Euphoria: The Soul Transcended Through Space and Time

Chapter 5: Wang Nian Zhen

The skies were foggy and the downpour of snow was unstoppable when a sonorous lightning struck upon a specific tree burning it into crisp. This phenomenon shook the nearby villages and towns, as there were no signs of storm or calamity approaching. In the beautiful scenery of the Blanc Mountain, where everything was graced by snow— a lightning that strong was briefly written on the skies, it was vivid and almost every townsfolk that was outside saw it which inevitably shaken them.

Everyone panicked and entered their homes in fear that the ghosts whom heard the loud sound will go in rampage. This part of the empire was where the reinforcements of the government was least deployed; thus resulting to the appearance of many ghosts and physical monsters. These ghosts are either vengeful spirits or cultivators whom succumbed into demonic sinister arts, and the latter was the dangerous amongst them.

On the contrary, the monsters were the result of the power of these ghosts. From clays to tombstones, these demonic cultivators would create different puppets and give them their own will and senses. Until today, no one really knows why the townsfolk were spared and why these creatures do not attack even at night.

A screaming was heard, yet it didn’t sound agonizing but rather full of worry. One of the farmers were running back to the village and shouted in terror: “Help! Someone was struck by the lightning!”

This changed the minds of the townsfolk, if the lightning occured and struck a specific person, it means the cause was due to the person’s cultivation and not because of the heaven’s punishment toward the lands. The chieftain whom immediately reacted, opened his door forcefully to an extent of shooking his house, and he shouted: “Where?!”

“I-In the forests!” The farmer was filled with terror and worry as he replied while pointing his forefinger upon the direction. The chieftain immediately grabbed his club before closing the door of his house again, that cracked some of its wooden foundations. Some of the villagers stayed behind and watched over the children, for the situation was still uncertain.

Even though the chieftain is the oldest among them, his cultivation and body strengthening was one of a kind thus they didn’t question him going to the forests along with the other male villagers. Each of their step plunged on the thick pile of snow causing for them to take a hint that they were getting farther. The chieftain, was wearing enough thick clothes made from the mane of multiple foxes and bears, with his physique he can withstand the painful cold.

“How and where did you see this person?” The chieftain asked in a hurrying manner underneath the loud whistling of the pouring snow, “I, I, I saw him on the top of the burnt tree!” The farmer couldn’t finish his sentence after they saw the figure of a small man. “He’s— there!” Just like how he described it, the young man was in the middle of the burnt tree that was destroyed in half causing for its sides to fall on both directions.

When the chieftain roamed his gaze, he saw that the other trees were burnt to crisp aside from the tree where the young man was. Certain to save his life, the chieftain commanded: “Take him back to the village toward the healer and cover him with blankets!”

The other villagers immediately moved him, and there he saw the entirety of the tree— it was as if something fell that reduced it to this state. The chieftain couldn’t help but look above and saw a light passing through the impenetrable thick clouds of the skies, and he muttered in daze: “Don’t tell me he fell from the sky?”

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The villagers were standing outside the healer’s hut when Wang Nianzhen slowly opened his eyes, he was full of charcoal and wounds but the most severe was the wound on his side. When she noticed the young man is awake, the healer turned around from preparing herbs and asked: “You’re already awake? I just finished treating your severe wounds.”

Wang Nianzhen closed his eyes firmly as the ringing sound inhabited his ears. He asked despite of the pain: “W-Where am I?” The healer gazed at the villagers outside who was also watching the young man’s movements. “You’re in the Wei Tribe.” She uttered which made Wang Nianzhen flinch.

“W-Wei Tribe?” His forehead creased before his eyebrows furrowed, he gazed at the wound on his side that was now wrapped with bandages. He remember falling from the sky and it was so fast that he couldn’t even remember anything aside from the loud noise of his fall, akin to thunder. Remembering the being that was in charge of his going back in time, Wang Nianzhen bit his lower lip in annoyance and irritation, he clenched his hand as he forced himself to consume the emotions he’s having. Due to this, his wounds ached causing for him to groan.

Shaking her head, the healer uttered: “I’m Wei Zhangnen, the healer and physician of the Wei Tribe. I will be in charge of your well-being here as the chieftain commanded.” Wei Zhang Nen was the youngest healer that the Wei Tribe ever recorded, after the passing of the previous healer— she immediately took over and flawlessly fulfilled her responsibilities.

Even though he has many questions, Wang Nianzhen remained silent beneath his breath. By the things are now, he will most likely not survive if he refuse their help. “W-What happened?” It didn’t even take a minute before the young man asked a question, which made the maiden smile for awhile.

“You were found in a burnt tree with these injuries by Farmer Hwang.” She said before treating the wounds on Wang Nianzhen’s arm. “What cultivation and martial arts were you practicing to the extent of calling the heavens?” Wei Zhangnen asked causing for Wang Nianzhen to avert his head.

They thought it was a mere cultivation? He looked at his ruined clothes and luckily, only the outer robe was torn by his fall— this time he commended the power of the scammer. “I didn’t cultivate.. maybe the heavens are not fond of me.” He jokingly said which made the healer flinch. “I see..” Wei Zhangnen thought that it must be confidential and didn’t ask for more as there are things that cultivators wish to conceal.

“Your name?” Wei Zhangnen asked after closing the jars of homemade ointments and remedies. “It looks like you’re fourteen at most.” This statement struck Wang Nianzhen from the heart as if he was torn into shards of glass. In reality, he have heard that for his entire life because of his small physique, but the truth is he’s already seventeen.

‘Wang Nian Zhen..’

The young man was supposed to tell these people a different name, but before he could even utter a word— he heard his master’s voice calling him. And he ended up subconsciously uttering: “I.. I’m Wang Nianzhen.” Upon realizing this, he immediately flinched and shook his head— looking upon his palms.

Wei Zhangnen immediately flinched she saw the young man crying, the drop of his tears were being caught by his opened palm which made her be confused. Seeing many things when it comes to cultivators, Wei Zhangnen thought: ‘It seems as though this young lad also had a terrible past.’

“You can stay here as much as you want, you don’t need to force yourself.” Wei Zhangnen, with her tone of a big sister suddenly uttered.

With her eyes closed, the healer maiden took the wooden bowl where the towels she used were placed. Before she glared at the peeking villagers at the door, she took one more glance at Wang Nianzhen who was still lost in his thoughts— as if discreetly mourning.

She sighed before leaving the hut.