Chapter 29: Dream

Feng Yan jolted awake, her body drenched in cold sweat. Her heart pounded in her chest, the remnants of a haunting dream still lingering in her mind. Her breath came in shallow gasps, and her face had paled as if she had just seen a ghost. She wiped her damp forehead, but the unease wouldn't leave her. The vividness of the dream clung to her senses like a shadow she couldn't shake off.

In the dream, she saw a woman—someone who looked eerily like herself. The woman's features were soft but strong, her presence both nurturing and powerful. She was playing with a baby, cradling the child in her arms, cooing and teasing it with gentle whispers. The baby, innocent and full of life, responded with delighted giggles, reaching out with tiny hands to hug the woman.

"Maa," the baby had called her. That one word had filled Feng Yan's heart with an inexplicable warmth and longing, but before she could dwell on it, the scene shifted violently. The peaceful moment shattered into chaos. A group of people were running, and amidst the clamor, guards—loyal and brave—sacrificed themselves to protect the baby. There was blood, screams, and the image of the woman desperately trying to shield her child from the oncoming danger.

Feng Yan's hands trembled as she clutched her blanket, her mind racing with questions. Who was that woman? And that baby... could it be me?

Ever since she had met her great-grandmother in the mysterious space, Feng Yan knew she wasn't just an orphan. She was part of an ancient, powerful reclusive family. But that dream, it felt like something more—like a glimpse into her sealed memories. Her connection to that family ran deeper than she'd ever realized, but why now? Why after all these years?

The dream had stirred something deep inside her, a longing to uncover the truth. Feng Yan's heart ached with the need to understand her origins, to piece together the fragments of her forgotten past. She knew that this dream was more than just a random vision—it was a key, perhaps, to unlocking the truth behind her real family.

But how was she supposed to find the answers? The world she lived in now was filled with enemies, with dangers lurking at every corner. She couldn't search for her past without the strength to protect herself. She needed power. She needed to grow stronger, both physically and mentally, to survive what lay ahead.

Determination ignited in her eyes. Without hesitation, Feng Yan threw off her blanket and ventured into the space, the mystical realm where she trained and honed her abilities. The dream had lit a fire under her—time was running out. She needed to hasten her plans, to grow her power and build her strength. Her physical body had to be prepared for whatever awaited her, for the dangers that were sure to come in her quest for the truth.

The space was quiet when she entered, the familiar feeling of calm enveloping her. But her mind was anything but calm. Her thoughts churned with urgency. Somewhere in this space, there had to be a clue—something, anything that could point her toward her family.

She moved with purpose, her steps echoing softly as she searched for answers. Scrolls and artifacts surrounded her, each one holding the knowledge of ancient times. Feng Yan began examining each one with intensity, hoping to find some link to her origins.

The dream had been too vivid to ignore. Was it a memory, locked away by some ancient force? Or perhaps a vision of the past that her mind was only now able to access?

As she rifled through the treasures and scrolls, a strange sensation filled her. It was as if something was calling to her, pulling her toward the far end of the space. Her feet moved on their own, guided by an invisible force. There, in a hidden alcove, she found an old, weathered chest.

Her fingers hesitated over the latch, her heart pounding once more. Could this be it? Could this chest hold the answers to her past?

With a deep breath, she opened the chest, revealing layers of dust-covered parchment and a gleaming, ancient pendant. The pendant was shaped like a phoenix, its wings spread wide in a display of power and grace. It looked familiar, like something she had seen before—but where?

As she held it in her hand, the pendant hummed with energy, sending a jolt of recognition through her. This was more than just a family heirloom. It was tied to her, to her bloodline, to the truth she so desperately sought.

Feng Yan's resolve hardened. She had found a lead. The dream, the pendant, her great-grandmother's mysterious space—all of it was pointing her in one direction. She needed to dig deeper, to unravel the secrets buried within her own bloodline.

Her journey to uncover the truth about her family had officially begun.

The night air felt cooler as she left the space, but the fire burning within her was stronger than ever. She had a purpose now, a clear direction. But with that clarity came the understanding that she needed to tread carefully. There were people who didn't want her to find the truth, and enemies who would stop at nothing to keep her in the dark.

But Feng Yan was no longer the same girl from her past life. She had been reborn, stronger and more determined than ever. And she wasn't about to let anyone stand in her way.

With the pendant clutched tightly in her hand, she vowed to herself: I will find out who I am. No matter what it takes.