A Soul’s Reawakening

Bai Qiao walked directly above the source of the sound, gazing down at the tranquil ground. Everything was profoundly silent, as if nothing had happened at all. She couldn’t help but shake her head, wondering, ‘Had she imagined it?’

Having taken only two steps, Bai Qiao suddenly halted. ‘There had definitely been a sound.’ She instantly recalled the pit where all defeated combatants fell. ‘That’s it! Bai Chen was very likely down there.’

Bai Qiao yearned to break open the floor, yet she knew her strength alone made it utterly impossible. Frantically, her gaze darted around before settling on the black jade gem beside her. She remembered it had been with her since she could recall, an object she had once tried to discard, only to be vehemently stopped. Her grandmother had often spoken of the jade when she was a child, calling it a medium connecting two sides, and something about… ‘taking one’? As a child, she’d scorned such talk, deeming it too mystical and never truly listening.

What she remembered most vividly, however, was a winter thirteen years ago. With her naturally cold constitution, the black jade had inexplicably emanated an increasingly intense chill. Unable to bear it any longer, she had impulsively tossed the black jade into the snow and run off to play.

Her memories after that were hazy. She only recalled the deeply unsettling sensation of her soul being forcibly ripped from her body, her consciousness slowly blurring. When she awoke again, she was surrounded by many people; even her father, who had always worked away from home, had returned. The very same black jade lay beside her hand.

Despite everything, this black jade was the hardest object she had ever seen. Unsure of what might happen, Bai Qiao grit her teeth and slammed the black jade in her hand onto the ground!

“Bang!”

A massive crater instantly appeared in the diamond-hard floor. Bai Qiao felt as though her chest had been struck. Staring at the floor, which had not yet fully broken through, she collapsed straight down…

“Ugh!”

Bai Chen, moments ago brimming with energy, suddenly crumpled to his knees without warning. Both Qing and Purple King stared, stunned, before rushing forward to support him.

“You… what’s wrong?”

Bai Chen closed his eyes, channeling his internal energy throughout his body and regulating his breathing. His body remained profoundly weak, as if all strength had abruptly drained from him; he couldn’t stand at all. With his formidable power, he could sense that what had been ruptured was his very soul…

This sudden, inexplicable impact on his soul was precisely identical to the one thirteen years ago…

That encounter had been his first meeting with Sha Yue, a battle so monumental it was etched into history: Sha Yue, the third-seat leader of the Dark Path. On this continent, there existed both the White Path and the Dark Path. The White Path naturally comprised the various kings centered around royal authority and the vast populace. The Dark Path, by contrast, was considerably smaller in numbers, yet its power was not to be underestimated, especially their unscrupulous methods to achieve their goals, which sent shivers down the spines of all.

The White Path and the Dark Path were irreconcilable enemies.

Setting aside their identities, it had to be said their interests aligned remarkably well. After meeting in the same tavern, they had enjoyed spirited conversations over drinks. Their appearances were equally striking: one, outwardly righteous and extraordinary, clad in pristine white robes, utterly devoid of excess or complexity, exuding a clean simplicity yet emanating a powerful aura; the other, perfectly complementing him in black robes, with eyes full of wicked charm and an innate charisma in every gesture. This undoubtedly drew countless curious onlookers to the small establishment, their gasps of awe occasionally echoing. Neither man paid them any mind, clearly accustomed to such attention.

Until… until one of the man-in-black’s subordinates arrived with a report. Bai Chen, who had been quietly sipping his tea with downcast eyes, instinctively looked up at the familiar voice, only to be utterly stunned. That man – he had once fought him. He was a high-ranking official of the Dark Path, a chieftain who had managed to escape him back then, holding quite a significant position. Yet now, he stood so respectfully before *that* man…

Feeling that searing gaze, the messenger couldn’t help but look up, only to freeze. To say this man before him hadn’t left a deep impression would be an outright lie; his right arm… now a prosthetic… was entirely this man’s doing.

The outcome was predictable. On one side stood the White King of the White Path, on the other, the third-seat leader of the Dark Path. These two could never peacefully coexist like this. Thus, everyone present watched, utterly bewildered, as the two handsome men, moments ago sharing such camaraderie, transformed into mortal enemies, destined for a fight to the death…

“Bang!”

Bai Chen, fighting mid-air, suddenly plummeted to the ground, landing on one knee, his hands clamped tightly over his shoulders, trembling uncontrollably. ‘What a perfect opportunity,’ Sha Yue thought, a triumphant smile gracing his lips. Now that their identities were clear, everything that had just transpired was mere illusion. He dragged his dagger across the floor, leaving a long, etched trail.

“Swish!”

Blood splattered… onlookers gasped… but the one who fell was Sha Yue. Bai Chen stood, his right hand gripping his longsword, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve. In that instant, his soul seemed to become utterly complete, imbued with abundant physical strength. His internal energy had doubled its original potency. This surge, however, was a direct replenishment to his soul, and it did not last long, fading away shortly after.

Qing pulled Bai Chen to his feet. In response to their inquiries, Bai Chen merely shook his head silently.

“It’s nothing, just a little dizzy…”

“Whoosh~”

The exquisite door swung open, and a gust of cold air swept into the warm room. Xiao Mo, the current supreme leader of the White Path, slowly approached Bai Qiao, who lay on the ground. He bent down and gently lifted her into his arms. As he prepared to leave, his gaze caught sight of the black jade resting in the center of the crater. Playfully, he picked it up and toyed with it for a moment. Then, as if a sudden realization struck him, he carefully put the black jade away, a smile spreading across his eyes and lips.

“With this… I suddenly have a strong urge to release the White King…”

****