Mortal: Dreams Arise Amidst a Chaotic Sea of ​​Stars

On the other side of Kuixing Island, far from the hustle and bustle of the dock and the lively atmosphere of Sishui Street, lies a rugged rocky beach.

The sea breeze is stronger here, crashing against the black reefs, splashing up thousands of piles of snow, and making a deafening roar.

Behind a large rock smoothed by the waves, sat a small, thin little girl.

She looked no more than six or seven years old, with a cute and adorable appearance.

She had a delicate oval face with a pointed chin and fair skin that had never seen the sun.

What is most striking about her are her eyes, large and bright, with clear black and white, like two black mercury balls immersed in clear water, exuding a sense of cleverness and innocence.

She was wearing a faded light blue cotton dress, with the sleeves and hem a bit too short, revealing her slender wrists and ankles.

The sea breeze tousled her hair, and a few stray strands clung to her smooth forehead, adding to her pitiful appearance.

At this moment, she was slightly frowning, tightly clutching a yellow sphere the size of a head in her arms. The sphere had a smooth surface and a faint glow, as if it were something alive.

"Why hasn't the young master come out yet..." The little girl rested her chin on the yellow sphere, her voice as soft as a feather in the sea breeze, "He's been down there for so long... Could he be in danger?"

Her gaze turned worriedly to the distant, turbulent sea, where a streak of light had just vanished.

As soon as she finished speaking, the yellow ball in her arms suddenly trembled slightly.

There was no sound or light, but the subtle vibration felt like a warm current that instantly spread throughout the girl's body.

Her furrowed brows immediately relaxed, and a relieved smile appeared on her face.

"Bubble, you also think Young Master is alright, right?" She lowered her head and rubbed her cheek against the round ball in her arms, her tone full of affection. "I knew it. Young Master is so strong, he would definitely be fine."

She stopped talking and just sat obediently on the rock, like a quiet sculpture.

The yellow bubble in her arms also calmed down and continued to rest with its eyes closed.

The sea breeze howled, whipping her skirt and hair. She, however, was oblivious, simply gazing quietly at the distant seascape.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the sea, turning the waves into a golden-red hue.

Several seabirds skimmed across the water, emitting clear calls.

The magnificent scenery was reflected in the girl's eyes, but her thoughts had already flown to the elusive light that disappeared between the sea and the sky.

Mother said that I should follow the young master closely so that I can become a cultivator in the future. But when will I be able to cultivate immortality?

I really want to become a cultivator, so I can live longer and stay with the young master forever.

Hundreds of meters deep in the ocean, it is dark and without light.

The immense water pressure, like an invisible giant hand, squeezed in from all directions, enough to instantly crush an ordinary mortal into a pulp.

However, in this suffocating deep sea, a small, thin figure was sitting cross-legged on a seabed reef.

It was a boy of about six years old, completely naked.

Although he was still young, he had not an ounce of excess fat on his body. In the dim seawater, his slender body looked like refined iron that had been forged through countless hammer blows, with the outline of every muscle clearly visible and the lines distinct, like a miniature bronze statue.

The seawater flowed slowly around him, and with each breath, his chest heaved violently, as if he were silently battling against the raging sea pressure.

This is precisely the cultivation method of "Elephant Armor Kung Fu"—using the pressure of water to temper the physical body.

The boy's eyes were tightly closed, his face youthful yet revealing a sense of vicissitude and fortitude beyond his years.

He was Han Xiaoliu, the unlucky fellow who should have been eking out a living in Huangfeng Valley, but ultimately met a tragic end.

Memories surged like a tide, more suffocating than the pressure of the deep sea.

In his previous life, he was born in Tiannan and was the younger brother of "Old Devil Han".

Originally, he thought that as long as he clung to his brother's coattails and followed the original plot step by step, he could live a carefree life in this cruel world of cultivation.

They joined Huangfeng Valley together, built their foundations together, and fled together.

He thought he knew the whole plot and was the "prophet" who held the script.

However, reality gave him a resounding slap in the face.

The demonic forces invaded, and Yellow Maple Valley was destroyed.

What should have been a romantic encounter with Dong Xuan'er became his inescapable nightmare.

Just when he thought he had survived the beginner village and was ready to follow his brother to the Chaotic Star Sea to "study abroad", Dong Xuan'er's cup of aphrodisiac completely ruined his future.

That night's absurdity did not bring him happiness, but rather his death sentence.

The renowned Nascent Soul cultivator, Ancestor Yunlu, pursued him relentlessly overnight simply because of the absurd reason that his daughter had lost her virginity.

He ended his life with his own hands.

Han Xiaoliu had even pleaded desperately, and was prepared to become a "son-in-law" of the Hehuan Sect, but he still couldn't find a way to survive.

At that moment, he finally understood that in this dog-eat-dog world, the so-called "plot advantage" was nothing but a joke in the face of absolute power.

But he didn't expect that death would not be the end.

He came back to life with his memories intact.

The price was heavy—his physical body was completely destroyed, and he had to start over from infancy. All his family property from his previous life went to others.

Fortunately, Bubble was still there, and everything stored in its invisibility artifact was preserved, becoming the foundation for his cultivation in this life.

"In this life, he will never again be a spectator outside the plot; he will design the plot in his own way..."

Han Xiaoliu silently recited the command in his mind, then suddenly opened his eyes.

A glint of light flashed in the darkness of the seabed, but he forcibly suppressed it.

He felt the stinging sensation of the seawater pressing against his skin, a sensation of power penetrating into his very bones.

"Yunlu... Dong Xuan'er... wait for me! I'll be back in Tiannan soon!"

He murmured those two names to himself, a cold smile curving his lips.

Since the cheat code gave him a second chance at life and this special physique that allows him to start over indefinitely, he will never let anyone control his destiny in this life.

Even if it's a Nascent Soul cultivator, if they dare to block my way, I'll knock out a few of their teeth!

"drink!"

Han Xiaoliu let out a low shout, and his internal energy surged, producing a sound like muffled thunder in the deep sea.

The seawater around him was repelled by an invisible force, creating a brief vacuum zone.

Elephant Armor Technique, Mastered!

"Bang—!"

The calm sea surface suddenly shattered as a figure shot out of the water like an arrow, leaving behind a trail of sparkling water droplets.

Han Xiaoliu stepped onto the reef and leaped lightly onto the shore in two steps, his movements fluid and effortless.

He casually picked up the coarse cloth clothes that had been prepared beforehand, and dressed himself neatly. Water droplets still clung to his wet hair, sliding down his angular profile.

"Young Master! Young Master!"

A clear shout came from behind. Daya, holding the yellow ball, ran to Han Xiaoliu's side like a happy little deer.

She tilted her little face up, her eyes sparkling, and asked expectantly, "Did you break through today?"

Upon hearing this, Han Xiaoliu smiled confidently and reached out to pat the head of the little girl who was about the same height as him: "Of course, with the young master taking action, a breakthrough is inevitable."

"Young Master is the best!" Upon hearing this, Daya's smile grew even brighter, like a blooming daisy.

She hugged Bubble and bounced around Han Xiaoliu, her mind as pure as a blank sheet of paper, all her joy written on her face.

"Alright, you little flatterer, let's go back." Han Xiaoliu shook his head helplessly and turned to walk back home.

"Mmm!" Daya nodded vigorously, hugging Bubble, and followed closely behind Han Xiaoliu, her steps so light they seemed to fly.

After walking for a while, Han Xiaoliu suddenly stopped, looked back, and said leisurely, "Bubble can walk by itself, don't carry it!"

Upon hearing this, Da Ya's smile froze for a moment, and she looked troubled.

She looked down at Bubble, who was fast asleep in her arms, and then at Han Xiaoliu in front of her, her eyes filled with reluctance.

After all, the bubbles were round and looked so cute that it was hard to bear letting her throw them on the ground.

But she always obeyed the young master's orders. After hesitating for a moment, she obediently placed the bubble gently on the ground, then quickly caught up with Han Xiaoliu and whispered, "Young master, wait for me."

The bubble, thrown on the ground, rolled twice like a ball before coming to a steady stop.

It seemed to have long been accustomed to this kind of "treatment," and merely swayed slightly, hopping and skipping slowly to catch up with the two people in front.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the three figures, casting their shadows long and thin.

A gentle sea breeze blows by, carrying a salty, fishy smell, but also a touch of warmth.