The year passed slowly, marked by the quiet rhythm of a world struggling to find its place after the dream. Liang Chen watched as humanity adapted, each snippet of news and movement of the alliances painting a picture of a fractured but evolving society.
The Dragon Alliance continued their push for dominance, their experiments with alternative energy sources yielding little tangible progress but plenty of propaganda. Their rhetoric drew in those desperate for hope and power, bolstering their numbers with ambitious dreamers. They held rallies, funded research, and made bold promises about their readiness to lead humanity into a new age.
The Neutral Alliance, as always, remained steady. Their auxiliary professions flourished as their members quietly shared knowledge of formations, talismans, and alchemy—skills rendered largely impractical without Qi but still holding symbolic value. Their Immortal Realm cultivator became a figure of quiet reverence, offering lectures on cultivation theory that drew attention even from rival factions.
The Demon Alliance, meanwhile, thrived on chaos. They spread whispers of rebellion and destruction, offering a place for those disillusioned with the other alliances' rigid structures. Their numbers grew in the shadows, their influence more insidious than overt.
The Light Alliance sought to counter this chaos, positioning themselves as humanity's moral compass. They organized movements for global cooperation, though their efforts were often undermined by internal corruption and ideological fractures.
Liang Chen stayed on the periphery of these movements, watching, learning, and preparing. He had no interest in the alliances' ambitions, though he took note of their strengths and weaknesses. His focus remained on the faint presence he had sensed during meditation—the fragile spark of Earth's will.
The presence had not grown, nor had it diminished. It remained a quiet hum at the edge of his awareness, a subtle reminder of the world's dormant potential. Liang Chen meditated daily, not to cultivate—Earth still lacked Qi—but to sharpen his senses and maintain his discipline.
Yue Ling's behavior continued to evolve. She often sat beside him during his meditations, her golden eyes fixed on the horizon as though sensing something beyond his understanding. She moved with an intelligence that defied her form, her actions deliberate and precise. Liang Chen didn't speak of it, not even to her. There was no need.
As the year drew to a close, whispers of change began to ripple through the alliances. Rumors of strange phenomena—plants growing where none had before, faint glimmers of light in abandoned places—spread across the world. Scientists and cultivators alike dismissed these as exaggerations or fabrications, but Liang Chen felt a quiet certainty.
The plane was stirring.
Then, as if on cue, the day arrived.
It began in the early hours, the world still cloaked in twilight. Liang Chen sat in his apartment, his mind calm as he watched the city skyline. The air felt different—charged, though not with energy. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Liang Chen had learned to trust his instincts.
Yue Ling lifted her head, her ears twitching. She turned toward the door, letting out a low whine.
A familiar hum filled the room, soft at first but growing steadily louder. Liang Chen stood, his heart pounding as the golden sphere of light materialized before him.
"Greetings, Liang Chen," the Dream Reincarnation System intoned, its voice calm and resonant. "Your year of preparation is complete. It is time to fulfill the promise."
The sphere pulsed gently, its light bathing the room in a warm glow.
"As promised, I have returned to provide the method of creating spiritual veins. With this technique, you may cultivate even in a barren world. The path forward will be arduous, but the potential is limitless."
Liang Chen's breath hitched, his fists clenching at his sides. This was the moment he had waited for, the first step toward reclaiming his power.
"The method has been derived from countless eons of cultivation knowledge, merging the essence of plane creation with vein formation," the system continued. "It will allow you to construct veins of spiritual energy, nourishing them over time until they become self-sustaining."
The sphere pulsed once more, and Liang Chen's mind was flooded with knowledge. It was overwhelming—complex techniques, intricate diagrams, and the profound understanding of vein creation burned into his consciousness.
He staggered, his hands gripping the edge of his desk for support. The information settled, sharp and clear, leaving Liang Chen breathless.
"This is your path, Liang Chen," the system said. "The world will resist. The alliances will oppose you. But if you succeed, you will shape Earth's destiny."
The sphere began to fade, its light dimming.
"I will return when your journey requires it. Until then, tread carefully, and remember: the path of cultivation is yours to forge."
The light vanished, leaving Liang Chen standing in silence. Yue Ling pressed against his leg, her presence grounding him.
Liang Chen straightened, his gaze hardening as he absorbed the enormity of the task before him. The year of waiting was over. The time to act had begun.
"Let's get started," he murmured.
Yue Ling barked softly, her golden eyes gleaming with a knowing light.