The distant mountains faded into the horizon as Zhang Hao and I made our way toward the village.
The Vitality Orchid had bolstered my cultivation, and the Guardian Artifact pulsed faintly in my satchel, a beacon of hope against the darkness that loomed ahead.
The village, tucked into a valley shrouded in morning mist, was quiet when we arrived.
Too quiet. Even the birds seemed reluctant to sing.
"This place gives me the creeps," Zhang Hao muttered, scanning the area.
"Where is everyone?"
I gestured toward the main square.
"Let's find the village elder. Zhao Ming will know what's going on."
As we approached the elder's house, a wiry man stepped out, his face etched with worry.
Zhao Ming was older now, his once-straight posture slightly hunched, but his sharp eyes missed nothing.
"Li Wei," he said, his tone both surprised and wary.
"You've returned."
I inclined my head.
"Elder Zhao, it's good to see you. But the village feels... different. What's happening?"
Zhao Ming sighed, motioning for us to follow him inside.
The interior of his home was dimly lit, with herbs hanging from the rafters and the faint scent of incense lingering in the air.
Once we were seated, Zhao Ming spoke, his voice low.
"A shadow has fallen over this land.
The Infernal Blood Sect is spreading its influence, and their sorcery has corrupted the surrounding regions.
Crops wither, livestock fall sick, and the villagers live in fear."
Zhang Hao frowned.
"Why hasn't anyone fought back? Surely there are warriors willing to stand against them."
Zhao Ming shook his head.
"The Blood Sect's power is unlike anything we've seen.
Their leader, Xu Wanyu, wields forbidden magic, and her followers are... not human anymore."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in.
I clenched my fists, memories of Wu Shang's influence flashing through my mind.
"Elder Zhao," I said, my voice steady, "I need to know everything.
There's more to this than you're telling me."
He hesitated, glancing at Zhang Hao before focusing on me.
"There is. But it's not something I can share lightly. First, you must prove yourself."
Zhang Hao groaned.
"Prove yourself? We just took down an Abyssal Enforcer. Isn't that enough?"
Zhao Ming's expression didn't waver.
"The task is not physical. It's spiritual. Follow me."
We rose and followed him to the center of the village.
A weathered stone altar stood there, adorned with carvings of celestial symbols.
"This is the Celestial Altar," Zhao Ming explained.
"It is said to connect to the Celestial Gate, a pathway to the heavens and a source of immense power.
But it has been dormant for generations."
The Celestial Gate.
The name sent a jolt through me, unlocking fragments of my past life.
I saw flashes of a radiant gate, surrounded by celestial beings, their forms both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
"Why is it dormant?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Zhao Ming's gaze turned somber.
"The altar requires the energy of a pure soul to activate. When the Blood Sect's corruption began spreading, the altar lost its connection to the heavens.
But perhaps, with your strength, you can awaken it again."
[System Notification: Task Assigned – Reawaken the Celestial Altar.
Objective: Meditate to channel spiritual energy into the altar.
Time Limit: None.]
I stepped forward, placing my hands on the cold stone surface.
The carvings felt rough under my palms, but a faint warmth began to spread through me.
Closing my eyes, I focused on my energy, letting it flow into the altar.
The system's voice guided me.
[System Notification: Energy Integration in Progress.
Memory Fragment Triggered: The Celestial Gate.]
The world around me faded, replaced by a vision of the past.
I stood before the Celestial Gate, its towering form glowing with ethereal light.
Beside me was Elder Tian Qiu, his expression calm but firm.
"Lian Shen," he said, addressing me by my past name, "the Celestial Gate is a bridge between realms, but it demands balance.
Without it, the gate will consume you."
I remembered nodding, my heart heavy with responsibility.
The gate had been our hope against Wu Shang's forces, but it came at a price—one I hadn't been ready to pay.
The vision shifted. I saw myself standing at the gate, a radiant sword in hand, facing a monstrous army led by Wu Shang.
The memories were fragmented, but the emotions were vivid—fear, determination, and loss.
When I opened my eyes, the altar was glowing faintly, its carvings shimmering with celestial light.
Zhao Ming's eyes widened, and Zhang Hao let out a low whistle.
"Well, I'll be damned," Zhang Hao said. "You actually did it."
The system chimed.
[System Notification: Celestial Altar Activated.
Memory Integration Complete. Current Strength: 29%.]
Zhao Ming stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"The altar's light means hope for us all. But it also means the Blood Sect will notice.
They will come for you, Li Wei."
"Let them," I said, my voice firm.
"I'll face whatever comes."
Zhao Ming nodded, though his expression remained troubled.
"There's something else you should know.
The Celestial Gate isn't just a bridge. It's also a seal—a seal meant to contain something ancient and powerful."
"What kind of power?" Zhang Hao asked.
"The kind that could destroy us all if unleashed," Zhao Ming said gravely.
Before I could press for more, the ground trembled, and a distant roar echoed through the valley.
"They're here," Zhao Ming whispered.
I turned to Zhang Hao, my energy surging.
"Get the villagers to safety. I'll handle this."
Zhang Hao hesitated but nodded, running off to gather the villagers.
The system chimed again.
[System Notification: Enemy Detected – Infernal Blood Sentinels.
Objective: Defend the Village and Protect the Altar.]
The first sentinel emerged from the mist, its body twisted and corrupted, glowing veins of crimson energy pulsing beneath its skin.
I summoned the ethereal lotus, its radiant petals surrounding me like a shield.
"You chose the wrong village," I muttered, charging toward the sentinel.
The battle was fierce, each strike testing my limits.
But with each move, I felt more of my past strength returning.
The altar's light seemed to bolster me, its energy flowing through my attacks.
As the last sentinel fell, I turned back to the altar, its glow now brighter than before.
Zhang Hao returned, panting but unharmed.
"The villagers are safe. For now."
Zhao Ming stepped forward, his expression resolute.
"Li Wei, the Celestial Altar has chosen you.
But this is just the beginning. To unlock the gate, you must find the remaining keys scattered across the land."
The system chimed once more.
[System Notification: New Task Assigned – Collect the Celestial Keys.
Objective: Locate and retrieve the keys to fully awaken the Celestial Gate.
Time Limit: None.]
I nodded, determination burning within me.
"Then we'll find them. And we'll stop Wu Shang."
Zhao Ming smiled faintly.
"May the heavens guide you, Li Wei."
As Zhang Hao and I prepared to leave, I glanced back at the altar, its light a reminder of the path ahead.
The secrets of the village had revealed more than I'd expected, and the stakes had never been higher.
But I wasn't the same man I had been.
I am stronger now. And I would keep growing until the shadow of Wu Shang was no more.