Soul Reforged: The Rise of Sword God Chen Xin

The warmth of dawn had barely touched the edges of the valley when a golden scroll appeared—hovering silently above the Mirror Pool, its surface etched with celestial markings that shimmered like molten starlight. It pulsed once, softly, before drifting down into Chen Xin's open hand.

The moment his fingers touched it, a faint hum traveled through his skin, resonating with something ancient in the core of his soul. Mira and Rongrong stepped closer, their eyes narrowing in recognition.

"That's divine silk," Mira murmured. "Only emissaries from the God Realm use such material."

Chen Xin unfurled the scroll slowly. Inside, the message was brief, but heavy with implication:

"To Chen Xin, bearer of fractured steel—your awakening has not gone unnoticed. You are invited to the Assembly of Echoes at the Edge of Stars. Come alone. The path will open when your sword is whole."

He read it twice before passing it to Mira. She scanned it, her brow furrowing with each word.

"The Assembly of Echoes… it's not part of the known realms," she said. "This isn't just a summons. It's a test."

Rongrong folded her arms, suspicion plain on her face.

"Or a trap. Why send something like this right after your sword breaks?"

Chen Xin didn't answer immediately. He stood gazing at the horizon, where the sun finally cleared the mountains and cast its full light across the water. The reflection of his face appeared whole again, calm but no longer uncertain.

"It's not a coincidence," he said at last. "They've been watching. Whoever 'they' are."

He wrapped the scroll in silk and tucked it inside his robes. There was no portal, no guide, no map—just a prophecy hidden in a sentence. The path would open when his sword was whole.

"Then we have work to do," Chen Xin said, his voice resolute. "I'll reforge the blade. And when I do, I'll answer their invitation."

Mira exchanged a look with Rongrong. Neither of them liked the vagueness of the summons. But they knew better than to try to dissuade him.

The road ahead had widened into something far greater—and far more dangerous.