CHAPTER 2: Was this a dream?

Li Han and Lynn, basking in the warmth of a perfect day, eagerly packed their fishing gear and headed towards the river. The sun was shining brightly, the air crisp and refreshing, and the gentle rustling of leaves added a peaceful melody to their surroundings. It was the ideal day for a relaxing outing, or so they thought.

"I'm so glad we decided to come today," Lynn said, setting up the fishing rods. "The weather's perfect."

"I know, right?" Li Han replied, casting his line into the river. "We could spend the whole day here, just enjoying the calm."

They settled down on a blanket, chatting and laughing as they soaked in the serenity. The sound of the water flowing gently alongside them was soothing, adding to the tranquility. But suddenly, their peaceful moment was interrupted by the sight of a man struggling in the river, his arms flailing desperately.

"Is that... someone in trouble?" Lynn asked, his voice full of concern.

Li Han's gaze immediately sharpened. "We have to help him."

Without a second thought, they sprang into action. Li Han waded into the river, and with Lynn's help, they managed to pull the man out of the water, his body limp and unresponsive. Panting with exertion, they hurriedly dragged him to the shore.

"Is he alive?" Lynn asked, kneeling beside him.

Li Han checked his pulse. "He's still breathing, but just barely. We need to get him to safety."

They swiftly carried the man back to their home, a sense of urgency overtaking them. Li Han laid the man down on the bed, trying to revive him. Moments passed in tense silence, but just as hope was beginning to fade, the man's eyes fluttered open. His gaze was unfocused, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

"Where... where am I?" the man mumbled, his voice weak.

"You're safe now," Li Han said softly, trying to reassure him. "We found you struggling in the river."

The man blinked, trying to make sense of his surroundings. "I... I don't understand. How did I...?"

"I'm Lynn," Lynn introduced himself offering him a kind smile. "And this is Li Han. We pulled you out of the river. You're at our home now."

The man's eyes seemed to clear slightly, and he spoke again, his voice growing stronger. "Thank you... I don't know what happened. I'm Zhang Xin. I come from Nanjing."

Li Han and Lynn exchanged a glance, surprised by the mention of a faraway city. "Nanjing, huh? What brings you here?" Li Han asked, curiosity piqued.

Zhang Xin rubbed his head, trying to recall what had happened before he ended up in the river. "I'm not sure. Everything's a blur... but something tells me I'm not where I'm supposed to be."

After a brief pause, Li Han smiled, trying to lift the mood. "Well, you're here now, and you're safe. Let's not worry about that for now. How about we show you around Starlight City?"

Zhang Xin's eyes widened at the suggestion. "Starlight City? Is that where we are now?"

Li Han nodded. "Yes, it's my birthplace. It's quite a place, full of life and culture. Come, I'll take you around. There's something you should see."

As they strolled through the vibrant streets of Starlight City, Zhang Xin's eyes widened in awe. The architecture was unlike anything he had ever seen—majestic buildings that stretched high into the sky, colorful markets filled with exotic goods, and people bustling with energy. It was a place that seemed alive with stories waiting to be discovered.

The sound of a loud scream suddenly pierced the air, causing both men to halt in their tracks. Zhang Xin turned to Li Han, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What was that?"

Li Han remained calm. "That's coming from the fighting area. Come, I'll show you."

Intrigued, Zhang Xin followed Li Han through the crowded streets. As they neared the fighting area, they saw a remarkable sight—a fierce battle between a woman and a man. The woman moved with the grace of a dancer, each strike purposeful and powerful. Zhang Xin couldn't help but watch in amazement.

"Who is she?" Zhang Xin asked, his voice filled with awe.

Li Han's gaze never left the woman in combat. "Her name is Chen Biyu. She's the eldest daughter of the Chen family."

"Chen family?" Zhang Xin echoed, intrigued. "Who are they?"

"The Chen family is one of the most influential clans in the region," Li Han explained. "They control not just Starlight City, but four other cities as well. Their alliance with the Jing Fu Empire makes them a force to be reckoned with."

Zhang Xin's eyes widened in realization. "No wonder she's so strong."

As Chen Biyu emerged victorious from the battle, Zhang Xin couldn't help but be captivated by her strength and beauty. The crowd cheered, but Chen Biyu's expression remained stern, her frustration palpable.

Without warning, she stormed out of the arena, her sword still clenched tightly in her hand. And as fate would have it, she collided with Zhang Xin in the crowd. Taken aback, she immediately shot him an icy glare.

"Watch where you're going," she hissed, her voice full of authority. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

Before Zhang Xin could respond, Chen Biyu raised her sword, her eyes burning with anger. She was ready to strike.

But then something extraordinary happened. Zhang Xin's ring began to glow with a blinding light. A surge of energy enveloped him, and in an instant, he vanished before Chen Biyu's eyes.

Zhang Xin was jolted awake. The familiar voice of his caretaker, Li, echoed in his ears, urging him to get up.

"Zhang Xin, wake up! You're going to be late for school!" Li's voice rang clear.

Confused and disoriented, Zhang Xin groggily opened his eyes, unsure of where he was. The surreal experience from the fighting area seemed like a distant memory, or was it a dream? He reached up and touched the strange ring on his finger, now glowing faintly.

"Was it all just a dream?" he wondered aloud, staring at the ring with a mixture of curiosity and unease.

Li noticed the unusual look on Zhang Xin's face as he continued to call him to get up. "Zhang Xin, come on! Breakfast is ready!"

With a sigh, Zhang Xin reluctantly rose from the bed, still lost in thought. "Maybe it was all just a dream," he whispered to himself.

He wandered to the breakfast table, his mind swirling with questions. Li, ever the caring figure, placed a warm meal in front of him. But Zhang Xin, still troubled by his experience, made an unexpected request.

"I'm not going to school today," Zhang Xin declared quietly, his voice distant.

Li blinked in surprise. "What? You're not going? Why?"

Zhang Xin shrugged. "I just... need a break today."

Li nodded, though a hint of concern flickered in his eyes. "Alright, but remember, I'm leaving for a month-long journey today. You'll be on your own for a while."

Zhang Xin's heart skipped a beat. "A month?" he repeated, his thoughts racing. A sense of unease settled over him.

As the day went on, Zhang Xin couldn't shake the confusion gnawing at him. What was real? What was a dream? His mind kept drifting back to the strange events, the glowing ring, and the world that seemed to blur between fantasy and reality.

Later that afternoon, Zhang Xin retreated to his room, hoping to find some clarity by writing down his thoughts. But as he penned his thoughts in his journal, a sudden gust of wind swept through the room. The temperature dropped, and Zhang Xin's pen skidded across the page. He looked up in alarm as the windows rattled, the sky darkening ominously.

Then, as if responding to the change in atmosphere, a ragged cloth dropped from the ceiling, drifting slowly to the floor. Zhang Xin reached for it, his heart pounding in his chest. What was this? Where had it come from?

Before he could react further, a deafening crack of lightning split the air. In that instant, the ground beneath him trembled, and a massive wooden beam crashed down toward him.

The world seemed to freeze for a moment, and Zhang Xin could only stare in shock, unable to move as the beam fell rapidly towards him.