her tone flat and precise. "But you will be. As you grow stronger, you will unlock the knowledge and power stored within the Nexus. My master left you everything you will need to complete his mission."
Xiao Feng took a deep breath, the weight of his new role settling over him. "What is it that you want from me, then?"
Elysia's gaze remained steady, unyielding. "Revenge. My master's enemies still roam the universe. And you, as his successor, are now responsible for continuing his work."
Xiao Feng looked at Elysia in disbelief. "Revenge? I'm not even an ant compared to them."
"True," Elysia responded calmly. "But I will aid you. Xytrion left behind many resources, and with each step you take on the path of cultivation, you will gain access to more of what he left behind. When the time comes, you will have the power to seek vengeance."
Xiao Feng clenched his fists, his thoughts swirling. This was no small task. Yet, with the Astral Nexus in his possession, he now had a chance. He couldn't turn away from this path.
"Fine," Xiao Feng said, steeling himself. "I'll take revenge for your master. But I'll do it on my terms."
Elysia's expression remained unchanged, her loyalty to Xytrion evident in her every word. "Very well. I will guide you as we progress. But remember, while you are the successor, you are not my master."
Xiao Feng nodded, understanding the distinction. Elysia's loyalty was to Xytrion alone, and while she would help him, he was merely a vessel for completing the task her master left behind.
As Xiao Feng prepared himself for the journey ahead, he couldn't help but wonder what other secrets the Astral Nexus held, and how long it would take before he could truly live up to the immense legacy left to him.