Chapter 2: A Fateful Encounter

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Faybrook, Yan Sen's mother, Lady Meilan, tended to her son's bruises with a mix of concern and pride. Her voice carried a hint of anger as she recounted the day's events. "I can't believe that Guan Wei! His family's arrogance is insufferable! The nerve of them to bully innocent children!"

Yan Sen grinned sheepishly, trying to ease his mother's frustration. "Don't worry, Mother. Li Wei and I gave them a good fight, one of them even fell on a horse poop."

"You are brave, my son," Lady Meilan said, wiping away a smudge of dirt from Yan Sen's cheek. "But you shouldn't have to deal with such trouble at your young age."

The close servant, Lao Chun, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, young master. Those Western General's children are nothing but troublemakers."

As they enjoyed their meal together, laughter and warmth filled the room, momentarily dispelling the tension that had hung in the air earlier. However, as night fell, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Yan Sen suddenly lost consciousness, foam forming at his mouth.

Panic spread among those present, and they hurriedly summoned the city's best doctor, Dr. Xun, renowned for his expertise in healing and diagnostics. Dr. Xun arrived swiftly, his eyes serious and focused.

After examining Yan Sen, Dr. Xun furrowed his brows. "Physically, Yan Sen is fine, but his symptoms indicate that his soul has suffered a tremendous shock."

Lady Meilan's eyes widened with worry. "His soul? How can that be?"

The doctor shook his head, "It's rare for someone so young to experience soul-related issues. I've only seen something like this once before in the imperial capital, and it was due to a soul attack."

Anger flared within Lady Meilan as she connected the dots. "You mean to say someone attacked his soul during the fight?"

Dr. Xun hesitated, "It's possible, but I cannot be certain. This kind of attack is beyond my expertise. I can only do my best to treat the symptoms."

Fury burned in Lady Meilan's eyes, "If it was that arrogant Guan Wei, I swear I'll make his father pay for this!"

Dr. Xun said “ It can’t be him, only those who are above the Soul Formation stage can use soul attack.” He then prescribed medicine that might aid in Yan Sen's soul recovery, but he remained cautious. "I'm afraid it's a precarious situation. Yan Sen may recover, but he could also slip into a coma or worse. All we can do now is hope and pray."

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With determination, Lady Meilan asked Lao Chun to deliver a message to her husband, the Northern General, about their son's condition.

Meanwhile, deep within Yan Sen's soul, an unexpected voice echoed—a voice full of cosmic wisdom. "Ah, there you are, Yan Sen," the Time Sovereign's voice reverberated.

Yan Sen looked around, trying to comprehend the ethereal realm he found himself in. "Who are you? Where am I?"

The Time Sovereign appeared before him, an enigmatic figure surrounded by the cosmic tapestry of the universe. "I am the Time Sovereign. You, my young friend, have been chosen for a momentous task—one that could affect countless worlds."

Yan Sen's eyes widened with amazement and curiosity. "Chosen for what?"

The Time Sovereign's voice took on a teasing tone, "You see, I hold a great responsibility—the Chrono Orb, a powerful artifact that can manipulate time. And it must be protected from those who would misuse its cosmic power."

Yan Sen blinked, trying to grasp the enormity of the situation. "And you want me to protect it?"

The Time Sovereign chuckled, "Indeed, I see something in you, Yan Sen. A hero's heart wrapped in laughter and courage. But before you make a choice, you should know—your path will be filled with challenges and formidable foes."

Yan Sen took a deep breath, his heart racing. "I'm just a kid. How can I handle something like this?"

The Time Sovereign's demeanor softened, "I see your fear, but within you lies a spirit of unparalleled luck and extraordinary potential. With my guidance, even the most untalented soul could become a cosmic legend."

Yan Sen couldn't help but laugh nervously. "A cosmic legend? That sounds like quite the adventure."

The Time Sovereign grinned, "Adventure indeed! So, young one, will you shoulder this great responsibility?"

Yan Sen hesitated for a moment, the weight of the decision before him. "I may be scared, but I can't turn my back on something so important. I'll do it!"

The Time Sovereign's eyes sparkled with approval, "Excellent! Together, we shall weave a tapestry of destiny across the cosmos."

As their conversation continued, the Time Sovereign informed Yan Sen of his situation. His soul wasn’t attacked but because Chrono Orb suddenly get inside his uncultivated Niwan Palace, so he suffered a soul injury.

Meanwhile, in the waking world, Yan Sen's condition remained precarious, as Lady Meilan and Lao Chun waited anxiously for any signs of improvement.

And so, as night stretched into dawn, Yan Sen's soul embarked on an extraordinary journey—a path filled with laughter, courage, and the weight of cosmic responsibility.

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Niwan Palace- located in the center of the head. It is where the soul is residing. Cultivation practices and training may involve techniques to awaken, activate, and refine the Niwan Palace, allowing the cultivator to access greater levels of spiritual awareness, energy manipulation, and mental clarity.