The Return of a Familiar Soul**
The guards at the gates of the underworld stood firm, their expressions stern yet not unkind. They barred Wen Shia's path, their voices echoing with finality.
"This place is not for you. You have not yet fulfilled your destiny. You cannot enter hell—it is not your fate. You have done nothing to deserve such an end."
Before Wen Shia could protest, an unseen force seized him, pulling him away from the gates. He felt himself being dragged into the void, weightless and powerless. Darkness enveloped him, and soon, he was adrift once more, lost between realms.
But his resolve was unshaken. If Xiang was not in the underworld, then perhaps she had ascended to heaven. Determined, he set his sights on the celestial realm, embarking on a journey through golden landscapes and shimmering skies. He searched tirelessly, calling out her name, seeking any trace of her soul. Yet, there was nothing—no voice, no sign, no presence. It was as if she had been erased from existence.
As hope began to wither, a quiet resignation settled over him. Had she truly vanished? With a heavy heart, he turned back, only to realize that his time in the celestial realm was running out. His connection to the mortal world was weakening, and if he lingered any longer, he might never return.
Just as despair threatened to consume him, a force yanked him back. His surroundings blurred, light faded, and suddenly—
The Awakening**
Wen Shia gasped awake, his chest heaving as if he had been drowning. His eyes darted around the dimly lit room, adjusting to the soft glow of candles. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the familiar presence of the old sage stood before him.
"Did you bring her back?" the sage asked, his voice calm but expectant.
Wen Shia lowered his head, his voice barely a whisper. "No. I couldn't find her soul anywhere."
The sage studied him for a moment, his piercing eyes searching for something deeper. "Nothing? Not even a single trace?"
Wen Shia hesitated, his mind flashing back to a fleeting moment in the celestial realm—a faint glimmer, a whisper of her presence. "I found… one piece. A fragment of her soul."
The sage's eyes narrowed, and a faint smile touched his lips. "Then she has not completely perished. It means she can return to life. But no one knows when or how."
Wen Shia's heart clenched. A glimmer of hope flickered within him, but it was faint—twenty-two years had passed without a single sign of her return.
The World Moves On**
The world outside had not remained still. Chaos had once again erupted, but the Heavenly God intervened, placing a great seal over the lands to restore temporary peace. Yet, beneath this fragile tranquility, an urgency lingered—the Element Stone, a relic of immense power, had yet to be found. Without it, the balance of the world could not be restored.
Years passed, and life moved forward. On Earth, a great martial arts academy was built in Xiang's name. Her parents, unable to let go of her memory, founded the institution to honor her spirit. It became a sanctuary for warriors, scholars, and seekers of wisdom, a beacon of hope in a fractured world.
At the heart of this academy stood Wen Shia. As one of its most revered teachers, he trained generations of warriors, instilling in them both skill and discipline. Yet, despite his wisdom and strength, a hollow space remained in his heart—a space only Xiang could fill.
The Xiang Warrior Institute flourished, but within its walls, one rule was absolute: No one was allowed to speak of Xiang. Her name was a ghost, a memory too painful to invoke.
The Heavenly God disapproved of the academy's existence, questioning its purpose. "Why must her name be carried forward?" he asked.
Her parents answered simply: "She was our daughter. It is our wish."
No force, divine or mortal, could change their decision. And so, the academy endured.
A Mysterious Arrival**
Twenty-two years later, on a bright morning at the Xiang Warrior Institute, an unexpected visitor arrived.
A young woman, around eighteen or nineteen, walked through the academy gates. She carried herself with quiet confidence, her eyes sharp and filled with purpose. Her presence was magnetic, drawing the attention of everyone she passed.
Approaching the reception, she spoke firmly. "I wish to meet the master of this place. I want to learn martial arts."
The staff exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond. "You cannot be admitted without your parents present," one of them said.
The girl sighed, her expression unwavering. "My parents are very busy. That is why I have come alone."
The rejection was immediate. "Then we cannot accept you."
But then, without hesitation, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a wooden token. Placing it before them, she said, "This is my parents' token. They sent me with this."
The moment the token was seen, silence fell over the room. The master's eyes widened in shock. "Are you... the prince of Zhenwu City?"
The girl nodded. "My name is Zi Xiang. My father is Zi Long. My mother is Lian Hua. I have come to learn martial arts. Will you accept me?"
The air grew tense. The name—Zi Xiang—echoed through the room like a thunderclap.
The master hesitated only a moment before answering, "Yes. But you must pass our competition first."
As they spoke, footsteps echoed from behind. Wen Shia had just entered the room. He paused mid-step, his body stiffening as he heard her voice. Something about it… felt achingly familiar.
Turning slowly, he saw her face.
And for the first time in twenty-two years—his heart skipped a beat.
-The Ghost of the Past**
Wen Shia stepped forward, unable to tear his eyes away from the girl before him. She looked exactly like Xiang—her features, her posture, even the way she held herself. His breath caught in his throat, and his mind raced.
Was this some trick? A mere coincidence? Or...
Could it really be her?
The room fell into silence as he stood there, staring at the girl who bore the face of the one he had lost. And then, slowly, Zi Xiang met his gaze.
For a fleeting moment, something flickered in her eyes—an unspoken recognition. A past life… a forgotten soul… or something else entirely?
The past and present had begun to blur.
And Wen Shia knew—this was just the beginning.
The Test of the Academy**
Zi Xiang must prove herself in the academy's rigorous competition, facing challenges that test not only her physical prowess but also her spirit and resolve. Wen Shia watches closely, torn between his duty as a teacher and his longing to uncover the truth about her.
Fragments of Memory**
As Zi Xiang trains, she begins to experience strange visions—flashes of a life she doesn't remember. Are these memories of Xiang's past, or is something else at play? Wen Shia must decide whether to help her uncover the truth or let her forge her own path.
The Element Stone**
The search for the Element Stone intensifies, and Zi Xiang's arrival coincides with strange disturbances in the world. Could she be the key to finding the relic? Or is her presence a harbinger of greater chaos?
The Heavenly God's Wrath**
The Heavenly God, displeased with the academy's defiance, sends emissaries to dismantle it. Wen Shia and Zi Xiang must unite to protect the legacy of Xiang and the future of the institute.
A Love Rekindled or a New Beginning?**
As Wen Shia and Zi Xiang grow closer, they must confront the ghosts of the past. Is their connection a chance to rekindle a lost love, or is it an opportunity to forge something entirely new?