Chapter 1: 1. Prologue: Death
In the early morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the ancient trees, casting a golden glow over the forest.
Amidst the tranquility, a young man, no older than eighteen, dressed in blue, practiced with a black sword, his movements swift and precise. His face was chiseled, his nose straight and strong, and his sharp, intelligent eyes gleamed with the depth of the night sky.
Each thrust of his sword caused the air to vibrate, producing a series of muffled explosions, and the leaves on the ancient trees around him fell gently, like petals scattered by an unseen hand.
"Well done, Yifei! After all these days of rigorous training, you've finally mastered the Light Wind Sword. And with your progress in the third level of the Longyang Divine Art, I can let you leave the mountain without worry," an old man with a hunched back and a cane in hand said as he emerged from a stone house nestled in the woods, his laughter filling the air.
Though the old man's face was deeply wrinkled and his appearance frail, like a candle flickering in the wind, a keen observer could detect the vitality still present in his eyes, betraying his true strength.
"Master, does that mean I can finally go down the mountain?" Li Yifei, the young man in blue, sheathed his sword and, in an instant, appeared by the old man's side, his voice brimming with excitement.
The old man wasn't offended by Li Yifei's abruptness. He smiled and gently scolded, "You little rascal! After nearly ten years of training, you've only achieved a small success with the Light Wind Sword and barely reached the third level of the Longyang Divine Art. And yet you have the nerve to boast! Even your teacher feels ashamed to hear it!"
As the old man began to reminisce about his own past, Li Yifei interrupted with a grin, "Master, you've been telling me the same stories for over ten years. My ears are tired of hearing them. Can't you come up with something new?"
The old man sighed, shaking his head with a smile. "Ah, you've grown wings and learned to talk back. Well, if you're so eager, I suppose I can't keep you cooped up here any longer. It's time you went down the mountain and caused some trouble among the martial artists."
"Master, I thought you said I had to reach the fourth level of the Longyang Divine Art before I could leave?" Li Yifei asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"The times have changed. The world outside has undergone great shifts. It's not wise for you to remain isolated in the mountains any longer. Now is the time for you to go out and experience the world," the old man said with a meaningful look.
"But Master, I can't bear to leave you," Li Yifei replied, his expression turning sour.
The old man chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "I know what's going on in that crafty little head of yours. Don't try to play the pitiful child with me!"
With that, the old man began to walk back towards the stone house, his hunched figure moving slowly. Li Yifei quickly followed him inside.
Once they were both seated, the old man suddenly placed his withered hand on top of Li Yifei's head before the young man could react.
"Master, what are you doing? I've always respected you, and now you're trying to kill me without a word?" Li Yifei exclaimed, startled.
"Stay still! You mischievous brat, if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have saved you from the Demon Queen's clutches fourteen years ago!" the old man scolded, his voice firm.
"What are you talking about?" Li Yifei asked, bewildered.
"I don't have much time left in this world. I'm transferring all my power to you. I don't want to die alone, so I'm giving it to you," the old man said, as if it were a trivial matter, even though it involved his very life.
"Master, have you lost your mind? Stop this!" Li Yifei cried out, his strong body struggling to break free.
The old man quickly admonished him, "If you keep struggling, we'll both die here today! Do you want that?"
Hearing his master's warning, Li Yifei gradually stopped resisting, though tears welled up in his eyes.
Since he was old enough to remember, the old man had been his entire world—raising him, teaching him martial arts, and imparting wisdom. Though they often bickered, Li Yifei had long considered the old man his closest family.
As strands of colorless true energy flowed from the old man's withered hand into Li Yifei's body, entering his dantian, the old man's black hair turned stark white, his once-bright eyes dulled, and his face became deeply wrinkled, like the bark of an ancient tree.
In an instant, the old man seemed to have aged a lifetime.
With a soft thud, the old man collapsed onto the wooden couch, his body lifeless.
Li Yifei leaped to his side, shaking him gently, his voice trembling with tears. "Master, wake up! What's wrong?"
The old man's eyes fluttered open weakly. "Yifei, I won't be with you much longer. The world is full of danger, and the court even more so. You must be cautious. Don't seek revenge for your parents or me until you're strong enough. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Master. But you'll be fine!" Li Yifei replied, nodding solemnly as he buried his head in the old man's arms.
"Remember my teachings. My greatest hope is for you to live well. Of course, if you can avenge me, I'd be at peace," the old man said, his gaze softening as he looked at his disciple. He reached out and, with some effort, revealed a black ring on his hand, adorned with a five-clawed golden dragon.
Li Yifei stared at the ring, puzzled. "Master, what is this ring? Are you giving it to me?"
"Yes," the old man nodded. "This ring is called the Hundred Flowers Treasure Mirror. My master found it in an ancient cave deep in the mountains. It will help you cultivate the Longyang Divine Art quickly. As for its other powers, you'll discover them on your own."
"Master, you had such a treasure and kept it hidden from me all this time?" Li Yifei grumbled, rolling his eyes.
The old man chuckled, though it quickly turned into a cough, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Li Yifei immediately supported him, his voice full of regret. "Master, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's not your fault. My time has simply come," the old man waved off his concern. "Yifei, promise me you won't tell anyone about this ring, not even those closest to you. Do you understand?"
Seeing the seriousness in his master's eyes, Li Yifei nodded firmly. "I promise, Master. I won't tell a soul."
"Good," the old man sighed in relief, his eyes slowly closing for the last time.
"Master!" Li Yifei's anguished cry echoed through the forest, filled with sorrow and grief, reverberating for miles around.
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