The path ahead unfolded into a tapestry of new discoveries, and before me rose a majestic castle outlined against the hues of the horizon. Its unique architecture invited curiosity, a singular expression that contrasted with everything I knew. The style of the buildings, a blend of grandeur and serenity, emitted an aura that transcended the ordinary, suggesting a deeper purpose.
As we approached, I noticed that this was no ordinary fortress but something resembling a temple in its grandeur. The castle stood tall, imposing, enveloped in a mystical atmosphere that seemed to pulsate with the very essence of the place. Everyone around wore similar cloaks, a uniformity that transcended fashion, implying unity among those who dwelled there.
Our group's arrival did not go unnoticed. A murmur of voices gave way to a reverent silence as something extraordinary unfolded before my eyes. A figure, young and agile, soared through the sky in my direction. Unlike the Purple Jackets of New Eden, this person defied gravity without the need for any mechanical device. The flight was a graceful dance, a manifestation of harmony between being and environment.
The onlookers below, dressed in their peculiar cloaks, watched with admiration and respect. The young person, with dark cascading hair, appeared to be between 20 to 25 years old. A large ponytail swayed with the breeze that swept through the place as he conversed with the elder Liu Xing, a dialogue unfolding in a language unfamiliar to my ears.
While voices resonated in a dialogue I didn't fully comprehend, I remained with crossed arms, exploring the capabilities of the mist that surrounded me. With a casual gesture, I dissipated my fingers into the mist, playing with the fluidity between tangible and ethereal states. The sensation was strange and fascinating at the same time.
I experimented with the versatility of the mist, trying to shape it into forms beyond the conventional. Amid attempts, something unexpected happened. In trying to create something more complex, an extra finger emerged, disrupting the harmony of my hand. A small accidental manifestation that made me raise an eyebrow, surprised by the peculiarity of the phenomenon.
I quickly shook my hand to undo the improvisation, watching as the mist dissipated, and my fingers returned to their normal shape. A brief slip between physical reality and the volatile nature of the mist, a constant reminder that my power, as controlled as it seemed, still contained an unpredictable and intriguing dimension. While conversations flowed around me, I continued to explore the boundaries of what the mist could offer.
A deep sigh escaped my lips, echoing my contemplative state as I glanced at my own hand, shrouded in the mist that defined me. Shu Yan, attentive to the nuances of the conversation she didn't fully understand, broke the silence with her translated words.
"Liu Xing. Sun Hao. Wish. Talk. Only. With. You," she announced, fixing her eyes on me after deciphering Elder Liu Xing's messages.
My expression took on an inquisitive curiosity. "And how will they talk with me?" I asked, shifting my gaze to Liu Xing and Sun Hao, who seemed eager for the response.
Sun Hao, the young man, began a sequence of gestures, taking a scroll from his small bag. The scene had its own elegance, a choreography denoting intrinsic skill. He began to speak, his words flowing from his mouth in a way that was understandable to me. "I've been informed that your language is the same as the language of the heavens, right?" his voice was clear, challenging the language barrier between us.
Surprise drew on my face as I responded in agreement, "You too? That implies my language is widely known here." The realization of this extensive knowledge about my language cast a veil of perplexity over the situation.
Sun Hao, in a gesture of transparency, explained the mechanism behind the communication. "I don't speak your language; I'm just using this scroll to translate what we say," he turned the scroll in my direction, revealing shining characters that I couldn't decipher but somehow enabled our communication.
"Damn, this is something really cool, like the translator in my holocube." My hand reflexively touched my face as I contemplated the scroll, a marvel of luminous simplicity before me.
"So there's no need for Shu Yan?" I inquired, turning my attention back to her.
"She knows about your language, so she can speak, but we need to talk with you alone. We can't involve Outer Circle apprentices," Sun Hao replied, carefully rolling up the scroll. The understanding of the need for privacy in this dialogue between worlds unfolded before me as the light on the scroll dimmed, temporarily ending Shu Yan's role as a translator.
With a resigned shrug, I released a deep sigh before joining Sun Hao and Liu Xing. Every step we took was accompanied by curious looks from the other students, their voices interwoven in a distant and unintelligible murmur to my ears. I chose to ignore the indistinct words, closing my eyes to isolate myself from the constant hum of voices around us.
We walked for about ten minutes, penetrating deeper into the grand structure. The temple unfolded before us, revealing various areas and intricate corridors. The beauty and harmony that permeated the place were extraordinary, a testament to the meticulous care given to that sanctuary. Every detail was a work of art, from the delicate sculptures adorning the walls to the carefully cultivated gardens that extended around.
The curious glances of other students accompanied us, but I was absorbed in the sight ahead. Those landscapes were a visual testament to the distinction between their realities and mine. The acceptance of this truth solidified with each step, and I found myself immersed in the grandeur and uniqueness of that temple, which, to me, was like a window to a previously unknown world.
The temple stretched majestically before us, its imposing structures echoing an architecture that transcended the ordinary. Corridors intertwined, revealing spaces that inspired reverence. Cleanliness and order reigned supreme, indicating an unwavering dedication to the maintenance of this sacred place.
Along the way, each detail became its own narrative. Skillfully carved sculptures portrayed ancient stories, hand-painted murals told legends, and the architecture itself seemed to breathe the essence of a rich and intricate culture. The gardens, an oasis of serenity, exhaled the perfume of meticulously cultivated flowers, and the sight of students practicing martial arts in open courtyards was a spectacle of skill and grace.
Amidst such grandeur, I was immersed in the experience, capturing every detail with curious eyes and a sense of humility in the face of the beauty unfolding around me. This was not just a place of learning; it was a living testament to a rich culture, something I was beginning to understand more deeply with each step in that extraordinary temple.
Sun Hao's confident step slowed, signaling the end of our journey so far. Before us, a monumental door opened, revealing a new setting filled with symbolism and meaning. While Liu Xing and Sun Hao respectfully bowed their heads, I perceived the gravity of the moment for them. However, my mind was entwined in a web of thoughts, reviewing every step that brought us to this point. Despite the serenity my expression maintained, my eyes, scanning the surroundings, sought escape routes, aware that I had ended one of their lives.
Before crossing the threshold of the majestic room before us, I released my mist, allowing it to rise to the ceiling like a fluid shadow. A deep sigh escaped my lips, as if this act could dissipate some of the tension weighing on my shoulders. I watched Sun Hao close the imposing door behind us, isolating us from the outside world.
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"Patriarch, this humble disciple has brought the Fallen from Heaven," announced Liu Xing, his words reverberating in the space and echoing the title assigned to me. "Fallen from Heaven" – a designation that carried the weight of a past I tried desperately to forget.
The room we were now entering was an ode to grandeur and tradition. Its meticulously crafted architectural details reflected the cultural and historical richness of that unique place. My eyes captured the magnitude of the sculptures adorning the walls, telling ancient stories in eloquent silence. Intricate paintings and richly colored murals revealed legends and myths, while the temple's structure itself exuded an aura of veneration.
The tension in the air was palpable as Liu Xing, with a reverence denoting respect and deference, introduced me as the "Fallen from Heaven." The title reverberated, echoing like a sentence accompanying each of my steps. Within the imposing room, I was an intruder, a being carrying the duality of a mysterious past and an uncertain present.
What appeared to be the patriarch emitted a noise that resonated throughout the room, a presence obscured by a hidden force that prevented my direct sight. This caused an unsettling discomfort, fueled by the mystery surrounding the prominent figure leading that enclave. The room, arranged like an amphitheater, accommodated about six men in strategic positions, all watching me with an impenetrable expression. The atmosphere carried a palpable tension, and an involuntary sigh escaped my lips as I tried to discern the details of this enigmatic encounter.
Deciding to investigate further, I began to dissolve one of my eyes, moving it in the direction where the vision would become clearer. The revelation was surprising: an invisible force deliberately concealed the true appearance of the patriarch and his advisors. This revelation, both fascinating and disturbing, added an additional layer of complexity to the environment.
As I returned my gaze to the original location, I was suddenly brought back to reality when my name was mentioned. "...His abilities involve the mist, the same we can see in the sky. He commands the clouds as if they were a part of him, and even after killing Zhang Jie, I proposed giving him a temporary place in exchange for him teaching his skills," explained Liu Xing, referring to my confrontation with Zhang Jie. The mention of this specific episode made my body tense, ready to act quickly and dissolve into smoke at any sign of imminent threat.
A murmur of voices filled the room as the patriarch remained shrouded in a sphere of mystery, his hidden presence feeding a growing discomfort. The arrangement of the elders in elevated chairs resembled a celestial council, each member appearing as an enigmatic and imposing figure. As one of them spoke about me, I could feel the penetrating gazes of the counselors, their eyes seeming to probe my essence.
"Like the clouds? So, the young man in front of me is the celestial event that fell upon our demon province?" inquired one of the elders, his voice echoing like thunder in the chamber. "The council debated the possibility of it being an attack from the humans."
This revelation, about me being a "celestial event," reverberated in my mind like a distant echo, resonating between the walls of the monumental room. The words "attack from the humans" echoed back, raising doubts and uncertainties. The idea of a "Demon Province" hung in the air, casting shadows over the nature of that place and its inhabitants.
"Yes, I saw him born from the mouth of the fire mountain, his twenty wings of black flame bathed in lava, and his body being reconstructed like a sword being forged," reported Liu Xing, remaining bowed, a gesture of respect reflecting the grandiosity of the celestial event he described.
The vivid description of my supposed origin drew extraordinary images in my mind. The fire mountain, the wings of black flame, and the reconstruction of my body like a forged sword were elements that transcended human understanding. As Liu Xing spoke, I found myself caught between two realities, trying to reconcile the celestial narrative with my personal experience.
Silence hung in the room for a moment, and I could feel the weight of expectations upon me. It was as if my destiny was intrinsically intertwined with this celestial event, a piece of a cosmic puzzle that I couldn't fully decipher yet.
In the face of the grandeur of that council, my next step became more crucial than ever. Every word spoken and every move could shape the course of my relationship with the inhabitants of this enigmatic province. I, the Fallen from Heaven, faced a dilemma that transcended the barrier between the divine and the human.
The whirlwind of thoughts in my mind took on cosmic proportions, each idea dancing in a complex choreography. Aidan Winters, the exile, became a distant reminiscence as, before the celestial council, I adopted the imposing persona of a "Celestial Event" – the Fallen from Heaven, a figure destined to shape the fate of the inhabitants of this mysterious plane.
A laugh echoed through the grand chamber, a newfound confidence that reverberated among the imposing pillars. In determined steps, I advanced, facing the elders with resolute eyes, my gestures laden with a newly-found gravity.
"Who are you?" my voice resonated, a proclamation that echoed like thunder in the corners of the monumental chamber. "I require only the leader. What you witnessed was my arrival in this plane. I have been sent by the Creators with a higher purpose..." My words flowed with an authority that seemed to emanate from an ancestral force. "To prepare the people destined to ascend to the heavens. I have been chosen to lead the promised people to celestial elevation," I declared, sustaining my gaze with magnetic intensity. "However, the rest can only be discussed with your leader."
The atmosphere in the room hovered between disbelief and surprise as the elders exchanged perplexed looks at the celestial narrative I was weaving. I had lifted the curtains of a story that would transcend truth, casting myself as a divine entity with a cosmic purpose. However, the tense silence awaited the council's reaction, an imminent test for my performance.
The details of the room, once underestimated, now stood out – the pillars carved with enigmatic symbols, the ornate carpets that adorned the floor, and the luminaires that cast an ethereal light over the scene. Shadows danced in response to my declaration, lending a solemn air to the room.
"Celestial Event..." murmured one of the elders, his words hanging in the air like a mantra. "Have our prayers been heard?"
In the face of such incredulity, I maintained my posture, patiently awaiting the council's reaction. It was the beginning of a narrative that would shape not only my destiny but the destiny of all those who now watched me with inquisitive eyes.
A subtle smile played on my lips, and with a snap of my fingers, the mist surrounding me transformed into celestial attire, mimicking the elegance of Evelyn Blackwell, my executor. As I walked, the attire gained sharper contours, radiating a divine aura that filled the room with its ethereal light.
"I am willing to share knowledge about my abilities, but know that there is a price to be paid," I spoke, gracefully moving, outlining my demands. "But do not worry; what I need is the best among you and also the translator. I am curious about your language, and I want her to teach me," I declared, expressing my desire for Shu Yan's continued presence. There was a unique affinity in the connection with the one who served as my translator.
"The other necessary conditions can be discussed with your leader," I continued, my gaze sweeping across each face in the room. The negotiation was set, the cards on the table, as I awaited a response from the celestial council. The attire, now perfectly aligned with the celestial image I wished to convey, added a touch of grandeur to my presence, further elevating the atmosphere in the solemn chamber.
I walked toward Liu Xing, my piercing gaze meeting his, and continued speaking with deliberate cadence. "I wish to establish a productive partnership with your sect. You may play a vital role in fulfilling the purpose the Creators destined for me." The words resonated in the room, laden with a mysterious promise and an unfolding future yet to be unveiled.
The room was saturated with the tension of a celestial negotiation, and I stood at the epicenter, awaiting the council's response and observing the elders exchange looks filled with consideration.
A deep sigh echoed from my lips as I returned to my initial position, my gaze fixed on the central elder who, with impressive majesty, rose from the ground and floated toward me. Sun Hao and Liu Xing bowed even deeper, showing profound respect in the presence of the venerable figure.
The elder, towering at almost 6'3", addressed me with a solemn voice, his question hanging in the air like a divine decree: "How did you kill Zhang Jie?" This inquiry reverberated with unquestionable seriousness, and I had meticulously crafted the narrative in my mind before responding.
"Do you want an explanation or a demonstration?" My words, imbued with the superiority of one with divine mastery, were followed by indignant murmurs from other elders, promptly silenced by the leader's authority.
"Show me," commanded the elder, and his voice resonated like distant thunder.
"Certainly." I remained motionless before him, unleashing the manifestation of my mist that began to rise from my feet, winding through the air until it infiltrated the elder's body. I saw the dilation of his pupils, witnessing the ethereal invasion. My fingers, like fluid shadows, enveloped his heart, and the elder's expression reflected surprise and awe.
"Do I need to continue?" My question hung in the air, accompanied by an ironic smile playing on my lips. I extended my hand, mimicking the mist that now surrounded the elder's heart, a visual representation of my influence over the pulsating life essence before him. The scene was a vivid demonstration of my strength and control, a spectacle for those witnessing the interaction between the celestial and the earthly.
The room fell into a solemn silence, the gazes of the other elders watching the scene with a mix of disbelief and respect. The atmosphere, dense and charged with energy, witnessed the transcendence of the moment. The central elder, despite being surprised, quickly regained his composure, rising like a majestic figure on the elevated throne. His expression, initially marked by surprise, softened, emitting a vibe of approval with a subtle nod.
"That's enough, Fallen from the Sky. Withdraw, and we will discuss the conditions of your stay here and the sharing of knowledge." The elder's voice echoed through the room, authoritative and melodic at the same time, indicating that I could conclude the presentation of my ability.
With a courteous smile, I made a deep bow, showing respect for the established protocol. I manifested my body out of the room, using the mist I had left in the corridors beforehand. As I moved through the passages adorned with sacred symbols and elaborate tapestries, the grandeur and tradition of the sect revealed themselves in every detail. The walls, witnesses to countless events and rituals, seemed to echo ancestral murmurs.
With caution, I explored the corners of the place, observing every detail of the imposing architecture that echoed the venerable past of the sect. With each step, I absorbed the unique atmosphere of that place, awaiting the outcome of the meeting that would inevitably shape my destiny in that mysterious realm.