The hospital room remained still, lit only by the faint glow of the city lights streaming through the window. Lin Fei lay motionless on the bed, his breathing shallow and labored. Su Qing had left the room in haste to fetch the doctor, leaving him alone.
But within Lin Fei's consciousness a tempest was brewing.
Inside Lin Fei's Mind
In the infinite void, Lin Fei floated, weightless and confused. The emptiness was overwhelming, yet oddly familiar. His mind replayed fragments of his life the relentless bullying, his mother's abandonment, and the crushing loneliness that had followed. He remembered the accident vividly, the sharp horn of the car, the searing pain as his body hit the ground, and then nothing.
"Where am I?" Lin Fei's voice echoed, trembling with fear and uncertainty.
Suddenly, the void began to shift swirls of light and shadow converged, pulling Lin Fei into a torrent of unfamiliar images. Memories that weren't his own began to pour into his mind, vivid and unrelenting.
He saw vast mountain ranges that stretched beyond the horizon, skies painted with colors he couldn't describe. Towering palaces and sprawling sects filled the landscape, each radiating an aura of immense power. He felt the oppressive might of cultivators beings whose strength could split mountains and command the heavens.
The scene shifted.
He was standing in a grand hall, a majestic lake shimmering in the distance through the open windows. Disciples bowed in reverence, their voices chanting praises to the Dao Lake Sect. In the center, a young man "Xiao Dong" stood straight and have a powerful presence.
The images flickered again.
Memories of Xiao Dong's family surfaced. A stern father who spoke of duty above all else. A loving but distant mother whose affection waned after tragedy. Two sisters one aloof and indifferent, the other a prodigy who commanded the heaven's attention with her extraordinary talent.
Then came the battles.
Lin Fei felt the rush of adrenaline as Xiao Dong fought off waves of enemies demonic beasts, rival cultivators, and shadowy assassins. He experienced the crushing weight of betrayal, the sting of trust broken by those he once called allies.
The memories turned darker, bloodier.
Lin Fei saw Xiao Dong standing on a battlefield, his body battered and broken. His father and elder sister lay defeated, and his younger sister, Xiao Qing, was barely alive. Lin Fei could feel Xiao Dong's anguish as he sacrificed himself to shield her from a soul shattering attack. He felt the searing pain of his soul being torn apart, the hopelessness as the devils closed in and the heartbreak of being blamed for Xiao Qing's supposed death.
Lin Fei gasped, clutching his head as the flood of emotions and experiences overwhelmed him.
"Do you understand now?"
The voice was calm, steady, and full of sorrow. Lin Fei opened his eyes to see a figure standing before him in the void. The man was tall and imposing, his long robes flowing like water. His eyes held an indescribable depth, reflecting pain and resilience in equal measure.
"You're Xiao Dong" Lin Fei whispered, the name slipping from his lips as if it had always been a part of him.
Xiao Dong nodded. "And you are Lin Fei, Or perhaps, we are one now."
Lin Fei staggered back, his mind reeling. "What is happening? Why do I have your memories? Why do I feel your pain?"
"Our souls have merged," Xiao Dong explained, his tone calm but heavy. "The Heaven's Core Bead within me within us protected my soul when I died. For reasons even I cannot fully understand, it chose you. Now, my memories, my strength, my pain they are yours as well."
Lin Fei stared at him, the weight of Xiao Dong's words sinking in. "Your life It was so much worse than mine. The betrayal, the sacrifices, How did you endure it?"
Xiao Dong's gaze softened. "Pain is not a contest, Lin Fei. Your suffering is just as real, just as valid. But we now have a chance to turn that pain into strength."
Lin Fei's voice shook. "What is this bead? Why did it choose me?"
Xiao Dong glanced upward, his expression contemplative. "The Heaven's Core Bead is a treasure beyond comprehension. It was given to me by my grandfather, though neither of us understood its true nature at the time. When it merged with my soul, I realized it was far more than an artifact it is a guide, a protector, a source of unimaginable power."
He stepped closer to Lin Fei, his gaze steady. "This bead chose you for a reason. It sees potential in you, a strength that even you don't realize. It will grant you power and opportunities, but you must be prepared to face challenges far greater than anything you've known."
Lin Fei hesitated, doubt clouding his features. "I'm just a weak, bullied kid. How can I possibly rise to such expectations?"
Xiao Dong placed a hand on his shoulder, his touch firm yet comforting. "Strength comes from enduring hardship and refusing to give up. You have already endured more than most. And now, with my knowledge and the Heaven's Core Bead, you have the tools to forge a new path."
Lin Fei looked down, his fists clenching. "What if I fail?"
Xiao Dong smiled faintly. "Then you try again. And again. Until you succeed."
As the void began to dissolve, Xiao Dong's voice echoed one final time.
"Remember, Lin Fei, The Heaven's Core Bead is a gift, but it is your choices that will define your destiny. Seize this chance with all your might."
Lin Fei's consciousness stirred as a faint beeping sound pierced the fog of his mind. Slowly, his eyelids fluttered open, the brightness of the fluorescent hospital lights stabbing at his senses. He winced, his head pounding with a dull ache as his vision adjusted to the sterile white ceiling above him.
The rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor filled the silence, accompanied by the soft hum of other machines. He tilted his head slightly, his movements sluggish and strained, and saw an array of medical equipment surrounding the bed. Thin wires snaked across his chest, connecting him to monitors that tracked his vitals. An IV drip hung beside him, its tube feeding into his bruised and aching arm.
His body felt like it had been run over by a freight train. Every muscle screamed in protest as he tried to shift. A sharp pain in his ribs forced him to freeze, and he took shallow breaths, trying to steady himself.
"What happened?" Lin Fei muttered, his voice hoarse and barely audible.
Then, like a tidal wave crashing onto the shore, memories that weren't his own surged through his mind.
Images of a vast and unfamiliar world flooded his thoughts.
He saw towering mountains and shimmering lakes, their beauty imbued with an otherworldly aura. Palaces floated in the sky, held aloft by invisible forces, and cultivators soared between the clouds, their robes fluttering like banners of power.
Scenes of cultivation flashed before himnbodies surrounded by swirling energy as they meditated under the stars. He felt the weight of their determination, the endless pursuit of strength, and the pain of failure that came with every misstep.
Faces emerged next: a proud father whose stern gaze bore the weight of expectation, a mother who drifted further away after tragedy, and two sisters one a cold prodigy, the other a spark of hope and tragedy intertwined.
The memories darkened, turning to blood soaked battlefields and treacherous betrayals. He relived Xiao Dong's final moments sacrificing himself to shield his sister from a devastating attack, enduring blame and scorn even as his soul fractured.
The anguish, the despair, the unyielding determination it all became his.
Lin Fei gasped, his chest heaving as he shot upright in the bed. Pain lanced through his body, but he barely noticed, his mind reeling from the influx of experiences.
His breathing was ragged as he stared at his trembling hands, the stark white of the hospital gown doing little to disguise the bruises on his wrists. He flexed his fingers, half-expecting to feel the strength of Xiao Dong's cultivation surging through him, but his body remained frail and weak.
"What am I?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
The door creaked open suddenly, drawing his attention.
Su Qing entered, her elegant figure framed by the harsh fluorescent lights of the hallway. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her delicate features held a mix of worry and exhaustion. She carried herself with the grace of someone accustomed to commanding attention, yet her eyes softened as they landed on Lin Fei.
Behind her, two doctors followed, their white coats fluttering as they entered. Su Qing stopped abruptly, her breath catching in her throat when she saw Lin Fei sitting up.
"You're awake" she murmured, relief washing over her face. Her voice, soft yet filled with emotion, broke the tension in the room.
She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. "You scared us. The doctors said" She trailed off, shaking her head as if trying to banish the thought.
The older of the two doctors approached Lin Fei, his expression a mixture of surprise and disbelief . "How are you feeling, young man?" he asked with a shocked face, shining a small flashlight into Lin Fei's eyes to check his pupils.
"I'm fine its just I can't move my body" Lin Fei replied automatically while feeling pain all over his body.
The doctor frowned, glancing at the monitors before nodding. "It's miracle you've sustained such a serious injuries but you're stable now even though you have a weak body. But even though you are fine we'll still need to keep you under observation for a few days."
Su Qing folded her arms, her gaze never leaving Lin Fei. "Do you know how lucky you are? That accident could've" She stopped herself, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Lin Fei looked at her, the corners of his lips twitching as if to smile, but he couldn't summon the strength. "I guess I owe you my thanks."
Her expression softened, and she took a seat beside the bed. "I'm really sorry just rest for now I'll take care of everything you don't have to worry."