Chapter 17: Descent of the Unseen (Part 1)
The beginning of this chapter—
Could not be called a place.
Nor a moment.
Nor even existence.
It was something far beyond those definitions.
There was no sky.
No ground.
No direction.
No time.
Only a vast, endless expanse—
where even the concept of "nothingness" failed to fully describe it.
And yet—
Within that immeasurable void—
Two figures stood.
They did not emit overwhelming pressure.
They did not release terrifying auras.
But their mere presence—
Made everything else seem incomplete.
One stood calmly—
his posture straight, his expression composed.
His existence felt like structure itself.
Like the foundation upon which all reality quietly rested.
The other—
stood beside him.
And yet—
She felt… deeper.
Not stronger.
Not more dominant.
But—
more meaningful.
As if her existence carried something that could not be measured—
Something that gave reason to everything else.
She spoke.
"…The healer of existence…"
Her voice did not travel through space.
It simply appeared—everywhere at once.
"…and the healer of that which lies beyond existence…"
A brief pause.
"…requires guidance."
The figure beside her turned slightly.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Not amusement.
Not mockery.
But understanding.
"Mm."
His gaze moved forward—
piercing through layers that did not even exist yet.
"You wish to descend."
Again—
Not a question.
She did not answer immediately.
Her eyes seemed to look through countless realities—
countless timelines—
countless versions of something that had yet to fully awaken.
"…Not to interfere."
Her voice softened slightly.
"…Only to guide."
Silence followed.
A silence so deep—
That even existence itself seemed to wait.
Then—
"Then we go."
No light flashed.
No energy surged.
Because for beings like them—
Movement did not require action.
And in the next instant—
They were gone.
Mortal Realm – Beast Forest
The world returned.
Sound returned.
Wind moved again.
Leaves rustled softly.
The towering trees of the Beast Forest stretched endlessly toward the sky, their ancient trunks covered in moss and time.
Branches twisted together above, forming a dense canopy that allowed only fragments of sunlight to pass through.
Golden rays pierced the darkness in scattered beams—
illuminating patches of earth like quiet islands of light.
It looked peaceful.
But beneath that calm—
Something lurked.
Danger.
Yao Chen walked at the front.
His steps were light.
Measured.
Each movement carried awareness.
Not just of the ground—
But of the space around him.
Beside him—
Xue Lian moved silently.
Her expression was calm.
But her eyes—
remained sharp.
Behind them—
Qing Lin and Feng followed closely.
Their small footsteps careful—
their breathing slightly uneven.
They were tired.
But they did not complain.
And within their soul seas—
Two ancient existences remained.
Xuner.
Yan Shen.
Watching.
Waiting.
Until—
"…Stop."
Xuner's voice suddenly echoed within Yao Chen's mind.
He halted instantly.
Not even a second of delay.
Xue Lian noticed immediately.
"…What is it?"
Before Yao Chen could respond—
Yan Shen's voice echoed within her consciousness.
"…Something ahead."
Xue Lian's expression changed slightly.
"…What kind of something?"
A pause.
"…Presence."
At the same time—
Xuner spoke again.
"…There is fog ahead."
Fog?
Yao Chen frowned slightly.
Fog—
in a place like this—
was unnatural.
"…And?"
"…Two figures."
Silence.
Xue Lian froze.
"…You can… speak to me?"
Her voice carried clear surprise.
Because that voice—
was not Yan Shen's.
It was—
Xuner's.
"…Of course."
Xuner replied calmly.
"…You can do the same."
"…I can?"
Confusion spread across Xue Lian's face.
"…How?"
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"…Last night."
The words dropped gently.
"…When you and Yao Chen spend together…"
"…Your energies resonated."
"…Yin and Yang."
"…They fused."
Silence.
Yao Chen's steps almost faltered.
Xue Lian's face turned red instantly.
"…T-that's not—"
She stopped herself.
Yao Chen coughed lightly.
"…Focus."
Xuner continued, completely unaffected.
"…We deal with this first."
The group moved forward again.
Step by step—
they approached the fog.
It thickened rapidly.
The air grew colder.
Heavier.
Each breath felt slower.
More deliberate.
Even sound seemed dampened.
Until—
They saw them.
Two figures.
Standing silently within the mist.
Not moving.
Not speaking.
Just… standing.
Xuner—
froze.
For the first time—
Her expression changed.
"…Impossible…"
Because she recognized them.
Before she could speak—
A voice reached her alone.
"…Do not say anything."
Xuner's pupils contracted.
Then—
"…Understood."
She fell silent.
Ahead—
The female figure swayed slightly.
Her body unsteady.
As if she might collapse at any moment.
Yao Chen reacted instantly.
Without hesitation—
he stepped forward.
"Are you alright?"
No answer.
Her breathing seemed uneven.
Weak.
Yao Chen reached into his storage ring—
and took out a pill.
A healing pill.
"Take this."
He extended his hand.
The woman hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then accepted it.
"…Thank you."
Her voice was soft.
Gentle.
Yet—
strangely soothing.
Beside her—
The man stepped forward.
His expression calm.
Unhurried.
"Thank you for helping us."
He inclined his head slightly.
"My name is Krishna."
Then—
gesturing softly—
"And this is my wife—Radha."
The moment those names were spoken—
Something inside Yao Chen trembled.
Not fear.
Not pressure.
But—
Recognition.
A feeling so deep—
that it didn't belong to this life.
His chest tightened slightly.
"…Sister…"
The word almost slipped out.
He stopped himself.
"…This forest is dangerous."
His voice steadied.
"You shouldn't stay here."
"…Come with us."
Krishna smiled faintly.
"…We would be grateful."
Behind them—
Yan Shen spoke.
"…If they stay with you…"
"…How are we supposed to appear?"
"…Or are you planning to hide forever?"
Xuner's response was immediate.
"…Silence."
"…Observe."
The group began moving again.
Deeper.
Further into the forest.
The fog slowly thinned—
but something remained.
A subtle tension.
Then—
Xue Lian noticed it.
Her gaze shifted—
landing on Krishna's wrist.
A mark.
No—
A badge.
Ancient.
Intricate.
Her pupils shrank.
"…Where did you get that?"
Krishna glanced at it.
"This?"
"…It was passed down from my ancestor."
"…It originates from a powerful sect."
Xue Lian's breathing slowed.
"…That badge…"
"…belongs to my sect."
Silence fell.
She stepped forward—
and bowed.
Yao Chen blinked.
"…Why are you bowing?"
Xue Lian spoke through spiritual transmission.
"…That badge…"
"…represents the authority of our sect's ancestor."
"…Anyone who holds it…"
"…is treated as equal to him."
"…And it contains ancient techniques."
A pause.
"…If we gain his trust…"
"…it will benefit us in the future."
"…And…"
Her voice softened slightly.
"…my father will not oppose us."
Yao Chen blinked.
Then—
smiled faintly.
"…You're more thoughtful than I expected."
Krishna observed quietly.
"…So you are from that sect."
Xue Lian nodded.
"…Yes."
Time passed.
They continued moving.
But something felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
Yao Chen frowned.
"…We haven't encountered anyone from the academy."
"…Not even traces."
That—
was unnatural.
Then—
he looked at Radha.
"…Senior Sister."
The words came out naturally.
Which academy do you and brother-In-Law belong?
Xue Lian froze.
"…That fast?!"
Yan Shen laughed softly.
"…Then she's your sister-in-law."
Xue Lian: "…Shut up."
Radha smiled faintly.
"…I and kanha are not from any academy."
Silence.
"…What?"
Two shocks.
First—
they didn't belong to any academy.
Second—
"…Kanha."
The way she addressed Krishna.
Soft.
Natural.
Unfamiliar.
Xue Lian blinked.
"…Then why are you here?"
Radha answered calmly.
"We come from a small village near this forest."
"…This path is the shortest route to the Dao Realm Academy."
Yao Chen's eyes lit slightly.
"…You want to enroll?"
Radha nodded.
"…Yes."
Then she asked—
"…We didn't ask your names."
Yao Chen smiled.
"My name is Yao Chen."
"This is my family."
"Xue Lian."
"Feng."
"Qing Lin."
He paused.
"I found them in the forest."
"…Their parents…"
"…died fighting beasts."
"…Before that…"
"They entrusted them to me."
"…So now—"
"They are my responsibility."
Radha lowered her gaze.
"…I understand…"
Her expression softened.
But deep within—
She knew the truth.
Then—
she smiled gently.
"…They must be tired."
She knelt slightly.
"Come."
"I'll carry you."
Qing Lin and Feng hesitated.
Then slowly—
nodded.
And at that moment—
The forest changed.
A low growl echoed.
Then—
another.
And another.
From every direction—
Beasts emerged.
Eyes glowing.
Fangs bared.
Dozens.
Hundreds.
At the center—
A massive creature stepped forward.
Level 5 Blood Beast.
Yao Chen's expression hardened instantly.
"…Senior Sister."
"…You're still injured."
"…Protect them."
Radha nodded.
A formation appeared instantly.
Encasing her—
Qing Lin—
Feng.
Meanwhile—
Krishna stepped forward.
A spear formed in his hand.
Without hesitation—
he attacked.
Yao Chen moved.
Xue Lian followed.
Fire.
Ice.
Clashing against beasts.
But—
There were too many.
Their cultivation—
too low.
One beast broke through.
It lunged—
Toward Xue Lian.
Toward Yao Chen.
Too fast.
Too close.
And then—
Two spears pierced through it.
Clean.
Precise.
Instant death.
Silence.
Yao Chen slowly turned his head.
Because that attack—
Was not his.
End of Part 1
Author Note – Dual Voice (Yao Chen × Xue Lian)
Xue Lian:You stayed until the end…
Thank you.
Not everyone does.
Some leave halfway…some never truly feel what's written here.
But you…you continued.
So tell me…
Did anything in this chapter reach you?
Yao Chen:Enough.
Don't soften it.
If they reached this point—they already felt something.
The real question is…
Will they acknowledge it?
Xue Lian:…Then at least don't stay silent.
Even a single word—means more than you think.
Yao Chen:Words are cheap.
Action proves intent.
I don't remember silent readers.
I remember those who leave a mark.
Xue Lian:Then…
leave your thoughts below.
Let us know you're still here.
Yao Chen:Comment.
Leave your Power Stone.
And show that you're not just another passerby.
Because in this story—
only those who act…
truly exist.