Qing Yan soared through the sky, high above a chain of darkened mountains, his cloak snapping in the wind.
Qing Yan (thinking):
Tsk. Too many questions. No answers.
What exactly am I now?
He slowed mid-flight, scanning the forest below.
Qing Yan:
"…I should land. Better to examine the current state of my body than fly blind."
He descended quietly, landing on the thick branch of an tree. With a controlled breath, he crossed his legs, hands resting calmly in his lap.
Qing Yan:
"Let's see how deep this power runs."
He closed his eyes.
Inside the Mind Realm
Darkness.
Endless, silent black — not void, but absence. Even the usual flickers of thought were missing.
Qing Yan (frowning):
"…This is my mind realm?"
Why is it… so empty? Where did my thoughts go? My memories?
Suddenly — a low, echoing roar.
A tiger's.
His eyes flicked upward, annoyed.
Qing Yan:
"Huh? A tiger? Here? In my mind?"
He scanned the void — nothing.
Until something moved above.
He looked up.
And froze.
Qing Yan (wide-eyed):
"…What the hell…?"
Two colossal beasts circled in the skies above his subconscious:
One, a majestic white tiger, radiating light and order — divinity.
The other, a twisted mirror — jet-black, wreathed in shadows, exuding chaos. Its fur pulsed like tar. Its eyes bled red.
Qing Yan (breathless):
"That one… it looks like me. Same form. But... corrupted. Demonic."
He stared, heart racing.
Qing Yan (thinking):
Demonic and divine… inside my mind? Are they fighting... for control? Is it finally happening?
As the tigers clashed above, the black one suddenly turned.
Its eyes locked onto Qing Yan.
Qing Yan (startled):
"Wait—did it just—?!"
The black tiger roared and dove straight at him.
Back to Reality
Qing Yan's eyes snapped open.
BOOM.
A violent explosion of Qi erupted from his body, shaking the mountain. The trees bent. The animals scattered. The sky shivered.
He gasped, panting. Sweat ran down his forehead.
Qing Yan (staggering):
"Wh… What the hell was that?"
He coughed — blood hit the bark beside him.
Qing Yan:
"…Something's not right. Something deep inside me is… awakening."
He wiped his mouth, eyes narrowing.
Qing Yan (thinking):
Demonic and divine… are they fighting because of my origin?
He looked up toward the fading sky.
Qing Yan:
"…No matter. I'll deal with it, like I always have."
With a grunt, he stood and launched back into the air, vanishing into the clouds.
Meanwhile — Distant Mountains, Sealed Cave
An old man sat deep in meditation inside a shadowed cave, surrounded by glowing sigils and Qi formations.
Suddenly—his eyes flew open.
He gasped. His bones shivered. His skin trembled.
Old Man:
"Qi Barrier—NOW!"
A shield flared around him just in time to stop an invisible wave of pressure from cracking his dantian.
He stumbled back, stunned.
Old Man (gasping):
"Wh-What… what was that?! A demonic Qi wave?!"
Two black-cloaked disciples appeared instantly and knelt before him.
Left Disciple:
"Great Elder! Is there a problem?!"
The old man steadied himself, feigning calm.
Old Man:
"No… Just… a fluctuation. Resume your posts."
They bowed and vanished.
He looked toward the exit of cave, eyes narrowing.
Old Man (thinking):
They didn't feel it. That means… it was so refined, so high-level, even Peak Soul-Spark cultivators couldn't detect it.
He clenched his fist, the cave trembling slightly from the force.
Old Man (grimly):
"…To shake my mid-Void-Step level soul with one uncontrolled burst… Just who—or what—released that Qi?"
Back to Qing Yan – In Flight
He soared silently over treetops, lips curled in thought. Then—he sneezed.
Qing Yan:
"Huh? Am I catching a cold?"
He smirked.
Qing Yan:
"Nah. I'm the one who gives colds to cultivators."
He disappeared in a blur of laughter, headed toward his next prey.
[TO BE CONTINUED]