Lord of Eternity [Fantasy Thriller Adventure Novel]

In the forest, a gentle breeze stirred, gradually dispelling the lingering scent of battle. 

Chuyang stood motionless, his hands trembling slightly. 

He lowered his gaze to his fists, still stained with the blood of the scaled wolf. His skin faintly glowed, as if the immense power within him had yet to fully subside. But beneath that strength, his heart was a tangle of emotions. 

"These hands… did they really do this?" 

He raised them slowly, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. 

He had once been an ordinary man. But now, in this unfamiliar world, he had torn apart a ferocious beast with ease. This power was both exhilarating and unsettling. 

Just then, the soft sound of footsteps reached his ears. 

Chuyang turned sharply, his body instinctively tensing like a predator pushed to the edge. 

His gaze locked onto the approaching figure, his fists tightening with a faint creak. 

Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, illuminating a slender figure emerging from the shadows. 

For a brief moment, Chuyang froze. 

It was a young woman, dressed in a flowing pale green gown. The sheer fabric swayed like drifting clouds, accentuating her graceful silhouette. 

Her features were flawless, her skin like fresh snow, her expression exuding an air of noble detachment. 

Her long hair rippled in the wind, glistening like strands of morning light. 

And her eyes—clear as polished glass—studied Chuyang with a quiet intensity, as if seeing straight through him. 

Snapping out of his daze, Chuyang quickly steadied himself, his voice low and wary. "Who are you? Why are you here?" 

The girl did not respond immediately. She simply observed him in silence. 

Her gaze swept over his striking yet slightly weary face, then down to his faintly trembling fists. 

Her expression remained unchanged, but something within her stirred. 

"An interesting one…" 

She mused to herself. "He carries an aura I cannot ignore. Could he be from the Celestial Realm as well? His face is pleasant enough, but he lacks the presence of an immortal." 

Her voice was cool and melodious, flowing like a stream into Chuyang's ears. "Your strength is still lacking. But… your attire is quite strange." 

"What?" 

Chuyang frowned, glancing down at his delivery uniform before letting out a dry chuckle. 

He had no idea who this girl was, but her composed demeanor and cryptic words put him on edge. 

Her gaze drifted past him, landing on the slain scaled wolf behind him. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips. 

"The fight was rough, but at least you managed to survive." 

Chuyang let out a cold laugh, suppressing his growing unease. "Enough with the riddles. Who are you? And why are you following me?" 

The girl turned away slightly, the light shifting in her eyes, a subtle amusement playing at her lips. "I'm merely passing through. But as for you… you should be more concerned about your own situation." 

Before Chuyang could reply, a deep, guttural growl echoed from behind him. 

His body tensed. He spun around, just in time to see a massive black-armored boar crash through the underbrush. Its tusks gleamed menacingly, its bloodshot eyes locked onto him with raw hostility. 

"You've got to be kidding me." 

Chuyang cursed under his breath as that unsettling power surged through his veins once more. 

Instead of retreating, he stepped forward, his gaze sharp as a blade, fixing on the beast's every move. 

The black-armored boar let out a furious roar, hooves slamming into the earth like a runaway war chariot charging toward him. 

Chuyang exhaled sharply, then lunged. His fist shot forward with a force that cracked the air itself. 

A deafening collision erupted as his fist met the boar's tusk, sending tremors rippling through the ground. 

His arm went numb from the impact, but the boar was also forced back a step. It let out an enraged howl, its fury intensifying. 

Shrugging off his cracked helmet, Chuyang glared at the beast and spat, "Come again." 

Then, without hesitation, he darted forward. His left fist feinted, while his right, coiled with power, struck out like a thunderclap toward the beast's head. 

His movements were swift, precise—no wasted motion. 

The black-armored boar retaliated, rearing up to crush him beneath its hooves. 

But Chuyang, like a phantom, sidestepped the attack. Closing in again, he drove his fist toward the creature's exposed neck. 

Fist and tusk clashed, shockwaves rippling outward. The very leaves in the trees trembled from the force. 

Watching from the sidelines, the girl observed in silence, a trace of amusement flickering across her face. 

Her gaze lingered on Chuyang, her thoughts unreadable. 

"His strength is truly impressive. His technique… not bad either." 

She quietly assessed him, her eyes softening ever so slightly. 

Seizing an opening, Chuyang dodged another reckless charge. He gathered every ounce of power into his fist, let out a low growl, and delivered a crushing blow to the boar's skull. 

A sound like thunder cracking through stone rang out. 

The black-armored boar quivered, then collapsed with a resounding thud—its life snuffed out in an instant. 

Straightening his back, Chuyang exhaled, flexing his aching fingers. 

He stared down at his hands, a whirlwind of emotions surging within him. 

"This power… where did it come from? And why do I have it?" 

A strange mix of awe, pride, and an unshakable fear crept into his heart, leaving him more uncertain than ever about his future. 

The girl stepped forward, her expression unreadable as her gaze locked onto him. 

"Not bad," she murmured, her voice light yet carrying an undeniable weight. "But this power… it's far from enough." 

Chuyang frowned, his fists still clenched, searching her words for deeper meaning. 

Something about her felt… different. 

Her demeanor, her presence—it exuded an otherworldly detachment, a nobility that did not belong to this world. 

"What exactly are you trying to say?" he finally asked, his voice laced with wariness and confusion. 

The girl did not answer right away. Instead, she turned, her steps slow, deliberate. 

Sunlight wove through the forest, casting shifting patterns over her as she moved, as if she were part of the landscape itself. 

She paused, then spoke softly. "Staying here will only invite more trouble. If you follow me, you may find the answers you seek." 

Chuyang watched her retreating figure, his mind churning with uncertainty. 

She was hiding something. That much was clear. 

And yet… if she was right, then standing still would only bring greater danger. 

Taking a deep breath, he made his decision. 

His feet moved forward, trailing after her. 

The two figures disappeared into the dense forest, their path dappled with sunlight, leading them toward an unknown future—one fraught with mystery and peril.