Chapter 27: Return to the Mortal Realm

Gathering his remaining strength, Shenlong launched himself into the air, summoning his most powerful technique: Dragon Fist of the Qin. His Qi surged, forming the shape of a massive, ethereal dragon that roared as it spiraled around him. With a mighty cry, Shenlong unleashed the attack, obliterating the horde of shadow beasts in one swift blow. The ground trembled as the shockwave of his attack cleared the battlefield.

For a moment, silence reigned.

Then, the Watcher's voice echoed once more. "Impressive. But strength alone is not enough. Now, face your true test."

The ground beneath Shenlong shifted again, but this time, it was different. The landscape around him blurred, transforming into something far more familiar—a village. His village. The one he grew up in before everything fell apart. The air smelled of home, of days long gone.

Standing before him was a figure he hadn't seen in years: a girl with soft eyes and a warm smile. Lianhua.

Shenlong's heart twisted painfully. Lianhua had been his childhood friend, the one person who had believed in him even when everyone else had turned their backs. But she had disappeared shortly after his engagement was broken off—one of the many betrayals that had left him feeling abandoned.

"Shenlong," she whispered, her voice soft, full of regret. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay. I never meant to leave you."

Shenlong's throat tightened. He knew this wasn't real, that it was part of the trial, but the emotions it stirred within him were undeniable. "Lianhua," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "You… you left me. I needed you, and you were gone."

Her eyes filled with sorrow, and she took a step forward. "I didn't have a choice. My family—"

"No," Shenlong cut her off, his fists clenching at his sides. "This isn't real. This is the Void's trick."

Lianhua's form flickered, her eyes now filled with tears. "But what if it is real, Shenlong? What if I could come back? Would you forgive me?"

His heart wavered. This was the trial the Watcher spoke of—not just physical strength, but facing his deepest pain. The loss, the betrayal, the loneliness. All of it was being laid bare before him.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I loved you, Lianhua. But that's in the past. I can't let the shadows of what I've lost hold me back anymore. My path lies ahead, not behind."

With those words, the illusion shattered. The village, Lianhua, all of it dissolved into mist, leaving Shenlong standing alone in the void once more. The Watcher's voice rang out, filled with something akin to approval.

"You have passed."

The landscape shifted again, and Shenlong found himself back at the obsidian gate, the Watcher's shadowy form still hovering in place.

"You have proven yourself worthy, Shenlong of the Qin. You faced your pain, your regrets, and emerged stronger. You are ready to claim the power of the Void."

The gate behind the Watcher creaked open, revealing a swirling vortex of energy. Shenlong could feel the immense power radiating from within, beckoning him forward.

He stepped toward the gate, but before entering, he turned back to the Watcher. "What lies beyond this power?"

The Watcher's eyes gleamed. "Beyond this power lies the truth of your bloodline—the truth of the Qin legacy. But beware, for every answer you seek will bring more questions. Are you prepared to face that burden?"

Shenlong took a deep breath, the weight of the Watcher's words settling over him. His entire life had been a journey to uncover the truth of his origins, to prove his worth to those who had called him 'trash.' But now, he knew it wasn't just about proving himself to others—it was about understanding who he truly was.

"I'm ready," he said firmly.

With that, Shenlong stepped into the swirling vortex, the energy enveloping him as he was pulled into the heart of the Celestial Void. The moment he crossed the threshold, his body surged with power—an overwhelming force that pushed him to his very limits.

It was both exhilarating and terrifying.

As the energy flowed through him, Shenlong could feel the Void's secrets unlocking within his mind. Techniques, knowledge, and ancient cultivation methods flooded his consciousness. His understanding of the world deepened, and with it, his connection to the pendant grew stronger.

But amid the rush of power, one truth became clear above all: his destiny was far greater than he had ever imagined.

Shenlong was no ordinary cultivator. He was the heir to a forgotten legacy—a legacy tied to the Qin dragons, the ancient guardians of the realms. And with that legacy came a responsibility that stretched far beyond anything he had prepared for.

The path ahead was treacherous, but now, with the power of the Celestial Void at his fingertips, Shenlong was ready to face whatever lay in his future.

Emerging from the vortex, Shenlong found himself standing at the base of the Celestial Void, the once-chaotic realm now eerily calm behind him. He had survived the trial, claimed the power, and unlocked the secrets of his pendant. But his journey was far from over.

The Mortal Realm awaited him, and with it, the forces that had tried to suppress him.

Shenlong clenched his fists, feeling the immense strength coursing through his veins. He was no longer the boy who had been mocked and ridiculed. He was a cultivator of immense power, a force to be reckoned with.

And now, it was time to return. Time to show the world who Shenlong of the Qin truly was.

The wind howled as Shenlong began his descent from the Celestial Void, his eyes set on the horizon. His enemies had no idea what was coming for them.

The prodigy had returned.