Chapter 72 – The Weight of Memory
The night was still, the air inside the Liu Clan home thick with the scent of incense and faint metallic Qi. Lin Xuan sat cross-legged in his room, eyes closed, his body surrounded by a faint silver halo. Within his sea of consciousness, waves of light rippled through an endless void.
At its center floated a cube, glowing faintly—like a heart that refused to die. Behind it, a tower-shaped structure rose into the darkness, its base buried in mist, its spire reaching for infinity. The tower hummed faintly with a sound that was neither mechanical nor divine… something in between. And then—
A shadow moved. A figure, indistinct, laughing softly in the dark. The voice was warped, almost familiar, like an echo from a wound that never healed. Lin Xuan's mind trembled—and suddenly, memories spilled forth like water through cracked stone.
He stood in a room lit by warm firelight. The smell of herbs filled the air.
A much younger Luo Shuang—still radiant, though weariness clouded her eyes—was tending his wounds. She pressed a damp cloth to his arm and smiled softly.
> "Xuan'er, you're safe with me," she murmured, lifting a spoonful of broth. "You've been asleep for two days. Drink."
Lin Xuan—small, frightened, yet stubborn—looked up at her. His voice quivered.
> "Martial Mother… even with nothing, you gave me everything."
She brushed his hair aside, laughing gently. "Silly child. A mother doesn't give—she just holds what's already hers."
Months passed in a blur of sunlight and sweat. Lin Xuan grew stronger under Liu Ren's guidance.
Ren stood behind him, correcting his posture as they trained. His tone was patient, steady.
> "There's a reason you're stuck at the 1st Layer of Body Refining," Ren said. "Your body's too rigid. But one day, when you break that cage, your will become even stronger than me."
Lin Xuan frowned. "Ren, you really expect me to believe that? I know you're just trying to motivate me."
Ren smirked faintly, crossing his arms. "Then prove me wrong."
Liu Yue was always nearby—barefoot, bright-eyed, her laughter soft as chimes. When Lin Xuan struggled, she'd grasp his hand and smile.
> "Don't worry, Brother Lin. I'll protect you!"
He laughed despite himself. "Protect me? You can barely hold your sword straight."
"Then I'll protect you with words!" she said proudly.
They trained, studied, and stargazed together, lying on the grass under silver skies. One night, half-asleep, Lin Xuan whispered, "Yan'er…"
Liu Yue froze. The name stirred something inside her—something ancient and painful—but she smiled gently.
> "Let's rest, Brother," she whispered, closing her eyes beside him.
His heart felt lighter that night.
Two years passed within the memory.
Lin Xuan, now a youth with sharper eyes and calloused hands, finally broke through to the 4th Layer of Body Refining. A small victory—but for him, it felt monumental.
Luo Shuang clapped her hands, pride glimmering in her gaze.
> "My Xuan'er, growing so fast."
Around that time, Liu Yang was born. His cry filled the house like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
Liu Yue teased, "Now you've got a rival, Brother Lin!"
Lin Xuan grinned, ruffling her hair. "Only if he catches up."
Luo Shuang laughed softly from the doorway, her silver hair glinting faintly. "Be kind to him, both of you. He'll look up to you one day."
The days passed in peace—soft, fragile, and beautiful.
Six years later, Lin Xuan reached the 1st Layer of Qi Gathering. His crimson eyes glowed faintly as he looked toward the stars.
Liu Ren watched from afar, arms crossed, pride hidden beneath his calm expression.
> "You're finding your path, Lin," he said quietly.
Liu Ren had already went with the youth with red-black hair and the face—mirror of Lin Xuan's current self.
The Zhi Clan, old rivals of Liu Ren, struck with fire and steel.
Elders who had once bowed to the Liu banner turned traitor.
The night sky bled crimson as flames devoured the clan grounds.
Luo Shuang fought to protect the children, her silver light burning bright against the chaos. Lin Xuan grabbed his sword, his Qi roaring to life for the first time in true battle.
He cut down one elder, then another—blood spattering across his face. But their strength was too great.
"Run!" Luo Shuang shouted. "Xuan'er, take Yue'er and Yang'er—go!"
He stumbled, trying to reach her. But a blade struck his shoulder, spinning him to the ground. His vision blurred.
In that final moment of fading consciousness, his eyes shifted—black sclera, faint green glow—and an energy not his own burst forth. Two more elders fell before the darkness consumed him.
The last thing he saw was Liu Yue's tearful face, her lips forming words he couldn't hear. Then—nothing.
Lin Xuan jolted awake in the present, his breath ragged. Sweat soaked his robes.
The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed faintly, synchronizing with the cube and tower in his mind.
"Mother… Yue'er… Yang'er…" he whispered. "I couldn't protect you then. I will now."
He dove deeper into his consciousness. The cube glowed brighter, revealing fragments—Ren's silhouette, the red-black-haired youth, and the stone tablet carved with the words:
> "Your fate is heavier than mine."
The phrase echoed until it fused with his heartbeat.
When Lin Xuan opened his eyes again, they were black, faintly glowing white at the center—their true form restored.
He called Luo Shuang, Liu Yue, and Liu Yang to the courtyard.
His tone was calm, but something deeper—final—hid beneath it.
> "I'm going to train in the forest," he said. "I won't return for a few years."
Luo Shuang's eyes widened. "Xuan'er—"
He raised his hand. Four crimson rings floated in his palm, crackling with faint red lightning. He handed one to each of them.
> "These rings will glow when another is near. If one of us is in danger—the others will feel it."
He turned to Liu Yang, whose hands clenched tightly around his own ring.
> "Inside yours, there are weights, herbs, and one hundred stone tablets. Each tablet is as heavy as the world itself. Break them—without Qi. Seal your cultivation. Make your body your weapon."
Liu Yang swallowed hard. "Without Qi?"
"Without anything but your will," Lin Xuan said. "Start with the Hundred Heaven-Pressing Stances—feel the weight of the world beneath your palms. Then move to the Hundred Dragon-Coiling Cores—forge your dantian's muscles even if Qi refuses to flow."
His voice was steady, eyes sharp.
> "Then the Hundred Earth-Supporting Pillars—let your legs be mountains. The Hundred Sky-Reaching Claws—reach until your bones scream. Finally, Ten Li Chasing the Morning Sun—run until your breath becomes your will."
He paused, gaze softening.
> "Once you master that… double it. Then double it again. Push past every limit I gave you."
Liu Yang nodded, trembling but determined.
Lin Xuan placed a hand on his shoulder. "I've given you every technique I know. Train hard. Protect Yue'er. Protect Mother."
He turned to Liu Yue next.
> "Junior Sister. Inside your ring are sealing formations, martial scripts, and alchemy recipes. Use them to strengthen our people."
Then he faced Luo Shuang, voice softening.
> "Mother… yours holds rare herbs and ancient recipes. Use them for healing."
She smiled faintly, her eyes glistening. "Thank you, Xuan'er. Looks like your eyes have returned to what they once were."
Lin Xuan nodded. "Yes. Those crimson eyes only weakened me. Ren sealed them because I couldn't control my strength back then. But now…"
His black-white gaze glowed faintly. "…Now I can."
After everything he'd remembered, Lin Xuan knew one truth — he had become too comfortable.
That night, he sealed his cultivation completely.
"Liu Yang," he said, voice quiet. "Hit me."
The boy froze. "What?"
"Hit me," Lin Xuan repeated. "Until I say stop. This is for body endurance."
Though hesitant, Liu Yang obeyed. The first strike landed weakly. Lin Xuan didn't move.
"Harder."
Blow after blow followed. Lin Xuan's body cracked, bruised, bled—yet each wound glowed faintly before sealing shut. His breath stayed steady, his jaw locked.
"Keep going," he whispered.
When he finally collapsed, his face pale and body trembling, Liu Yang panicked. He knelt beside his brother, eyes wide with fear.
But then—Lin Xuan's lips curved faintly, even in unconsciousness.
> "Good… that's it."
The forest wind howled outside, carrying the scent of blood, sweat, and rain.
The Liu Clan slept, unaware that a silent vow had been reborn—
and that beneath the quiet of night, a storm of destiny had begun to move once more.