Chapter 22: The Veil of Secrets
Li Yan floated in the silent void, his breath steadying after the intense battle with the shadow. The voice's final words still lingered in his mind: The truth will find you… and when it does, will you be ready?
He clenched his fists, the memory of the fight fresh in his body. His golden aura flickered faintly, a sign of both victory and exhaustion. "Ready or not, I'll face it when it comes," he muttered to himself. "The truth won't scare me off."
The void around him began to ripple, the stillness breaking as if stirred by an unseen force. A faint light appeared in the distance, growing brighter with each passing moment. Li Yan tensed, ready for whatever trial awaited him next.
But instead of another oppressive landscape or an overwhelming opponent, the light expanded into a tranquil scene—a vast meadow bathed in soft, golden sunlight. The air was warm and fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers, and a gentle breeze carried the sound of rustling leaves.
It was peaceful, unnervingly so.
Li Yan raised an eyebrow. "What is this? Another trick?"
As he cautiously stepped forward, his gaze was drawn to a lone figure sitting beneath a massive tree at the center of the meadow. The figure was shrouded in a flowing white robe, their back turned to him. Their presence was calm yet commanding, as if they belonged to the very fabric of this place.
Li Yan approached, his guard still up. "Hey, are you the one behind all this? The trials, the shadow… everything?"
The figure remained silent for a moment before speaking, their voice serene and melodic. "I am not your enemy, Li Yan, nor am I the one orchestrating your journey. I am merely a guide, here to show you what lies beyond the veil of your understanding."
Li Yan stopped a few steps away, crossing his arms. "A guide, huh? Forgive me if I don't trust random people who pop up in mysterious fields. You all have a habit of being cryptic and throwing me into fights."
The figure chuckled softly and turned to face him. It was a woman, her features ethereal and otherworldly. Her eyes shimmered like the night sky, and her expression was gentle yet unreadable. "Your skepticism is well-founded. But I assure you, I am here to help you uncover the truths hidden within yourself."
Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "If that's true, then start talking. What was that shadow? What truth am I supposed to find? And why do I feel like the whole universe has its eyes on me?"
The woman gestured for him to sit, her movements graceful and deliberate. "All in due time. But first, tell me this: what do you remember of your life before the system? Before the trials and the heavens?"
Li Yan hesitated, the question catching him off guard. "My life? It was… normal, I guess. I was just an ordinary guy on Earth, doing ordinary things. I didn't ask for any of this." He gestured around him. "The system, the powers, the endless worlds—it all came out of nowhere."
The woman tilted her head slightly, her gaze piercing. "And yet, does it not strike you as strange? That an 'ordinary' man would be chosen for such an extraordinary journey? That the system, a force beyond comprehension, would bond with you of all people?"
Li Yan frowned, the unease he'd been suppressing bubbling to the surface. "You're saying it wasn't random? That this was planned?"
"Planned, perhaps. Or perhaps it is simply fate." The woman's voice was soft but firm. "You, Li Yan, are an anomaly. A variable that defies the natural order. The heavens themselves tremble at your existence because you do not fit into their design."
Li Yan's fists clenched, his mind racing. "An anomaly? I didn't ask to be one! I didn't choose this!"
The woman's expression softened. "And yet, you have embraced it. You have fought, grown, and carved your path through the trials, defying the rules of the infinite heavens. That is why the shadow appeared—to warn you of the consequences of your defiance."
Li Yan took a deep breath, trying to process her words. "So, what now? Am I supposed to just… stop? Accept whatever fate the heavens have in store for me?"
The woman shook her head. "No. The choice is yours, as it has always been. But to make that choice, you must see the full picture. The veil of secrets must be lifted, and the truths of your past, present, and future revealed."
With a wave of her hand, the meadow around them began to shift. The tree, the grass, and the sunlight melted away, replaced by an endless expanse of stars. Li Yan found himself standing in the middle of the cosmos, surrounded by galaxies and constellations.
The woman's voice echoed through the void. "This is the truth of the infinite heavens. Endless worlds, endless systems, endless possibilities. But at the center of it all lies Earth—the origin, the core, the heart of everything."
A massive projection of Earth appeared before him, glowing with an otherworldly light. Its surface shimmered, revealing countless layers of energy and power.
"This," the woman continued, "is the Earth you come from. Not a mere planet, but the core of the Origin World, the source of the three thousand avenues and infinite rules. A world unlike any other, reborn a thousand years ago to reclaim its place among the heavens."
Li Yan stared at the image, his heart pounding. "And I'm connected to all this? How?"
"That," the woman said, her tone grave, "is the final truth you must uncover. But beware, for the answers you seek will change everything you know about yourself, your system, and your purpose."
The stars around them began to fade, and the meadow returned. The woman stood, her form glowing faintly. "Your journey is far from over, Li Yan. But remember this: the path you walk is yours alone. No force, no shadow, and no truth can take that away from you."
Before he could respond, the light engulfed her, and she vanished, leaving Li Yan alone once more.
He sat down under the tree, staring at the sky above. His thoughts were a whirlwind of questions and doubts, but one thing was clear—this was only the beginning.
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End of Chapter 22