The crack of dawn found Li Chen on the move, his determination propelling him to Chen Yunlong’s villa. Jogging relentlessly, he reached the imposing entrance and knocked twice before the door creaked open.

"Li Chen, I thought you’d be resting," Shi Mingrui greeted him.

"Good morning. I’m feeling better now. Where is Master Chen?" Li Chen inquired.

"Please come in; he’ll be here shortly," Shi Mingrui gestured. Li Chen followed, traversing the hallway guided by the butler.

"A cup of tea?" Shi Mingrui offered.

"No, thank you," Li Chen declined with a smile, prompting a respectful bow from the butler who then retreated.

Minutes later, Chen Yunlong strolled in, hands clasped behind his back. "Li Chen, I didn’t expect you here so soon."

"I am much better now," Li Chen informed him.

"That’s good news," Chen Yunlong nodded, settling into a chair. "How long has it been?"

Li Chen immediately grasped the unspoken question and replied, "About two months now."

Chen Yunlong leaned back, a curiosity lighting up his eyes. "Mind sharing what happened? Most people are usually dead by now."

"I don’t know either," Li Chen confessed, his gaze distant. "But we coexist in this body."

Chen Yunlong’s intrigue deepened. "This is very interesting. I’ve never heard of transmigration happening like this. When he takes over, does your own mind work?"

Li Chen nodded. "Yes, we can communicate. But because he is stronger, I can’t fight for control. I just let him be."

Chen Yunlong mused, "This is very interesting indeed." Li Chen then asked, "Who was that old man?"

Chen Yunlong sighed, his expression heavy. "That is Chen Lao, my older brother."

Chen Yunlong began, "Our father had been married before, but his first wife died at childbirth, giving birth to Chen Lao. It took him years to remarry, and it was finally his mother who convinced him to remarry so his son could have a mother. Father eventually yielded and married my mother. I was born when my father was already old, and he babied me for years."

Chen Yunlong sighed, continuing, "You see, my family lineage has this gift—we can kind of see into the future." Li Chen widened his eyes in disbelief but remained silent, eager to hear the whole story.

"Over the years, there were a lot of other guardians chosen from different families, but mine was the first to have three guardians in a row. First, it was my grandfather, then my father, and now me," Chen Yunlong explained. Li Chen, intrigued, asked, "Why does it seem like your brother hates you?"

Chen Yunlong nodded solemnly. "He does hate me."

Chen Yunlong continued his tale, his gaze distant with the weight of memories. "You see, before death comes for a guardian, they would be shown and given the name of the next guardian. So when my father woke up one day and said I was the next guardian, my brother was furious."

He paused, a shadow crossing his face. "My brother and I had a good relationship. He was like a father to me, being 15 years older. I grew up looking up to him, and I honestly never thought I would be the guardian. I assumed he would be the chosen one since he had already started training himself with some guardian duties. I remember he would spend hours meditating, trying to ensure he was mentally fit for anything." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Chen Yunlong sighed and continued, "When Dad said I was the chosen guardian, my brother lashed out—not just at me, but also at my father. They argued, and Chen Lao slapped Father before packing his things and leaving for good. A few days after he left, Father suffered a stroke, and I think it was because of the heartache. A few months later, he died of a heart attack. Chen Lao didn’t even come for his funeral."

Li Chen processed the revelations, a mixture of understanding and concern etched on his face. "So, he chose the wrong side to get back at you," he remarked.

Chen Yunlong nodded solemnly. "I think he wants to prove himself to Dad, to show he’s better than me. I don’t know, but the side he has chosen... it won’t end well for him."

Li Chen contemplated the gravity of the situation. "So, it was your brother who brought that man to my villa?"

Chen Yunlong sighed. "Since he was also born with this gift, I suppose he saw your face and eventually found you, like it happened with me."

Li Chen’s mind flashed back to that ominous day at the hospital, the unsettling feeling of sinister intentions directed at him. He realized how Chen Lao and Wu Chunlei had tracked him down. The intricacies of their intertwined destinies unfolded before him.

Chen Yunlong shifted the focus, concern etched on his face. "Enough about him. I’m worried about you—your anger, what happened back there."

Li Chen sighed, acknowledging the complexity of his emotions. "It’s a long story."

"I see," Chen Yunlong responded, thoughtful. "But I think we need to focus on emotion control. You can’t let your emotions take control like that."

Chen Yunlong stood up, a resolute look in his eyes. "Follow me." They walked to the training room, and Chen Yunlong declared, "For the next coming days, we will focus on your inner energy. You need to be able to control yourself no matter how angry you are."

Li Chen nodded determinedly. "Sure."

In the dimly lit training room, Chen Yunlong guided Li Chen into a seated position on the floor. "Now, close your eyes, focus on your breath," he instructed, his voice low and soothing.

As Li Chen complied, a serene energy permeated the room. Chen Yunlong began chanting ancient mantras, and soon, the air around Li Chen seemed to shimmer. Intense waves of energy enveloped him, making the atmosphere feel charged and almost otherworldly.

With every deep breath, Li Chen felt a surge of power coursing through him. His body became a vessel, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead as the energy intensified. The air hummed with an unseen force, and a soft glow emanated from Li Chen’s closed eyes.

Chen Yunlong’s voice resonated, guiding Li Chen to channel the energy within. As the intensity heightened, mystical symbols seemed to materialize in the air, swirling around Li Chen. The room pulsed with an ethereal energy, creating an aura of enchantment.

Li Chen’s whole being pulsed with the magical currents, his concentration unwavering. Beads of sweat turned into a radiant sheen on his skin, reflecting the dynamic dance of energy encircling him. In this intense meditation, Li Chen discovered a newfound connection with the mystical forces, transcending the physical realm.

As the intense meditation continued, Chen Yunlong closely observed Li Chen’s concentration. The mystical energy pulsed and swirled around Li Chen, but after a while, Chen Yunlong sensed an anomaly—an obstruction disrupting the flow of energy.

Furrowing his brows, Chen Yunlong halted the meditation. "Li Chen, something’s not right," he noted, concern etching his features. "There’s a blockage in the flow of energy. It’s like there’s an obstruction in your brain."

Li Chen, still in the meditative state, opened his eyes, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Chen Yunlong gently placed a hand on Li Chen’s forehead, focusing his own energy to probe deeper. He sensed a peculiar resistance, a barrier preventing the free circulation of energy within Li Chen’s mind.

"There’s some kind of interference, like a barrier hindering the flow of energy. We need to understand what it is," Chen Yunlong said with a determined gaze, realizing that unlocking this blockage would be crucial for Li Chen’s complete mastery of his inner energy.

A realization flashed across Li Chen’s mind as Chen Yunlong probed the mysterious blockage. Suddenly, it clicked — the drug. That was the only plausible explanation for the hindrance in his energy flow. Li Chen couldn’t divulge this revelation to Chen Yunlong, realizing the sensitivity of the matter. However, a decision formed in his mind; he needed to discuss it with his mother, Sun Lixia.

As Li Chen continued his meditation and Chen Yunlong chanted ancient mantras, the mystical energies persisted, yet the blockage within Li Chen’s mind remained obstinate. Chen Yunlong’s concern deepened, evident in the furrow of his brows and the intensity of his focus.

In the charged atmosphere of the training room, the unresolved mystery loomed. The struggle against the formidable obstruction was palpable, leaving an air of uncertainty. Chen Yunlong couldn’t shake off his worry, and Li Chen persisted in his meditation, determined to unravel the enigma that bound his inner energy. The stage was set for a challenging journey into the depths of his own existence.

Chen Yunlong, a seasoned guardian accustomed to various mystical phenomena, found himself in uncharted territory. The force resisting Li Chen’s efforts was potent, unlike anything he had encountered before. Witnessing Li Chen on the verge of collapse, he decided it was time to intervene.

"Stop," Chen Yunlong commanded, the weight of authority in his voice cutting through the charged air. Li Chen, beads of sweat clinging to his forehead, obeyed, opening his eyes and breathing heavily. The internal war he had just endured left both master and student grappling with the gravity of the unyielding force within. The mysterious blockage persisted, a formidable challenge demanding a solution.