Chapter 1: The Wandering Blade

  The sun hung low in the sky, spreading a warm golden light over the empty mountain paths of the Riven Peaks. Among the sharp cliffs and wide valleys, a lone figure moved smoothly, his footsteps quiet against the ground, seemingly unbothered by the troubles of the world. Xu Fengyin, a traveler, was not a man of many words or big dreams. Dressed in a worn robe of dull colors that matched the landscape, he looked like just another drifter lost in the mountains.

  Fengyin's eyes were unfocused, staring into the distance as if he were looking beyond the everyday world to something far away—but really, he just didn't care. The chaos of sect wars, the lure of divine treasures, the wild energy of the cultivation world—they were all uninteresting events on a stage where he had no role. His lips curled into a faint, uninterested smile as he kicked a small stone, watching it roll down the slope.

  "Such small troubles," he muttered to himself, his voice barely reaching the stillness of the mountains.

  On this particular day, Fengyin found himself wandering deeper into the heart of the Riven Peaks than ever before. He had no destination, no reason except to enjoy the peace of nature and the feel of the winds. The delicate scent of blooming moonflowers brushed against him, mixing with the fresh mountain air. Unaware of the hidden dangers of the peaks, he climbed higher, relishing the quiet solitude.

  Reaching a flat spot overlooking the valley below, a sharp wail broke through the stillness, echoing off the stones like a long-lost guardian mourning its home. Startled, Fengyin paused, narrowing his eyes at the eerie yet strangely attractive sound.

  "Maybe it's a stray animal," he thought, turning to walk away, but curiosity pulled at him. He had learned that indifference didn't mean being blind. Against his better instincts, he edged closer to the cliff's edge, searching the rough ground for the source of the noise.

  Instead of an animal, he found something shining—a glowing crystal cocoon hanging among the twisted branches of an old tree. This was no ordinary crystal; Fengyin felt a strange energy coming from within, teasing at his senses. The wailing became a beautiful song that mixed with the mountain winds.

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  "What a strange sight," he whispered, his curiosity now sparking a flicker of interest. The magical light drew him in, encouraging him to take a closer look.

  As he stepped closer to the radiant cocoon, an unexpected warmth wrapped around his heart. This sudden connection was both unsettling and inviting. Fengyin hesitated, torn between his natural indifference and a budding curiosity that threatened to awaken something deep inside.

  "Do you hear me, mortal?" a voice echoed, soft yet strong, mingling with the wailing. Fengyin jumped back, eyes wide.

  "Who's speaking?" he demanded, instinctively putting his hand on the hilt of the Crimson Eclipse, the sword that felt more like a weight than a weapon—a part of his family's past, yet one he had never drawn in anger. It seemed foolish to pull it out against something made of light.

  "I am Lhelir, a being of the stars trapped in this crystal prison," the voice chimed, like the ringing of bells. "I'm cursed but can offer deep knowledge in exchange for my freedom."

  Fengyin raised an eyebrow, doubt creeping into his thoughts. "What wisdom could the stars have that would interest me?"

  "Everything," the voice replied, the energy around the crystal glowing brighter. "The world of cultivation is built on the balance of cosmic forces. You have the power to change that balance. You just have to choose to care."

  The words echoed within him, igniting a small spark of something he hadn't felt in a long time—a deep desire buried beneath layers of indifference. Yet his resolve held tight to its heavy chains.

  "Why should I care? We're just temporary shadows in a chaotic world," Fengyin replied, his voice cold and distant.

  "Because," Lhelir said, the light flashing into a rainbow of colors, "even shadows can shine when they decide to rise. Your path may be unclear, but every step can change your fate."

  Fengyin hesitated, caught between the comfort of indifference and an enticing hint of fate that felt both strange and familiar. He thought of old stories—tales of heroes who fought, weaving their lives into the fabric of the universe.

  With a deep breath, he took a step back and turned away from the glowing cocoon, the familiar rhythm of indifference returning to his stride. "Not today, Lhelir. I'm not the person you're looking for."

  But as the words left his mouth, something stirred deep within him, an awakening he couldn't ignore—a warning of storms to come. As he walked away, the wailing faded into silence, but the song of the stars softly hummed in his ears, marking the start of a journey he had yet to understand.

  Unknown to Xu Fengyin, fate had planted its seeds, and the universe was beginning to weave a story that would reluctantly include a wandering blade with a heart wrapped in indifference. As shadows grew longer and night fell, he felt the stars' pull grow stronger. The Riven Peaks were just the beginning.