Yi Lian's vision blurred as blood dripped from his wounds, his body teetering on the brink of collapse. His legs refused to move any further, and a sharp pain radiated from his chest with every breath. Just as his consciousness began to fade, the ancient amulet around his neck trembled violently.
A low hum echoed through the air, and cracks of light spidered out from the ground beneath him. The space around him twisted, folding inward and forming a shimmering portal.
The hooded man's eyes widened in shock. "A spatial portal?" He instinctively raised his hand, channeling a burst of energy to disrupt it. His fingers twisted into a series of complex seals, and a wave of power surged forth to shatter the portal—
But the moment his hand touched the portal's fluctuating edge, a violent backlash sent him flying backward. A loud crack echoed as his arm snapped under the recoil. He crashed to the ground, clutching his fractured limb, his face contorted in pain. His eyes never left the fading portal.
Yi Lian's body collapsed into the swirling light, vanishing without a trace. The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the hooded man's furious glare.
The man staggered to his feet, panting heavily, his injured arm hanging limply at his side.
A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, kneeling before him with a solemn expression. "Shadow of Nihil," the figure said in a low, respectful tone. "Was the target captured?"
The hooded man pulled down his hood, revealing his sharp features and cold, indifferent gaze. His dark eyes seemed to pierce straight into the soul of the kneeling figure.
"No." His voice was calm, almost bored.
The kneeling figure's heart sank. His eyes darted upward, only to meet that unrelenting gaze. A cold sweat broke out across his forehead. Without a moment's hesitation, he pressed his forehead to the ground, his voice trembling. "My failure! I was careless! I should've searched more thoroughly!"
The other cloaked figures in the shadows immediately followed suit, pressing their heads to the ground in submission. The air grew heavy with tension, each heartbeat echoing like a drum in the silence.
"Enough," the man said, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
The kneeling figure cautiously raised his head, a flicker of relief crossing his face—until he noticed the headless body lying beside him. His eyes went wide as the truth hit him like a thunderclap. He glanced down at his own body, realizing too late that it was his own decapitated corpse lying there.
His thoughts dissolved into nothingness.
The man in black kicked the severed head aside with a casual smile. His voice took on an almost playful tone. "I don't like failures," he said quietly, each word cutting like a blade. "Especially when they waste my time."
He turned toward the fading remnants of the portal, his eyes narrowing. "The journey isn't over, Yi Lian. Not until we retrieve the book from your hands."
Yi Lian stumbled out of the portal, collapsing onto the cold stone floor of a courtyard. His body felt like it had been torn apart and stitched back together. Every muscle screamed in agony, and his breath came in ragged gasps. His vision swam, and for a moment, the world spun wildly around him.
He tried to push himself up, but his strength failed. His face hit the cold stone once more. Before darkness overtook him, a familiar voice called out from above.
"You've returned," said a calm, familiar voice.
When Yi Lian opened his eyes again, the world was still and quiet. He lay on a soft mat beneath the shade of a cherry blossom tree. Pale petals drifted gently in the breeze, their fragrance soothing his troubled mind.
Jing Xuan stood nearby, her arms folded, watching him with a serene but unreadable expression. Her flowing robes rustled softly in the wind, and her calm gaze seemed to see straight through him.
Yi Lian struggled to sit up, wincing as pain flared through his body. "Master…" he croaked. "I've made my decision."
Jing Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" she said softly. "And what decision might that be?"
Yi Lian clenched his fists, forcing himself to his feet despite the pain. His voice was steady, filled with determination. "I will continue my journey in the mortal realm," he declared. "But this time, without your support. No amulet, no safety net. I want to walk this path with my own strength, my own determination."
Jing Xuan remained silent for a long moment, studying him carefully. Her eyes were calm, but beneath that calmness lay an unreadable depth. Finally, she nodded.
"Very well," she said. "I won't stop you. But know this: the road ahead will be harsh. Your resolve will be tested in ways you cannot yet comprehend."
She paused, her eyes becoming serious. "The amulet was only a temporary protection. Out there, you'll be on your own. No one will shield you from the consequences of your choices."
"I understand," Yi Lian said firmly.
He turned to leave but hesitated, his brow furrowing in thought. "Master…" he began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "What is the Immortal Sovereign Realm?"
Jing Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Where did you hear that term?"
Yi Lian explained everything—the hooded man, the village, the cult, and the mysterious book he had sworn to protect. His words came out in a rush, his voice growing more urgent as he described the events that had led him to this moment.
Jing Xuan's expression darkened as she listened. Her calm demeanor wavered ever so slightly, a shadow of concern flickering across her face.
"You encountered that village?" she muttered, a hint of shock in her voice. "And you became the guardian of the book they protect?"
Yi Lian nodded.
Jing Xuan exhaled slowly. "You've been caught in a conflict far larger than you can imagine. The Immortal Sovereign Realm is not something you should concern yourself with for now. Only those beyond the Divine Body Realm can even aspire to reach it. The strongest at that level can submerge entire continents or shatter planets. They are rarely seen in this world, but their presence… is devastating."
A chill ran down Yi Lian's spine at her words. He instinctively reached for the book at his side, intending to offer it to her for safekeeping.
Jing Xuan raised a hand to stop him. "It's no use. The book chooses its guardian. No one else can take it from you—not even me."
"But…" Yi Lian hesitated, his voice faltering. "I'm not strong enough to protect it."
"You're not yet," Jing Xuan said, her tone softening. "But strength isn't something you acquire overnight. Remember this: all the answers you seek… are already with you."
Yi Lian frowned, confusion flickering across his face. He was about to ask what she meant when he noticed her gaze locked on the book. Suddenly, it clicked.
The book holds the key, a key to grow stronger even with the weak talent this body have.
A fire ignited within him. He no longer sought strength out of fear or selfish desires. Now, he wanted strength to protect those who could not protect themselves.
His journey was just beginning.