I woke up in a cold sweat, my chest heaving as fragments of a dream clung to my consciousness like mist on a mountain.6
The vision had been vivid—a world consumed by shadow, its skies filled with ash and fire.
And at the center of it all, Wu Shang, the Shadow Devourer, his presence suffocating as he stood atop a mountain of bones.
His laughter still echoed in my ears.
I sat up, clutching my knees as I tried to calm my racing heart. The system's notification chimed softly in my mind.
[System Notification: Task 2 initiated: Recall the battle against the Shadow Devourer.
Progress: 5%.]
So i should recall the battle but with my current body and with my current strength, it is not possible
The gentle morning light filtered through the wooden shutters, but it offered little comfort.
My memories were a jumble of emotions, faces, and voices.
I knew that to move forward, I needed to untangle the threads of my past.
Zhao Ming's voice called from outside, interrupting my thoughts.
"Li Wei, are you awake? Elder Tian Qiu has arrived. He wishes to speak with you."
I stood, quickly pulling on my simple robes, and stepped outside.
The sight of Elder Tian Qiu sent a shiver of recognition through me.
His tall, commanding figure radiated power, and his silver hair flowed like liquid moonlight.
He was the Master of Elements, a mentor I had once trusted implicitly in my past life.
"Li Wei," he said, his voice as deep and steady as the earth itself.
"Zhao Ming told me of your bravery against the shadow beasts. You've shown great potential, but you're far from ready for the challenges ahead."
"Though you are still small, we entrust you with the strength you have, so we will protect you in any cost"
I bowed deeply.
"Elder Tian Qiu, I am honored by your words. But my memories... my strength... it's fragmented. I don't know how to face what lies ahead."
He studied me for a moment before nodding.
"Come with me. There is a place where the memories of your soul might be stirred."
We left the village and ventured into the forest.
The path wound through ancient trees whose roots seemed to whisper of ages long past.
At last, we reached a serene clearing where the air shimmered with energy.
A stone altar stood at its center, etched with runes that glowed faintly.
"This is the Echo Grove," Tian Qiu explained.
"It is a place of reflection. Sit upon the altar and let the energy guide you. You must confront the fragments of your past to reclaim your strength."
I hesitated, then stepped onto the altar.
As I sat, the runes flared to life, and a wave of warmth washed over me. My mind was pulled into a vision, vivid and overwhelming.
I was no longer Li Wei but Lian Shen, standing amidst the ruins of a battlefield.
Zhang Hao, my steadfast ally, fought beside me, his twin blades dancing with deadly precision.
To my left, Xiao Xue unleashed torrents of fire, her eyes fierce with determination.
Jin Lu stood at my right, his dark armor gleaming as he crushed enemy after enemy.
The Shadow Devourer loomed before us, his presence a black void.
"You think you can defy me?" Wu Shang's voice boomed, and the ground trembled.
"We will stop you!" I shouted, my voice ringing with unshakable conviction.
I raised my hands, channeling the Lotus Heart Strike.
The air around me crackled with energy, but just as I unleashed it, Wu Shang deflected the attack with ease, his laughter cutting through the chaos.
The vision shifted, dissolving into darkness.
A cold voice echoed around me.
"You failed once, Lian Shen. What makes you think you won't fail again?"
The vision ended abruptly, and I gasped for breath, my hands gripping the altar.
[System Notification: Task 2 Progress: 11%.
A fragment of your past strength has been recalled.]
Tian Qiu's voice broke through my daze.
"What did you see?"
"I saw... my battle with Wu Shang," I said, my voice trembling.
"He was stronger than I remembered, and I... I failed."
Tian Qiu placed a hand on my shoulder, his expression grave.
"Failure is not the end, Li Wei. It is a lesson. The Shadow Devourer may have bested you before, but you have a second chance. Use it wisely."
His words grounded me, but the weight of my memories was still heavy. "How do I reclaim what I've lost?"
"Through cultivation and trials," he said.
"The system within you will guide your growth. But first, there is another matter.
The Crimson Gorge has fallen to the Infernal Blood Sect.
Their leader, Xu Wanyu, is a practitioner of forbidden blood magic. Her actions threaten the balance of this region. You must confront her."
My heart sank. I was barely regaining my strength, and now I was expected to face a sect leader? "Elder, I'm not ready."
"No one is ever truly ready," Tian Qiu said.
"But you have potential. And you are not alone."
He handed me a small pouch. Inside was a crimson herb that pulsed faintly with energy.
[System Notification: Reward Received: Spirit Herb of Vitality fragment 40 %.
Effect: Restores spiritual energy and strengthens the body.]
"Use this wisely," Tian Qiu instructed.
"And remember, Li Wei, the path of a warrior is not one of comfort but of perseverance."
That night, I sat by a small fire, turning the herb in my hands.
My thoughts swirled with uncertainty and resolve. The system chimed again.
[System Notification: Task 3 Initiated: Defend the Crimson Gorge.
Objective: Confront Xu Wanyu. Progress: 0%.]
I closed my eyes and began to cultivate, drawing upon the energy of the Spirit Herb.
As I focused, the fragments of my past life flickered in my mind—techniques, battles, and bonds forged in the crucible of war.
"I will not fail again," I whispered to the night. "Not this time."
And as the fire crackled and the stars watched over me, I felt the faint stirrings of hope.
The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but I would face it head-on. After all, I was Lian Shen, reborn. And this time, I would not fall.