Part 1: Awakening in the Void
A sharp pain tore through Lin Tian's consciousness, as though his very soul was being shredded apart. He wanted to scream, but there was no body to cry out from. He floated in a vast expanse of darkness, his senses dulled, yet his mind was acutely aware of one horrifying fact—he was no longer alive.
Fragments of memories swirled around him like broken glass, cutting through his thoughts. The sound of clashing swords, the cries of dying comrades, and the haunting face of the enemy commander who had struck him down—all of it replayed in an endless loop. He remembered the final moment vividly: his blade piercing through the enemy's chest, his own heart impaled in return. Both warriors fell, but only one lived to tell the tale.
"Am I… dead?" The thought drifted through his mind like a faint whisper.
Suddenly, a soft glow pierced the darkness. A golden thread appeared in the void, thin yet radiant, like a beacon of hope. It slowly wound itself around Lin Tian's fragmented soul, pulling the pieces together. Warmth filled him, followed by a voice—calm, mechanical, and devoid of emotion.
"System initialization complete. Host's soul has been repaired to minimum functional capacity."
"What?" Lin Tian's mind jolted. The voice didn't belong to him. It was unfamiliar, cold, and yet strangely reassuring.
"Welcome, Host, to the Soul Ascension System. Your soul has been chosen to embark on the Eternal Path. Do you wish to bind with the system and begin your ascension?"
Lin Tian hesitated. He had no idea what this "system" was or why it had chosen him, but staying in this endless void didn't seem like a better alternative. Besides, something about the voice felt… purposeful, as if it were his only lifeline.
"I accept." His voice was firm, despite the uncertainty in his heart.
The moment the words left his mind, the golden thread expanded, enveloping him entirely. His fragmented soul was pulled into a whirlpool of light, and an overwhelming force surged through him. Memories of his death and his mortal life faded into the background as a new reality took shape.
---
Lin Tian awoke with a gasp, his lungs burning as if he had been underwater for hours. He found himself lying on cold, hard ground. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and rotting vegetation. Groaning, he pushed himself up, his body trembling with weakness.
His surroundings were unfamiliar. Towering trees with twisted roots loomed around him, their blackened bark oozing with a strange, viscous liquid. A heavy mist blanketed the forest, muffling distant sounds and casting eerie shadows.
"Where… am I?" Lin Tian muttered, his voice hoarse.
Before he could gather his thoughts, the same mechanical voice from the void echoed in his mind.
"Welcome to the Wasteland of Forgotten Souls, Host. This realm is the lowest tier of the Eternal Path. You must ascend through trials to escape."
"The Wasteland of Forgotten Souls? Eternal Path?" Lin Tian frowned. "What is this place? And who—or what—are you?"
"I am the Soul Ascension System, a tool designed to guide you on your journey. As the Host, your objective is to cultivate your soul, overcome trials, and ascend to higher realms of existence. Failure to progress will result in soul disintegration."
The words sent a chill down Lin Tian's spine. "Disintegration? You mean I'll… cease to exist?"
"Correct. Time is limited, Host. Begin now."
Before Lin Tian could respond, a translucent screen materialized in front of him, glowing faintly in the dim light of the forest.
---
[Soul Ascension System]
Soul Level: Fragmented (Tier 0)
Vitality: Weak
Potential: Infinite
Skills Unlocked: None
Mission: Survive the Wasteland and locate the Spirit Core.
Time Remaining: 72 hours
---
Lin Tian stared at the screen, his mind racing. "Survive the wasteland? Spirit Core? What kind of insane situation is this?"
Before he could dwell on it, a low growl echoed from the mist. His body tensed as the sound drew closer, the ground trembling beneath him. Instinctively, he scrambled to his feet, his eyes darting around for the source of the noise.
The mist parted, revealing a grotesque creature lumbering toward him. It stood on four legs, its body covered in jagged, black scales that glistened with slime. Its face was a nightmarish amalgamation of a wolf and a serpent, with glowing red eyes that seemed to pierce into his very soul.
"Warning: Soul Predator detected," the system's voice chimed. "Host's current strength is insufficient to engage. Recommended action: flee."
"Flee? Where the hell am I supposed to go?" Lin Tian snapped, his heart pounding.
The creature let out an ear-piercing screech and lunged at him. Without thinking, Lin Tian turned and ran, his instincts taking over. The forest seemed to close in around him, the twisted trees clawing at his clothes as he pushed forward. The predator's snarls grew louder, its heavy footsteps closing the distance.
"I'm going to die again," Lin Tian thought bitterly. "First in battle, now as some monster's meal…"
Just as the creature's hot breath brushed against his back, the system's voice rang out again.
"Emergency activation of Host's latent potential. Soul Energy detected."
A sudden surge of power coursed through Lin Tian's body. His vision sharpened, his limbs felt lighter, and a strange energy swirled within him. He skidded to a halt, spinning around to face the predator.
"I'm not dying here," he growled, his fists clenched.
The creature lunged again, its jaws snapping open, but Lin Tian's body moved on its own. He sidestepped with inhuman speed, his hand instinctively striking out. A burst of golden light erupted from his palm, slamming into the predator's side.
The beast howled in pain, its scaled body smoking where the light had struck. It staggered back, snarling, but Lin Tian didn't give it a chance to recover. Fueled by adrenaline and the mysterious energy within him, he charged forward, his fist glowing with the same golden light.
With a final blow to its head, the creature collapsed, its body dissolving into black mist. Lin Tian stumbled back, his chest heaving as the golden light faded.
---
"Soul Predator defeated. Soul Fragments absorbed. Host's Soul Level: Stabilized."
The system's voice broke the silence, and another screen appeared before him.
[Mission Progress: 5%]
Soul Strength: Weak
Next Objective: Locate the Spirit Core.
Lin Tian sank to his knees, his mind reeling. He had barely survived his first encounter in this strange world, and it was clear the challenges ahead would only grow more dangerous.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, he muttered, "If this is what it takes to survive, then so be it. I'll make this power mine, no matter the cost."
---
Part 2: The Hunt for the Spirit Core
Lin Tian sat slumped against the base of a massive tree, his chest still rising and falling with labored breaths. His battle with the Soul Predator left him shaken but alive—a small victory in the face of overwhelming odds.
The system's voice echoed in his mind once more, cold and detached.
"Host has stabilized at Soul Level: Weak. Survival time extended. Next task: Locate the Spirit Core within 70 hours."
Lin Tian frowned as the translucent screen reappeared, displaying his stats.
---
[Soul Ascension System]
Soul Level: Weak (Tier 0)
Energy Reserve: 10%
Objective: Locate the Spirit Core.
Time Remaining: 70 hours
---
"The Spirit Core..." Lin Tian muttered. "If I don't find it, my soul will 'disintegrate.' What kind of twisted joke is this system playing?"
The system didn't respond, as expected, leaving him with no answers to his questions. But there was one thing he understood: complaining wouldn't help. If he wanted to survive, he had to follow the system's instructions.
He forced himself to stand, ignoring the ache in his muscles. The eerie forest stretched endlessly in all directions, shrouded in mist. Each shadow seemed to hide a lurking danger, and the faint growls and rustling leaves only heightened his sense of dread.
"This place is hell," he muttered, clenching his fists. "But I'll survive. I didn't fight and die in my last life just to perish like this."
Steeling his resolve, Lin Tian began to move cautiously through the forest, keeping his senses sharp for any sign of danger—or the so-called Spirit Core.
---
The Whispering Shadows
Hours passed, though it was impossible to tell in the dim, perpetual gloom of the forest. Lin Tian's stomach growled, a stark reminder of his body's needs.
"System," he called out, "can I eat or drink in this place? Or will that kill me too?"
The system responded immediately.
"Food and water in the Wasteland contain traces of soul energy. Consuming them will temporarily strengthen your soul but may also induce side effects. Exercise caution."
"Side effects… great," Lin Tian muttered. He scanned his surroundings, eventually spotting a cluster of strange fruit hanging from a low-hanging branch. The fruit was small and round, glowing faintly with a blue hue.
Reaching out, he plucked one and examined it carefully. Its surface was smooth, and it pulsed faintly, almost as if it were alive.
"Let's hope this doesn't kill me," he said, taking a cautious bite.
The fruit's flavor was surprisingly sweet, and warmth spread through his body as he swallowed. A notification appeared in his mind.
---
[Soul Energy Absorbed: +1%]
Warning: Excessive consumption may lead to instability.
---
"Well, at least it works," Lin Tian muttered. He quickly gathered a few more of the fruits, storing them in the tattered pouch he found strapped to his waist.
As he turned to continue his search, a chilling sensation washed over him. The air grew heavy, and the forest seemed to grow darker. Lin Tian froze, his instincts screaming at him to stay alert.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement—a shadow slipping between the trees, silent and swift.
"What now?" he whispered, gripping a broken branch he'd picked up earlier as a makeshift weapon.
The shadow darted closer, and Lin Tian caught a glimpse of glowing yellow eyes. Whatever it was, it wasn't friendly.
"Caution: Wraith Hound detected. Highly dangerous. Host's current strength is insufficient for direct confrontation. Recommended action: evade or utilize terrain advantage."
Lin Tian cursed under his breath. "Another one of these damn monsters? Is this whole forest trying to kill me?"
The Wraith Hound emerged from the shadows, its sleek, black body almost blending into the mist. Unlike the Soul Predator, this creature was lean and fast, its muscles coiled like springs ready to strike.
Lin Tian didn't wait for it to attack. He turned and sprinted, weaving through the twisted trees as the hound gave chase. Its growls echoed in the forest, growing louder with each passing second.
The ground beneath him was uneven, roots and rocks threatening to trip him at every step. But Lin Tian pushed forward, his mind racing for a plan.
He spotted a narrow gap between two massive trees up ahead. The space was just wide enough for him to slip through, but the hound would struggle to follow.
"This better work," he muttered, diving through the gap.
The Wraith Hound lunged, its claws scraping against the bark as it tried to squeeze through. Lin Tian didn't waste the opportunity. He grabbed a jagged rock from the ground and swung it with all his might, striking the creature's exposed head.
The hound howled in pain, thrashing violently. Lin Tian struck again and again, his desperation fueling each blow. Finally, the creature collapsed, its body dissolving into a dark mist.
---
[Wraith Hound defeated. Soul Fragments absorbed.]
Soul Energy: +3%
Host's Soul Level: Weak (Stabilized).
---
Lin Tian collapsed to the ground, his chest heaving. He was drenched in sweat, his body trembling from exertion.
"This is insane," he muttered. "If every step forward is going to be like this, I don't know if I'll make it…"
But even as the words left his mouth, a flicker of determination sparked within him. He had survived battles before—against impossible odds—and he would survive this too.
Pushing himself to his feet, Lin Tian noticed something strange where the hound had fallen. A faint, golden light shimmered in the air, slowly condensing into a small orb.
"What's this?" he wondered, reaching out to touch it.
The moment his fingers brushed the orb, a surge of energy rushed into his body. The system's voice rang out.
"Host has obtained a Lesser Spirit Core. Absorbing core will strengthen the soul and unlock latent abilities."
A new screen appeared before him.
---
[Lesser Spirit Core Detected]
Absorb? Y/N
---
Lin Tian didn't hesitate. "Absorb it."
The orb dissolved into golden light, which flowed into his chest. A wave of warmth spread through him, banishing his fatigue and filling him with newfound strength. His vision sharpened, and his body felt lighter, more agile.
---
[Soul Energy: +20%]
[Soul Ability Unlocked: Spirit Pulse Strike]
---
Lin Tian clenched his fists, marveling at the power coursing through him. A faint golden glow surrounded his body, and he instinctively knew how to use his new ability.
"This… this might just be my chance," he said, a small smile forming on his lips.
The forest no longer seemed as daunting as it had before. For the first time since his rebirth, Lin Tian felt hope. With the Spirit Core absorbed and a new ability unlocked, he was one step closer to survival—and perhaps even domination.
But the clock was still ticking, and the true challenges of the Wasteland had yet to reveal themselves.
---
Part 3: The Spirit Pulse Awakens
Lin Tian took a deep breath, steadying himself as the golden glow around him began to fade. His body felt lighter, his senses sharper, and his mind clearer. The system's notification about his new ability—Spirit Pulse Strike—lingered in his thoughts, but the full extent of what it could do remained a mystery.
"System, explain Spirit Pulse Strike," he asked, his voice steady but curious.
"Spirit Pulse Strike is a Tier-1 Soul Ability," the system responded in its emotionless tone. "The Host channels accumulated soul energy into a concentrated pulse, releasing it as a powerful shockwave capable of damaging enemies within a specific radius. Current output: Low. Potential for growth: High."
Lin Tian's brow furrowed as he considered the explanation. A shockwave attack sounded promising, but its effectiveness in a real fight would depend on his ability to control and wield it. "I'll test it out soon," he muttered, his gaze sweeping the forest ahead.
His focus returned to the translucent system interface floating before him. The timer in the corner continued its relentless countdown:
[Time Remaining: 68 hours]
He clenched his fists, feeling the pressure mounting. The forest had already proven itself hostile, and time wasn't on his side. But if he could locate the Spirit Core the system mentioned, perhaps he'd finally have a chance to stabilize his soul and ascend from this forsaken wasteland.
---
The Echo of Ancient Power
As Lin Tian moved deeper into the forest, the oppressive mist grew thicker. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth, and faint whispers seemed to echo from every direction. At first, he dismissed them as tricks of his mind, but the further he walked, the clearer they became.
"…soul…power…"
"…awaken…"
"…ascend…"
The voices were faint, like a breeze brushing against his consciousness. Lin Tian's steps faltered, his instincts warning him of danger, but the whispers seemed to call to him, drawing him forward.
"What is this place?" he murmured, gripping the jagged branch he still carried as a makeshift weapon.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him trembled, and a deep, resonant hum filled the air. The mist parted ahead, revealing a massive stone altar. It stood in the center of a clearing, its surface etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with a golden light.
At the center of the altar floated a crystal sphere the size of a man's fist. It glowed with an ethereal brilliance, casting dancing patterns of light across the clearing.
"Spirit Core detected," the system announced. "This is a Greater Spirit Core. Absorption will significantly enhance the Host's soul strength and unlock advanced abilities. Warning: Guardian presence detected."
Lin Tian's heart sank at the word "Guardian." As if on cue, a low growl echoed through the clearing. From the shadows of the trees emerged a towering beast, easily three times the size of the Wraith Hound he had fought earlier. Its body was covered in black, armor-like scales, and its eyes burned with crimson light.
The beast let out a deafening roar, shaking the ground and forcing Lin Tian to take a step back.
"Guardian Beast: Shadowfang Sentinel. Estimated strength: Tier-1 Predator. Combat recommended only with strategic advantage."
Lin Tian's mind raced. "Tier-1 Predator? That doesn't sound like something I can handle easily…"
But as intimidating as the Shadowfang Sentinel was, Lin Tian knew he couldn't back down. The Spirit Core was right there—so close—and his survival depended on claiming it.
He tightened his grip on the branch, his body tense but ready. "System, any suggestions?"
"Utilize Spirit Pulse Strike to weaken the enemy. Target vulnerabilities in the Guardian's armor. Avoid direct confrontation; use the terrain to your advantage."
"Got it," Lin Tian muttered, his gaze fixed on the massive beast.
---
The Battle Begins
The Shadowfang Sentinel charged, its massive claws tearing through the ground as it closed the distance. Lin Tian darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a swipe that would have torn him apart.
He raised his hand, focusing on the energy swirling within him. The golden glow returned, gathering in his palm as the system's voice guided him.
"Channel the energy. Release it as a pulse."
With a shout, Lin Tian thrust his hand forward, releasing the stored energy in a burst of golden light. The Spirit Pulse Strike shot out like a shockwave, slamming into the Sentinel's side.
The beast roared in pain, its armored scales cracking where the pulse had struck. But the attack only seemed to enrage it further. It turned toward Lin Tian, its crimson eyes blazing with fury.
"Damn it, that barely slowed it down," Lin Tian muttered, already moving to put distance between himself and the beast.
The Sentinel lunged, its jaws snapping shut inches from Lin Tian's shoulder. He rolled to the side, his heart pounding as he searched for an opening. The terrain around the altar was uneven, with jagged rocks and twisted roots protruding from the ground.
"If I can get it to trip…" Lin Tian's thoughts raced as he formulated a plan.
He positioned himself near a cluster of exposed roots, taunting the Sentinel with a wave of his branch. "Come on, you overgrown lizard! Let's see if you can keep up!"
The beast roared and charged again, its massive weight shaking the ground. At the last moment, Lin Tian darted to the side, and the Sentinel's claws caught on the roots. It stumbled, its momentum carrying it forward into a nearby boulder.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Tian gathered his remaining energy for another Spirit Pulse Strike. This time, he aimed directly at the beast's exposed underbelly, where its armor was weakest.
The golden shockwave struck true, eliciting a pained howl from the Sentinel as it collapsed to the ground. Lin Tian didn't let up. He grabbed a sharp stone and drove it into the creature's vulnerable side, channeling every ounce of his strength into the attack.
With one final roar, the Shadowfang Sentinel dissolved into black mist, leaving behind a faint, glowing orb.
---
[Shadowfang Sentinel defeated. Greater Spirit Core obtained.]
Lin Tian fell to his knees, his body trembling from exhaustion. Sweat dripped from his brow, but a victorious grin spread across his face.
"I did it," he whispered, his voice hoarse.
The system's voice chimed in.
"Host has obtained a Greater Spirit Core. Absorption will enhance soul strength and unlock Tier-2 abilities. Proceed?"
"Yes," Lin Tian said without hesitation.
The glowing orb floated toward him, dissolving into golden light as it entered his chest. A surge of energy coursed through him, more powerful than anything he had felt before. His body glowed faintly, and the pain and fatigue from the battle faded away.
---
[Soul Energy: +50%]
[Soul Level: Enhanced (Tier 1)]
[New Ability Unlocked: Shadowstep]
---
Lin Tian opened his eyes, feeling stronger than ever. The forest no longer felt as oppressive, and the whispers in the air seemed to grow quieter, as if acknowledging his newfound strength.
He stood tall, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. The Spirit Core had been claimed, and the Shadowfang Sentinel defeated. But Lin Tian knew this was only the beginning. The Wasteland of Forgotten Souls still held countless dangers, and the road to ascension would only grow more treacherous.
Clenching his fists, he took a step forward, his voice steady and resolute. "If this is the Eternal Path, then I'll walk it. No matter what stands in my way."
---
End of Chapter 1.