Pain ripped through Wei's head as he lay sprawled on the grass, his body aching fiercely. His vision blurred, the world tilting as he staggered to his feet, disoriented. "Where… where am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse.
As the fog in his mind began to clear, he scanned his surroundings. Tall trees towered overhead, their leaves rustling in a cool breeze that filled his lungs with sharp, unfamiliar air.
His clothes stuck to his skin, damp with sweat and streaked with crusted blood, the metallic tang stinging his nose. He steadied his trembling legs, forcing himself to stand firm.
"Not exactly home, huh," he said with a dry chuckle, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He took deep breaths, the headache easing just enough to let him think clearly.
"Alright, I've got this," he said, resolve hardening in his chest. "First, my name is… Dan Marco? No—Dan Li Wei… Wait, what? Which is it?" Panic surged, his breath catching as a fresh wave of pain hit.
Two conflicting sets of memories clashed in his mind, each fighting for control, jumbling his sense of self. He clutched his head, struggling to stay calm, but the agony made it hard to focus.
"Marco, Wei—doesn't matter right now," he gasped, sweat dripping down his face. "This pain's going to kill me if I don't do something."
Instinct took over, and he dropped into a meditative pose, legs crossed, hands on his knees. He sifted through the chaos in his mind, searching for anything to ease the torment. A memory surfaced, clear and warm—a moment with his grandfather from years ago.
He was back in his grandfather's spiritual garden, a tranquil place he loved. Cherry trees bloomed, their sweet scent drifting through the air, branches swaying gently.
Dan beasts glided across the shimmering energy lake, their movements smooth and captivating. His grandfather sat by the water, fishing rod in hand, his face calm and kind. Wei didn't need to announce himself; his grandfather's strength always sensed his approach.
"Little Wei, come to see your old grandpa?" his grandfather called, a warm smile spreading across his face.
Wei grinned, sprinting to the cushion beside him and throwing his arms around the old man in a tight hug.
"Grandpa, it's been forever!" Wei said, his voice bright. "Got anything for me from your trip?"
His grandfather laughed, ruffling Wei's hair. "Always after gifts, you rascal. I thought you came because you missed me." He put on a mock pout, eyes twinkling.
"I did miss you, Grandpa!" Wei protested, his round face serious. "But gifts are special. I can miss you and want presents, you know." He nodded as if he'd just shared some profound truth.
"You and your wisdom," his grandfather said, chuckling fondly. "Alright, here." From his storage ring, he pulled out a two-meter-tall humanoid puppet, its sleek form pulsing with quiet power.
Wei's eyes lit up as he ran his fingers over its intricate design. With a quick motion, he stored it in his Golden Lotus Ring. "Thanks, Grandpa! This is awesome—I'll keep it forever."
"You're spoiled rotten, you know that?" his grandfather teased, giving Wei's hair another ruffle. "I ought to have a word with your father about it."
"I'm not spoiled, I'm strategic," Wei shot back with a grin. "Anyway, Mother said you had something important to talk about."
"Strategic, huh? More like charming gifts out of everyone," his grandfather said, shaking his head. His tone grew serious as he shifted on the cushion. "We need to talk, Little Wei." Seeing the shift in his grandfather's mood, Wei straightened, his playful grin fading as he listened closely.
"This world's a brutal place, Little Wei," his grandfather began, his eyes distant. "It's ruled by strength—those with the strongest fist decide what's right. Some are born to suffer, scraping by like ants, while others live in luxury, handed everything. Fairness is a myth." He paused, his voice heavy. "You're the Dan Clan's only heir. Your words can end lives; your choices can shift fates. Hold to our teachings: be kind when you can, but ruthless when you must."
Wei nodded, absorbing every word, his young heart heavy with the weight of it.
"I went on this trip to find a way to let you cultivate," his grandfather said.
Wei's face lit up. "You mean I can finally practice?"
His grandfather raised a hand, a gentle wave of energy nudging Wei back. "Hold on, let me finish. Your soul's different, Little Wei. From the moment you were born, I sensed its strength—far beyond normal, its shape unique. I worried you might be possessed by some ancient spirit. I tried to remove the extra soul essence, but it was so entwined with yours that they were almost one. My attempt nearly killed you, left you hurt for a long time. Later, I saw the other essence was dormant, harmless."
He sighed; his face lined with old regrets. "Your parents and I feared cultivation might awaken that essence and harm you, so we kept you from practicing. But on this trip, I found something that could help."
Wei leaned forward, barely containing his excitement.
"It's named the Soul Harmony Technique, from the Celestial Harmony Sect on another continent," his grandfather said. "Don't be fooled by the name—that sect was dark, stealing soul essences, taking over bodies. If they hadn't crossed a friend of mine, I wouldn't have looked their way. But this is your chance." He leaned closer, voice steady.
"The technique has two stages. The first calms your soul, letting you cultivate safely. The second lets you absorb the extra essence, making it yours. For you, trying the second stage now would be too risky. Cultivate first, let the essences clash naturally. I think they'll balance and merge over time. I've added my notes and examples from my servants' training. And Little Wei—whatever happens, you're my grandson, and I'll always love you."
Wei's eyes stung as he took the scrolls, his voice shaky. "I'll make you proud, Grandpa. I'll be the best."
His grandfather smiled, pleased. "That's my boy. Now, go to your mother. Her alchemy skills will guide you, keep you from messing this up."
Wei nodded, standing. He took a few steps, then spun back to hug his grandfather tightly, kissing his cheek. "See you soon, Grandpa! I'll come back when I'm done!"
"Go on, you little troublemaker," his grandfather said, laughing as he waved him off.
Wei left the garden, humming happily, the memory a bright spot in his heart.
Back in the present, a faint smile crossed Wei's lips, but the throbbing pain in his head snapped him back. He gritted his teeth, focusing on the Soul Harmony Technique's first stage to tame the chaos in his soul.
An hour later, the pain dulled to a manageable ache, his energy stabilizing. He summoned the puppet from his Golden Lotus Ring, its power one level above his own, a reassuring presence. For two days, he meditated, his soul power stretching through the forest, sensing every rustle and creature within ten miles. The technique worked, blending the strange and familiar energies within him into a steady hum.
Wei stood, a grin flashing across his face, a flicker of his old excitement breaking through. But the moment faded as memories of how he ended up here hit him hard—his home burning, his family gone, those red-eyed demons tearing everything apart. His chest tightened, breath catching.
He saw his mother's warm smile as she worked in her alchemy lab, teasing him for sneaking sweets. He heard his father's proud chuckle when Wei nailed a puppet technique, felt his grandfather's laughter filling the garden. Those memories, so clear, crumbled like ash in his hands.
"How do I keep going without you?" he whispered, dropping to his knees, tears spilling down his cheeks. His voice broke, raw with grief. The older soul inside him—sharper, harder—pushed him to stand, to fight. But the boy in him curled inward, sobbing for the family he'd lost.
He gripped the Golden Lotus Ring, fingers shaking. "Grandpa, I promised I'd be the best," he murmured, voice thick. "But how, when you're all gone?"
The forest stayed quiet, waiting for him to find his own path.
Anger sparked in his chest, growing into a blaze that burned through his sorrow. The older soul's resolve fused with Wei's own defiance. He wiped his tears, jaw set. "Those demons took everything," he said, voice low but steady. "My home, my family, my life. I won't let them get away with it."