Chapter 5: Rebirth and Awakening
Chapter 5: Rebirth and Awakening
Xuan Yu watched the receding figure of Ming Yue for a moment before returning his gaze to the moon.
Although it appeared as if he were merely admiring the night sky, his thoughts were far from idle. He contemplated the path ahead: he needed to start cultivating again, to understand the world he now inhabited, and to determine whether it was a fractured or non-fractured world. Fractured worlds were isolated, disconnected from greater realms, while non-fractured worlds were part of a larger cosmic hierarchy.
He pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind for the time being. With one last look at the serene moon, he retreated to his room and willed himself into the small world contained within his pendant, which he had named the World of Rebirth.
The pendant itself was a remarkable artifact. Crafted from an otherworldly metal that shimmered with an ethereal light, it was embedded with intricate runes that pulsated with a soft, rhythmic glow. The small world within it was a lush, verdant paradise, with landscapes that mirrored the most serene and beautiful places in existence. The pendant was not just a container but a sanctuary and a realm of infinite possibilities.
Upon entering the World of Rebirth, Xuan Yu found a suitable spot near a tranquil lake. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the moonlight and creating an almost magical atmosphere. He took out the vial containing the Dark Nothingness Phoenix Blood, a gift from the mysterious benefactor. The vial itself was an exquisite piece of craftsmanship, made of a transparent material that seemed to contain swirling galaxies within it. The blood inside was a mesmerizing purple liquid with gold and silver flakes, emanating a powerful aura.
From his knowledge of past lives, Xuan Yu knew that he should merge with the blood in his mortal state to fully harness its benefits. He removed his robes and sat in a lotus position. With a moment's hesitation, he drank the blood. It tasted surprisingly sweet before an overwhelming pain surged through him.
The blood spread rapidly, causing his body to crack and his bones to shatter and recondense. A blackish-purple aura enveloped him, forming a cocoon as he lost consciousness. Within this cocoon, his body underwent continuous destruction and reconstruction. Eventually, cracks appeared on the surface of the cocoon, which then disintegrated, revealing Xuan Yu in new, elegant black robes with purple and grey details.
Xuan Yu stood up and walked to the lake to examine his reflection. His hair, now whitish-grey with tinges of black and purple at the ends, framed a face that had become more refined and glowing. His grey irises, now flecked with subtle shades of black and purple, hinted at the powerful bloodline within him. His fleshly body felt significantly stronger, capable of feats that would have been impossible before.
He assessed his newfound abilities and estimated that he could take on a third-level Elementary Spirit Realm cultivator with his physical strength alone. With his past battle experience, he could even contend with a fourth-level cultivator. Combining his fleshly strength with his cultivation techniques, he was confident he could defeat a ninth-level Elementary Spirit Realm cultivator and even challenge a first-level Profound Spirit Realm cultivator.
He noticed that all 361 of his acupoints were open and that his sea of consciousness was accessible, though he couldn't fully tap into it yet. After a cleansing bath in the lake, he donned his old robes to avoid arousing Ming Yue's suspicion. Returning to the main world, he saw the first light of dawn breaking through the horizon.
Xuan Yu left the house and wandered through the garden, which was filled with a variety of plants—some medicinal, some poisonous, and others simply beautiful. He was astonished to see plants that were exceedingly rare even in the Myriad Heavens World, his place of origin. Lost in his thoughts, he heard approaching footsteps and turned to see Ming Yue walking toward him.
"Good morning, Xuan Yu," she greeted.
"Good morning, Ming Yue," he replied with a slight bow.
Ming Yue smiled. "I went to your room to check if you were still asleep, but when I didn't find you there, I knew you would be in the garden."
"You have some pretty rare plants here," Xuan Yu remarked. "For some cultivators, these would be highly sought after."
Ming Yue laughed softly. "They don't cause trouble because of my title as the Divine Doctor. They know it's better to leave these plants with me than to become the enemy of the whole Northern Continent."
She looked at Xuan Yu curiously. "You seem to know a lot about these plants. How did you gain such knowledge?"
"I just happen to be a doctor myself," Xuan Yu replied. "That's how I know about them."
"Where did you come from, Xuan Yu?" Ming Yue asked, her eyes probing for answers.
"I will tell you in the future," Xuan Yu said earnestly. "It might sound foolish now, but please understand, I don't intend to harm you or anyone here. If you want, I can swear on the heavenly dao."
Ming Yue studied his eyes for a moment before nodding. "You don't need to swear. I understand, and I'll be waiting for your answer in the future."
She smiled softly. "Come, help me pick some vegetables for breakfast and help me cook."
Xuan Yu smiled in return, feeling a protective instinct toward her grow stronger. Unbeknownst to them, a red string of fate emerged from his heart, connecting itself to Ming Yue's heart, signifying a bond that would grow stronger with time.
Together, they moved through the garden, harvesting fresh vegetables and herbs. As they worked side by side, Xuan Yu felt a sense of peace and purpose. He knew that this place, this moment, was the beginning of something profound.
And so, the sun rose over the Dao Harmony Palace, casting its first light on a new day filled with possibilities and challenges. Xuan Yu was ready to face them all, not just for himself, but for the woman who had unknowingly become an integral part of his destiny.