Vergessenheit

In a city where neon lights flicker amidst the shadows of towering skyscrapers, an ancient prophecy whispers of a forgotten destiny.

Xuan Xingli awakens in a dark alley—without memories, without a past, yet burdened with an unfathomable power. A crimson glow flickers in her eyes, data streams flood her mind, and a system’s cold voice welcomes her to the Absolute Evolution Program. But who is she? Why does the image of a silver-haired girl with violet eyes haunt her fragmented thoughts?

As secrets unravel, Xingli finds herself entangled in a web of cybernetic conspiracies, ancient relics, and forces beyond human comprehension. The key to everything—the Mysterious Hairpin—holds the truth of her existence, yet also the path to destruction.

And then, there is Luo Chenxi. Enigmatic, dangerous, mesmerizing. She walks between light and shadow, an ethereal being who knows far more than she reveals. Their fates intertwine like the threads of a celestial loom, pulling them toward a revelation that could shatter the very fabric of reality.

In a world where past and future collide, where love and power entwine, the path ahead is uncertain.

But one thing is certain—once she steps forward, there is no turning back.

The Path of the Mysterious Hairpin

1. AN ENDLESS NIGHT

The night sky over Chang Le  was bathed in the violet-blue glow of neon signs. Tiny raindrops fell onto the damp streets, creating a shimmering reflection on the stone-paved roads. Xuan Xingli walked with measured steps, her mind still tangled with unanswered questions.

Ever since her encounter with Ruan Hongyuan and the cloaked stranger, something within her had begun to shift. Her Xuan Yuan energy fluctuated uncontrollably, as though a long-sealed power was stirring awake.

But what had been sealed? And why?

She halted before a small teahouse nestled within a shadowed alley. From inside, the delicate strains of a guqin melody mingled with the rich aroma of Tian Mu Spring—a rare tea found only in the most elusive corners of the city.

Pushing open the door, she stepped inside. Warm lantern light cast a golden glow over a familiar figure—Luo Chenxi, seated with an air of quiet command, her violet eyes reflecting the candlelight's flickering dance.

"You're late," Luo Chenxi remarked with a faint smile.

"I had things to handle." Xuan Xingli pulled out a chair, her gaze sharp and searching.

"You've met Ruan Hongyuan, haven't you?"

Xuan Xingli narrowed her eyes. "You know her?"

Luo Chenxi didn't answer immediately. She lifted her tea cup, taking a slow sip. "Who do you think has ensured her survival in the shadows for this long?"

A quiet weight settled in Xuan Xingli's chest. "Are you connected to the Black Lotus Society?"

Luo Chenxi placed her cup down with deliberate grace, her gaze piercing. "Not everything hidden in darkness is an enemy. And not everything standing in the light is trustworthy."

Leaning in slightly, her voice lowered. "What you truly need to worry about is not the Black Lotus Society, but the mark imprinted upon your soul. That mark... does not belong solely to you."

The words echoed what the cloaked figure had told her. A chill traced its way down Xuan Xingli's spine.

3. EYE OF THE STORM

Outside the teahouse, the wind picked up suddenly, carrying the crisp bite of the night air. The lanterns flickered as a group of black-clad figures emerged from the shadows.

Luo Chenxi did not turn, but she sensed them immediately. "It seems our conversation must be cut short."

Xuan Xingli reacted instantly, her fingers rising ever so slightly. The Xuan Yuan within her rippled outward, distorting the very fabric of space.

The assailants struck—silent, swift, and deadly. But just as their hands reached for Xuan Xingli, a streak of silver light flashed—Luo Chenxi had already moved.

She glided through the air like a phantom, leaving only an afterimage in her wake. One fell, then another, and another… Before the remaining figures could respond, they were already collapsing, neutralized before they could even scream.

Luo Chenxi turned back, casually dusting off a speck of blood from her sleeve. "Move quickly. We can't linger here."

Xuan Xingli nodded, yet questions still swirled in her mind. She did not know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain—the darkness was closing in, and retreat was no longer an option.

4. THE ONE BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Elsewhere in Astrelia, a figure watched the unfolding events through an unseen vantage point. In a vast, dimly lit chamber, the flickering glow of a single light revealed the sharp gaze of the individual seated upon an intricately carved wooden chair.

A voice emerged from the darkness. "Everything is proceeding as you foresaw. Xuan Xingli has begun to change."

The seated figure smiled faintly. "Good. Let her advance further. As for the mark—ensure that she has no way of escaping it."

A glint of light reflected off the black ring on their finger—the unmistakable insignia of the Black Lotus Society.

CHAPTER 9: INTERTWINED DARKNESS