Chapter 2: Memories
Upon awakening, Xiao Han discovered himself reclined upon a verdant expanse, surrounded by towering willow trees whose branches whispered secrets to the breeze. Rising to his feet, he gingerly inspected his abdomen, finding it miraculously unblemished, devoid of any trace of the previous injury. Yet, a tear in his shirt bore testament to the harrowing ordeal he had endured, its crimson hue a poignant reminder of the events that had transpired. "Hmm, completely healed. Not even a scar is left!" he muttered.
He flexed his body, endeavoring to acclimate to this unfamiliar vessel, while also ensuring no lingering injuries remained concealed. Satisfied with his physical state, he luxuriously stretched his limbs before settling upon a large boulder, its surface cloaked in a verdant blanket of moss.
He found himself immersed in contemplation, grappling with the deluge of memories flooding his consciousness — thirteen years of Han Xiao's life in this realm, from the embryonic cocoon within his mother's womb to his demise. Though the memories arrived in abundance, they were remarkably coherent, and unorganized like millions of broken shards of a mirror. So he had a lot to mend them properly.
"Fascinating," he mused, as he delved deeper into the recesses of the boy's memories. According to Han Xiao's recollections, this world bore the grand appellation of Shenlong — a vast expanse surpassing the bounds of imagination. The realm of his reincarnation lay nestled within a modest corner of the eastern continent, while beyond stretched an unfathomable expanse of icy, merciless ocean, its endless depths veiled in mystery and peril.
"To traverse this ocean and embark upon the path to immortality," he reflected, "one must achieve an elevated level of cultivation. Yet, the task proves daunting. Beyond the shores, where ancient beasts roam amidst treacherous waters, lies a realm fraught with peril. Forget the ocean, merely venturing beyond the confines of the Zhongguo region poses a perilous odyssey, with no record of any Daoist returning from the depths of the barbarian forests that ensnare unwary travelers."
"What's most intriguing," he mused, "is that Zhongguo mirrors an exact replica of the Seven Warring States. Presently, with the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, the dukes overseeing the seven major states — Chu, Han, Qi, Qin, Wei, Yan, and Zhao — have declared their sovereignty, establishing their own kingdoms. Following suit, numerous minor states have also asserted their independence, reshaping the political landscape of this realm."
"The backdrop of this realm mirrors the Seven Warring States in every detail," he observed. "The notable distinction lies in the concurrent pursuit of immortality that permeates this land. Here, amidst the tumult of warfare and political intrigue, practitioners also tread the path of immortality, seeking transcendence amidst the chaos of mortal affairs."
"Hmpf!" he grumbled inwardly. "To add insult to injury, I find myself reincarnated as Han Xiao, the seventh prince of the Han Kingdom — the feeblest among the seven major states. Why couldn't I have been born as the crown prince of Qin instead? What rotten luck! Damn it!"
Ding! +1 Curse point!
[Total Curse Points: 21]
"Hah! Even cursing in my head earns me points. Excellent! So, as long as there's emotion behind it, I can accumulate points even for swearing silently. And I can exchange a key with 10 of these points."
It seems like Xiao Han was getting the hang of how the curse system works!
Three years had elapsed since Han Xiao was sent to the Tianfu Sword Palace to study and pursue the path of becoming a sword immortal. Situated on the outskirts of Phoenix City in the Zhou nation, the last vestige of the Zhou dynasty, the Tianfu Sword Palace stood as one of the five premier immortal academies in the entire Zhongguo region. Here, royalties and prodigies from every major and minor kingdom converged to hone their skills and unlock their potential.
Han Xiao had been leading a comfortable life within the opulent confines of the Han Palace, indulging in luxury and ease. However, his world was suddenly upended when his two elder sisters, twins of the Han lineage, were compelled to enter into betrothals with the princes of Wei and Zhao respectively. This strategic move was orchestrated to forge an alliance known as the Tri-Jin Alliance, uniting the states of Han, Wei, and Zhao for mutual benefit and strength.
Originally, it was the Jin state that disintegrated into these three nations, each bearing the same ancestral surname of Jia. This shared lineage bound them together in a complex web of history and heritage, shaping their destinies and forging alliances that would echo through the annals of time.
He vehemently protested against this decision, but his father, Jia An, responded with harsh punishment, confining him to his chambers for a month as a stern reprimand. Ultimately, he was sent away to continue his studies, his objections silenced by the weight of familial duty and political necessity.
Here in the outer court of the Tianfu Sword Palace, despite his proficiency in the ancient martial art of swordplay, Han Xiao faced a formidable obstacle: his inability to cultivate Qi due to his peculiar physique. As word of his deficiency spread, his once-promising prospects dimmed, and he found himself marginalized by his peers.
Nevertheless, undeterred by adversity, he persevered, driven by an unyielding determination to prove his worth. By a stroke of fate, he stumbled upon a fragmented technique known as the Severing Sword Technique, seizing upon it as his beacon of hope. Through relentless dedication and tireless practice, he managed to master the technique, ascending to the Rank 3 of the Pulse Condensation Realm despite the odds stacked against him in this three years.
However, bound by the strict regulations of the outer court, no disciple could remain within the hallowed halls of the Tianfu Sword Palace for more than three years without undertaking a crucial rite of passage: the hunt for a One Star Soldier beast. Thus, faced with expulsion, Han Xiao ventured forth from the sanctuary of the palace alongside his three closest companions to brave the perilous depths of the Willow Forest in pursuit of their quarry.
After three grueling weeks of relentless pursuit, their perseverance bore fruit as they successfully ensnared a One Star Soldier beast using a cunning trapping array, culminating in a hard-fought victory as they jointly dispatched the creature.
Yet, amidst the euphoria of their triumph, betrayal stained the air as his three comrades, once trusted companions, turned against him with malicious intent. In a cruel twist of fate, one of them plunged a deadly blow into Han Xiao's abdomen, shattering the harmony of their camaraderie in a single, treacherous act.
Through sheer will alone, summoning every ounce of his strength and resolve, Han Xiao engaged in a desperate struggle for survival, wielding his sword with lethal precision as he fought against the treachery of his former comrades. In a flurry of steel and blood, he emerged victorious, but the cost was steep.
The wounds inflicted upon him, compounded by the loss of blood and the toll of battle, proved insurmountable. With a final gasp, consciousness slipped away, and Han Xiao succumbed to the embrace of death, his valiant spirit extinguished in the cruel aftermath of betrayal.
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