Ethereal Rebirth: Path of the Void Sovereign

They fled under cover of eternal night, wrapped in cloaks woven from threads of time itself—gifts left behind by Fei Yun, whose final words echoed through Jiang Chen’s mind:

"Protect her, Master. She’s more than a child. She’s your lost fate, returned."

The girl, now named Xia Yue, walked silently between Jiang Chen and Ruyan, her silver eyes wide with calm curiosity. She never cried, never laughed—she simply observed.

“She seems… older,” Ruyan murmured.

“She’s born from erased time,” Jiang Chen said. “She’s already seen eternity.”

Pursuit Begins

Three days after leaving Ashfall Cradle, as they passed beneath the shattered cliffs of the Silent Dawn Valley, a divine decree rippled across the sky in golden letters:

"Jiang Chen. Ruyan. You harbor an aberration. Surrender it, or face divine obliteration."

They paused, and Jiang Chen glanced at Xia Yue.

She smiled faintly.

“Are we running again, Papa?”

He knelt, holding her shoulders gently.

“Not forever.”

She nodded.

“Good. I’d like to stay with you longer this time.”

He drew in a slow breath, the air around him pulsing softly with protective aura.

“We run until they can no longer follow.”

First Ambush

Just beyond the valley, as rain fell gently through twilight mist, divine soldiers appeared—sentinels wrapped in celestial armor, each marked with the emblem of the Heavenly Flame Tribunal.

“Hand over the child,” their leader commanded.

Jiang Chen drew his sword—still wooden, yet humming with resonance.

“I lost her once,” he said softly. “Never again.”

Ruyan’s Moonlotus blade appeared at her side, silver flames coiling gently.

The soldiers moved as one, surging forward like stars falling to earth.

Jiang Chen closed his eyes—and let the Void speak.

Part 2: Awakening the Lotus’s Heart

As divine soldiers lunged forward, Jiang Chen stepped calmly into the rain.

He didn’t raise his sword.

He raised his palm—and from his chest, the Void Lotus pulsed.

Not from its petals, but from the new bud at its center.

The bud opened softly, revealing a sphere of black and silver flames, woven with threads of erased timelines.

[Void Lotus Awakening: Erasure’s Requiem]

Space froze.

The divine soldiers paused, caught in midair—not by physical chains, but by forgotten memory. Each soldier blinked, confused.

“Why… are we here?” one muttered, looking down at his sword.

Jiang Chen exhaled slowly. The soldiers stepped back, weapons lowered.

Behind Jiang Chen, Xia Yue watched silently, her silver eyes glowing faintly.

Xia Yue’s Gift

One soldier resisted, shattering the memory-bind, blade slicing downward.

But before Jiang Chen could move, Xia Yue stepped forward, tiny hand raised.

She spoke softly, but her voice resonated through every heart:

“Stop.”

The soldier halted instantly.

He stared at Xia Yue, trembling. His sword fell from his hand.

“You… you bear her voice…”

Ruyan moved quickly to Xia Yue’s side, wary.

The child lowered her hand, unafraid. “Tell them… we do not wish harm.”

The soldier knelt, tears streaming down his face.

“The Heavens… have lied to us…”

Divine Thrones Stir

In the highest realm, the Supreme Divine Thrones—ancient beings who had not stirred for millennia—opened their eyes.

One spoke, voice cold as starless space:

“The child is awake. And she remembers.”

Another replied, calm but worried:

“If the Void Flame blooms fully, our reign ends.”

A third said nothing—only smiled.

Escape into Shadows

Jiang Chen gently lifted Xia Yue into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“Did I do well, Papa?”

He held her tight. “You were perfect.”

Ruyan stood beside them, alert.

“This won’t stop them forever.”

Jiang Chen nodded.

“Then we keep moving… until we find the place where even gods hesitate.”

Part 3: Sanctuary of the Nameless

The sanctuary lay hidden beneath a mountain older than heaven, known only as the Nameless Peak.

Its entrance was veiled by mist, untouched by time or divinity—guarded by runes written in an older tongue than even Jiang Chen remembered.

“How did you know of this place?” Ruyan asked softly.

Jiang Chen paused, looking down at Xia Yue, who was strangely calm in his arms.

“Because it called to me… from within her memories.”

The child smiled gently. “This is home, Papa.”

Within the Mountain

Inside, the walls shimmered with crystal flames—light not of fire, but of pure spirit. Each step resonated, harmonizing with their heartbeats.

In the sanctuary’s center stood an ancient statue—a woman carved from starlight crystal, a half-lotus etched upon her brow, matching Xia Yue’s.

Xia Yue moved forward, touching the statue softly.

“Mama,” she whispered.

Ruyan’s breath caught. “Who was she?”

Jiang Chen stepped closer, placing his hand over Xia Yue’s.

“My first love—the one from my first life. She was erased… just like Xia Yue.”

The Emissary’s Offer

As the statue glowed gently beneath their touch, a voice echoed softly.

An emissary appeared—clad in pure white, eyes deep as eternity. Her aura was neither hostile nor friendly, merely neutral.

“I am from the Court Beyond Stars,” she said. “A realm even divine thrones cannot enter. We watched your struggle. Your bond.”

She looked at Xia Yue gently.

“You hold a child born from erased destiny. Her existence is forbidden. Yet she is our only hope.”

Jiang Chen stood protectively. “What do you mean?”

“She is the prophecy—the one who can break the cycle of divine tyranny… or end creation entirely.”

Silence.

“What do you offer?” Jiang Chen asked finally.

The emissary smiled faintly.

“Sanctuary. Training. Time. Until you are ready to face the heavens directly. But in return, you must promise… when the day comes, you will stand not only for yourselves—but for all who have been forgotten.”

Ruyan glanced at Jiang Chen.

He nodded slowly.

“We accept.”

A New Oath

As the emissary vanished, leaving only peaceful silence behind, Xia Yue took Jiang Chen’s hand, small fingers firm.

“We’ll make the heavens listen,” she whispered.

He smiled gently. “Together.”