His body convulsed violently as another wave of pain tore through him. It wasn't the kind of pain that dulled with time it was the relentless ache of something broken that could never be whole again. His spirit root, the foundation of his cultivation, had been shattered, leaving a hollow emptiness where once boundless energy flowed.
Ye Xiaotian gasped for air, his fingers digging into the wooden floor until splinters pierced his skin. "Why?" he whispered, his voice trembling. His lips quivered as he recalled the moment of betrayal.
"My husband can't be a cripple. The Celestial Phoenix Sect doesn't want a cripple," his wife's voice echoed in his mind. Her words, once sweet and full of promises, now dripped with cruelty. He remembered the coldness in her eyes, a gaze devoid of love or remorse. The memory was a dagger, twisting deeper into his chest with every heartbeat.
A bitter laugh escaped his cracked lips, but it quickly turned into a cough. Blood spattered the floor, bright red against the dull wood. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he thought he might pass out again. But no he wouldn't give in. Not yet.
He staggered to his feet, each step sending jolts of agony through his body. His legs trembled, barely able to support his weight. Every movement was a reminder of his broken state. His ribs throbbed, and his muscles burned as though they were tearing apart from the inside.
Reaching the small table in the corner, Ye Xiaotian gripped its edge to steady himself. The rough wood bit into his palms, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the storm raging in his mind.
I was supposed to be the strongest... the brightest star of my generation.
His thoughts spiraled. The memories of his achievements mocked him the countless battles he had won, the enemies he had vanquished, the admiration he once commanded. It was all gone, stripped away in a single moment of betrayal.
He stumbled to the door and pushed it open. The cold wind howled through the valley, stinging his face like a thousand needles. He stepped outside, barefoot on the rocky ground. Each step sent sharp, jarring pain through his feet, but he welcomed it. It grounded him, reminded him that he was still alive.
Standing at the edge of the cliff, he looked down into the dark valley below. The wind roared, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and distant pine. The landscape was bleak, lifeless much like how he felt inside.
His fists clenched. The splinters in his palms dug deeper, but he barely noticed. His nails bit into his flesh, drawing blood, yet he didn't flinch.
"Is this how it ends?" he muttered, his voice lost to the wind. "Cast aside like trash... by the one I trusted most?"
The humiliation burned hotter than any physical pain. It gnawed at his soul, a festering wound that refused to heal. He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the hollow space where his spirit root once thrived. The emptiness was suffocating.
Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through him, and he doubled over, clutching his stomach. A scream tore from his throat, raw and guttural. It echoed through the valley, a cry of despair and rage.
As he writhed on the ground, a single drop of blood fell from his lips and landed on a small black stone lying nearby. Unnoticed by Ye Xiaotian, the stone absorbed the blood and began to glow with a soft, golden light.
His vision darkened, and he collapsed onto the rocky ground. His mind drifted, teetering on the edge of consciousness.
Am I dying? he wondered. The thought didn't scare him it almost felt like a relief.
But then, something pulled at him, a strange warmth spreading through his body. The darkness receded, replaced by a blinding light. His body lifted from the ground, weightless and free of pain. For a moment, he felt whole again.
When Ye Xiaotian opened his eyes, he was no longer lying on the rocky ground. Instead, he found himself in a lush, verdant landscape. Towering mountains surrounded him, their peaks shrouded in mist. A crystal-clear river wound its way through the valley, its waters sparkling in the sunlight. The scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass filled the air.
He blinked in confusion, his mind struggling to comprehend the sudden change. The pain was gone. His body felt light, invigorated.
Before he could even process the strange surroundings, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
"You are in my spirit world."
Ye Xiaotian froze. The voice sounded distant but clear. He turned quickly, trying to locate the source. To his surprise, he saw a massive, four-meter-tall body sitting cross-legged in front of him. Atop the giant body, a man sat casually, his gaze calm and collected.
The man's appearance wasn't what shocked Ye Xiaotian; it was the aura that surrounded the giant body. The aura was dark, filled with destruction and power. Ye Xiaotian could almost see vast lands covered in blood and corpses. The sight made him shudder.
Ye Xiaotian stammered, still shaking from the immense pressure he felt.
The man on the head of the giant body smiled slightly, then spoke. "I brought you here. This is my spirit world, a place sealed inside the black stone you found in the relic."
Ye Xiaotian's eyes widened in shock. "The black stone?"
The man nodded. "Yes. When you fainted, I used my power to bring you here. The stone is a gateway between our worlds."
Ye Xiaotian was still confused, but before he could ask more, the man stood up, towering above him. The power of the giant body was immense, but the man's expression remained calm. He stepped down and stood before Ye Xiaotian.
"A crippled genius, left by his wife and cast aside," the man mused, glancing at Ye Xiaotian. "You are exactly the kind of person I've been waiting for. You are suitable to inherit my power."
Ye Xiaotian's heart raced. "Who... who are you?" He looked up, sensing something powerful within the man. "You're not from the mortal world, are you?"
The man smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Correct. I am not from your world. My name is Ren Shuang. I come from a place far beyond your understanding."
Ye Xiaotian's confusion only deepened. "A world beyond mine?"
Ren Shuang nodded, his face growing serious. "It would not be wise for you to know more, not yet, with your current condition."
Ye Xiaotian's mind raced as he tried to process everything. "But why bring me here? Why me?"
Ren Shuang's gaze grew intense, and his voice lowered. "Because, you're just like me. I, too, was ambushed not by strangers, but by my own family and friends, all because of a treasure I found." He gave Ye Xiaotian a long look. "We are fated. I'll give you an opportunity but you have to do one thing for me when you becomes powerful"
Ye Xiaotian's brow furrowed. "What do you want from me?"
Ren Shuang's expression turned cold. "I want you to take revenge for me."
Ye Xiaotian recoiled slightly. "Revenge? How can someone like me a cripple ever accomplish that?"
Ren Shuang's lips curled into a faint smile. "That's where my opportunity lies. You see, your body may be crippled, but your soul still holds power. You can take over my body."
Ye Xiaotian blinked, his confusion deepening. "What do you mean?"
Ren Shuang continued, his voice serious. "I will give you Chaos Fluid. It is a rare treasure I found the very reason My enemies attacked me. Chaos Fluid will grant you a special constitution, the rarest spirit root in the world. Even the most powerful cultivators can use it to increase their power. At our level, even the smallest increase in strength can make a huge difference."
Ye Xiaotian's thoughts raced. "But if it's such a powerful treasure, why didn't you use it yourself?"
Ren Shuang's eyes darkened. "When I was ambushed by my enemies. They attacked me with a powerful treasure that shattered my soul. What you see now is only a fragment of what I once was. Repairing a shattered soul is nearly impossible. But you..." He looked at Ye Xiaotian. "You found the stone. Without it, I would have perished."
Ren Shuang's voice grew more urgent. "Ans now its your decision, if you want to take this opportunity and become a 'Great expert' or stay here and wait for you death."
Ye Xiaotian hesitated for a moment, the weight of the decision heavy on him. But then, a spark of determination ignited within him. He knelt down, looking up at Ren Shuang with unwavering resolve. "I swear to the heavens, I will carry out your vengeance and restore your honor in the world!"
Ren Shuang's face softened, and he smiled. "Good. Now, call me 'Master.'"
Ye Xiaotian's voice trembled with emotion. "Master."
Ren Shuang's expression brightened, and with a snap of his fingers, the massive body and Ye Xiaotian were lifted into the air. As they soared through the sky, Ye Xiaotian saw a distant pool, its waters glowing green. In the center of the pool floated a massive silver egg, two meters tall, covered in golden carvings.
"What is that, Master?" Ye Xiaotian asked, his curiosity piqued.
Ren Shuang's eyes gleamed with a mysterious light. "That egg is an even greater treasure. Those fools thought that The Chaos Fluid is the only treasure I've found but no it is just one of the many things I've found. And that egg is even more greater treasure then The Chaos Fluid, its power is far beyond your comprehension. Keep it safe, for it will become invaluable to you in the future."
They landed beside the pool, and Ren Shuang's expression turned serious. "Now, my disciple, remove your clothes and enter the pool."
Ye Xiaotian obeyed, though confusion and anxiety filled him. As he stepped into the green liquid, he felt a strange warmth wash over him. Ren Shuang followed, his massive body sinking into the liquid as well.
"Remember," Ren Shuang warned, "when you leave your body and enter mine, the pain will be unbearable. You must stay conscious. If you lose your focus, you will be lost in the soul world forever."
Ye Xiaotian nodded, determination growing within him. "I will endure, Master."
Ren Shuang began chanting, and a formation appeared above them. Ye Xiaotian felt a powerful force pulling at him, as though his very limbs were being torn apart. The pain was unimaginable, but he held on, thinking of the humiliation he had suffered and the burning need for revenge. He would not give up.
The pain grew even worse, but he focused on Ren Shuang's words: "Focus, Ye Xiaotian. Stay focused!"
With everything he had, Ye Xiaotian forced himself to endure, clinging to his last ounce of strength. Slowly, the pain began to fade, and he felt himself being pulled toward the towering body. It was the moment of truth. As his soul entered the giant form, he felt resistance, but he forced his way through, merging with the new body.
Ren Shuang snapped his fingers again, and the green liquid surged into Ye Xiaotian's body. The soothing sensation spread through him, healing and strengthening his cells. The old, broken cells burned away, replaced with new vitality.
Ye Xiaotian's eyes snapped open. He felt stronger, more alive than ever before. He looked down at his body, now it is transforming into his old self. It looked youthful, vibrant just like the man he had once been but even younger version of him.
Then, Ren Shuang's voice echoed: "Now, sense your spirit root."
Ye Xiaotian focused, and as he did, he felt something powerful beneath his dantian. A spirit root, shimmering with golden light, lay there. Above it, a mysterious sphere pulsed with immense power, sealed with red carvings.
His heart raced. "This... this is my power?"
Ren Shuang smiled. "Yes. But it's just the beginning. Now, Get ready."