The early morning light streamed through the dense forest of the Kai Clan’s estate, casting dappled shadows across the courtyard where Kai Xian had begun his training. The world felt strangely familiar, yet foreign. He had woken up in the body of an eight-year-old, a frail, fragile thing compared to the powerful, god-like form he had once inhabited. His muscles ached, and his energy was sluggish—every movement felt like a struggle. But his spirit was unbroken. He had lived once, died once, and now, reborn into this body, he would rise again.

  Kai Xian rose from his cross-legged meditation, his body trembling under the weight of his own weakness. His Qi was faint, barely a flicker, yet it was enough to remind him of what he once was—a force that could bend time and space. His fingers twitched as though they could still summon the Chrono Strike, the time-bending technique that had made him a god in his past life. But now, the technique was a distant memory, like a dream he couldn’t quite reach.

  The soft sounds of footsteps approaching caught his attention. He turned to find Li Mei, her eyes bright with focus, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips as she walked toward him. She had been a part of the Kai Clan since she was very young, and despite the fact that she was still a child, her prowess in beast taming and cultivation was already becoming legendary. She was quiet, composed, and graceful—a stark contrast to the chaos that Kai Xian felt within himself.

  “Training?” Li Mei asked, her voice calm but carrying an air of challenge.

  Kai Xian nodded. “I’m trying to,” he said, his voice low and raspy, betraying his exhaustion. “But my Qi is still weak.”

  Li Mei walked over and sat down beside him, her eyes scanning the courtyard. “It takes time,” she said. “I know it’s frustrating. But strength isn’t just about your Qi. It’s about understanding your body, your mind, and your spirit.”

  Kai Xian looked at her. Li Mei had always intrigued him. There was something in her demeanor—an intensity, a purpose—that reminded him of the cultivators he had once led in battle. He had heard about her beast-taming abilities, her natural bond with creatures of the wild. It was said that she had tamed several powerful beasts at a young age, and the Kai Clan had been grooming her to be one of their future leaders.

  “I’ll try to remember that,” Kai Xian replied, trying to force a smile. It felt unfamiliar, but he needed to reclaim his humanity, too.

  “Don’t push yourself too hard,” she said, her voice softening. “But if you’re looking to strengthen your Qi, there’s a department you should visit—The Alchemy Hall. They have potions that might help you speed up the process. And if you want weapons to complement your skills, you can visit the Forge Hall. But remember, weapons are not just tools; they’re extensions of your will.”

  Kai Xian’s eyes brightened at the mention of the Alchemy Hall and Forge Hall. The Alchemy Hall was a place where various medicinal herbs were used to create potions to strengthen the body and Qi, while the Forge Hall produced weapons of unparalleled quality, each one crafted by the finest blacksmiths in the Kai Clan. These places could play a pivotal role in his recovery.

  “I’ll visit them soon,” Kai Xian said, standing up. “But first, I have some unfinished business to attend to.”

  As the two walked toward the central courtyard, where the young cultivators of the Kai Clan often gathered for daily practice, they were met by a group of children from the clan, all of them around Kai Xian’s age. Among them were the familiar faces of the elders’ children, who, despite being much younger than him in this life, already held a certain level of arrogance and power.

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  Zhao Xing, the son of an elder, stood in the middle of the group, a smug grin on his face as he surveyed Kai Xian and Li Mei. His posture was casual, but his eyes held a hint of condescension. Zhao Xing had always been a bully, using his family’s influence to intimidate others, especially those who were weaker.

  “Well, well, look who finally decided to show up,” Zhao Xing sneered. “Kai Xian, I heard you were weak now. I suppose you’re going to be training with the novices now.”

  A few of the other children laughed behind him, their eyes flicking to Kai Xian with curiosity, amusement, and even a hint of pity. Kai Xian could feel their gazes like daggers, but he remained calm. He had seen the rise and fall of so many before him—Zhao Xing and his group were nothing more than fleeting shadows in the grand scheme of things.

  Li Mei stepped forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Zhao Xing, leave it,” she said, her tone carrying a subtle authority. “Kai Xian doesn’t need to prove himself to anyone. If you want to show off, go find a real challenge.”

  Zhao Xing scoffed, rolling his eyes. “You’re just jealous, Li Mei. You know, you could do better than being friends with a cripple.”

  Kai Xian’s hands clenched at his sides, his Qi flaring faintly in response. The words stung, but he refused to react. He had lived through betrayal by those he trusted most. What was the petty mockery of a child compared to that?

  “Don’t let them get to you,” Li Mei whispered, her eyes softening. “You’re stronger than this.”

  But Kai Xian was already focused on something else—the nearby alchemy stall, where a few older cultivators were grinding herbs and preparing potions. Alchemy was an art that required patience, precision, and knowledge of the many herbs and minerals that existed within the world. He had always admired the work of the Alchemy Department. Even though he had never been an expert in it, he knew that the potions they created could aid him in ways his physical strength alone could not.

  He turned and nodded to Li Mei. “I’ll meet you later.”

  Kai Xian walked toward the Alchemy Hall, but not before noticing the distant glimmer in Li Mei’s eyes, as if she, too, was grappling with something inside. There was a complexity to her that he couldn’t quite place, but for now, his focus was on his own recovery.

  Inside the Alchemy Hall, the scent of crushed herbs and medicinal plants filled the air. A few elders worked diligently at tables, grinding herbs and mixing ingredients. At the far end of the hall, a large collection of alchemy pots simmered with various concoctions. Kai Xian approached one of the elder alchemists, an older man with a kind, wise expression.

  “Elder Tao,” Kai Xian greeted him respectfully, bowing slightly. “I’m looking for something to help strengthen my Qi. Something to accelerate my recovery.”

  Elder Tao looked up, his eyes twinkling with curiosity as he studied Kai Xian’s frail form. “Ah, the young Kai Xian, reborn into this world. Your Qi is weak, yes, but I see the potential in you. I have just the thing.” The elder moved to a nearby shelf and retrieved a small vial filled with a glowing liquid. “This is a Spiritual Awakening Elixir. It will help clear the blockages in your Qi and speed up the flow of energy through your body. But it’s not a permanent solution. You’ll need to cultivate and meditate regularly to maintain the gains.”

  Kai Xian accepted the vial with a grateful nod. “Thank you, Elder Tao. I will make good use of it.”

  As he left the Alchemy Hall, a renewed sense of determination filled his chest. The elixir might be a temporary aid, but it was just the beginning of his journey. He still had much to learn, much to regain. He would need strength, allies, and knowledge. And as the world around him grew more familiar, one thing became clear—he would never again allow himself to fall from grace.

  That evening, as the sun began to set, Kai Xian stood atop a small hill overlooking the estate, the wind brushing against his face. He felt the elixir’s warmth spreading through his body, giving him a faint but noticeable surge of power.

  He glanced over at Li Mei, who was standing nearby, silently observing him. Their eyes met for a moment, and in that fleeting connection, something passed between them. An understanding. Perhaps, in time, she would become an ally—a friend. Maybe even something more. But for now, Kai Xian knew that the journey ahead would require more than just power. It would require heart, determination, and, above all, the will to rise again.