Three inner disciples used him to test a forbidden technique.
They forcefully reversed his qi flow.
His meridians ruptured.
He died.
For three breaths.
Inside the darkness, he saw chains coiling around a black star in his dantian.
A voice echoed:
"Do you want power?"
He did not hesitate.
"Yes."
The chains loosened.
He revived.
Something ancient had awakened.