A chilling wind swept through the vast wilderness, carrying with it the whispers of unseen forces. Ling Tian stood at the edge of a cliff, his golden and azure aura intertwining in a mesmerizing dance, a silent testament to his ever-growing power. The weight of his journey pressed upon him, yet his eyes remained resolute.
Xu Qing'er watched him from a distance, her gaze a mixture of warmth and sorrow. She had always known he was different—marked by fate, destined for something beyond mortal comprehension. The silent pull between them was undeniable, yet something deeper lurked beneath the surface, an unspoken truth neither of them had yet uncovered.
As he closed his eyes, his divine senses extended outward, seeking something—anything—that could guide him toward his next step. The mystery of the Ling Clan's disappearance gnawed at his soul. Every lead had led to dead ends, and every whisper of truth had only deepened the shadows.
A sudden shift in the air snapped him out of his contemplation. The space before him trembled as a dark figure emerged from the void, cloaked in ancient robes that seemed to shift like the night itself.
"You've stepped too close to the forbidden truth, Ling Tian," the figure spoke, its voice carrying an eerie calmness.
Ling Tian's eyes narrowed. His aura surged, the pressure alone shaking the cliffside. "Who are you?"
The figure chuckled, its form flickering like a mirage. "One who watches. One who remembers."
Without warning, the figure raised a hand, and an unseen force slammed into Ling Tian's chest, sending him skidding backward. But before he could retaliate, the figure vanished, leaving behind only a whisper—one that sent a chill down his spine.
"The Vanquished Throne… awaits you."
Xu Qing'er rushed to his side. "Ling Tian, are you alright?"
He clenched his fists, his heart pounding. The Vanquished Throne… the words resonated deep within him, as if awakening a forgotten memory.
"No," he muttered, his voice firm with resolve. "I won't stop until I uncover the truth."
Somewhere in the distant void, an ancient pair of eyes watched him, filled with both sorrow… and expectation.
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