The young woman in the doorway studied Zhang Wei with keen eyes, her expression a mix of curiosity and wariness. She had an air of elegance about her, but there was something in her gaze that suggested she wasn't easily fooled by appearances. Her long, black hair flowed like a river of ink down her back, and the silken robes she wore only accentuated her delicate, yet firm, presence.
Zhang Wei's lips curled into a confident smile, though he felt a ripple of uncertainty beneath the surface. She wasn't like anyone he had encountered before. Her eyes held something sharp, something perceptive, as if she could see through the very soul of a person.
'She's dangerous. But who is she? And why is she here?'
Despite the unease in his mind, Zhang Wei kept his composure. He had lived through countless battles, ascended to unimaginable heights, and had faced death more times than he could count. But this world—this strange, unfamiliar place—was a puzzle he had yet to solve.
"I am Zhang Wei, the future Immortal King," he declared, his voice steady and commanding, a far cry from the weakness he had felt moments ago.
The young woman's eyes flickered for a moment, the faintest glint of surprise flashing in her gaze. But she quickly masked it, her lips curling into a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I see," she said softly. "I've never heard of a king named Zhang Wei. Are you certain of your claim?"
Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Does she not know me? But how can that be? Surely, someone in this world must have heard of the Immortal King of the Celestial Kingdom.'
The woman tilted her head slightly, as though pondering something before stepping into the room. "I am Yue Lian, an alchemist and healer from the nearby village. I found you unconscious in the woods. You were badly injured, but now..." She trailed off, her eyes glancing at his newly restored body. "Your vitality is… extraordinary."
'A healer? This could be useful,' Zhang Wei thought, his curiosity piqued. "I owe you my thanks, Yue Lian. But there is one thing I must ask—where am I?"
Yue Lian didn't immediately respond. Instead, she walked to a small table by the far wall, where a crystal vial of liquid sat. She picked it up with delicate fingers and uncorked it, releasing a soft fragrance into the air.
"Before I answer, you need to drink this," she said, holding the vial out to him. "It will help you fully recover from the injuries you sustained. I can tell you've already begun the process of healing, but this will speed things up."
Zhang Wei's eyes flickered with wariness. 'What is this woman up to?' He didn't trust anyone easily, especially not in this strange new world where he knew nothing of the customs, the power structures, or even his own status. But he could sense no ill intent from her, and the strange power flowing through him from the Heavenly Ascendant System urged him to trust his instincts.
With a careful nod, he took the vial from her and drank the liquid inside. It was cool and sweet, with an unexpected, refreshing taste that spread through his chest like liquid fire, healing and restoring him in ways that ordinary medicine could not. As the warmth spread through him, Zhang Wei felt the remnants of his former injuries fading away, leaving him with a sense of clarity he hadn't had since his rebirth.
"There," Yue Lian said, her eyes now studying him intently. "That should do it. Now, you can tell me who you truly are."
Zhang Wei's eyes met hers, his expression serious. "I am Zhang Wei, the Immortal King of the Celestial Kingdom. I do not know how I came to this place, nor do I know what this world is. But I am certain that this is not my original life."
Yue Lian's gaze hardened for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "An Immortal King?" she repeated, as though testing the words. "I see. And why should I believe you?"
Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed slightly, his patience wearing thin. 'She is testing me. But why? What does she want to know?'
"Do you not sense it?" he asked, his voice smooth but laced with underlying power. "The energy around me? The energy that doesn't belong to this world?"
Yue Lian's eyes widened for just a moment before she quickly masked her surprise. "I… I do feel it," she murmured, stepping closer and studying him more closely. Her eyes flickered with a mix of fascination and caution. "It's strange. It doesn't match any known cultivation or magical force I've encountered. But… it's powerful."
Zhang Wei smirked inwardly. 'Of course. She's beginning to sense my power.' He could feel the subtle aura of the Heavenly Ascendant System wrapping around him, feeding his energy and making his presence known to those sensitive enough to notice.
"I need to know where I am," he pressed again, his tone more urgent. "And what has happened to the world."
Yue Lian paused for a moment, her eyes lingering on him, before she spoke. "You are in the Eastern Province, within the kingdom of Zhenwu. It's a small kingdom, one that is often overlooked by the larger, more powerful realms. As for what has happened… well, let's just say that things have been... unstable lately."
"Unstable?" Zhang Wei repeated, intrigued. "How so?"
Yue Lian's eyes darkened. "The king has been ill for months now, and no one has been able to cure him. The nobles are growing restless, and rumors of uprisings and war are spreading. There are whispers of a new power rising in the east, one that threatens to upset the balance of the entire continent."
'The king is ill, and there are whispers of war? This is the perfect time for me to make my return,' Zhang Wei thought. The chaos in the world could be the perfect cover for his ascension.
"Where can I find this 'new power'?" he asked, his voice low but filled with purpose.
Yue Lian hesitated. "I don't know, but I can help you look for answers. But first, you must tell me—how did you survive in the forest? You were severely wounded. And why do you call yourself the Immortal King?"
Zhang Wei paused for a moment. 'I cannot reveal everything just yet. Not to her. But I can't afford to be cautious forever.'
"I am who I say I am," he said simply, his voice calm but firm. "And I survived because I have the power to overcome death itself."
Yue Lian studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Very well. But remember, Zhang Wei, even kings have enemies. And the road ahead will not be easy."
Zhang Wei's lips curled into a smile. 'Enemies? Let them come. I will rise above them all.'
"I look forward to the challenge," he said.