Tasl Madrion's eyes snapped open, wide with disbelief, in the dimly lit room adorned with antique curtains and chandeliers. His sharp intake of breath echoed through the silence, disrupted only by the whispers of an unfamiliar language that surrounded him like an ethereal melody.
"I am not dead!"
The premonition of death had haunted him, yet here he stood—alive and seemingly unharmed. Before his eyes could fully adjust to the ambient light, Tasl began assessing his situation, instinctively evaluating his body for injuries. To his shock, there were none. His body felt rejuvenated as if he had shed years of age.
As he rose from the bed, Tasl noticed the room's opulent decoration, reminiscent of a palace. A surge of unfamiliar power coursed through him, making him feel stronger than ever. The enigmatic whispers persisted, each voice speaking in a different language. Tasl, a master compartmentalizer, attempted to focus on one voice but found it elusive, fading away as he delved into concentration.
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Ignoring the mysterious voices, he directed his attention to the present. The room, lacking any trace of medical instruments or modern technology, baffled him. Determined to unravel the mystery, Tasl decided to seek information from the outside world.
Approaching the imposing door adorned with gemstones, Tasl exerted a considerable amount of power to pry it open. Beyond the threshold, a bustling crowd in traditional attire moved purposefully toward a grand structure resembling a palace.
The air buzzed with conversations in an alien tongue, yet Tasl comprehended every word. Thousands of people congregated, discussing the impending dangers posed by a monster herd attack on the city. Strangely, the atmosphere was charged with excitement rather than fear, as if the imminent threat promised something desirable.
Listening intently, Tasl pieced together the puzzle of this foreign world. Here, people worshipped gods, receiving blessings that bestowed power and hastened their cultivation. However, acquiring these blessings was an exceedingly rare feat; only the city's King had received one in the past millennium.
"Sage Tasl! It is so good to see you walking around. It seems you are much better now."
Startled by the mention of his name, Tasl turned to find a plump figure approaching. With no recollection of the person, he responded with a subtle nod, prompting the stranger, Simmons, to introduce himself as an alchemy master.
"Sage Tasl, congratulations on entering the spirit realization stage. You must be trying to enter the Palace Hall. Let me help you."
As Simmons exerted a subtle power, the crowd parted, creating a path toward the palace. Intrigued and cautious, Tasl embarked on an unexpected journey in this mysterious realm.