"Finally, you found me, Jian Wu," the dragon said with a chilling smile.

Jian Wu stood frozen, his mind blank and his voice lost. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing—a dragon, a creature of legend, towering before him. Its aura was overwhelming, cold and suffocating, as if it could tear his very soul apart.

The dragon stared at him, unblinking, its golden eyes fixed on his trembling form. Without rushing, it repeated in a calm, deliberate tone, "Finally, you found me, Jian Wu."

This time, its voice carried an even deeper coldness. The dragon's unfeeling eyes studied Jian Wu's face, taking in every trace of his fear.

Jian Wu, snapping out of his daze, immediately lowered his head in respect. "Forgive me, my lord," he stammered. "I’ve been trapped in this void of darkness and nothingness for what feels like eternity. I meant no disrespect—I simply didn’t know what to say."

"There’s no need to speak so formally," the dragon replied, its tone oddly amused. Then, after a brief pause, it added, "…So, to you, this place is nothing but darkness and loneliness?"

Jian Wu hesitated, his voice unsteady. "Yes, my lord. But... What do you mean? Is this abyss my doing?"

Dragon didn't answer directly. Then, his deadly cold voice cut the silence slowly.

"For those who waste their lives, there is no escape, Jian Wu. They simply vanish into the void. Your life was hollow, empty—and so is your death. "

The dragon’s words pierced him to the core. Jian Wu finally understood. All this time, he had questioned why he had been condemned to this darkness. Now, the answer was painfully clear. He had squandered his life as a coward, and this endless void was the punishment he deserved.

"Everyone wishes for a second chance," the dragon continued, its voice resonating with authority. "But very few are worthy of it. I’ve come to offer you that chance."

Jian Wu’s heart skipped a beat. "A second chance?" he asked, his voice trembling with equal parts hope and disbelief. His heart thundered in his chest. He had wished for this with every ounce of his being in his final moments, but he had never dared to believe it could come true.

The dragon came closer, its massive form radiating an ancient, boundless power. "I saw your final moments, Jian Wu. You lived as a coward, but you did not die with a coward’s heart. In those last breaths, you proved that your life could have meaning. And now, I have a question for you."

The dragon’s tone turned icy, its gaze piercing Jian Wu’s very soul.

"If you could return to the world and start again, what would you do?"

Jian Wu closed his eyes as a flood of emotions overwhelmed him. He felt again the bitter regret of his final moments.

"I will live as a warrior," he declared, his voice steady and sincere. "Even if it’s painful, even if it ends in death, I will live without fear and without regrets."

The dragon let out a booming laugh, a mixture of amusement, madness. It echoed in the void, shaking Jian Wu to his core.

After a moment, the dragon reached out with its massive claws, gripping Jian Wu tightly and drawing him closer. Its fiery gaze bore into him.

"Then tell me, Jian Wu," the dragon said, its voice a deadly whisper. "Are you ready to begin again and fulfill the words you’ve just spoken?"

Jian Wu’s breath caught in his throat. Was this really happening? Could it be real? His voice quivered with excitement and desperation as he replied,

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"My lord, how is that possible? I’m trapped in this void!"

"Do not worry," the dragon said calmly. "I possess the power to free you and return you to life. But there is a price."

Jian Wu's heart raced. To escape from this abyss, he would pay any price. "Please, my lord," he said, his voice filled with urgency, "name your terms. If I have one more chance, if this is possible, I am willing to pay any price for it."

The dragon paused, its gaze sharp

"To give you a second chance, I must sacrifice my own existence. I will fade into this void, becoming nothing."

Jian Wu froze, stunned by the weight of the dragon’s words.

"But," the dragon continued, its voice hardening, "in return, I ask only one thing. You will destroy the three sacred families. Not a single one of their members must survive."

The dragon’s eyes narrowed as it studied Jian Wu.

"Once you’ve completed this task, our agreement will end, and you will be free to do as you wish."

Jian Wu took a deep breath and asked, “Why would you sacrifice yourself just to send me back? And why me? The Three Sacred Families are the strongest forces in this world. In my previous life, I wasn’t even worthy to serve them as a lowly servant. How could I ever hope to destroy them? Wouldn’t it be easier for you to return and exact vengeance yourself if you have the power to send me back?”

The dragon’s massive form remained still as its cold, rumbling voice echoed in the void. "You are a weak and powerless human soul. I, on the other hand, am a dragon. The difference between us is as vast as heaven and earth. Even sending you back will consume all of my power, and as a result, I will cease to exist. Bringing a soul as powerful as mine back to life is impossible."

The dragon paused for a second. “As for the Three Sacred Families, I know their power. What they possess now is nothing but a shadow of what they once were during my time. However, it is still enough for them to dominate the mortal realm. With the strength you had in your past life, you wouldn’t be able to harm them.”

Jian Wu was overwhelmed. The sheer gravity of the dragon’s words made him feel as though he were still dreaming—or perhaps trapped in a nightmare. If he was so weak, why did the dragon still want him to accomplish such an impossible task?

“Then how can I possibly fight them?” Jian Wu asked, his voice trembling. “What will happen if I fail? And… why do you hate the Three Sacred Families so much?”

The dragon's chilling laughter filled the void, a sound that seemed to shake Jian Wu’s very soul. When it finally stopped, the dragon's cold gaze locked onto him.

“I will give you a drop of my blood,” the dragon declared. “You will inherit my legacy in the mortal world.” It chuckled darkly once more, its laughter as cold as death itself. “Let us see whose legacy is greater—mine or the Three Sacred Families’. Let us see whose heir will prevail. Let us see who will win in the end, you so-called Sacred Families.”

It was as if the dragon were lost in thought, speaking not to Jian Wu but to the ghosts of its memories.

After a moment, it spoke with finality. “As for my hatred toward them, there is no time to tell you the full story. But if you succeed in your mission, you will find out. If you fail, your soul will be cast into a torment even this void cannot match.”

There was no hesitation, no doubt. Whatever the cost, he was ready to pay it.

“I, Jian Wu, accept this,” he declared, his voice resolute. “I will honor this deal, live a life to inherit your legacy. I will prove myself worthy, taking your vengeance…” He paused, his eyes blazing with determination as he finished. “—and claiming my own.”

“Good, young Jian Wu. I, too, accept this deal and announce you as my successor.”

Without waiting for a response, the dragon’s massive claw reached toward Jian Wu’s chest. The claw tore through him effortlessly, despite him being a soul in this void. Jian Wu knew he was already dead, yet the searing pain that erupted was more excruciating than anything he had felt in life.

The agony was indescribable, as though his very essence was being ripped apart. His chest burned as if molten fire coursed through him, and he felt his heart being torn open. The pain spread, consuming not just his body but his soul. For a fleeting moment, relief came—cool and soothing, like water on a scorching wound. But this reprieve was short-lived, replaced by an even more intense, fiery torment.

The fire wasn’t just in his body. It reached into his mind, his soul, and his very existence. It was as though the flame sought to purge every weakness, every flaw, leaving behind only raw potential and unyielding strength.

Just as Jian Wu thought he couldn’t bear it anymore, his vision blurred. The last thing he saw was the dragon’s massive form beginning to crack. Blinding white light seeped through the fissures in its scales, illuminating the void.

The last sound he heard was the dragon’s maniacal laughter echoing through the darkness. Then, there was silence.