1 The Rebirth
It was a dark and stormy night. Zhang Wei, known throughout the upper realm as a brilliant cultivator, was surrounded by his disciples, each of them looking at him with respect and admiration. His reputation as the Celestial Emperor and Sword God echoed throughout the continent. Zhang Wei, with his powerful aura and penetrating gaze, radiated confidence and wisdom. His silver beard majestically flowed from his chin, while his eyes shimmered with unmatched intensity. He had mastered various arts, from forging to dual cultivation and the challenging skill of sword intent.
However, a shadow loomed over his mind. He always knew that blind trust could lead to betrayal. His heart was scarred from the disappointments he had endured throughout his many lives. But he found solace in those surrounding him, in the loyalty of his disciples and in the belief that goodness would prevail. Among the disciples, there was a talented young man named Li Chen. He was brilliant, pure-hearted, and always demonstrated unwavering loyalty to Zhang Wei. However, Li Chen harbored a secret ambition: the mysterious artifact that Zhang Wei always carried with him, a golden pagoda of unknown power. Over the years, Li Chen's greed for the artifact grew stronger. He saw it as an opportunity to gain power and prestige, surpassing even his master. Behind his loyal face, cunning betrayal hid.
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On a gloomy and misty afternoon, Zhang Wei and his disciple, Li Chen, faced each other at the Cliff of Perdition, a place feared by cultivators due to its reputation as a graveyard of gods. Around them, a dense fog rose, shrouding the precipice in a sinister veil. The air was filled with tension and betrayal. Zhang Wei, with his knowledge and power, perceived Li Chen's true intentions. The disciple had allowed himself to be consumed by greed and the desire to possess the forbidden pagoda, poisoning his master for a relic that Zhang Wei guarded so carefully.
The battle unfolded with ferocity. Zhang Wei's sword strikes were swift and precise, while Li Chen launched desperate attacks in his pursuit to obtain the forbidden relic. Swirls of spiritual energy danced around them, intensifying the combat. In a moment of carelessness, Zhang Wei was struck by a violent blow, his blood spilling onto the golden pagoda. Instantly, the relic emitted a dazzling light. A wave of ancestral power emanated from it, causing the cliff to tremble.
As Zhang Wei struggled to stand, Li Chen, consumed by fury and greed, attempted to seize the pagoda forcefully. In his reckless attack, both of them were thrown from the edge of the cliff, plunging into the depths of the abyss. In the vortex of the fall, Zhang Wei caught sight of his disciple's indignant gaze, awaiting their impending demise. The sensation of betrayal and pain tore at his heart. They disappeared into the darkness of the cliff, their fates uncertain.
When the cemetery of gods fell silent, witnessing the tragic outcome of that battle, the golden pagoda shone brightly, enveloped in mystery and power. The relic had chosen its next bearer, its power activated by Zhang Wei's blood. Now, the ingenious cultivator would be reborn in a new world.
