Feng Yuntian, once the mightiest Sovereign of Chaos, now stood alone in the vast halls of the Spirit Pavilion, his heart heavy with memories from a life he no longer lived. The jade talisman in his hand pulsed with power, a relic from the very realm where he once reigned supreme as Xuan Jiutian.
Though he had long since reincarnated into this mortal world, the past never truly left him. He could still recall the moment of his downfall—the betrayal of those he once trusted, the unimaginable pain as everything he had built in the Chaos crumbled before him. In this life, he was Feng Yuntian, but the blood of Xuan Jiutian, Sovereign of Chaos, still ran through his veins.
As the talisman in his hand continued to pulse, it stirred something deep within him. His connection to the Chaos realm had never been fully severed, and now, after passing the third trial of the Spirit Pavilion, those bonds felt stronger than ever.
Suddenly, the silence of the pavilion was interrupted by the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps. Feng Yuntian turned sharply, his senses immediately on high alert. Emerging from the shadows was a figure cloaked in crimson robes, their face hidden beneath a dark hood.
"Xuan Jiutian," a cold voice called out, smooth and familiar, reverberating through the chamber. "It's been a long time."
Feng Yuntian's eyes narrowed at the sound of that voice. Recognition flooded through him, his grip tightening on the jade talisman.
"It can't be..." he muttered to himself, a mix of disbelief and anger flashing across his face.
The figure slowly removed their hood, revealing a face that had once been far too familiar. Tian Ziyu, one of the very men who had stood at his side in the Chaos—before plunging a dagger into his back.
"Tian Ziyu…" Feng Yuntian growled, his eyes blazing with rage. "I thought I'd rid myself of your presence when I left the Chaos."
Tian Ziyu's lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth behind it. "I see the years haven't dulled your memory," he said, stepping closer. "But it seems you have not fully escaped your past."
Feng Yuntian's grip on the talisman tightened further, the raw fury of his former self—Xuan Jiutian—rising within him. "What do you want, traitor? Didn't you have your fill when you helped bring me down in the Chaos?"
Tian Ziyu chuckled softly, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Betrayal, you say? You always were quick to judge, Xuan Jiutian. But things aren't as simple as they seemed back then."
Feng Yuntian's gaze darkened. "You conspired against me—sold me out to those who feared my power. And now, after all this time, you dare to stand before me and claim innocence?"
Tian Ziyu spread his arms in mock surrender. "You misunderstand. I don't claim innocence, nor do I expect forgiveness. But the Chaos is not what it once was. Those who orchestrated your fall, who now claim to rule in your place… they fear you, Xuan Jiutian. They fear the possibility of your return."
Feng Yuntian's heart stirred. He had long suspected that his enemies in the Chaos hadn't forgotten about him. His reincarnation into the mortal world was meant to give him a new beginning, but his destiny remained tied to the very realm he sought to leave behind.
"And what of you, Tian Ziyu?" Feng Yuntian's voice was cold and unyielding. "What role do you play in this game?"
Tian Ziyu's smile faded, his expression turning more serious. "After your fall, I was cast aside just like you. They no longer trusted me. For years, I've waited—watched—hoping for an opportunity to set things right."
Feng Yuntian raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident on his face. "Set things right? By aligning with me, your old enemy?"
Tian Ziyu's gaze sharpened, his eyes glinting with determination. "Our enmity is in the past. What's more important now is survival. The Chaos is collapsing. Without you, the balance will tip, and everything you once fought for will be lost."
Feng Yuntian remained silent, his mind racing. He had never expected Tian Ziyu to return, much less claim to be an ally. But the Chaos, his former empire… if it truly was on the brink of collapse, he couldn't ignore the call of his old world.
"And why should I trust you?" Feng Yuntian asked, his voice edged with suspicion. "You betrayed me once. What's stopping you from doing it again?"
Tian Ziyu's gaze softened, though it still carried a weight of darkness. "Because I have no reason to betray you this time. The enemies you made are now my enemies as well. We both want the same thing—revenge, and to reclaim what was lost."
Feng Yuntian's hand hovered over his sword. His past as Xuan Jiutian had taught him never to trust too easily, and his instincts screamed at him not to fall into another trap.
"If I agree to this," Feng Yuntian said slowly, "we do things my way. No more deception. No more lies. I lead, and you follow."
Tian Ziyu nodded, his smile returning. "Agreed. You were always the leader, Xuan Jiutian. Nothing has changed."
Feng Yuntian studied him for a long moment, his sharp eyes searching for any sign of deceit. Though he remained wary, he couldn't deny that an alliance with Tian Ziyu, even a temporary one, would give him the edge he needed to reclaim his place in the Chaos.
"Then we have a deal," Feng Yuntian said, his voice firm.
Tian Ziyu bowed slightly, his expression unreadable. "The Chaos will know your name once again, Xuan Jiutian. And those who wronged us will face their end."
As Tian Ziyu retreated back into the shadows, Feng Yuntian stood still, the jade talisman in his hand glowing faintly. His reincarnation as Feng Yuntian had given him a second chance, but the weight of Xuan Jiutian's legacy hung heavily over him.
The Chaos called to him. And he would answer.
Those who had betrayed him would soon learn that Xuan Jiutian, Sovereign of Chaos, was not so easily destroyed.