Another Epoch

The cries of a drenched, bloody black kitten echoed through the dark, storm-swept forest. The body of its mother lay still beside it, having died in the struggle to give it life. Thunder roared overhead, but it felt as though the heavens themselves were protesting the kitten's very existence. Rain poured relentlessly onto the village, the storm mirroring the turmoil in the skies above.

Dozens of glowing eyes appeared in the red-streaked clouds, trying to peer into the village below. Yet, just as their gaze focused on the tiny creature, the kitten's wailing abruptly stopped. A cold, calculating glint flashed in its eyes.

"Just can't let me go, can you?"

The voice was chilling, laced with an ancient power that didn't belong to this era. It echoed with the weight of centuries, a voice that could command death and silence the heavens themselves. The storm paused as if it recognized its master; the thunder ceased, and the rain began to slow. The eyes in the sky blinked out, vanishing one by one, retreating from a presence even they dared not challenge.

If any old monsters still lingered in this world, they would have fainted in shock. This was not a realm where anyone could command the heavens to fall silent. But no witnesses were there, only beasts and humans, relieved that the sudden storm had passed.

The kitten's fur gleamed like an endless dark void, and its eyes—gold with black pupils—seemed to contain the universe itself. But then, as quickly as the power came, it faded. The kitten's body wobbled and collapsed into the mud. The quiet of the forest returned, only broken by the soft patter of rain on the leaves.

In the Distance

A young girl in a ragged outfit darted through the woods, her breath ragged as she fled. Behind her, a tall, dark-haired youth flew through the air, qi swirling around his form.

"Your Highness, please stop! If His Majesty finds out you've run away, he'll have my head!" Dylan shouted, his voice desperate as he shot a beam of qi from his fingers to intercept a talisman she threw at him.

Princess Jhonye's heart raced as her eyes darted frantically through the undergrowth. I have to get away, she thought. Her feet caught on a thick tree root, and she tumbled to the ground, mud splashing around her.

Compared to ordinary planets, the vegetation in this realm was enormous, brimming with vitality and life force. She scrambled back to her feet, scanning the woods for an escape. Then, her eyes caught sight of a bloodstained trail leading to a shallow den. Desperation flared in her chest as she bolted toward it, hoping to find humans—or anyone—who could help her elude her father's men.

Bandits, demonic cultivators—she didn't care. This might be her only chance. Anything is better than this cursed fate, she thought, adrenaline surging as she neared the den.

The smell of death hit her first. She froze, staring down at the corpse of a large beast lying at the entrance, and then her eyes landed on the blood-covered cub beside it. It was a small, black kitten, barely moving.

"Princess, give up! This is for the dynasty, for the empire!" Dylan's voice called from above, frantic but with a cold edge. He descended, his gaze locking onto her. The wind picked up, blowing back her hood and revealing her wild, golden hair and sharp blue eyes that mirrored the rain pouring down her face.

Dylan's heart stuttered at the sight, lust flickering for a moment before he quickly suppressed it. "Please, accompany me back to the palace, Your Highness. His Majesty won't harm you, but you must come willingly," he pleaded, knowing the consequences if she resisted.

He could feel his heart pounding. If the princess forced him to use his full strength, it would be a disaster—as good as buying my own coffin, he thought grimly. His Majesty had ordered that the princess was not to be harmed under any circumstances.

Time seemed to freeze, the tension palpable between them. Just as Princess Jhonye opened her mouth to speak, a voice suddenly boomed in her ears, freezing her in place.

"This farce has gone on for too long."

Her breath caught in her throat. Who is in my head? she wondered, her voice trembling as she asked aloud, "Who are you?"

"Today, I am your greatest karma," the voice echoed again, sending shivers down her spine.

Before she could react, a black kitten—the same one she had just seen—leaped onto her head with surprising grace. It lazily patted her with its paw as if it owned her.

A thunderous shock surged through her body. It wasn't just physical—her mind exploded with memories, memories that didn't belong to her. She could see ancient techniques—an optical technique, complex and arcane—unfolding within her consciousness.

"Don't think," the voice commanded. "Just comprehend the meaning. You remind me of someone… from long ago."

The world seemed to blur as the overwhelming flood of knowledge coursed through her. What seemed like hours passed in the time it takes to pour a cup of tea.