When Zhou woke up, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the surroundings, and the scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air. His body ached from the injuries he sustained in the final battle, but he could feel the strength slowly returning to his limbs.
A maid, who had been watching over him, gasped as she noticed his movements. "Sect Leader Zhou is awake!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the halls.
Within moments, the room was filled with familiar faces. Members of the sect, including the tower masters and his closest ally, Zhao Cheng, surrounded him with relief and concern etched on their faces. However, one person was conspicuously absent: the mysterious man who had saved him.
Zhou's voice was hoarse as he addressed Zhao. "How long have I been unconscious?"
Zhao hesitated before answering, "Three days. Zhou, your injuries were severe... You could've died right there. But a man saved you. I don't know who he is or how he did it, but he's the reason you're still alive."
Zhou narrowed his eyes, his sharp mind already piecing together the puzzle. "A stranger saved me? Why?" he thought. "This reeks of manipulation. Is he trying to bind me with gratitude? Clever move, but I won't fall for it."
Pushing aside his thoughts, Zhou swung his legs over the bed and stood. "Take me to him," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
Zhao led him to the door of the man's room before bowing slightly and taking his leave. Alone, Zhou hesitated for a brief moment before pushing the door open.
Inside, the man sat with an air of effortless authority. Draped in a pristine white trench coat, a black scarf wrapped around his neck, and sunglasses obscuring his eyes, the stranger exuded mystery. His aura was calm, yet it commanded respect. Before Zhou could speak, the man broke the silence.
"So, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?" Logan's voice was smooth, almost casual, but with a hint of mockery.
Zhou's annoyance flared. "Cut the nonsense. I know what you're doing. You think saving me will make me owe you, that you can control me. Let me make one thing clear: I never asked for your help," he snapped, his voice laced with defiance.
Logan chuckled softly, his expression unreadable. "Do you truly believe I need to control you? Tell me, Zhou, do you think you can defeat me with the power you possess now?" His tone turned sharp, his words striking like a whip. "I'm disappointed. You dream of conquering this planet, yet you couldn't even conquer the demonic sect. Pathetic."
Zhou clenched his fists, his pride stung by the cutting remarks. Yet, he couldn't deny the truth behind Logan's words.
Logan continued, his voice dropping to a more measured tone. "I don't want to control you. I want your help. In exchange, I'll make you the leader of not just the demonic sect but the entire lower realm when I leave. An intriguing deal, isn't it? Take all the time you need to decide."
Zhou frowned, skepticism clouding his features. "What is this 'lower realm'? Bigger than this planet?"
Logan leaned back, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Much bigger than you can imagine. People like you call the universe infinite. But as you grow stronger, you'll realize it's not as vast as you think. To an ant, this room feels infinite, yet to you, it's just fifteen by ten feet. Perspective changes everything."
Zhou's mind raced as he processed the implications. "Will you make me stronger than I am now?" he asked, his voice steady, masking the storm of thoughts within.
Logan's reply was immediate. "I won't. But you will. Under my guidance, you'll become far stronger than you ever thought possible."
Zhou left the room, his thoughts swirling. "This is our first meeting," he mused, "yet he knows me so well. Every word he speaks is calculated, devoid of emotion, and he hides his face to prevent me from reading him. Who is this man?"
Meanwhile, Logan remained in his room, deep in thought. "I arrived earlier than in my previous regressions, but Zhou's survival is unexpected. In every other timeline, he barely made it. Did some unforeseen variable alter this regression? Impossible... I haven't done anything here to cause such a shift. So, what changed?"
That night, Zhou drank with his closest confidants. Sharing his encounter with Logan, he sought Zhao's perspective.
"You're not doubting the man," Zhao said thoughtfully, "but the opportunities he's offering. Maybe he sees your potential. Why else would he save you? If it were about control, he could've given the same opportunities to the previous sect master."
Unbeknownst to them, Logan listened from his room, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Smart man," he thought.
The next morning, Zhou entered Logan's room once again. Before he could speak, Logan greeted him. "Good morning. Have you made up your mind?"
Zhou ignored the pleasantries. "How can I trust you? How do I know you won't use me later?"
Logan's gaze was steady. "Trust, huh? That's for you to decide. Do you want to remain a frog in a well, or do you wish to soar in the sky? I won't lie to you—I will use you. But not as a pawn. You'll stand beside me as a captain on the battlefield, perhaps even a million years from now."
Zhou snorted, disbelief evident in his expression. "A million years? Have you gone mad? No one lives beyond a thousand years, even at the peak of cultivation."
Logan smirked. "True, for now. But in the future, I'll unlock immortality. Infinite life. You could be one of the few to attain it. But consider this: those who fear death when it looms near often crave it when it's far away. Immortality comes with its own burdens. Think carefully."
Zhou stared at him, silent for a moment before finally speaking. "How do you know all this?" he asked, his tone laced with suspicion. "But... whatever. I'm in."
Logan's smile widened. "A smart decision, Zhou. Though perhaps a foolish one, too."
And with that, their alliance was forged—one that would shape the destiny of the lower realm and beyond.
End of Chapter 3.