Multiple Personalities

"What's wrong with you?" Li Baiyu's voice suddenly rang in Shen Jingqi's ear like a clap of thunder, pulling him back to reality from that mystical state.

He opened his eyes abruptly to see the worried faces of Li Baiyu and Renault. They were staring at him intently, their eyes filled with concern and confusion.

"I... I'm fine." Shen Jingqi shook his head, trying to appear normal. But inside, his emotions were like crashing waves, unable to find peace for a long time.

What had he just experienced? Was that truly the state of "Entering the Exile"? He had once read descriptions of this state in ancient books, said to be a miraculous state capable of traveling through time and comprehending all things. But he couldn't believe it; he had actually experienced this state himself.

If that was truly "Entering the Exile," then what had he seen? Those past and future revelations, secrets and situations—were they real or merely illusions in his mind? His heart was filled with doubts and confusion, yet he didn't know how to explain to Li Baiyu and Renault.

"Are you really alright?" Li Baiyu asked again, her eyes still full of worry. Shen Jingqi could tell she didn't believe his words, but she didn't press further. After all, everyone has their own secrets, and she didn't want to force Shen Jingqi to say things he wasn't willing to reveal.

"Let's keep moving." Shen Jingqi took a deep breath, trying to pull his thoughts back to reality. He knew he couldn't remain lost in shock and confusion; they had more pressing tasks to complete. They needed to quickly escape this land of death to find the real answers.

The three continued their journey, the blazing sun of the desert still roasting the earth, and sandstorms occasionally whirled around them. Yet Shen Jingqi felt as if he was in another world; his consciousness was still immersed in that mystical state. Although he could no longer open the door to the mysterious world, he could feel an unusual energy flow.

This energy flow was like nothing he had ever felt before. It was as if an invisible river snaked through the desert. Shen Jingqi closed his eyes, using his heart to feel the fluctuations of this energy. He discovered that this energy resonated with his heartbeat, as if it were his Source of Life.

"Jingqi, what have you discovered?" Renault suddenly asked. He noticed Shen Jingqi seemed odd, as if experiencing something. Shen Jingqi didn't reply, only shaking his head to signal Renault not to disturb him. Seeing this, Renault said nothing more and quietly followed Shen Jingqi.

Shen Jingqi continued to feel the flow of energy, discovering that this energy had its own direction and purpose. It seemed to guide them somewhere, to a place unknown yet filled with mystery. His heart stirred—could this be the answer they had been searching for?

He opened his eyes, looking into the distance. The desert terrain remained barren, but he felt as if something was hidden there. He quickened his pace, and Li Baiyu and Renault swiftly followed. The three continued onward, the journey arduous, yet their hearts were filled with anticipation and hope.

However, as they delved deeper into the desert, Shen Jingqi found the flow of energy becoming increasingly complex. It was no longer as singular and pure as before; it intertwined with various forces and emotions—kindness, evil, joy, sorrow. These forces and emotions wove together into a vast energy net.

Shen Jingqi tried to untangle the origins of this energy but found himself unable to do so. The energy was too complex and vast for his consciousness to fully encompass or understand. He felt as though he was trapped in a gigantic maze, unable to find an exit or direction.

"What should we do?" Li Baiyu asked, looking at Shen Jingqi.

Shen Jingqi did not answer, just furrowing his brow as he thought hard for a solution.

Suddenly, a force attacked them. It was like a fierce viper, its maw wide open to bite. Shen Jingqi was startled, quickly reacting and wielding his weapon to fend off the attack. However, the force was extraordinarily strong; he felt himself being pushed back by a mighty power, his body flying uncontrollably backward.

"Jingqi!" Li Baiyu and Renault cried out in unison. They wanted to rush over to save Shen Jingqi but were blocked by an invisible force. They could only watch helplessly as Shen Jingqi was engulfed by that energy.

Shen Jingqi felt as if he were falling into an endless abyss, surrounded by darkness and chaos. He struggled desperately, trying to break free of the power's restraints. Yet, the force coiled around him like a giant serpent, rendering him immobile.

Despair and unwillingness filled his heart; he couldn't understand why this was happening. They had been so close to discovering the answer—why were they facing such a crisis now? He was unwilling to be devoured by this force; he still needed to protect Li Baiyu and Renault, he still had to find the true answer!

At that moment, the energy that resonated with his heartbeat reappeared. It was like a beam of light illuminating the darkness in his heart. He grasped this light tightly, feeling himself being pulled upward by a strong force.

He opened his eyes and found himself freed from the evil force's grasp. Looking around, he discovered he was in a mysterious space. The space was filled with fantasy and mystery, making him feel as though he was in another world.

"Where is this?" He was filled with doubt and confusion. He glanced around, trying to find some clues and answers. However, the space was too immense and complicated for him to see its entirety.

Empty your mind, empty your mind!

An unconscious guidance suddenly appeared in Shen Jingqi's mind.

He calmed himself, feeling the flow of energy, following its course, becoming one with it.

When he reopened his eyes, he found himself back in the desert. Li Baiyu and Renault were anxiously around him, breathing a sigh of relief when they saw him awake.

Shen Jingqi looked at their concerned faces, warmth filling his heart.

He stood up, dusted the sand off his body, gazed into the distance, and thought, I must find that answer.

Meanwhile, the energy flow in the desert seemed to grow more intense, as if foretelling an impending storm.