His thoughts were interrupted as the forest began to open up, revealing a wide, serene lake nestled at the foot of a towering cliff. A majestic waterfall tumbled down from the cliff, feeding the lake with a steady stream of water. The lake's surface was like glass, reflecting the sky and the surrounding trees, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty.
Feng Liang stood at the edge of the clearing, his breath catching in his throat. The area was perfect... a natural haven, secluded and serene, with the lake providing fresh water and the waterfall adding a sense of tranquility. The forest surrounded the clearing like a protective barrier, and the open field provided ample space to build.
"This place…" Feng Liang whispered, stepping closer to the water's edge.
"This is where I'll start over. This is where I'll build something of my own."
He could feel the energy of the place, a calming presence that seemed to embrace him, washing away the remnants of his old life. For the first time since his rebirth, Feng Liang felt a sense of peace, as though this place had been waiting for him, offering him a sanctuary where he could rebuild his life.
But as he looked out over the lake and the waterfall, Feng Liang's thoughts returned to the world he had left behind. The Heavenly Demon Sect, with its dark, twisted corridors and its merciless doctrine, had been the only home he had ever known. A place where strength was revered above all else, and where weakness was not tolerated. The Heavenly Demon himself was a figure of fear and respect, a man who had carved out a bloody path to power and ruled with an iron fist.
Feng Liang shuddered as memories of his father, the Heavenly Demon, came to the forefront of his mind. The man who had shown him no love, no mercy. The man who had cast him aside the moment he showed signs of weakness, leaving him to fend for himself in a world that had no place for the weak.
But Feng Liang had survived, and now, he was determined to carve out a new path. A path that was his own, free from the shadows of his past.
The world of Murim, which lay beyond the forest, was vast and filled with dangers. The Murim Alliance was a formidable force, its influence stretching across the southern half of the continent. Unlike the Heavenly Demon Sect, which thrived on chaos and fear, the Murim Alliance was built on principles of honor, discipline, and justice.
It was a world where martial arts were revered, where strength was tempered with wisdom, and where the righteous sought to protect the weak from the tyranny of the strong.
But even in a world built on such noble ideals, there was conflict. The nine great sects of the Murim Alliance were powerful, each with its own unique traditions and martial arts, but they were also fiercely competitive, constantly vying for supremacy.
The five major families were ancient and proud, their influence stretching back centuries, and they guarded their secrets with a ferocity that rivaled even the sects.
Feng Liang knew that he was not ready to face the world outside this forest. He had seen the strength of the Murim Alliance firsthand, had witnessed the power of the sects and the families that ruled the martial world.
He knew that if he ventured into their territory, he would be seen as a threat... a remnant of the demonic forces they had fought against for centuries.
But here, in this secluded corner of the world, he could find solace. He could train, grow stronger, and perhaps one day, find a way to reconcile the two halves of his life... the dark and the light, the demon and the man.
With renewed determination, Feng Liang set to work. He scoured the area, searching for the perfect spot to build his new home. He found it near the edge of the lake, where the trees thinned just enough to provide a clear view of the waterfall.
The area was sheltered by tall trees, their branches forming a natural canopy that offered protection from the elements. It was peaceful, isolated, and safe from any prying eyes.
He selected sturdy logs from the nearby trees, testing each one for strength and durability before dragging them to his chosen site. Surprisingly, he found that he could lift and carry the heavy logs with ease... something that would have been impossible for him just days ago. His newfound strength was a mystery, one he intended to solve in time.
"How am I doing this?" he wondered aloud as he hefted a massive tree trunk onto his shoulder and carried it across the clearing.
"This strength… it's not normal. What happened to me?"
But there was no time to dwell on these questions. He needed to focus on building a shelter before nightfall. Feng Liang worked tirelessly, his hands moving with a skill and precision that surprised even him.
He lashed the logs together, forming a solid frame for his cottage. The work was exhausting, but it filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction. He was creating something of his own, something that no one could take away from him.
As the day wore on, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in shades of pink and gold. Feng Liang continued to work, pushing himself to finish the structure before nightfall. The cottage was simple yet sturdy, with walls of woven branches and a roof of tightly bound leaves. A small door and two windows completed the structure, giving it a cozy, inviting appearance.
Finally, as the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the trees, Feng Liang stepped back to admire his handiwork. The cottage stood in the fading light, a testament to his determination and hard work.
"It's not much," Feng Liang said to himself, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"But it's mine."
Inside, he fashioned a bed out of large, soft leaves, arranging them in a corner of the cottage. The scent of fresh foliage filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the wooden walls. The cottage was far from luxurious, but it was comfortable, and most importantly, it was a place he could call his own.
As the night settled in, Feng Liang's stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since the day before. He walked over to the lake, hoping to catch a fish for dinner. The water was clear and calm, reflecting the moonlight like a silver mirror. To his surprise, he saw fish swimming in abundance just below the surface.
"Perfect," he murmured, stripping off his clothes and wading into the cool water.
He had always been a decent swimmer, but now, he moved through the water with a grace and speed that amazed him. The fish darted away from his approach, but with his enhanced reflexes, he was able to catch one with ease, his hand striking out like lightning to snatch a fish from the water.
As Feng Liang swam, he noticed the black residue still clinging to his skin, the impurities that his body had expelled during his breakthrough. The water around him darkened as the residue dissolved, but to his astonishment, the lake's waters quickly cleared, the impurities vanishing as if they had been purified by some unseen force.
"Even the water rejects this filth," he muttered, scrubbing the last of the black substance from his skin.
The water felt invigorating, cleansing not just his body but his mind as well. For the first time in days, he felt truly clean, as though he had washed away the last remnants of his old life.
After catching a few more fish, Feng Liang returned to shore and set about preparing his meal. He gathered dry sticks and leaves from the forest floor, arranging them into a small pile. This time, instead of using Qi or any supernatural means, he decided to start the fire the old-fashioned way.
He selected two stones and struck them together, patiently creating sparks that fell onto the dry kindling. The process was slow and required patience, but Feng Liang found it strangely satisfying. The sparks finally caught, and a small flame flickered to life. He fed the fire with more kindling until it grew into a steady blaze.
"Fire from stone," Feng Liang mused as he skewered the fish on a stick and held it over the flames.
"Simple, but effective. Sometimes the old ways are the best."
As the fish roasted over the fire, Feng Liang's thoughts drifted back to the blurry images and the voice that had guided him during his transformation. Who was that figure, and why did he feel such a strong connection to him?
The power he had felt, the surge of energy that had transformed him... was unlike anything he had ever experienced. And yet, it felt like it had always been a part of him, waiting to be unlocked.
After finishing his meal, Feng Liang extinguished the fire, scattering the ashes into the wind. The night had fully descended by then, the stars twinkling above like distant beacons in the sky. He returned to his cottage, his body heavy with exhaustion but his mind restless.
Inside, the cottage was dark and quiet, the perfect place to rest. Feng Liang lay down on his makeshift bed, the leaves surprisingly comfortable beneath him. But as he closed his eyes, the questions that had plagued him all day returned with renewed intensity.
"I need to understand this power," he muttered to himself.
"I need to know… who I really am."
Driven by curiosity and a sense of urgency, Feng Liang sat up and crossed his legs on the mat. He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing, trying to replicate the sensation he had felt during his breakthrough.
He yearned to feel that surge of warmth again, the power that had transformed him, but no matter how hard he concentrated, the energy remained elusive.
Hours passed as Feng Liang sat in deep concentration, his brow furrowed in frustration.
"Why can't I do it?" he growled, opening his eyes in defeat. The power that had come so easily before now seemed completely out of reach. He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as he tried to calm his racing thoughts.
Just as he was about to give up, exhaustion finally starting to take hold, Feng Liang felt a faint warmth stir within him, deep in the pit of his stomach. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there. His heart quickened in response, but he forced himself to remain calm, to not let his excitement disrupt the delicate connection he was trying to establish.
"Focus," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the night.
"Don't force it. Just let it flow… like water."
Slowly, the warmth began to spread, moving through his body like a gentle current. It wasn't the overwhelming surge of power he had felt before, but it was something... something real, something he could build on. The energy flowed through his meridians, clearing away the last remnants of blockages that had lingered there, bringing with it a sense of calm and clarity.
For the first time since his transformation, Feng Liang felt truly connected to the energy within him. It was as if a door had opened, allowing him to tap into a wellspring of power that had always been there, just waiting for him to find it.
"This is it," he thought, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.
"This is the beginning… the beginning of something new."
His mind drifted back to the voice from before... the voice that had spoken of strength, justice, and carving a name in history. The figure that had guided him was still a mystery, but Feng Liang knew that he was on the right path.
He was no longer the weak, helpless boy who had been cast aside by the Heavenly Demon. He was something more now, something greater.
With a deep breath, Feng Liang allowed the energy to settle within him, his body relaxing as the warmth continued to flow through his veins. The power he sought was within reach, but he knew it would take time to fully unlock it. For now, he was content to let it grow naturally, to nurture it like a seed planted in fertile soil.
As he lay back down on the mat, Feng Liang felt a sense of peace he hadn't known in years. The worries and fears that had plagued him since his transformation seemed distant now, overshadowed by the calm certainty that he was on the right path.
He closed his eyes, letting the sound of the waterfall outside lull him to sleep. His mind drifted into the realm of dreams, where the blurry figure awaited him once more, standing at the edge of a vast, endless horizon.
"Remember," the voice echoed in his mind,
"the journey is long, but every step brings you closer to the truth. Be patient, be strong, and never forget who you are."
As the words faded into the darkness, Feng Liang's consciousness slipped away, and he fell into a deep, restful sleep.