"Where... am I?" I swallowed hard. Sweat dripped down my face. I swear... I just died...
Then where am I? I clearly remembered bleeding out. Dying.
This place... it was nothing like before. No wreckage. No flames. No destruction.
I stood up. That's when I noticed—my qi was gone.
'Damn it. My qi... it's back to first rate? How come?'
I need to figure out where I am. I grunted, staring at the door. Then it hit me.
"Doesn't this look like... my old room?" I squinted, scanning the space. I rubbed my eyes hard and looked again.
"Huh? I don't remember too clearly... but it does look like it..." My eyes narrowed. I could hear faint voices outside. Swords clashing.
"This is it. My old room back when I was the Sect Leader..." I sighed, finally realizing it.
"Wasn't this destroyed when the sect burned down?" I mumbled, confused. Now what...?
I sat down, closed my eyes, and filtered out the noise around me. A skill I learned after reaching past Supreme Peak level. I could do it now even with almost no qi.
I started thinking—how the hell is this room here again? Why am I alive? And most of all...
'Why am I here?'
"Okay! I've come to a conclusion!" I raised a finger. "I've regressed. So... I can change the future now!"
"But why? Who made me regress? Only those in the higher realms can reverse time..." I lowered my hand and stared at the floor.
"Man... this is too much to think about. I don't wanna think anymore."
I laid back down.
'But...' I sat back up. 'How far back am I? Judging by my qi... definitely more than 15 years.'
I let out a sigh. "What a hassle... but it means I can save my sect!" I smiled—right as someone knocked on the door.
"Sect Leader, are you alright? You're talking to yourself," a voice came from outside. I could see the shadow through the thin, old-style paper wall. 'I should really replace those...'
'Who is that...?' I stared at the door. Then replied, "Yes, yes. I'm alright. Uhm... what year is it?"
"Sect Leader... don't tell me you have Alzheimer's?" he replied. 'Definitely a guy...'
'And someone pretty high-ranking if he's speaking that casually.'
"It's Year 44 on the Venluen Calendar. May I come in, Sect Leader?"
'WHAT?! A year before I fought that wandering martial master... 15 years ago?! No—wait... a year into the future from that! I stared at the door, wide-eyed.'
"Fine, you have permission," I said. 'But... I can't even use my future knowledge! My memory's garbage!'
What a waste... I frowned as the door slid open.
A guy around... 190cm tall? Long black hair flowing. Young. Smooth white skin—
'Wait... it's him. The strongest disciple the Ember Sect ever had! I looked closer. Can't call him a disciple anymore, huh? If I remember right, he's the Sword of Ember now. One rank below Elder, three below me...'
'What was his name again? Right—Samuel. I used to call him Sammy, didn't I?'
"Sammy! How's your day?" Was that how I talked before? Damn it, I can't remember anything past 15 years... but, I won't lie. I'm really glad to see him.
Sam, the Sword of Ember, looked at me like I'd grown a second head. Then he bowed. "Good morning, Sect Leader. Elder Levi has called for you."
"Alright, tell him I'll come out in a minute." I gestured for him to go. He gave me another confused look, then stepped out and closed the door.
'Shit... I must've been way more uptight before. Judging by how confused he looked when I acted nice...' I frowned again. 'I really didn't deserve those guys. Especially my position.'
I sighed and stood up. Stretched a little. Then looked at my arms... and my chest.
'NO! MY HARD-EARNED MUSCLES...' Another sigh escaped my lips.
I walked toward the door. Slowly. My throat dry.
The image of the sect... burned down, rubble everywhere. Broken swords. Cracked marble. Dust and ash covering everything...
It all flashed through my mind like a nightmare on loop.
Please be alright...
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- End of Chapter -
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