---
š Shen Li Sleeps, the World Watches
Yue Qian held Shen Li close. His breath was weak.
"Pleaseā¦ wake up," she whispered.
Yan Su placed a hand on her shoulder. "His spirit is strong. But that last explosionāit almost broke him."
Yue Qian bit her lip. "He saved us all."
The white-haired boy looked down at Shen Li.
"He's not just strong," he said softly. "He's chosen."
---
š The Truth Revealed
Yan Su stood. "You've appeared three times. Who are you really?"
The boy looked up.
"My name is Tian Zhen. I come from beyond this worldāwhat you call the Void Realm."
"Void Realm?" Yue Qian stood quickly. "Like the Void Envoy?!"
Tian Zhen shook his head. "No. I'm not with them. In factā¦ I'm the reason they're hunting Shen Li."
---
š§¬ A Power Like No Other
He pointed at Shen Li's chest.
"There's something inside him. A seed of balance. A spark that can merge light and darkness."
Yue Qian frowned. "His dual core?"
"No," Tian said. "Something deeper. Something the gods fear."
Suddenlyā
Warning: Gate Signature Detected.
Yan Su's eyes widened. "It's coming. The Void Gate."
---
āļø Gate of Shadows
The ground split open.
The sky turned black.
And from the airā¦ a giant black door appeared.
Chains held it shut. A glowing eye stared from the center.
ThenāCLANK. One chain broke.
"NO!" Tian shouted. "It's too soon!"
The white-haired boy stepped forward, raising both hands.
Light and shadow twisted around him.
He looked at Yue Qian. "Take Shen Li and run."
"What about you?"
"I'll hold the gate. But when the second chain breaksā¦ the real nightmare begins."
---
ā” One Last Spark
Shen Li's eyes snapped open.
He gasped for breath, then sat up. "I heard itā¦ the gate calling me."
Yue Qian hugged him. "You're alive!"
He smiled. "Barely."
Tian looked back, shocked. "You shouldn't be able to move yet."
Shen Li stood, shaking. "I don't care. If that thing opensāI'll fight it."
He pointed his sword at the gate.
"Whatever's behind that doorā¦ I'll cut it down."
---
š„ BOOM! The Battle Starts
The second chain shattered.
BOOOOMMMM!!!
From the gate, a monster claw burst through. Black and massive.
A growling voice spoke:
> "You are not ready, Shen Li.
But I am coming anyway."
Tian screamed, "SHIELD UP!"
Yue Qian summoned her moonfire.
Yan Su drew his final scrolls.
And Shen Li stepped forward, both hands gripping his sword.
He smiled.
"I was born in fire. I live in shadow.
But I walk the path of both."
"Come at me!"
---
āļø END OF ARC I: "THE GATE OPENS"
_ _ _ _
> Yo, reader! š
If you're still hereā¦ you're officially awesome! š«” Shen Li just fought a monster, passed blood trials, and nearly died like 3 timesādon't let all that drama go to waste š
š Tap that Vote button!
š Smash Add to Library!
š Drop a Comment (I read them all)
That support helps me stay motivated and keeps the BOOM moments coming!
Peace, power, and plot twists,
ā Your Author (a.k.a. Shen Li's keyboard warrior)