Chapter One: The Half of the Stone Book
Smoke still rose from the village ruins, and ash clung to the air as if refusing to leave. Ling Yu sat amidst the ruins, his eyes stony, his hands trembling as he clutched the half of a black stone book, as if it were the last thread connecting him to the world.
The symbols engraved on its surface glowed faintly, as if breathing with his heart. He felt a strange warmth creeping into his palms, and his breath seemed ragged.
"This is no ordinary book... it's a key."
A strange voice muttered in the depths of his consciousness. His throat went dry as he looked around. There was no one there, only the ruins and the sound of the wind.
Suddenly, his memory was pierced by the image of his father screaming in his final moments:
"Yu! Run! One day... you'll find the answer... in the dark!"
His heart trembled. Was this half stone what his father had intended?
That night, as he lay beside the ruins, he dreamed of a vast celestial field, a sea of glowing stars. In its center appeared another half of the stone book, floating around it were nine mysterious women, each with a different aura.
The first had long silver hair and carried a heavenly sword that shone like the moon.
The second wore a blue robe and was surrounded by endless waves.
The third had crimson eyes and fire raged around her body.
The fourth had transparent butterfly wings, her eyes filled with mystery.
The fifth wore golden jewelry and sat on a throne of light.
The sixth had a cold smile, but she held another black book.
The seventh was surrounded by strange vines and flowers.
The eighth wore a black robe and a veil that concealed half of her face.
And the ninth... He could not see her face, but she was the most terrifying, as if she transcended all the others.
As he reached out to touch the missing half of the book, a faint voice echoed in his ear:
"Complete the book... and open the gate... then you will stand among the immortals."
He woke up startled, sweating, the stone book in his hand throbbing with the warmth of a heart.
He was no longer just a homeless boy. He had become the bearer of an ancient secret, one that would attract allies and enemies... and women of different fates, each holding a piece of truth, or a piece of danger.