Then, the last voice of his deceased mother added to his doubt again. Was there another way he could sacrifice himself without losing his life? She had never mentioned anything about him getting revenge for her. Could there be more to this than he understood? Was his stepmother not as vile as he thought? If she wasn't, then why had she rushed to marry his father immediately after his mother's death? His father, who had loved only his mother, the one true empress, had only ever cared for her. But why would his stepmother insist on his demotion, pushing him to sacrifice his life for the world?
Was there something his father didn't know? Had the information been hidden from him? How could he ever have known all of this? The evidence was right in front of him. The incense his mother had taken before and after childbirth all pointed to his stepmother. And the three times he had been sent into battle alone? The evidence also pointed to her. Was she trying to kill him, or was she trying to save him, presenting herself as the kind, caring stepmother, when in truth she might be the cause of his mother's death? He needed someone to clarify this for him, to explain all the confusing pieces he had gathered.
Yet, the more he thought about it, the more it seemed that his stepmother was involved in his mother's death. He had to stop thinking about this for now. The mental strain was unbearable, but then another voice broke through his thoughts.
"Won't you clear this upside-down debris of your chamber, huh?" came the voice of the Stormcatcher Bird.
Xueyin froze. Was the bird speaking to him? The Stormcatcher Bird, with its sharp, almost ominous tone, continued, "Did you know I have the power to check your mind or brain? I can trace where you learned about the man with the incense that turned into a flower."
A chill ran through Xueyin. His hands clenched into fists, his heart beating faster. The bird wasn't just any ordinary creature, he realized. It was something far more powerful. The bird's voice, now tinged with fear, warned, "I would rather self-explode than tell you. It's not the right time for you to know. But I know that the man you turned into a flower is someone very important, someone with a powerful origin. If anyone discovers what you've done, if they find out that he's been turned into a flower by your hands, prepare yourself for a battle—not just any battle, but one you cannot win. Your power, though mighty, is nothing compared to the forces that will come for you."
Xueyin felt a strange sensation in his chest. The Stormcatcher Bird had just given him a glimpse into the gravity of his situation. This was far bigger than he had anticipated. He wasn't just a prodigy in his own world; no, he was a mere guardian, part of something much larger. And the forces against him? They were forces of power and influence that spanned beyond what he could fathom.
The bird spoke again, its voice steady but still cautious. "You need to leave this place. The universe is far larger than you think. You're a prodigy here, yes, but you must ascend to a higher realm to truly understand your place. You are just one piece of a greater puzzle."
The statement hit Xueyin hard. He remembered his mother's voice from the past. Her words were still fresh in his memory: The last voice you need to hear is to travel the universe. This is your destiny, my son, sometimes, the greatest sacrifice is to live, knowing what you must give up."
Xueyin stood still, shaken by the bird's revelation. He had been focused on fulfilling his role as the sacrifice, believing that was the only way forward. But now, the storm of uncertainty was gathering around him. What had his mother really meant? Was he truly just a pawn in a larger game?
The bird suddenly stopped speaking, disappearing into the shadows. Xueyin looked around, but it was gone. He couldn't understand the full meaning of its cryptic warning, but he knew it had struck a chord within him. Something had shifted.
The ruined chamber, once shattered by the thunderstrike, began to restore itself. Xueyin watched in disbelief as the debris lifted, and the room slowly returned to its original state, almost as if the destruction had never happened. His footsteps barely touched the ground as he walked, the air around him thick with spiritual Qi—not just ordinary Qi, but something far more potent. His power, his connection to the elements, was stronger now.
"You did it," a voice called from behind.
Xueyin turned to see the Emperor standing there, his eyes filled with both pride and concern. Xueyin could sense the weight of expectation in his gaze. The Emperor had always seen Xueyin as a tool for something greater, a sacrifice for the people. But now, Xueyin wasn't so sure about his path. His doubts had grown, and they gnawed at him every moment he spent in this place.
"I did," Xueyin replied, his voice low, carrying a sense of finality. He wasn't sure if he had done the right thing or not, but one thing was clear: the journey ahead was going to be far more complicated than he had ever imagined.
Xueyin didn't respond. Instead, he turned and walked toward the door. The weight of his destiny pressed down on him like a thousand stones, but with each step, he felt his power grow, his understanding deepen. The Stormcatcher Bird's warning echoed in his mind, and he knew that the path ahead was not one he could walk alone.
As he left the chamber, the sky above seemed darker than usual, the clouds swirling in an unnatural pattern. Xueyin couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was coming, and that it would test him in ways he couldn't yet comprehend.
This time, Xueyin had to prepare for what was to come. The journey would be long, and the enemies would be many, but his destiny was waiting for him, and no matter the cost, he would face it head-on.