Chapter 3: The Carefree Reincarnator and the Mysterious Realm
Li Yan floated lazily through the air, his hands behind his head as if lying back on an invisible hammock. He had barely touched the surface of the strange world, but already, he could feel its layers—each one thicker and more complex than the last. But that wasn't his concern right now. For the moment, his only focus was the undeniable curiosity that drove him to explore. And of course, have a little fun along the way.
"Alright, what's next?" Li Yan mused as he drifted through the clouds. His eyes twinkled with excitement. "I wonder if there's a world-ending monster lurking around here or some ancient treasure hidden in a forgotten temple. Or maybe... maybe I'll just take a nap in a tree. That sounds nice."
The system, ever so patient, responded with its usual calm voice.
[Warning: Caution is advised when venturing into unknown realms. Energy fluctuations detected.]
Li Yan glanced sideways, unfazed. "Caution, huh? I'm not sure I remember how that works... But I'll give it a shot."
Just then, a rippling surge of energy coursed through the atmosphere, disrupting the air like a series of invisible shockwaves. The atmosphere itself seemed to shift, and Li Yan's instincts tingled—this wasn't just some random fluctuation. Something important was happening.
"Now this is getting interesting," Li Yan said with a mischievous grin. He shot forward, his body slicing through the air as he followed the energy's path.
He passed over mountain ranges and rivers, zooming through forests, until he reached the heart of the disturbance. A vast, glowing rift hung suspended in the air, its edges pulsating with strange energy. The sky around it had turned a deep shade of violet, and the air was thick with spiritual energy. At the center of the rift, a massive floating island floated, surrounded by swirling tendrils of light.
"Well, well, well," Li Yan murmured, intrigued. "This looks like my kind of place."
Before he could make his move, the rift pulsed, and a figure emerged from within it—a tall man cloaked in shimmering silver robes, his face obscured by a hood. The man hovered a few feet above the ground, his aura radiating an almost suffocating presence. Li Yan could immediately sense the man's strength, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle—at least, not with his carefree attitude.
"Who dares approach the Forbidden Realm?" the man's voice rang out, rich and commanding. The words seemed to vibrate the air itself.
Li Yan casually landed on a nearby rock, planting his feet as though he were preparing for a casual conversation. "Oh, me? Just a tourist. Came to see what all the fuss is about."
The man's hooded gaze locked onto Li Yan, scrutinizing him with an intensity that would have made most beings squirm. "You dare to speak of this sacred place so casually? You have no idea of the dangers that lie within. The Forbidden Realm is a place where even gods fear to tread."
Li Yan waved a hand dismissively. "Gods, shmods. Sounds like an overhyped tourist trap to me." He stood up straight, flashing a carefree grin. "So, what's in there? Is it a dungeon? A treasure vault? Or just a really, really bad idea?"
The figure before him faltered slightly, clearly thrown off by Li Yan's unperturbed attitude. "You—You are not normal," the man muttered under his breath, but Li Yan's ears caught every word.
"Oh, you're just realizing that now?" Li Yan chuckled. "Tell you what—how about you stop trying to scare me with your cryptic warnings and show me what's in that glowing hole of yours? I could use something new to play with."
The man stood still for a moment, his aura flaring briefly, before he took a step forward, his voice steady and measured. "Very well. If you are so intent on learning the secrets of the Forbidden Realm, then I shall show you. But beware—the trials ahead will test your very existence. Few have ever made it through. Do you still wish to proceed?"
Li Yan stretched lazily, his posture casual as ever. "Test my existence? Sure, why not? I'm already overpowered and bored, so a little challenge might be fun. Lead the way, mystery man."
The cloaked figure paused for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he extended his hand toward the rift. With a gesture, the swirling energy around the rift parted, revealing a path leading inside. The man stepped forward, gesturing for Li Yan to follow.
"Very well. Follow me."
Li Yan shrugged and followed, stepping into the rift with a casual ease as if he were entering a local café rather than a legendary, god-defying realm. The air inside the rift shimmered with swirling lights, and the atmosphere shifted around them as though the laws of the universe themselves bent to the will of the realm.
They passed through the rift's entrance and found themselves in a vast, cavernous space. The ground beneath them was solid, but the surroundings seemed to stretch on endlessly, filled with floating islands, ancient temples, and vast libraries of forgotten knowledge.
"Whoa... this place looks like a fantasy lover's dream," Li Yan said, his eyes widening in awe. "Ancient temples, floating bookshelves, mysterious beasts. It's like someone combined all the cool stuff from every story ever told."
The cloaked figure eyed him with growing confusion. "You truly have no sense of fear, do you?"
Li Yan shrugged again. "Fear? Nah, too much effort. Plus, I'm kinda curious to see what will happen when I break the rules here."
With a gesture, the man activated a glowing crystal in his hand, causing the air around them to shimmer with energy. The ground beneath their feet shifted as a massive stone door creaked open, revealing a vast chamber beyond.
"Behold," the figure said, his voice grave. "This is the Trial of the Forgotten. Only the strongest can survive. Do you wish to proceed, or will you turn back now, before it's too late?"
Li Yan flashed a grin that would have sent shivers down anyone else's spine. "I think I'll stick around. I've got a feeling this is going to be a good time."
The door slammed shut behind them as Li Yan stepped into the chamber, his eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement. The trial was about to begin, and he was ready for whatever came next—no fear, no hesitation, just endless possibilities.
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End of Chapter 3