Seeds of Revenge

The sun began to set, its golden rays painting the horizon, but the cold that crept into Lin Tian's body didn't come from the air; it came from a deep sense of determination settling in his heart.

The past few days had been filled with challenges as he struggled to adapt to this new body, which felt like a heavy burden on his ancient soul.

He had to accept the bitter truth: he must start anew, step by step.

Lin Tian sat on the hard ground beside the humble hut, slowly regulating his breathing, drawing the cold air into his lungs, and trying to calm his exhausted body.

Although his training had been simple at this stage, the weakness of his body made every movement feel as if he were carrying mountains on his shoulders.

Yet, Lin Tian was not one to surrender to difficulties.

His eyes were always fixed on the distant goal: reclaiming his power and exacting revenge on those who betrayed him.

"The road is long, but it's not impossible…" he muttered under his breath, gazing at the sky, which was now filling with stars.

Those stars reminded him of fragments of his past, each star representing a part of the strength he had lost.

The next day, Lin Tian began his routine, continuing his basic exercises.

He knew his current body couldn't handle the advanced cultivation techniques he once mastered, but that didn't stop him from making use of every moment.

He sat beneath an ancient tree, leaning his back against its sturdy trunk, and closed his eyes.

He began breathing slowly and deeply, focusing on drawing in the spiritual energy from the air around him.

This energy was faint and scattered, but it was present everywhere.

Even in the harshest places, there were tiny particles of power he could gather.

With every breath, he felt those particles entering his body and flowing through his frail veins.

"Energy control… focus… these are the foundations that cannot be neglected," he whispered to himself.

This was a lesson he had learned long ago when he was just a novice in the world of cultivation.

Even in the most powerful bodies, energy control was key.

Without complete mastery over energy, strength was merely chaos waiting to collapse.

The session lasted for hours, and his body was drenched in sweat, but this time he felt a small improvement.

Despite the pain and fatigue, his body was slowly responding to the training.

Energy flow became a bit easier to control, and his muscles felt less stiff.

When he finished, he opened his eyes slowly and felt a sense of satisfaction.

It wasn't the major progress he hoped for, but it was a step in the right direction.

"Everything won't happen overnight…" he muttered, standing up and wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"But I will get there."

That night, as Lin Tian sat by the fire he had lit to keep warm, his thoughts once again drifted to the past.

The quiet of the night reminded him of the nights he spent in his grand palace, contemplating his plans and wars.

But now, instead of thinking of victories, he was reflecting on the enemies he must face.

He didn't yet remember all those who betrayed him in detail, but certain faces remained etched in his memory like curses.

One of them was Zuo Fang, his closest and most loyal general… or so he had thought.

Zuo Fang was like his right hand, the one he relied on in most battles and campaigns.

Yet, in the critical moment, when Lin Tian needed him the most, he was the first to turn against him.

Zuo Fang's betrayal was the hardest for Lin Tian, for he wasn't just a soldier; he was a friend, someone he had known for many years.

The idea that those closest to him had conspired against him felt like a dagger in his heart.

"Zuo Fang…" Lin Tian muttered his name, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames before him.

"You will be the first."

He knew he couldn't return to exact revenge immediately.

In his current state, he wouldn't even be able to confront his weakest enemies. But that didn't mean he would sit idle.

Revenge required patience, and patience was something he had learned well over the millennia.

As a new dawn broke, Lin Tian decided to take his first step towards vengeance.

There was still a long time before he would regain his former power, but he needed information.

Information was a weapon in itself, and perhaps there were people or places he could use to his advantage in his journey.

On his way to the nearby village, which was a few miles from his current location, Lin Tian began thinking about how to start his plan.

The village was a simple place, full of farmers and common folk, but in such small places, stories often spread quickly, and sometimes the most crucial information was hidden among the modest huts.

When he reached the village, the atmosphere was bustling with activity.

People moved between huts and markets, and the voices of vendors filled the air.

Lin Tian wasn't known here, which was an advantage. He didn't want to attract attention at this stage.

He headed towards the market, blending in with the crowd.

As he walked between the stalls, he carefully observed the people, looking for any signs that might lead him to something important.

After a short while, he overheard a group of men talking beside one of the stalls.

Their conversation seemed to be about something significant.

"Have you heard about the strange visitor in the northern mountain?" one of them said in a low voice, as if they were discussing a secret.

"Yes, they say he came from a distant land… carries with him strange secrets. But I don't believe all those tales," another replied.

Lin Tian paused for a moment, sensing that this conversation might be of interest.

A strange visitor? The northern mountain? Those places were remote enough to be hidden from the world's eyes, but if there was someone with strange secrets, that might be exactly what he needed.

"Who is this visitor?" one of the men asked curiously.

"No one knows. But everyone says he has great power… and it's said he can even bring life to those who have lost hope."

Lin Tian listened carefully. This visitor might be a source of information, or even an opportunity to gain something more powerful.

After a moment of thought, he decided to investigate for himself.

If there was someone powerful and filled with secrets, Lin Tian would need to confront them soon.

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