January 10, 3038
Xenos rose from his bed, stretching his body as memories of recent events filled his mind. "The world has changed so much," he thought, marvelling at the differences from the 21st century.
"Nothing is the same. And now, I've even taken on four disciples. Who would've thought that was possible? I never imagined I'd survive the True Universe—it was a living hell."
As he reflected, a memory of his conversation with Maximo, his eldest disciple, surfaced. "I told him they all need to reach the peak of the Tier 1 realm within five months," he recalled. "It's the only way to save his sister."
Xenos shook himself from his thoughts and gazed out over the Hazel Forest. "Today's the day," he murmured, feeling a strange certainty. "I'll meet her—the final person to receive the greatest providence from the world's will."
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Central region, Corinth province, Hazel forest
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Han Areum walked along the outskirts of the hazel forest, her feet pressing softly into the leaf-strewn ground. After a while, she spotted an old, fallen tree trunk and gratefully sat down, taking a moment to catch her breath. As she gasped for air, she reached into her bag, pulled out a water bottle, and took a long sip, feeling the cool liquid soothe her dry throat.
"What on earth is wrong with the manager?" she muttered, her thoughts racing. "Suddenly insisting I trek up this mountain just to snap a few photos at the top. Is he insane?"
A voice rang out in her mind—a voice she knew well. "I have a bad feeling about all of this, Areum," her older sister, Feng Renhuang, murmured. "Did you see the way he looked at us? Almost… like he pitied us. As if we were walking into a trap."
Areum wasn't startled by the voice; after all, it had been with her for as long as she could remember. "Come on, big sister," she replied, rolling her eyes slightly. "Why would he want us dead? It's not like we've done anything that would make him want to get rid of us."
"Still," Renhuang warned, "don't doubt my intuition. It's saved us more times than you know, ever since we were kids."
Areum's heartbeat quickened at her sister's words, a flicker of panic crossing her face. "Big Sis Renhuang… what should we do? Should we go back? I mean, we've only made it this far thanks to you. Without you, I would've…" Her voice trailed off, realizing just how often her sister's guidance had saved her life.
Renhuang's voice softened but held a tone of conviction. "No. Even though I sense danger, I also feel there's an opportunity ahead—something that could change our fate."
Areum listened intently as her sister continued. "The world has changed, Areum. Humans today lack even the concept of cultivation, and none are born with spirit roots. Even you, as my reincarnation, are without one. That alone is suspicious. Something big is happening, and I don't think we should ignore this chance."
After a pause, Areum nodded slowly, her hesitation melting into resolve. She rose from the tree trunk, taking a final sip from her water bottle, then set her gaze forward. Together, she and Renhuang would press on, ready to face whatever lay in wait for them.
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Xenos arrived at the hazel forest, guided by the subtle precision of his providence technique—a skill designed to locate those marked by fate. As he stepped into the forest's cool shade, his attention fell on a woman who had just emerged from a taxi, her gaze set on the path winding through the hazel trees.
She stood about 5'8", with a slim waist and striking, phoenix-like eyes. Her beauty was remarkable—perhaps one of the most captivating presences he had ever encountered. Yet, beyond her refined features, there was an air of ordinariness about her, almost mundane, like that of any mortal.
In terms of cultivation, she appeared utterly unremarkable, no different from any common person. Xenos frowned, curiosity piqued, and quietly followed her as she walked toward the forest's edge.
After following her for an hour, Xenos still hadn't noticed anything unusual. Then, he saw Han Areum resting on a tree trunk, visibly exhausted. What caught his attention was that she seemed to be speaking to someone—yet no one else was there. Her words had the rhythm of a response, like she was answering someone only she could see.
Curious, Xenos's eyes shifted from golden-purple to a deep purple, a subtle transformation that allowed him to view the scene through a different lens. Now, he could perceive subtle fluctuations within her soul, as if messages were emanating from its core. Peering more intently, he noticed another soul embedded within hers, identical in frequency, wrapped in a faint aura of reincarnation.
"It's weak," he mused, studying the laws surrounding it. This soul had reincarnated ninety-nine times, and this life was her final chance. If Areum were to die again, reincarnation would no longer be possible.
He thought, "It seems that after so many reincarnations, her soul has divided, creating a twin soul that's not yet fully formed."
"And in this last life, if she dies, both souls will merge into one, forming a new entity entirely. Hmm… her other soul, however, is barely holding on. If she draws too much on its power, it might shatter and fade, nourishing the other soul."
Xenos observed a faint trace of imperial energy emanating from the second soul—a rare quality seen only in the emperors of great races. The purity of this energy suggested she was once royalty, perhaps even a princess or empress.
"Best to keep an eye on her," he decided. "From what I can sense, someone may be plotting against them."
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Areum walked for two more hours, finally reaching the peak of the mountain. As she approached the cliff, she took in the view before her: across the hazel forest lay another mountain, separated by a deep valley.
Standing at the edge, she paused to absorb the scene. The air was crisp, and a gentle breeze brushed against her skin, grounding her in the moment. She touched the bracelet on her wrist, and with a soft blue glow, a virtual screen appeared. She tapped the camera icon, capturing photos of the mountain she stood on, the valley below, and the distant Denali mountain across from her.
Areum balanced carefully near the cliff's edge, lost in her photography. As she snapped another shot, a shadow crept behind her, dark and silent. Gradually, it took the shape of a human, inching closer. It was ready to strike when suddenly, a familiar voice called out to her from he head.
"Duck! Behind you!" Renhuang's warning rang sharp and clear.
Without a second thought, Areum dropped low, steadying herself with her hands as she swung her leg back. Her shoes connected perfectly with the shadow's face, sending him stumbling backward and giving her just enough time to leap to her feet.
She took a moment to recognize the figure, then smirked. "Ah, so it's you… shadow hunters again? Haven't you had enough of chasing me since I was a kid?"
The shadow hunter's lips curled into a grin. "Miss Areum, we meet again. Wouldn't it be easier on both of us if you'd just... die?"
Areum raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Agent M! It's been what, five years? Still looking as charming as ever... though I see you've added a scar to the collection."
Agent M's eye twitched, but he forced a smile. "Had it not been for that 'mysterious guardian' of yours, you'd have been died back then. This valley will serve as your burial ground, aren't I kind enough to make this beautiful Vally as your burial ground."
Areum crossed her arms, glancing at him with mock interest. "Well, you always were thoughtful."
Agent M, undeterred by her sarcasm, snapped his fingers. Shadows flickered, and a dozen figures took form around her, cloaking her in a circle of darkness. "And how do you like my surprise?"
Areum surveyed the encroaching shadows, her expression unwavering. "Surprise? I didn't realize shadow hunters threw parties. Although… if it's not my birthday, maybe you should save the party for next time?"
"Your charm won't get you out this time, Areum," Agent M replied, eyes narrowing. "You've been a thorn in our side for too long. Today, we bring all our elite agents to deal with you. An honor, really."
"Oh, I'm flattered." Areum replied, her eyes darting to the edge of the forest. Without missing a beat, she slipped her hand to her belt, producing a small smoke bomb. "Though… I don't think I deserve it." She dropped the bomb, shrouding the area in thick, swirling smoke. With a flash of her gun and a single shot that rang out in the darkness, she melted into the forest canopy, vanishing in the haze.
Agent M coughed, waving the smoke away. His eyes scanned the empty space where Areum had stood, a scowl deepening on his face. The hunt, it seemed, was far from over.
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As Xenos followed quietly behind Areum, he noticed shadowy figures slipping around in the darkness, moving in near silence behind her. His eyes narrowed as he observed, thinking to himself, "They must have trained in an environment rich in dense yin energy. It's given them the ability to blend seamlessly with shadows, almost invisible."
He considered Areum's state. "With her reincarnated soul on the brink of collapse, it's difficult for her to sense their presence," he thought. "Hmm… let's see how this unfolds."
For two hours, he trailed them, watching as Areum, unaware of the threat, took photographs along the cliff edge. True to his prediction, she never sensed the shadowy figures lurking behind her—and yet, they held back from attacking.
Xenos's gaze fixed on Areum, who was blissfully oblivious, snapping photos of the landscape. He noticed a figure creeping closer, preparing to push her. Reflexively, Xenos moved to intervene but hesitated as he watched Areum turn swiftly, countering her assailant with surprising agility. He listened to their brief, tense exchange, new insights forming in his mind.
"She has a good sense of humour ahh... It seems she's been hunted since she was a child," Xenos mused. "The reincarnated soul must have been protecting her all this time, growing and straining itself to the brink of collapse. And yet, Areum has no idea."
But one thing puzzled him. "If this soul is so powerful, why hasn't it fully taken over Areum's body when she was a child to complete the resurrection? is it because she gave up or It must be, she become attached to her, unwilling to sacrifice her to save itself."
Xenos thought back to Areum's mysterious history. "She's been hunted from such an early age. There must be something deeper behind it—some greater conspiracy that has kept her on the run."
Settling back, Xenos decided, "I'll watch and wait. Even if her reincarnated soul is on the verge of collapse, I can heal her when needed. For now, it'll be valuable to see how she evades these threats, and this will a test for her, if she is eligible for the position of elder or not."
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Author:
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The next chapter will be published on 17-11-2024.
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