YU HAN POV :
The face reflected in the mirror seemed like that of a stranger. The unfamiliar features stirred a profound, almost visceral unease within me, confirming the deep sense of disorientation I had felt from the start.
"Alright, Zhou Chen, breathe deeply. No need to panic. There has to be a rational explanation for my presence here… Think… Ah! The woman earlier mentioned a training hall, didn't she? So… the true owner of this body must have accomplished something that allowed me to anchor myself in him!"
This deduction barely reassured me, but it injected a hint of logic into this surreal situation. Inhaling deeply, I tried to gather my thoughts, analyzing every detail that might shed light on the mystery.
I must understand what's happening here, no matter the cost.
I advanced toward the door that the young woman had taken earlier. With a cautious hand, I opened it slowly, revealing a long hallway bathed in a soft light. The polished wooden floor creaked slightly under my steps, and the walls, covered with a thick white fabric of unusual texture, imparted a quiet, almost solemn atmosphere to the place.
"Where on earth is this training hall…?" I murmured, perplexed.
As I navigated the seemingly endless corridors of this vast building, my attention was suddenly captured by a scene visible through a large opening. Outside, in what looked like a meticulously maintained garden, around fifty—maybe even a hundred—young men and women my age were practicing rigorously with wooden swords. They moved with a discipline that hinted at years of training, under the watchful eyes of their masters.
Could this be a dojo? I thought, incredulous. But… the woman mentioned my "mother" earlier…
I froze for a moment, my mind whirling as I tried to piece together the scattered clues of this puzzle. Then, suddenly, a hypothesis struck me with the clarity of revelation.
Of course! The owner of this body must belong to a noble lineage, one dedicated to swordsmanship! That would explain why the woman mentioned the training hall!
A satisfied smile spread across my face as I murmured to myself, amused, "Sometimes, my own genius surprises me!"
With renewed determination, I resumed my exploration, walking through the hallways with the hope of finally discovering this elusive hall. Ten minutes passed, then thirty, then a full hour. But despite my efforts, the mysterious hall remained elusive. This building seemed designed like a labyrinth, endlessly long and winding. Just as I was considering giving up, a delicate white, translucent fabric door caught my eye. A plaque affixed to it read: *"Ancient Archives of the Arts and Cultures of Zheng."*
"Archives? This is a stroke of luck! If I want to uncover the secrets of this place, this is the best spot to start!"
Without a second thought, I entered the room, my heart racing with excitement at the prospect of discovery. The room was filled with rows of ancient scrolls, each one carefully stored, preserving knowledge accumulated over generations. I began examining each document within reach, devouring the information they contained. An hour passed in this way, and the knowledge I acquired proved more valuable than I could have hoped.
**The Continent:** I discovered that we were in the Kingdom of Zheng, with its legendary and emblematic capital, Bāhgūh, the pulsating heart of one of the most powerful and prosperous realms on the Eastern Continent. This kingdom, founded long ago by Younshoul, the Apostle of Knowledge, had existed for over a thousand years, carrying forward an ancient heritage.
So, Younshoul was the founder of this kingdom… Interesting…
I continued combing through the archives, searching for information on other continents and apostles, but the details were sparse. However, one manuscript caught my attention. It discussed a mystical discipline called *Alchemy*.
**Alchemy:** This mysterious art was based on a profound interdependence between body and spirit, divided into three realms. The outer realm, encompassing the skin, symbolized endurance and appearance; the inner realm, housing organs and bones, represented vital strength; and the lower realm, the soul, embodied the reflection of spirit and personality.
The text also described five core principles, the pillars of the soul:
- **Jiā:** the indomitable spirit, able to overcome any situation without wavering.
- **Zhì:** the analytical, strategic mind, exploiting every detail for advantage.
- **Kìo:** the adaptive spirit, quick to adjust to changing circumstances.
- **Sō:** the manipulative spirit, able to shape the environment to one's advantage.
- **Zō:** the creative spirit, master of situations, capable of altering them at will.
According to the texts, meditation and mental discipline allowed one to manifest these traits tangibly, even to the point of altering physical appearance or summoning spiritual weapons and creatures into the physical world.
"Fascinating… This might explain why the owner of this body trained himself to the point of exhaustion, driven by a quest for mastery…"
Thoughtfully, I rested my hand on my lips. I wonder what kind of soul I possess…
Suddenly, the serene silence of the room was shattered by a loud sound. The fabric door opened with a bang, startling me and making me drop the manuscript I was holding. The noise echoed through the room, and a familiar voice filled the space, clear and slightly impatient.
"Finally! I found you, Master Yu!"
The woman from earlier entered swiftly, looking concerned, with a palpable worry in her eyes.
"You gave me quite the scare! Please, don't disappear like that again!"
I gave her an awkward smile, attempting a contrite expression. "Ah, I'm really sorry… I just felt the need to take a little stroll…"
And besides, you didn't give me any directions… I thought, scratching the back of my head.
She sighed in relief before her tone softened. "It's alright, but your mother is waiting for you in her chamber. Follow me."