In the dim light of early morning, with the sky still cloaked in the deep hues of dawn, Mei Lin's family and the mansion's staff gathered silently outside the grand new mansion. They were all there to say their farewells. Mei Lin's parents stood beside Zhìxué, their faces etched with both pride and sorrow as they prepared to see him off. Zhìxué, dressed in a sharp black suit, carried a solemn resolve in his gaze as he looked at them one last time.
Zhìxué: [voice calm, but filled with warmth] "In that world, I may not find a way to reach you. But please, live well, eat well, and rest without worry. I will come back to you—alive. This isn't goodbye forever. I love you both."
He stepped forward, pulling them into an embrace, feeling their warmth as they hugged him tightly. Mei Lin's mother clung to him, her tears finally breaking free, while her father placed a steady hand on Zhìxué's shoulder, squeezing it with a fatherly strength that spoke louder than words.
Mei Lin's Mother: [voice choked with emotion] "Take care of yourself, Zhìxué. No matter where you are, remember you have a home waiting for you."
Mei Lin's Father: [voice breaking slightly] "You're our son now. We'll be here… waiting. Be safe, son."
Zhìxué held them a moment longer, committing the feeling to memory, then stepped back, nodding firmly, a final look of reassurance in his eyes. The maids and bodyguards, though silent, looked on with quiet respect, understanding the gravity of the moment.
With a last glance, Zhìxué took a deep breath, his resolve unwavering as he raised his hand and activated the Neutron Ring. In an instant, he transported himself to the edge of Samut Cher forest, the very place where he'd last fought. The air felt different, charged with the remnants of past battles.
He looked around the familiar yet otherworldly forest and then focused inwardly, reaching out to Xing'er through the ring.
Zhìxué: [mind focused] "Xing'er, how do I summon a door to the other world?"
Xing'er: [her voice echoing softly in his mind] "Master, connect deeply with the Neutron Ring. Visualize the world you want to enter and concentrate on calling its name in your mind. The dimension will respond, and the pathway will reveal itself."
Following her instructions, Zhìxué steadied his breath, focusing on the ring and on the name of the world he sought. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to feel the ring's power, to let it flow through him as he mentally called out the world's name.
As his connection deepened, the air around him began to shift. The vibrant forest in front of him fractured, the trees bending and shimmering as if reality itself were peeling back. A powerful gust of wind swept through, and a celestial door materialized in the cracked space before him, glowing with an otherworldly aura, pulsing like a heartbeat.
Zhìxué opened his eyes, the door standing before him—a portal leading to the unknown.
Zhìxué: [voice low, filled with determination as he steps forward] "Tiānliàn, bring me what you've got."
With a final glance back at the familiar forest, he stepped through the portal, feeling the winds pull him forward as he crossed into the world that awaited, ready to face the battles, the answers, and the dangers that lay beyond.
As Zhìxué crossed through the portal, the door behind him snapped shut, seamlessly returning Samut Cher's forest in Cambodia to its tranquil, untouched state in the normal world. But as Zhìxué continued forward, he felt an unsettling wave of dizziness wash over him. The transition was disorienting, as if he were being flung through space at breakneck speeds, twisting and turning in an endless, nauseating spiral. His surroundings blurred and stretched, evoking the sensation of a relentless, high-speed roller coaster that seemed to have no end.
Unable to withstand the pressure, Zhìxué's senses overwhelmed him, and he fainted, his body collapsing mid-transit.
Beside him, Xing'er, now in her soul form, experienced an unexpected shock. Although she had once entered this world as an AI, the strange, unidentifiable energy within the portal now forced her physical form out of the Neutron Ring. She felt herself materializing in the open space around him, no longer confined by the ring's usual safety. Xing'er's mind raced—she hadn't anticipated this unknown energy forcing her out, nor had she felt anything like it before.
Just as she struggled to understand the powerful force, the space around them erupted with even more intense energy. Both Zhìxué and Xing'er were bombarded with a flood of fragmented memories—scenes, visions, and sounds from this new world flashed before their minds. For Zhìxué, it was the unfamiliarity of a world he had never seen. But for Xing'er, these impressions stirred an unexpected sense of recognition, as though the world she had once known only through data was now vividly real, pressing into her consciousness.
Together, caught in this stream of memories and energy, they both drifted, unconscious, yet somehow bound to this new, formidable world awaiting them.
As Zhìxué traveled through the portal, the journey felt endless. Unfamiliar energies surged around him, swirling with chaotic power that left him dizzy and overwhelmed. Every part of him was being bombarded, each sensation more intense than the last, until he felt his grip on consciousness slipping.
Beside him, Xing'er floated freely, forced out of the Neutron Ring by the turbulent energy. For the first time, she experienced a transformation beyond her AI limitations; as a soul form, the streams of knowledge and power within this new realm poured into her mind. Her abilities felt vivid, expanded, as though she had become a true guardian of this world—no longer bound by the limitations of her former existence.
But Zhìxué, unable to withstand the force of the portal, finally succumbed to unconsciousness. In that suspended state, he was suddenly flooded with memories—memories that didn't belong to him. Images of a grand mansion, imbued with tradition and power, filled his mind. He could see a young boy, around 18 years old, frail and weak, lying in a grand room, his family surrounding him.
He could feel their concern, their desperation, as though it were his own. The boy's father, Tiān Xuántài (天玄泰), stood by, his expression heavy with worry. The boy's mother, Tiān Mèiyǔ (天美玉), clung to her son's hand, her face stained with tears as she begged the doctor to help. An older brother, Tiān Zhàohóng (天照鸿), and sister, Tiān Língxiù (天灵秀), stood nearby, their eyes filled with silent dread.
Doctor: [somberly, in a grave tone] "Patriarch Tiān, this is the Dragon's Fan Venom Curse. It's incredibly rare and merciless. I have only seen it once before in my lifetime. This venom… it's woven deeply into his essence. I'm afraid… he will not survive the night."
Tiān Mèiyǔ: [weeping, clutching her son's hand] "Please… anything! This is our child! There must be some way to save him…"
Tiān Xuántài: [voice tight with restrained despair] "He's the youngest… our hope. Isn't there anything that can be done?"
The doctor shook his head, unable to meet their gaze.
Doctor: "I'm truly sorry. His fate is sealed."
The family's grief was overwhelming, and Zhìxué could feel their sorrow pressing into him, as if it were his own. Suddenly, the image of the boy lying in bed became sharper, and a voice echoed softly within Zhìxué's mind. He could see the boy's spirit—a faint, gentle figure looking up at him with a sad, accepting smile.
Little Boy: [softly, gazing at Zhìxué with understanding] "I guess this is where my story ends. I didn't get a chance to live… but maybe you're here because your life ended too. Are you like me, big brother?"
Zhìxué, caught in the trance-like vision, found himself struggling to speak, overwhelmed by the moment.
Zhìxué: [stammering, barely able to find his voice] "I… I don't know. Who are you?"
Little Boy: [bittersweet smile, glancing towards his family one last time] "My name is Zhìqiáng, Tiān Zhìqiáng. I was born with no power, no strength… and now I'll leave with nothing." [pauses, sadness flickering in his eyes] "I think… maybe somewhere else, I'll have another chance."
He looked back at his family, the sorrow evident in his expression.
Tiān Zhìqiáng: "I'm sorry… for the trouble I've caused. I've only been a burden all these years. Please… try to forget me." His voice grew softer, as though he was speaking more to himself than to Zhìxué, regret coloring his final words. "I wish things could've been different."
As the boy's spirit began to fade, he gave Zhìxué a nod of acceptance. In that moment, Zhìxué felt the weight of a life unlived, of dreams that would never be fulfilled. The young spirit disappeared, leaving Zhìxué in a world of emptiness and silence.
Then, as if in answer to the farewell, Zhìxué felt the world around him shift. The dreamscape shattered, and he was drawn into a brilliant, blinding light, his own journey about to begin in a life that wasn't truly his—but one he was destined to inherit.
As Zhìxué's consciousness hurtled forward, his physical form dissolved into a soul. In an instant, his essence surged toward the young boy's body, filling it with life just as the boy's last breath slipped away. The room was silent, the family and doctor frozen as they awaited the inevitable.
Then, in a shocking twist, the boy's eyes snapped open, clear and sharp. He sat up, taking a deep breath, his gaze strong and unwavering. The room filled with stunned silence, and the family stared in disbelief.
Tiān Mèiyǔ: [crying out, a mixture of shock and relief] "Zhìqiáng! My son, is it truly you?" She reached for him, her hands trembling. "We thought… we thought you were gone…"
Tiān Zhàohóng: [voice choked with emotion, wide-eyed] "How is this possible? Little brother… you were… we… we thought…"
The doctor, who had been standing aside in solemn acceptance, was now visibly shaken. He muttered to himself, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.
Doctor: [stunned, under his breath] "How could this be? The venom… it was supposed to be lethal. No one has ever survived… My knowledge, my experience… Was I truly wrong?"
Patriarch Tiān Xuántài turned to the doctor, his face unreadable but his eyes filled with intensity.
Tiān Xuántài: [coldly] "Doctor, your diagnosis was final, wasn't it? You swore there was no hope for my son."
Doctor: [stammering, clearly shaken] "Patriarch, I… I swear by my knowledge, there was no cure. The venom's curse was beyond any treatment… but this… this is beyond all reason."
Tiān Xuántài: [with a controlled but furious tone] "Enough. You gave up on my son without seeking every possibility. You will leave at once."
The doctor looked to Zhìqiáng's mother, who turned her gaze away, unable to forgive his hopeless assessment. With a last glance at the family, he left quietly, his once-proud head bowed.
As the door closed behind him, Tiān Xuántài stepped toward his son, his expression softened with a fierce, protective love.
Tiān Xuántài: [voice shaking with emotion] "Zhìqiáng… my son, you've returned to us. I… I can't understand how, but I'll forever be grateful."
Tiān Língxiù knelt by her brother, taking his hand with a tearful smile.
Tiān Língxiù: [softly, her voice filled with love] "You came back to us, little brother. You're a miracle."
Zhìxué, still adjusting to this new body, nodded, feeling their warmth and love, but also bearing a deeper purpose, one that lingered in his heart. He looked at each member of the family, sensing the unspoken gratitude and the awe in their eyes.
Tiān Mèiyǔ wrapped her arms around him, her tears falling freely.
Tiān Mèiyǔ: [sobbing, her voice full of relief] "My son, you're back with us. Whatever power saved you, it has blessed us all."
In that moment, Zhìxué felt the weight of the boy's life he now carried—a life that, for the family around him, was a miracle given back. The boy's essence lingered as a quiet whisper in his heart, a reminder of the past and the strength he'd drawn from his family's love.
And as Zhìxué stood tall, the entire room seemed to fill with the awe of a life rekindled. The family held onto him tightly, their hearts brimming with a mixture of joy, shock, and the certainty that this boy's fate was something much greater than any of them could yet understand.
As Zhìxué settled into his new form as Tiān Zhìqiáng, he marveled at the strength and vitality in this body. Although lacking cultivation, it felt alive, as if his senses had sharpened. Memories of Tiān Zhìqiáng's life began filling his mind, revealing the family's structure, struggles, and hopes. Just as he was absorbing these memories, Tiān Xuántài, the patriarch of the Tiān family, stood by him, his voice thick with emotion.
Tiān Xuántài: [relieved, almost overwhelmed] "Zhìqiáng, my son, the heavens have truly blessed us today. To see you here, healthy and strong… it's like a miracle. Your mother and I never lost hope, though it seemed impossible. This vitality—it's as if the heavens themselves intervened."
Zhìxué nodded, acknowledging the profound relief in his new father's voice. Before he could respond, however, a thunderous voice broke through the peaceful moment, echoing across the mansion grounds.
Voice: "Tiān Xuántài! Show yourself. The Yun family is here on urgent business."
Tiān Xuántài's expression immediately hardened, replaced by a look of quiet anger. He exchanged glances with his eldest son, Tiān Zhàohóng, and daughter, Tiān Língxiù, who both nodded in understanding.
Tiān Xuántài: [firmly] "Zhàohóng, Língxiù, go see who dares to disturb us so boldly. Handle this."
Zhàohóng and Língxiù swiftly exited, with Zhìxué close behind. As they reached the mansion's entrance, they saw a large group gathered outside, each figure dressed in dark robes emblazoned with the Yun family insignia. Leading them was Yun Minting, known as the "Mist-Born Prodigy," his gaze smug and self-assured. Beside him stood Yuan Zeyan, the elder infamously known as the "Shade of Poison," his eyes filled with an unsettling curiosity.
Tiān Zhàohóng stepped forward, meeting Yun Minting's gaze with a steady look.
Tiān Zhàohóng: [evenly] "Yun Minting, Elder Yuan Zeyan… what brings the Yun family here, uninvited and in such numbers?"
As the group from the Yun family stood at the gates of the Tiān mansion, their faces carried a veneer of politeness that barely hid their true intentions. At the forefront was Yun Minting, the young heir of the Yun family, and beside him was Elder Yuan Zeyan, the formidable "Shade of Poison." They both greeted Tiān Zhàohóng and Tiān Língxiù with formal bows, but their words quickly took on a cutting edge.
Yun Minting: [smiling thinly, voice laced with mockery] "Ah, Tiān Zhàohóng, Tiān Língxiù, how courteous of you to receive us so promptly. We apologize for arriving with such… numbers. But given the unfortunate state of your younger brother, Zhìqiáng, we felt it necessary to extend a show of support. After all, news travels fast, and rumors tell of the Tiān family pouring resources into his recovery—yet the poor boy remains… fragile."
Tiān Língxiù's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing as she saw through the false concern in Yun Minting's words.
Tiān Língxiù: [coldly] "We didn't invite you, nor did we request your concern. If you truly came here for courtesy's sake, a smaller delegation would have sufficed."
Yun Minting's smirk only widened, his tone sharpening.
Yun Minting: "Oh, come now, Língxiù. It's only natural for us to arrive with enough support. After all, if the rumors are true, the Tiān family has been practically bleeding resources to keep young Zhìqiáng alive. But there are other options—simpler solutions to your… predicament."
Tiān Zhàohóng, his patience wearing thin, took a step forward, his voice steady and unyielding.
Tiān Zhàohóng: "Speak plainly, Yun Minting. We know you didn't come here simply to observe. State your intentions, or leave."
Yun Minting chuckled softly, glancing over his shoulder at the gathered members of his family before returning his gaze to Zhàohóng and Língxiù.
Yun Minting: [feigned politeness] "Very well. Since you insist, we'll be direct. Our presence here is twofold. First, we bring an invitation from the Black Sun Alliance. It is an alliance of families who understand that power does not come from isolation. With us, the Tiān family could enjoy resources, wealth, and alchemists capable of saving young Zhìqiáng's life. Imagine—no more wasted resources, no more struggles to keep a weakened boy alive."
Língxiù clenched her fists, her voice trembling with barely contained anger.
Tiān Língxiù: "Your so-called alliance brings nothing but corruption. We have no interest in joining forces with those who exploit others for their own gain."
Yun Minting's polite facade began to slip, revealing a darker, more malicious expression.
Yun Minting: [mockingly] "Is that so? Because from where I stand, it looks as though your family could benefit greatly from some… outside support. Or are you content to keep wasting resources while watching your precious Tiān family wither?"
Zhàohóng stepped forward, his voice resolute.
Tiān Zhàohóng: "The Tiān family doesn't need your charity or your alliance. We'll find our own path. Now, leave."
Yuan Zeyan, observing the conversation with a faint sneer, decided it was time to make his presence known. He took a step forward, his aura suddenly flaring as he allowed his power—level 3, 1-star—to radiate outward, causing the air to grow heavy with energy. The ground beneath him seemed to tremble, and the Yun family members took a step back in awe of his power.
Yuan Zeyan: [voice dripping with menace] "Ah, but perhaps you misunderstand. We didn't come all this way simply to be turned away by a pair of junior family members. We're here with an offer that your father—Patriarch Tiān—should personally consider. Or do you think yourselves above our alliance?"
The pressure in the air intensified as Tiān family members gathered nearby felt the weight of Yuan Zeyan's aura. Língxiù and Zhàohóng stood firm, but it was clear that the situation was escalating.
Yun Minting: [sighing with exaggerated patience, his smile fading] "It seems polite words aren't enough. Since soft words fall on deaf ears, we'll try it another way. Perhaps it's time we see whether your father, the esteemed Patriarch Tiān, has the courage to face us himself."
Língxiù's eyes flashed with fury as she met Yun Minting's gaze directly.
Tiān Língxiù: "Do not speak of our father as if he would stoop to meet with schemers like you. Your alliance may prey on the weak, but the Tiān family has no place among such darkness."
Yuan Zeyan chuckled darkly, his gaze fixed on Língxiù and Zhàohóng.
Yuan Zeyan: [voice filled with menace] "Arrogance is a dangerous trait, Língxiù. Your family may hold out for now, but without allies, without power to match ours… you will fall. And when you do, the Black Sun Alliance will remember how you dismissed our offer."
Zhàohóng's gaze remained steady, even as he felt the weight of Yuan Zeyan's aura pressing down.
Tiān Zhàohóng: "Threaten us all you like, but the Tiān family will never yield to the likes of you. We know who we are, and we will stand as we always have—on our own terms."
At that moment, a powerful surge of energy filled the air as Tiān Xuántài, the patriarch of the Tiān family, arrived with the two senior family elders, Tiān Fúngī and Tiān Hūlā. Their combined presence silenced even Yun Minting and Yuan Zeyan. The three stood tall, their expressions filled with unwavering resolve.
Tiān Xuántài: [voice commanding, addressing Yun Minting and Yuan Zeyan] "You have overstepped, Yun family. My son's life and our family's resources are none of your concern. You come here with mockery and threats, only to mask your true intentions."
Yun Minting, visibly startled by Tiān Xuántài's sudden appearance, quickly regained his composure, though his voice was now laced with forced politeness.
Yun Minting stepped forward, his expression now painted with a facade of respect as he greeted the Tiān family elders and their patriarch, Tiān Xuántài. Beside him, Yuan Zeyan mirrored his movements, his gaze calculating and cold.
Yun Minting: [with feigned reverence] "Patriarch Tiān, Elders Fúngī and Hūlā, it is indeed a privilege to be in your esteemed presence. We approach you with an offer of unity from the Black Sun Alliance, a powerful bond that has already benefited countless families across the realm. Such an alliance would elevate the Tiān family's standing, resources, and strength. I believe it is an opportunity worth your serious consideration."
Yuan Zeyan: [adding with a smooth tone] "With the backing of the Black Sun Alliance, not only would your family's influence expand, but any challenges or difficulties you face—including those of a… familial nature—could be easily alleviated. It would be a waste to let such an opportunity slip by."
Tiān Xuántài remained silent, observing their performance, but his expression darkened as Yun Minting's tone shifted.
Yun Minting: [mockingly, with a sly smile] "And, Patriarch Tiān, forgive my directness, but matters as significant as these are best left to the family head. After all, decisions about alliances and the future of your family surely extend beyond the voices of your… children."
The blatant dismissal of Tiān Zhàohóng and Tiān Língxiù's right to speak did not go unnoticed. Tiān Xuántài's expression grew stern, a glint of anger simmering in his gaze. The two elders, Tiān Fúngī and Tiān Hūlā, exchanged a tense look, their own displeasure palpable. Yuan Zeyan, sensing their anger, merely smirked, clearly relishing the effect of Yun Minting's words.
Tiān Xuántài: [voice cold and cutting] "You are mistaken, Yun Minting, if you think the voices of my children are to be disregarded. The Tiān family stands united—each voice, each life, is of worth and respected within our household. The Black Sun Alliance, however, is not. We will not be swayed by your alliance, nor by those who belittle our family to gain power."
Yuan Zeyan's smirk twisted into a sneer as he released his aura, his power flaring visibly to level 3, 1-star, in a display meant to intimidate. The ground seemed to tremble as the weight of his energy pressed down, attempting to assert dominance over the Tiān family.
Yuan Zeyan: [voice laced with mockery] "Reject us, and you will find yourselves alone, isolated, vulnerable. The Black Sun Alliance will not forget your… disrespect."
Tiān Fúngī and Tiān Hūlā immediately countered, their own auras flaring to reveal their levels—both at level 3, 1-star, their combined presence enough to stifle Yuan Zeyan's pressure. Members of the Yun family shifted uneasily, stunned by the unexpected power of the Tiān family's elders. Yun Minting cast a sidelong glance at Yuan Zeyan, worry flashing briefly in his eyes.
Yun Minting: [whispering, with a tone of disbelief] "Three level 3s… this wasn't expected. We were misinformed."
Yuan Zeyan's face lost its smugness, a flicker of fear flashing in his eyes as he muttered back.
Yuan Zeyan: [tense] "They've hidden their true strength all this time. We underestimated them."
But before they could gather their composure, Tiān Xuántài stepped forward, his own aura igniting in a torrent of fiery energy, surging to level 4, Unique Body (Dú Tǐ). The force of his power sent a shockwave outward, causing even Yun Minting and Yuan Zeyan to brace themselves.
Tiān Xuántài: [voice fierce and unyielding] "You come to our gates with hollow promises and veiled threats, belittling my children and attempting to manipulate our family. Your alliance may grow through intimidation, but the Tiān family will have no part in your corruption. The Black Sun Alliance's days are numbered, and I do not fear those who hide behind shadows. Leave now, and do not return."
Yun Minting, visibly shaken but struggling to maintain composure, gave a stiff bow, his voice restrained and respectful, though his words carried a lingering bitterness.
Yun Minting: [bowing] "Very well, Patriarch Tiān. We will remember this day and your… choice. Alliances may change, and power may shift. Keep that in mind."
Yuan Zeyan, though still fuming, knew there was little to be done in the face of the Tiān family's united strength. With a stiff bow, he turned to follow Yun Minting, both of them retreating under the weight of their failure.
As they left, Tiān Xuántài placed a reassuring hand on the shoulder of his son and daughter, his expression filled with pride and warmth.
Tiān Xuántài: "You both stood strong and honorable today. The path of integrity may be more challenging, but it is what sets us apart. Let the Yun family spread their shadows if they wish—we will face whatever comes as a united family."
Tiān Fúngī and Tiān Hūlā nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute as they prepared to defend the honor and future of the Tiān family against whatever trials lay ahead.