The fire crackled softly as Li Wei leaned back against a tree, his thoughts swimming in the tide of memories and challenges ahead.
Zhang Hao sat across the campfire, sharpening his twin blades, the steady scrape of steel on stone breaking the silence.
Li Wei broke the quiet first.
"Zhang Hao, how did you end up here, fighting the Infernal Blood Sect?"
Zhang Hao glanced up, his expression thoughtful.
"I was hunting shadow beasts near the eastern plains when I stumbled upon one of their camps.
At first, I thought it was an isolated group, but I quickly realized their numbers were swelling.
The villagers nearby begged me to help, and I couldn't turn away."
Li Wei nodded.
"You're braver than most. These beasts and the sect are just the beginning of something far worse. You've seen the signs, haven't you?"
Zhang Hao paused, his sharpening stone stilled mid-motion. "You speak as though you know something I don't."
Before Li Wei could respond, the familiar chime of the system echoed in his mind.
[System Notification: Faith Bond Progress: Zhang Hao.
System point: 3
Current Rank: Acquaintance.]
He masked his surprise, quickly crafting his reply.
"Let's just say I've seen darkness like this before. It doesn't stop until it consumes everything."
Zhang Hao raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "You talk like you've fought in battles that shaped kingdoms.
But you're just a villager—or so you claim."
Li Wei chuckled softly.
"Looks can be deceiving."
The chime of the system returned, its interruption welcome.
[System Notification: Luck Point Gained – +1.
Memory Progression: 12%.
Task Updated: Awaken the Spirit Warrior within.]
The words lingered in his mind.
The system's tasks were becoming more urgent, and the presence of Zhang Hao seemed to accelerate their connection.
Li Wei stood, his movements deliberate.
"You'll have to trust me, Zhang Hao. If we're going to stop Xu Wanyu and her sect, we'll need to work together—and I need to recover what I've lost."
Zhang Hao smirked faintly.
"Bold words. But I'll admit, your skills earlier weren't those of a simple villager. I'll give you this chance to prove yourself.
What's your plan?"
Li Wei clenched his fist, a faint blue glow radiating from his palm as he summoned the remnants of his dormant power.
"I need to reawaken the strength I once had. And for that, I need your help."
The Ritual of Awakening
The night deepened as Zhang Hao led Li Wei to a secluded spot near the gorge.
The air was thick with energy, the faint hum of spiritual resonance vibrating through the rocks.
"This place is a nexus of elemental power," Zhang Hao explained.
"I've seen elders use it to refine their techniques. If you're serious about recovering your strength, this is as good a place as any to start."
Li Wei nodded. "Stay alert. The awakening process can attract unwanted attention."
Zhang Hao raised an eyebrow. "You're full of surprises, Li Wei. Let's see if you can live up to them."
Li Wei sat cross-legged in the center of the nexus, his breathing slow and measured.
As he closed his eyes, fragments of his past life began to stir. Memories of battles, allies, and the weight of his role as the Spirit Warrior flickered like dying embers.
[System Notification: Memory Progressed 12.5%.
Skill Unlock: In progress.]
A surge of power coursed through him, and his aura flared brightly.
The faint outline of an ethereal lotus bloomed around him, its petals shimmering with energy.
Zhang Hao took a cautious step back, his hand instinctively reaching for his blade.
"What... is this?"
Li Wei opened his eyes, the glow fading but the power within him steady.
"A fragment of what I was. This is only the beginning."
Before Zhang Hao could respond, the ground beneath them rumbled.
From the shadows emerged a pack of beasts, their glowing red eyes fixed on the two warriors.
"Seems your awakening drew them out," Zhang Hao muttered, drawing his twin blades.
Li Wei rose to his feet, the glow of the Lotus Heart Strike igniting in his hand. "Then let's test this newfound strength."
The Battle Against the Beasts
The shadow beasts lunged, their claws slicing through the air.
Zhang Hao was a blur of motion, his blades dancing like twin streaks of silver. Li Wei matched his pace, each strike of his glowing hand leaving trails of light in the darkness.
"Left flank!" Zhang Hao barked, deflecting a beast's claw.
Li Wei spun, unleashing a Resonance Strike that obliterated the creature. The system chimed again.
[System Notification: Battle Points Earned +10.
Skill Synchronization: Resonance Strike - 70 % strength]
Zhang Hao glanced at him mid-swing.
"You're full of surprises, Li Wei. That technique—where did you learn it?"
"A story for another time," Li Wei replied, slamming his fist into the ground and releasing a shockwave that scattered the remaining beasts.
As the last creature fell, the two warriors stood amidst the carnage, their breaths heavy but victorious.
Forging the Alliance
Zhang Hao sheathed his blades, his gaze lingering on Li Wei. "You're not just a simple villager.
That much is clear."
Li Wei met his gaze.
"And you're not just a wandering swordsman. We both have our secrets, Zhang Hao. But for now, we have a common enemy."
Zhang Hao smirked. "Fine. I'll follow your lead—for now. But don't think I won't demand answers eventually."
The system chimed one final time that night.
[System Notification: Faith Bond Progress – Zhang Hao: +7.
Current Rank: Ally.]
[Battle point: 200]
Li Wei allowed himself a small smile.
The path ahead was still treacherous, but with Zhang Hao by his side, the flicker of hope burned brighter.
As the first rays of dawn pierced the horizon, the two warriors prepared to take their fight to the heart of the Crimson Gorge, where Xu Wanyu's forces awaited.