Morning sunlight slipped through Han Rui's curtains, landing squarely on his face.
He groaned, half-buried under his blanket.
Last night's "weird chatroom" incident was still fuzzy in his memory. He'd written it off as a vivid dream — maybe too much caffeine and history documentaries again.
Then his phone buzzed.
[Heavenly Path Discourse Group — 198 new messages]
Han Rui sat up, heart sinking.
Not a dream, then.
[Heavenly Path Discourse Group]
[SpiritFoxQueen]: Senior Historian, may I trouble you for advice?
[ThousandPetalMonk]: Senior, my disciple faces inner turmoil. How might one cleanse a restless heart?
[AzureHeavenSword]: The younger generation seeks enlightenment. Senior, a few words of wisdom would honor us.
Han Rui blinked at the barrage of messages.
"Enlightenment?!" He rubbed his forehead. "I can barely enlighten myself on what's for breakfast…"
Still, curiosity tugged at him. The historian in him couldn't resist an ancient mystery.
He scrolled through earlier messages. These people — if they were people — talked about Qi condensation, core formation, spirit veins, and divine calamities like they were daily chores.
If it was a game, it was really committed to the bit.
Han Rui typed carefully, hoping to end this politely.
[WanderingHistorian]: Meditation helps. Maybe just… relax and breathe.
Seconds later—
[ThousandPetalMonk]: Profound! Relax and breathe — the essence of the Dao of Stillness!
[SpiritFoxQueen]: To "just breathe"… such simplicity masking infinite depth!
[AzureHeavenSword]: I have been overcomplicating my sword intent for centuries… thank you, Senior!
Han Rui stared at his screen, speechless.
He'd literally told them to chill out — and they were acting like he'd revealed cosmic truth.
Then a new message appeared:
[System Notice]: Karmic Resonance detected. Cultivation insight recorded. Minor Spiritual Energy link established.
His phone vibrated violently. A faint blue wisp escaped the screen, curling like mist before dissolving into thin air.
Han Rui froze.
"…what the hell was that?"
He tapped the air where it vanished — cold.
The phone's back felt warm, almost alive.
Before he could react, another message came.
[SilentPeakHermit]: Senior Historian, forgive this one's boldness — would you bless my disciple's cultivation?
[SpiritFoxQueen]: Mine too!
[AzureHeavenSword]: Senior, if you have time, perhaps we could discuss sword principles?
Han Rui groaned. "What did I start…"
He quickly typed:
[WanderingHistorian]: Uh… I'm busy right now. Will respond later.
[SpiritFoxQueen]: Of course. The Senior's time must flow differently than ours.
[ThousandPetalMonk]: Patience is also a lesson. I understand.
Han Rui tossed the phone on the desk. "This is ridiculous."
But even as he tried to ignore it, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered:
What if it's real?
He opened his laptop, searching Heavenly Path Discourse Group app.
No results. Not on the web, not on any store.
Even stranger — the app icon had changed.
The ring now shimmered faintly, like water reflecting starlight.
Han Rui hovered over it, his historian's instincts flaring.
Something ancient… hidden.
Something he shouldn't have touched.
"Alright," he muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what kind of myth I just joined."
Meanwhile, far beyond mortal sight—
In a vast hall floating above a sea of clouds, several cultivators sat cross-legged around a glowing jade tablet.
"The Wandering Historian has spoken again," AzureHeavenSword whispered.
"His words were few," murmured the Monk, "yet each carries the Dao."
"Even his silence," SpiritFoxQueen added softly, "is a lesson in itself."
They bowed in unison.
Above them, the jade tablet pulsed once — transmitting the message through dimensions.
Somewhere, deep within the Heavenly Network, a soft voice echoed:
"Connection stable. Mortal consciousness integration: progressing."
Han Rui sneezed.
"Must be dusty," he muttered, completely unaware that immortals were currently debating the meaning of his breakfast advice.