I Shall Rewrite the Protagonists’ Fate

Lei Ying sat cross-legged in his dimly lit room, his breathing steady and deliberate as his consciousness extended outward.

The tracking mark he had planted on Yun Xiao pulsed faintly, tethering him to the his every movement.

It was an imperceptible thread, a product of his system's capabilities. Not even the "grandpa" spirit residing in Yun Xiao's mind—a trope common among protagonists—could detect its presence.

A faint smile played on Lei Ying's lips. "It seems my system is leagues beyond the clichéd mentors most of them carry," he mused, the humor in his voice tinged with self-satisfaction.

Three months had passed since Yun Xiao's martial heart had been shattered—a pivotal event Lei Ying had orchestrated.

But he knew the heavens were resilient, always eager to aid their chosen one.

According to the plotlines etched in Lei Ying's memory and system, Yun Xiao was destined to encounter a female disciple from the Heaven's Pavilion Sect.

She would serve as his salvation, pulling him from despair and setting him back on his ascension.

Lei Ying wasn't certain if the broken martial heart would disrupt this encounter. Yet, the heavens seemed ever resourceful, finding ways to course-correct.

Perhaps, by accelerating Yun Xiao's setbacks, Lei Ying had unwittingly expedited the timeline.

His focus sharpened as he observed Yun Xiao's movements through his system. A flicker of light passed through Lei Ying's eyes—a sign of new developments. Yun Xiao had stumbled into an inheritance site while fleeing from a group of bandits.

"So, it's happening," Lei Ying murmured, his voice low yet laced with intrigue. He recognized this part of the plot.

Yun Xiao was about to acquire the inheritance that would reconstruct his shattered meridians—a crucial turning point.

More importantly, this suggested the female disciple had already intervened, guiding him to this moment.

"It's all moving so quickly. Faster than expected." Lei Ying sighed, rising to his feet. "What a shame I can't watch his every move in real-time."

Just as he prepared to leave and set his plans into motion, the system chimed within his mind—a cold, mechanical voice that echoed with authority.

[Ding: A Heavenly Favored Child has been detected. Obtaining inheritance of a Demon God.]

Lei Ying froze. His smirk returned, sharper and more calculating. "A Heavenly Favored Child? That's unexpected... and interesting."

His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he muttered, "Time to adjust my plans once again."

 ___

Yun Xiao staggered through the dense forest, his breath labored and shallow. The wounds on his arms stung, and his legs felt like they were filled with lead.

He clutched his side, blood seeping between his fingers, but he pressed on. Behind him, faint shouts of the bandits grew distant, their pursuit dulled by the treacherous terrain.

The humiliation of his shattered martial heart gnawed at him with every step. Once hailed as a rising prodigy, now reduced to nothing more than prey for opportunists. His life had spiraled into a cruel farce.

How far have I fallen? he thought bitterly.

But there was no time for self-pity. Survival was all that mattered now.

As Yun Xiao pushed deeper into the wilderness, the air grew unnaturally still. The towering trees gave way to a clearing, and in the center stood a massive stone gate.

Vines and moss clung to its surface, but the intricate carvings beneath hinted at its ancient origins. The faint glow of runes pulsed along its edges, a rhythm that seemed to sync with his heartbeat.

Yun Xiao froze, his instincts screaming at him. This was no ordinary place.

A faint voice echoed in his mind—a memory, not his own.

"When the path of the heavens is severed, look to the earth. Hidden within ruins lie the answers the world refuses to give."

The words felt like a revelation, tugging at something deep within him. His body moved on its own, drawing closer to the gate. Each step felt heavier, as though an invisible force was testing his resolve.

When he reached the gate, the runes flared to life, illuminating the area in a blinding light. Yun Xiao shielded his eyes, but the force pulled him forward.

The world spun, and when he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the forest.

He stood in a vast chamber, its walls adorned with murals depicting fierce battles and towering figures.

At the center of the room, a pedestal rose from the ground, holding a crystal orb that shimmered with dark energy. The air here was thick, oppressive, but also intoxicating.

Yun Xiao approached cautiously, his gaze fixed on the orb. It radiated power—raw, untamed, and otherworldly.

"An inheritance..." he whispered, the words catching in his throat. He didn't know how, but he felt it in his bones. This was what he needed to rebuild himself, to rise from the ashes of his failure.

Yun Xiao steadied himself, his eyes locking onto the ancient scroll lying beyond the pedestal.

Its surface was worn, with faint crimson symbols etched across it, glowing dimly as if in response to his presence.

His instincts told him this scroll was significant, but before he could act, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

"Drip your blood on the scroll," the voice commanded.

Yun Xiao frowned but didn't hesitate. "What is this inheritance for, old man?" he asked, his tone laced with a mixture of caution and curiosity.

The voice chuckled faintly, pleased with his composure despite the situation. "This is the legendary Meridian Restorative Inheritance," the grandpa explained.

"A treasure from the ancient era, created by a supreme expert who defied the heavens. It has the power to reconstruct your meridians, turning them even stronger than before. With it, you won't just recover—you'll surpass your previous self!"

Yun Xiao's eyes widened, his breath quickening. "Meridian Restorative Inheritance…" he repeated under his breath, his fists clenching.

The possibility of regaining his cultivation, of reclaiming his path, was tantalizing.

"Don't waste time!" the grandpa urged. "Drip your blood and claim what's rightfully yours. Hesitation will only lead to regret."

Without further delay, Yun Xiao bit down on his thumb, letting a droplet of blood well up. It fell onto the scroll, and the moment it touched, the symbols ignited with a blinding crimson light.

The scroll hovered into the air, unraveling itself as it emitted a low hum that resonated deep within Yun Xiao's core.

The symbols etched on the parchment began to shift and twist, glowing brighter until they leapt off the scroll and surged toward him.

Before Yun Xiao could react, the scroll wrapped around his body like a living entity. The glowing symbols seeped into his skin, spreading through his meridians and veins.

Authors Note: Happy New Year!