Chapter 54

The Return of a Familiar Soul

The guards pushed him back, their expressions firm yet not unkind.

"This place is not for you. Maybe you have not decided properly yet. You cannot go to hell—this is not your fate. You have done nothing wrong."

Before he could protest, an unseen force drove Wen Shia away from the gates of the underworld. He felt himself being pulled, weightless and powerless. Darkness surrounded him, and soon, he found himself floating once more in the unknown, lost between realms.

But his mind was made up—if he could not find Xiang in the underworld, then perhaps she had gone elsewhere. Heaven.

Determined, he set off on the path to the celestial realm, searching desperately for any trace of her. He wandered through the golden landscapes, seeking the presence of her soul. But there was nothing. No voice. No sign. It was as if she had never existed.

He searched for what felt like an eternity, but hope began to wither. Eventually, he realized—she wasn't here.

A quiet resignation settled over him. Had she truly vanished from existence? With a heavy heart, he turned back.

But something was wrong. His time in this realm was running out. He could feel his connection to the mortal world weakening. If he lingered any longer, he might never wake up again.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a force yanked him back. His surroundings blurred, light faded, and suddenly—

The Awakening

Wen Shia gasped awake.

His eyes darted around, adjusting to the dim glow of the candles in the room. A familiar presence stood before him—the old sage.

"Did you bring Xiang back?" the sage asked, his voice calm but expectant.

Wen Shia lowered his head. "No. I couldn't find her soul anywhere."

The sage studied him for a moment before asking, "Nothing? Not even a single piece?"

Wen Shia hesitated. "I found… one piece."

The sage's eyes narrowed. "Then she has not completely died. It means she can return to life. But no one knows when."

Wen Shia's heart clenched. A glimmer of hope flickered within him, but it was faint—twenty-two years passed without a single sign of her return.

The World Moves On

The world outside had not remained still. Chaos had once again erupted, but the Heavenly God sought to restore balance. A great seal was placed over the lands, granting temporary peace.

Yet, beneath this peace, an urgency lingered—the Element Stone had yet to be found. Without it, nothing could be saved.

Years passed, and life moved forward.

On Earth, a great martial arts academy was built in Xiang's name. Her parents, unable to let go of her memory, founded the institution to honor her spirit. It became a sanctuary for warriors, scholars, and seekers of wisdom.

And at the heart of this academy stood Wen Shia.

As one of its most revered teachers, he trained generations of warriors, instilling in them both skill and discipline. But despite his wisdom and strength, a hollow space remained in his heart—a space only Xiang could fill.

The Xiang Warrior Institute flourished, yet within its walls, one rule was absolute:

No one was allowed to speak of Xiang.

The Heavenly God disapproved of the academy's existence, questioning its purpose. "Why must her name be carried forward?" he asked.

Her parents answered simply: "She was our daughter. It is our wish."

No force, divine or mortal, could change their decision. And so, the academy endured.

A Mysterious Arrival

Twenty-two years later.

It was a bright morning at the Xiang Warrior Institute when an unexpected visitor arrived.

A young woman, around eighteen or nineteen, walked through the academy gates. She carried herself with quiet confidence, her eyes sharp and filled with purpose.

Approaching the reception, she spoke firmly. "I wish to meet the master of this place. I want to learn martial arts."

The staff exchanged glances.

"You cannot be admitted without your parents present."

The girl sighed. "My parents are very busy. That is why I have come alone."

The rejection was immediate. "Then we cannot accept you."

But then, without hesitation, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a wooden token.

Placing it before them, she said, "This is my parents' token. They sent me with this."

The moment the token was seen, silence fell over the room. The master's eyes widened in shock.

"Are you... the prince of Zhenwu City?"

The girl nodded. "My name is Zi Xiang. My father is Zi Long. My mother is Lian Hua. I have come to learn martial arts. Will you accept me?"

The air grew tense. The name—Zi Xiang.

The master hesitated only a moment before answering, "Yes. But you must pass our competition first."

As they spoke, footsteps echoed from behind.

Wen Shia had just entered the room. He paused mid-step, his body stiffening as he heard her voice. Something about it… felt familiar.

Turning slowly, he saw her face.

And for the first time in twenty-two years—his heart skipped a beat.

The Ghost of the Past

Wen Shia stepped forward, unable to tear his eyes away from the girl before him. She looked exactly like Xiang.

His breath caught in his throat. His mind raced.

Was this some trick? A mere coincidence? Or...

Could it really be her?

The room fell into silence as he stood there, staring at the girl who bore the face of the one he had lost.

And then, slowly, Zi Xiang met his gaze.

For a fleeting moment, something flickered in her eyes—an unspoken recognition.

A past life… a forgotten soul… or something else entirely?

The past and present had begun to blur.

And Wen Shia knew—this was just the beginning.

What Happens Next?

Who is Zi Xiang? Is she truly Xiang reborn or someone else entirely?

Does she have any memories of her past? Or is she a new person with an old soul?

What test awaits her? And how will Wen Shia deal with this shocking revelation?

The story is now filled with mystery, destiny, and the echoes of an unfinished past.