Chen Yan opened his eyes to the world around him, the unfamiliar but strangely familiar landscape stretching before him. His mind was sharp, clearer than ever, a vast sea of knowledge that he had accumulated over his previous life. The memories of his failures, the heartbreak, the betrayal—those things were still fresh, but now, they felt distant, as though they belonged to someone else.
He had regressed. He had been given a second chance to rewrite his destiny. Unlike his previous life, where he had to claw his way up from the bottom, this time, he knew the steps. He knew the techniques, the secrets, and the hidden pathways to power. The only thing that had changed was the nature of the world around him—and that wasn't something he would let slow him down.
In his past life, he had been a genius in the art of cultivation, and now, with his accumulated knowledge and the blessing of the Phoenix Beast, he was more than ready to take the first step towards mastering this world.
A slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. The power he had felt stirring within him before had been nothing. Now, he could feel the energy of the world around him with the clarity of a master. The Phoenix Beast's presence within him was no longer an unfamiliar sensation—it was an integral part of his being, a constant companion, a source of untapped strength that he knew how to wield. It had been weak at first, yes, but now, Chen Yan was aware of its potential.
I can feel it—the vast ocean of energy that surrounds me. This is the foundation of cultivation. And I already know how to swim.
He closed his eyes, his thoughts moving with purpose. In his first life, he had spent years studying cultivation, watching the rise and fall of powerful figures. He had learned the deep intricacies of beast bonding, the flow of spiritual energy, and the art of taming even the most ferocious of beasts. This knowledge, coupled with his genius-level understanding, gave him a unique advantage. He was no longer a novice struggling to grasp the basics of cultivation. He had the experience, the wisdom, and the intelligence to take a shortcut, to avoid the mistakes that would trap others.
He spread his senses wide, feeling the pulse of the land around him. The spiritual energy in the air was like a tide, ebbing and flowing with the natural rhythm of the world. This was what true cultivation was about—drawing from the energy of the earth, the sky, the very life force that permeated everything. But it wasn't just the energy itself that mattered—it was how one controlled it, how one bent it to their will. And that was something Chen Yan knew well.
He raised his hand, palm facing upward, and concentrated. The Phoenix Beast within him stirred, its power responding to his call. The bond they shared was not just a simple connection—it was an intimate understanding, a deep relationship that transcended mere beast and master. Chen Yan knew that the Phoenix was not just a beast—it was a symbol of rebirth, of strength, and of endless possibilities.
The moment his spiritual energy began to flow, it was as if the Phoenix Beast itself was guiding him, pushing him forward, urging him to reach greater heights. The energy in his body swirled around his core, gathering and strengthening. It was a familiar sensation—something he had felt countless times in his first life, but now, it was even more powerful, more immediate. The energy responded to him like a servant to its master, each movement fluid, controlled, and precise.
Chen Yan's eyes snapped open, his expression calm yet resolute. The spiritual energy he had gathered had coalesced around him, forming a visible aura that shimmered in the air. He felt the power crackling through his veins, filling him with an exhilaration that bordered on euphoria. This was it—the beginning of his ascent.
I've already surpassed where I was in my previous life. The Phoenix Beast is my anchor, but I'm not reliant on it. I will rise to the top on my own terms.
His confidence was unwavering. Chen Yan was a genius—one of the rare few who had mastered both cultivation and beast bonding, but this time, he had more. His past life's experience was a treasure trove of knowledge, a library of every technique, every secret, and every mistake he had ever made. He would not repeat those mistakes. This time, he would not be betrayed. This time, the world would bend to his will.
The Phoenix's presence inside him flared again, a fiery pulse that seemed to resonate with his own power. It was not an uncontrollable force, as it had been at the beginning, but a symbiotic partnership. The Phoenix's power amplified his own, but it was more than that. It was a reflection of his own potential, a reminder of what he could achieve.
Chen Yan knew that the true key to power lay in beast summoning, and the Phoenix Beast was just the beginning. He needed to find other beasts, creatures that could further his ascent, creatures whose powers could complement his own. But that would come later. For now, he had to focus on mastering his own cultivation.
The land around him had been silent, almost mournful, but now, it seemed to stir with anticipation. Chen Yan's thoughts shifted to his next task—finding a suitable place to begin his cultivation. In his first life, he had often been forced to cultivate in hidden caves, secluded mountains, or desolate wastelands, places where no one could see him, where no one could challenge his rise.
But now, things would be different. He had no need to hide, no need to play by the rules. He was a genius, a prodigy, and he would show the world just what that meant.
Chen Yan turned away from the ruins, his gaze sharp as he scanned the horizon. This world was vast, and there were many dangers lurking in its depths, but those dangers were nothing compared to the lessons he had learned in his first life. He knew how to survive. He knew how to thrive.
He took a step forward, the ground beneath his feet solid, unyielding. This was just the beginning. A long path stretched before him, one filled with challenges and obstacles, but he would face them head-on. His past life had been a series of mistakes, but in this life, those mistakes would serve as stepping stones.
With the Phoenix by his side, and his mind honed to perfection, Chen Yan was ready. The world of cultivation would be his to command. All he needed to do was reach out and take it.
And so, with a steady breath, he began his journey once more, no longer a pawn in someone else's game, but a master of his own fate.
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