Chapter 3:
Master Zhen led Jin Mu through the forest, past forgotten shrines and shattered relics. They arrived at a clearing where the air felt thick with history. At its center lay a stone pedestal, atop which sat a crystal orb.
"This is an Awakening Orb," Zhen said. "It reveals the truth of your soul. If you are awakened, it will respond. If you are not… it will remain silent."
Jin Mu hesitated. "And if I break it?"
Zhen raised an eyebrow. "Then the heavens themselves will take notice."
Jin Mu reached out. The moment his fingers touched the orb, it shattered. A column of light erupted into the sky. Symbols danced in the air, ancient and divine. The ground trembled. Trees bent away from him.
Zhen fell to his knees. "Heavenly Vein… impossible."
Jin Mu collapsed, visions flooding his mind — celestial wars, divine betrayal, a silver-eyed god falling from the stars. He saw himself standing atop a mountain of corpses, wielding a blade made of starlight. He saw Veyron, the Absolute Being, smiling as he fell.
When he awoke, Zhen was silent.
"You're not just awakened," he said. "You're reborn. And the world will not forgive you for it."