Ling Xiao's eyes locked onto Jian's, searching for any sign of deception or hidden motives. But Jian's expression remained calm and enigmatic, revealing nothing.
"What do you mean by 'true nature of my destiny'?" Ling Xiao asked, his voice firm and resolute.
Jian chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "You are more than just a cultivator, Ling Xiao," he said. "You are a key player in a much larger game. A game that spans centuries and continents."
Mei Lin stepped forward, her eyes flashing with warning. "Jian, what are you talking about?" she demanded.
Jian's smile grew wider. "I am talking about the prophecy," he said. "The prophecy that speaks of a great and powerful cultivator who will bring balance to the world."
Ling Xiao's mind reeled as he tried to understand Jian's words. Prophecy? Balance to the world? What did it all mean?
As he looked at Jian, Ling Xiao felt a sense of unease. There was something about Jian that didn't add up. Something that made Ling Xiao wonder if Jian was friend or foe.
"Who are you, really?" Ling Xiao asked, his voice firm and commanding.
Jian's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "I am Jian," he repeated. "A humble servant of the prophecy."
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed. He didn't believe Jian. There was something more to his story, something that Jian was hiding.
As the tension between them grew, Mei Lin stepped forward, her voice calm and soothing. "Let us not jump to conclusions," she said. "Jian, tell us more about this prophecy. What does it say, exactly?"
Jian's smile returned, and he began to speak in a low, hypnotic tone. "The prophecy speaks of a great and powerful cultivator," he said. "A cultivator who will bring balance to the world, and restore the natural order."
As Jian spoke, Ling Xiao felt a shiver run down his spine. There was something about Jian's words that resonated deep within him.
But what did it all mean? And what lay ahead for Ling Xiao, now that he was entangled in this mysterious prophecy?