With a slight shimmer, Xing'er materialized beside Zhìxué, her form tall and graceful, dressed in flowing robes with a delicate horn on her forehead. She looked calm yet resolute as she began to explain the incredible story that had been hidden from Zhìxué all his life.
"As you all witnessed," Xing'er began, her voice gentle yet clear, "the abilities of those dark-clad men—the flames, the weapons, the aura—are beyond what you know of in this world. These individuals are what you would call 'evil cultivators' from another dimension, or to put it simply, another world."
Zhìxué and the others looked at each other in stunned silence, struggling to comprehend her words.
"Another world?" Mei Lin's father muttered, eyes wide with disbelief. "You're saying these men… came from an entirely different dimension?"
Xing'er nodded solemnly. "Yes. Their world is called Tiānliàn (天炼界), a realm where strength is defined by one's connection to energy and cultivation. And this world… it's both breathtakingly powerful and dangerously ruthless. Master Zhìxué's father discovered this truth firsthand."
Zhìxué stared at her, his mind racing. "And… my father? What does he have to do with all of this?"
Xing'er turned to him, her eyes filled with sad wisdom. "Master Zhìxué, your father was the first person from Earth to enter Tiānliàn. He was able to cross over due to a rare cosmic event: the fall of a Neutron Star shard onto Earth, which created a temporary rift between dimensions. Through that event, he entered Tiānliàn and became a legendary figure, with power unmatched by any other human. But with such strength came great risks, and he became the target of evil alliances and dark cultivators in that realm."
Mei Lin's mother placed a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. "A legendary figure… but why would he keep this a secret from us?"
Xing'er's gaze softened as she prepared to reveal the heart of the matter. "Your father knew the cost of letting this knowledge spread. He understood that the power of the Neutron Star shard would bring unimaginable chaos if its existence was discovered on Earth. The evil cultivators of Tiānliàn covet the Neutron Star as a means to amplify their strength and even control dimensions. If they knew about Earth, they would stop at nothing to tear through this world to obtain it."
Zhìxué's hands clenched as he began to understand. "So… he kept it a secret to protect us. To protect the whole world."
Xing'er nodded. "Yes. Your father knew that if anyone here on Earth even hinted at the existence of Tiānliàn, it would put a target on this entire realm. For if the evil cultivators obtained the Neutron Star again, they could advance to the God Level—Shén Jìng (神境)—and have the power to destroy dimensions. Your father used every ounce of his power to shield your family and the Earth itself from this knowledge, keeping you safe from detection by those dark forces."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "To hide the truth, he created me as a guardian for your family, embedding me with data and protocols to protect you should anything ever happen to him."
Mei Lin's father was visibly shaken. "He carried all of this… to keep us safe. All these years, bearing the weight alone?"
Xing'er lowered her gaze. "Yes. He faced unimaginable danger in Tiānliàn, taking the steps necessary to protect his family from afar, all while making sure none of you would ever know. He feared that if you became aware of Tiānliàn or the Neutron Star, it would put all of Earth in jeopardy."
As she spoke, Xing'er summoned a small, glistening crystal that hovered in mid-air, radiating an intense, otherworldly energy. "This is a shard of the Neutron Star, part of what your father used to create me. The other part of the star's material… resides in Master Zhìxué himself."
Zhìxué blinked, staring at the shard in awe, trying to understand her words. "In… in me?"
Xing'er gave him a gentle nod, her voice softening. "Yes, Master Zhìxué. During the accident, your father used the last of his energy to embed a protective layer of the Neutron Star's material within you. This Neutron Star shard kept you alive through an impact that would have otherwise been fatal."
The others were visibly moved, their faces a mixture of sadness, shock, and newfound respect for Zhìxué's father.
Mei Lin looked at Zhìxué with teary eyes. "So… your father sacrificed himself to save you. That's why he never told you… he wanted you to be safe, even if it meant keeping secrets."
Zhìxué's mind reeled as he processed this. "All these years, he hid everything to protect us… because he knew that anyone with access to the Neutron Star shard could reach god-like levels in Tiānliàn."
Xing'er nodded. "Indeed. In that world, cultivators aim to reach Level 10, the Shén Jìng (神境), or God Level. With the power of the Neutron Star shard, a cultivator's strength can rise to an unimaginable level. That is why those men came here—they seek the shard to reach ultimate power and control both dimensions."
Mei Lin's father shook his head, his expression one of disbelief. "This… this sounds like something out of a novel. Evil cultivators? Power levels? It's like one of those fantastical tales. And yet, we've seen it—men with flames in their hands, weapons appearing out of nowhere…"
Mei Lin's mother nodded, her voice quiet but trembling. "It's hard to believe… but there's no other explanation. Those men were too powerful, too unnatural. They can't be from here."
Xing'er looked at them sympathetically. "It may seem unreal, but it is the truth. Master Zhìxué's father became an 'invisible cultivator' in that realm, using his powers to protect you all from afar. But in his final act, he exhausted his strength trying to transport you all through dimensions together. The effort left him vulnerable, and he… could no longer protect himself."
Zhìxué felt a deep pang in his heart as the truth settled over him. "He… he did everything for us. To protect us from a world we never even knew existed."
Xing'er's gaze softened. "Yes. And now, that responsibility falls to you. I am here to help, to fulfill the purpose he left for me—to protect you and guide you."
Zhìxué took a deep breath, his mind racing, yet strangely calm. His father's sacrifice, the Neutron Star shard, the hidden world—it was all connected. And now, it was up to him to face the dangers his father had once confronted alone.
Zhìxué took a deep breath, his mind racing with questions. "Xing'er," he began, "how can I stop them? How do I make sure they go back to their world and stay there?"
Xing'er regarded him thoughtfully, her gaze steady. "Master Zhìxué, you don't need to force them back. After two days, the dimensional rift that allowed them to enter will close, and they will be sent back to Tiānliàn (天炼界). This rift cannot sustain itself beyond that, as it only opens under specific cosmic alignments and energy surges."
The group breathed a collective sigh of relief, though Mei Lin's mother still appeared tense. "So… after two days, they'll be gone?" she asked, her voice tinged with hope.
Xing'er nodded. "Yes, once they are sent back, they won't have the means to return. It's fortunate that this rift only allowed lower-level cultivators to cross into this world."
Zhìxué's father looked perplexed, glancing between Xing'er and the others. "You're saying those men—those terrifyingly powerful men—are just lower-level cultivators?" Xing'er gave a solemn nod. "Yes. From what I've sensed, none of them have surpassed Level 3, Spiritual Energy Awakening—or Líng Jué (灵觉). Most of them haven't even reached that level."
The entire group was taken aback, stunned by her words. Mei Lin's father was the first to speak. "Not even Level 3? But their strength… they're far stronger than anything we've ever seen! No amount of our modern weaponry, not even an army of 10,000 soldiers, could stand against them."
Xing'er looked at him sympathetically, understanding the disbelief on their faces. "In Tiānliàn, strength and cultivation are paramount. Those who possess even a basic level of cultivation power can easily outmatch thousands of ordinary soldiers in this world. Their physical strength, speed, and spiritual abilities are enhanced by what they call qi—the energy that flows within all beings in that realm. To humans in this world, their powers might seem like magic or fantasy, but in their world, it is a natural part of existence."
Mei Lin looked around, still trying to grasp the magnitude of what Xing'er was saying. "So, this whole time, they weren't even close to being the strongest in their world?"
Xing'er shook her head. "No, not even close. The most powerful cultivators in Tiānliàn are at levels unimaginable here, with abilities that could reshape landscapes or even tear through dimensions. They consider power to be the measure of one's worth, and in their society, strength is respected above all else."
Zhìxué clenched his fists, thinking back to the sheer power that Elder Lu had demonstrated. "Even if these men were only at a lower level, they were able to cut through metal, summon flames, and shatter entire structures with a single strike," he murmured, feeling both awe and fear.
Xing'er continued, her expression serious. "Exactly. And that's why your father worked so hard to keep this hidden. He knew that if any high-level cultivators could enter this world, the consequences would be catastrophic. Entire cities could be leveled, and humanity would have no means to defend itself."
Mei Lin's mother closed her eyes, shaken. "This is… it's hard to comprehend. It's like we're living in a dream—a world of fantasy that's somehow real."
Xing'er nodded in understanding. "It may seem unreal, but the danger is very real. Luckily, the dimensional rift won't open again unless a new Neutron Star falls to Earth, which I have calculated will not occur for another 100 million years. So after these two days, you won't have to worry about this again in your lifetime."
Mei Lin looked at Zhìxué with wide eyes, both relieved and concerned. "So we just have to survive these two days… and then, finally, they'll be gone?"
Zhìxué took a deep breath, nodding as he processed everything. "Yes… two days. I think I can handle that."
Xing'er's voice softened. "Your father ensured that this secret would remain safe. But you must also be cautious. In Tiānliàn, the cultivators seek power above all else. If they believe you hold a Neutron Star shard, they will stop at nothing to capture you, knowing that the shard could be the key to their ultimate strength."
Mei Lin's father looked to Zhìxué, his voice low and serious. "Then we'll do everything we can to protect that secret. Your father sacrificed so much for this; we can't let his efforts be in vain."
Zhìxué felt a new sense of resolve hardening within him. "For my father… and for everyone here, I'll make sure they don't succeed."
Zhìxué took a deep breath, gathering his courage as he turned to the group. "I have a plan," he said, his voice steady. "If we separate, they won't be able to sense you. The Neutron Star shard is within me, and that's what they're tracking. If I go alone, I can lead them away from you all. You'll be safe."
The group fell silent, processing his words, but their reactions quickly turned to horror.
Mei Lin was the first to speak, her voice cracking with emotion. "No! You think I'd ever agree to that? Zhìxué, where you go, I follow. I won't leave you alone to face these monsters. We're in this together."
Her parents nodded firmly, her mother's eyes fierce with determination. "Zhìxué, you're like family to us. There's no way we're abandoning you. Your father sacrificed so much to protect you—and now, we'll do everything we can to protect you too. Don't ask us to leave you."
Mei Lin's father put a steady hand on Zhìxué's shoulder. "You have a strength that's hard to come by, but even the strongest don't need to face battles alone. You have us by your side. If these creatures think they can threaten you, they'll have to get through us first."
Zhìxué's resolve wavered, but Xing'er broke in with a calm tone. "Master Zhìxué, it is true: if you are alone, their senses will focus only on you. It could reduce the danger to others."
Mei Lin tightened her grip on Zhìxué's hand. "No, I refuse to let you do this alone. Xing'er might be right, but I won't let you just go off and risk your life like this."
As they debated, a sudden alert appeared in Zhìxué's mind. Xing'er's voice echoed urgently. "They're closing in. Master, I'm detecting them now—they've crossed into Cambodia's borders, moving at speeds that indicate high-level cultivation. Their approach is like lightning. You don't have much time."
Mei Lin's expression turned desperate as she looked at him, her voice trembling. "I won't leave you, Zhìxué. Wherever you go, that's where I belong."
In a split second, the atmosphere shifted, and the tension thickened. The skies seemed to darken as five tall, black-clad figures emerged on the horizon. They moved swiftly, their silhouettes casting long shadows as they approached. One of the men, an older figure with a menacing presence, held a massive black blade pointed to the ground. He halted, a mocking grin visible beneath his mask.
"I thought you might have had a clever plan," the old man sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "But it turns out you simply picked a nice spot for your grave. How convenient."
He laughed, the sound chilling as it echoed in the empty space around them. Zhìxué could feel the tension radiating from Mei Lin and her parents, who stood close by, watching the black-clad figures with fear and defiance in their eyes.
Zhìxué quickly connected his thoughts to Xing'er, reaching out through their mental link. "Xing'er, create a weapon—an AI-powered sword. And prepare for immediate teleportation. Get them out of here, now!"
Xing'er responded instantly. "Understood, Master Zhìxué. AI sword initialization complete. Teleportation sequence activated."
As Mei Lin hugged him tightly, her voice shook with desperation. "Zhìxué, please don't do this! Don't leave us behind!"
Her parents held onto him as well, pulling him close. "We can face them together," her mother said, her voice filled with a fierce protectiveness. "Don't ask us to leave you to face this alone."
Zhìxué clenched his jaw, looking at them all, his heart heavy. With a soft voice, he whispered his final words to Mei Lin. "I'm sorry. Wǒ ài nǐ, Lín'er. Forget me."
Before Mei Lin could respond, Xing'er activated the teleportation. In an instant, Mei Lin and her parents vanished, leaving only Zhìxué and Xing'er to confront the enemies.
As they reappeared safely back in their country, amidst a bustling city square, the shock of what had just happened began to sink in for Mei Lin and her parents. Mei Lin's eyes welled with tears as she looked around, feeling the emptiness beside her. "Zhìxué…" she whispered, her heart aching as she recalled his parting words.
Her parents stood close, each shaken but putting on a brave face. Her father placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He did this to protect us. He knew what he was doing. Let's have faith in him."
Her mother nodded, though tears shone in her eyes. "Your Zhìxué is strong, Mei Lin. And he's not alone—he has that AI, Xing'er, by his side. We have to believe they'll find a way to escape."
Meanwhile, in the isolated field back in Cambodia, Zhìxué stood alone, facing the five cultivators. He took a deep breath and connected his mind to Xing'er again.
"How likely are we to survive this?" he asked.
Xing'er responded, her tone as calm as ever. "Master Zhìxué, my calculations indicate that we face one enemy at Level 2, two at the peak of Level 1, and two at Level 1 with 4 stars. Our chance of winning this confrontation is approximately 40%."
Zhìxué frowned. "Forty percent isn't good enough."
Xing'er adjusted her calculations and offered a somber update. "Probability of evading them is 0.00001%. In other words, they are tracking us with precision—escape is virtually impossible."
Zhìxué's resolve solidified, a fire sparking in his eyes. "Then we fight. For my father, for Mei Lin, and for everyone else. We can't let them take the Neutron Star shard."
In the safety of their homeland, Mei Lin's tears continued to fall as she held onto her parents, replaying Zhìxué's last words in her mind. His farewell echoed with love and a hint of finality, and her heart ached as she worried for him.