Lin Zhen's eyes fluttered open, but his gaze was met with an unfamiliar ceiling. He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him back onto the pallet. He looked around, trying to remember where he was and how he got there. But his memories were shrouded in mist.
A figure entered the room, and Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed as he tried to place her. It was the girl who had been taking care of him... but what was her name?
"Who are you?" Lin Zhen asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The girl's expression faltered for a moment before she replied, "I'm Xian Yue. I saved you from a snake bite in the forest."
Lin Zhen's eyes widened in confusion. "What do you mean? What snake bite?"
Xian Yue's face softened, and she reached out to touch his forehead. "You've lost your memories. The pill I gave you was meant to save your life, but it seems to have erased your memories as well."
Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed, trying to grasp at the threads of his memory. But they slipped through his fingers like sand.
"I... I don't remember," he admitted, feeling a pang of frustration.
Xian Yue's eyes filled with concern. "Don't worry, we'll figure it out together."
But Lin Zhen's determination grew. "I need to leave. I have to find out who I am."
Xian Yue's eyes flashed with concern. "You can't just leave! The world of mortals is treacherous, especially for someone with no memories."
Lin Zhen's jaw set in determination. "I won't be a burden. I'll find my own way."
As he turned to leave, Xian Yue blocked his path. "You're not listening! You're not strong enough to survive out there."
Their argument was interrupted by Xian Yue's sudden collapse. Lin Zhen rushed to her side, finding a deep gash on her arm. He didn't know what had caused the injury, but he knew he had to act fast.
Without hesitation, Lin Zhen made a small cut on his finger and let the droplets fall onto Xian Yue's wound. As the blood touched her skin, the wound began to heal at an alarming rate.
Xian Yue's eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up at Lin Zhen in confusion. "What... what happened?"
Lin Zhen helped her sit up, his expression neutral. "You were injured. I helped you heal."
Xian Yue's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "Why did you help me?"
Lin Zhen shrugged. "I suppose we're even now."
Xian Yue's face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Not quite. You see, I still have a claim on you. You're not going anywhere until you've repaid me."
Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed, sensing a trap. "What do you want from me?"
Xian Yue's grin widened. "I want to see if you're worthy of freedom. Let's have a match. If you win, you can leave. But if you lose..."
Lin Zhen's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You'll make me do your bidding?"
Xian Yue nodded, her eyes glinting with determination. "Something like that."
The air was electric with tension as they faced off in the center of the clearing. Lin Zhen, confident in his physical prowess, sneered at Xian Yue.
"You think you can beat me?" he taunted.
Xian Yue's smile never wavered. "We'll see about that."
With a swift motion, Lin Zhen launched a direct punch at Xian Yue's face. His fist hurtled through the air, propelled by his impressive physical power.
However, as his hand approached Xian Yue's nose, it suddenly stopped, as if halted by an invisible force. Lin Zhen's eyes widened in shock as he realized his punch had been neutralized by Xian Yue's aura.
Xian Yue's aura was not just a simple energy shield but a manifestation of her cultivation, honed through years of dedicated practice. The aura was so potent that it could neutralize or deflect attacks without Xian Yue even lifting a finger.
Lin Zhen's confidence began to waver as he stumbled backward, his eyes fixed on Xian Yue in a mixture of shock and admiration.
Seizing the opportunity, Xian Yue unleashed a swift and precise kick. Her foot sliced through the air, aimed squarely at Lin Zhen's chest.
Lin Zhen attempted to react, but Xian Yue's aura continued to press down on him, making it difficult for him to muster any significant resistance.
Finally, Lin Zhen admitted defeat, his eyes fixed on Xian Yue with a mix of shock, admiration, and curiosity.
Xian Yue's eyes sparkled with amusement as she stood over Lin Zhen, her chest heaving slightly from the exertion. "Looks like you're not going anywhere," she said, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.
Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of respect for Xian Yue's skills. "You win," he conceded.
Xian Yue's grin widened. "I told you I'd win. Now, you're mine."