Chapter 3: Echoes of the Forgotten Past
The valley stretched endlessly before him—an expanse of frost-covered plains shimmering beneath the pale morning sun. With each step, the tug on his heart grew stronger, pulling him toward the unknown beacon the system had detected.
His breath misted in the air as he moved, but his thoughts were far from the cold.
Eighteen reincarnations. Wives and children scattered across the cosmos. And an unseen force that wanted him dead before he could remember.
The fragments of memory teased him—whispers of laughter, the warmth of a soft touch—but no matter how much he tried, the faces remained hidden in shadow.
> [Blessing Beacon – Proximity Decreasing.]
The system's voice rang in his mind, as cold and detached as ever.
He frowned. "System, what exactly is a Blessing Beacon?"
> [Blessing Beacon: A unique resonance point triggered by bonds with Host's bloodline.]
[Activation Condition: Unfulfilled Oaths or Unresolved Emotions.]
The answer deepened the mystery. Someone connected to him was nearby—but who? And why had the system awakened only now?
His fingers brushed the silver pendant at his neck. For reasons he couldn't explain, he knew it mattered—but not how.
As he trudged forward, the wind shifted. A faint sound drifted toward him—a melody, soft and sweet, like a lullaby carried on the breeze.
His heart thudded.
The sound was familiar. Too familiar.
Without realizing, his pace quickened. The icy terrain blurred beneath his feet as his instincts flared, driving him toward the source.
The melody grew louder, clearer. It tugged at something primal inside him—a need to protect, to hold something precious he'd forgotten.
Finally, he reached a cliff's edge. Below, nestled within a grove of frostbloom trees, stood a small cottage cloaked in mist.
And there, in the snow, stood a child.
A girl—no older than seven—dressed in white robes, her silver hair flowing like moonlight. She hummed softly, her hands cupping a delicate flower glowing faintly with spiritual energy.
His breath caught in his throat.
The sight of her stirred something deep inside—a warmth he didn't understand but couldn't deny.
Before he could speak, the system's voice cut through his thoughts.
> [Blessing Signature Confirmed – Bloodline Match: 100%]
[Relationship: Daughter.]
His knees weakened.
"Daughter…?" The word escaped in a whisper, almost too soft to hear.
The girl's humming stopped. She lifted her head, her silver eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his heart ache.
For a moment, the world stood still.
Then, her lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"So… you finally showed up, huh?"
His mind reeled, struggling to process the impossible. "You… know me?"
She tilted her head, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Sort of. I wasn't sure you were real. But now you're here…" Her eyes gleamed with something far too sharp for a child. "It's about time, Father."
The word hit him like a thunderbolt.
Father.
He staggered forward, a thousand emotions crashing over him—joy, confusion, guilt. But before he could speak again, a chill pierced the air.
A shadow flickered behind the girl.
His instincts screamed danger.
Without thinking, he moved.
In an instant, he was in front of her, his hand raised as black mist slashed through the space where she had stood.
A figure emerged—a masked assassin clad in the insignia of the Bone Serpent Sect.
"You're faster than I expected," the assassin hissed, his voice filled with venom.
Rage surged through him. Whoever they were—whatever they wanted—they had threatened his daughter.
And for that, there would be no mercy.
"You dare touch my bloodline?" His voice was cold, laced with something darker—an authority he didn't understand but felt deep in his bones.
The assassin flinched. "Impossible… You shouldn't have—"
Before the assassin could finish, the system flared.
> [Emergency Protocol Activated – Blessing Authority Unlocked.]
Power erupted through his body—a force so vast the ground trembled beneath his feet. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, and a golden light surged from his palm.
"Die."
The air split apart as the golden energy crashed into the assassin, obliterating him in a blinding flash.
When the light faded, nothing remained.
He exhaled, shaking with the aftershock of power. But the moment his eyes fell on the girl, his expression softened.
She hadn't moved—watching him with the same mischievous smile. "Not bad," she said, crossing her arms. "At least you're not weak."
He blinked, still trying to process everything. "Who… are you?"
Her smile widened. "I'm your daughter, obviously. Don't tell me you forgot me, Father."
His throat tightened. "I… I don't remember."
For the first time, her teasing expression faltered. A shadow of sadness flickered through her silver eyes before she masked it with a shrug. "I figured. You never were good at keeping your promises."
A wave of guilt washed over him. Whatever promise he had made, he had clearly broken it.
Before he could speak, she extended her hand toward him. A silver sigil glowed faintly on her palm.
"I guess I'll forgive you," she said lightly. "But you owe me. Big time."
The sigil shimmered brighter, and the system flared in his mind.
> [Blessing of the Frostmoon Daughter Acquired – Authority Level Increased.]
The surge of power was immediate—deeper, more profound than before. But it wasn't just the strength.
It was the connection.
Somehow, her existence filled a void he hadn't realized was there.
"What's your name?" he asked softly.
She grinned. "Yue."
A name that felt like home.
He knelt, resting a hand on her head. "Yue… I swear, I'll never forget you again."
For the first time, her mischievous mask cracked—revealing something raw, something vulnerable.
"You better not," she whispered.
And as the snow fell softly around them, a new chapter in his journey had begun.
---