Chapter 3: The Awakening of Feng Lin

On the technologically advanced planet of Vesara, where magic was a mere myth and innovation reigned supreme, Feng Lin lived a life of quiet struggle. The bustling city around him was a marvel of engineering and progress, with towering skyscrapers, sleek transport systems, and holographic advertisements that painted the skyline. Every corner was adorned with vibrant displays that showcased the latest technological marvels—self-driving vehicles, airborne drones delivering packages, and virtual reality pods that allowed people to escape into worlds of their design. Yet, for all its advancement, Vesara was a world devoid of the mystic arts that would soon become Feng Lin's new reality.

Feng Lin's family had once been whole, but fate had dealt them a harsh blow. His father, a dedicated engineer, had died when Feng Lin was just twelve years old, leaving behind a void that his mother struggled to fill. Since then, Feng Lin has taken on the role of the family's pillar, supporting his mother and younger sister, Xia. Mei Ling, his mother, worked long hours at a local hospital, often returning home late at night with dark circles under her eyes, evidence of her relentless commitment to providing for her children.

Feng Lin's days were no less exhausting. He worked as a contractor, repairing malfunctioning machinery and maintaining the city's vast infrastructure. It was a thankless job, filled with hazards and meager pay, but it was the only work available to someone of his background. Vesara's society was driven by technological expertise, and those without specialized skills were often left to struggle in the shadows of the city's grand achievements.

Every morning, Feng Lin would wake before dawn, his body aching from the previous day's labor. He would force himself out of bed, careful not to wake Xia, who slept in the room next to his. Xia was the only bright spot in Feng Lin's world. At just eight years old, she was full of boundless energy and an infectious optimism that helped keep the family together. Her laughter was a soothing balm to Feng Lin's weary soul, and he often found himself going to great lengths to protect her innocence from the harsh realities they faced.

Mei Ling, though often exhausted, would prepare a simple breakfast before heading off to work. As they ate together in the dim light of their small kitchen, Feng Lin would listen to Xia's cheerful stories about school, her dreams of becoming an artist, and her latest drawings that she proudly displayed on the fridge. Mei Ling's tired eyes would soften as she watched her children interact, their laughter a brief reprieve from the constant struggle of their lives.

One particular evening, as Feng Lin returned home from another grueling day, he found his mother and sister gathered around a modest dinner table. The apartment they lived in was small and cramped, with aging walls and flickering lights that struggled to stay on. The meal was simple, just rice and vegetables, but their togetherness was a source of solace. Mei Ling's worn hands set down a plate in front of Feng Lin, her smile thin but genuine.

"Thank you for everything, Feng Lin," she said softly, her voice laced with unspoken worries. "I don't know how we'd manage without you."

Feng Lin smiled, though his heart ached with unfulfilled dreams and lingering frustrations. He often thought of what life could have been had circumstances have been different—if his father were still alive, if they had more money, or if he had pursued the education he once dreamed of. But such thoughts were fleeting. "We're a family. We'll get through this together."

Despite his determination, the weight of his responsibilities was relentless. Feng Lin's health began to falter under the constant strain of physical labor and emotional burden. The city's cold indifference to those who struggled at its fringes was a harsh reminder of how easily one could be lost amidst the relentless pace of progress. Every day, the advanced world around him seemed to shine a spotlight on his insignificance, and the dreams he once harbored now felt like distant echoes, fading under the weight of reality.

One fateful night, as rain poured down from the darkened sky, Feng Lin was making his way home through the city's labyrinth of neon-lit streets. The downpour was fierce, the kind that turned the roads into rivers and blurred the holographic advertisements that towered overhead. He pulled his jacket tighter, feeling the cold bite of the wind as he hurried toward the subway station. But Vesara's wonders were not without their flaws.

As he crossed a busy intersection, a sudden malfunction in the city's automated transportation system sent a self-driving car careening off its path. In the blink of an eye, the vehicle swerved uncontrollably, its sensors failing to correct the error. Feng Lin barely had time to react. The screech of metal on wet pavement filled his ears, followed by a blinding flash of light. The impact was swift and merciless, a brutal reminder of the fragility of life even in a world dominated by technology.

As Feng Lin's life slipped away, he felt an inexplicable pull, a sensation of being torn from his world. His consciousness hovered between reality and the abyss, teetering on the edge of the unknown. The pain of his final moments was replaced by a soothing darkness, and he was enveloped in a sense of weightlessness. The technological hum of Vesara faded into silence, and he was cast into an entirely different realm.

When Feng Lin's awareness returned, he found himself drifting into an endless void, surrounded by the whispers of the cosmos. There was no city, no family, no familiar ground to stand upon. Instead, he felt a powerful force guiding him, drawing him toward a new beginning—a world where the laws of magic and cultivation reign supreme.

Unbeknownst to him, the dormant power of Primordia Chaos within his soul stirred faintly, ready to awaken in the world of Aiden. As he crossed the threshold into his new existence, Feng Lin was no longer the weary contractor of Vesara, but a soul on the cusp of rediscovering the boundless potential that lay within him...