SHADOW SLAVE: A FINAL HOPE

"I've failed, huh? It's not like this outcome caught me off guard; I knew it was a possibility all along. Yet, despite that knowledge, I can't help but feel a deep sense of disappointment in me."

These were the thoughts that raced through Fang Yuan's mind as he floated in the vast, seemingly endless void, a realm that was meant to be devoid of beginning or end, a realm that could consume anyone who lingered too long, a realm with nothing but assured end in it a true end of all those who dare to venture in it.

For hundreds of rebirths, Fang Yuan had dedicated himself wholeheartedly to a singular purpose: ETERNAL LIFE.

It was the fire that fueled his every action, the driving force behind all his decisions, and his unwavering North Star that guided him through the stormy seas of life's challenges. The trials he faced were numerous, yet he remained unfaltering in his quest. He had risen to become a demon venerable, a great grand master of the refinement path, deftly honing his skills and abilities. Through relentless efforts filled with trials, betrayals, and sacrifices, he had shaped the world around him to align with his will and ambitions. His adversaries labelled him a monster, a fiend, a maniac obsessed with acquiring power beyond comprehension.

Perhaps there was truth in their allegations. But to Fang Yuan, they were nothing more than mere hurdles obstructing the path.

In this tumultuous journey, fate itself emerged as his bitter enemy. The very concept of Heaven turned into his persistent foe. He shattered the chains of fate that wanted to bind him, bending the very fabric of Heaven to his relentless will.

Yet, now, in this desolate expanse, it appeared that his life was drawing near, and the end he had always toyed with was finally upon him.

As he drifted aimlessly in the encompassing void, something incredible caught Fang Yuan's gaze, a sight he never imagined he would encounter again in this barren nothingness. It seemed incomprehensible for him to witness it here, in the GU world where he had unleashed his devastating power years ago to destroy it with his own two hands, leaving no trace behind. The irony of it all felt particularly striking as he wondered how remnants of his past could still exist in a place he believed nothing could exist.

A single ethereal thread, resembling spider silk, floated in the void, seemingly stretching to the end of this void that was supposed to have no end.

Fang Yuan felt a strong curiosity about how this strand entered the void realm, especially here of all places. However, facing death, the question of finding a thread of fate meant nothing.

Why? because he knew it was this thread of fate that could save him now he knew he had to assimilate himself with this foreign fate.

To a rational individual, such an action or even such a thought would seem insane, yet for Fang Yuan, the choice was clear; he was on the brink of demise and had no option but to grasp this thread and that is what he did.

As Fang Yuan assimilated the fate within him, he pondered the origin of this singular strand in the realm of nothingness, particularly at the point of his end. He understood that this was no coincidence;

he was being manipulated. While it was true that he was letting himself be used, the reality was grim he knew that the most terrifying enemies weren't the ones that could wield overwhelming power but the ones who could hide their powers and strength till the end which is why he choose to just let it be for the time as he knew if one wanted him as a pawn they would reveal their intentions later on anyway.

He recognized that anyone capable of manipulating fate must wield a terrifying influence, for he understood the daunting nature of fate and its powers.

A venerable, star constellation immortal venerable sacrificed herself not to control or refine fate, but to misguide it. To make it help humans be the dominant race for millions of years over the variant humans that was how terrifying fate was as even a venerable wasn't strong enough to have power over it.

The thread swiftly enveloped him, wrapping around his being with an intensity that made Fang yuan instantly aware that something was happening. His instinct, honed over countless experiences, proved to be correct as in the blink of an eye, he felt his entire existence begin to splinter and fracture in ways he had never imagined.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Fang yuan experienced a sharp jolt of surprise—he had not foreseen that the fate string would react in such a dramatic manner. It was indeed rare for this thread of fate to inflict harm upon him, particularly given that he was well aware of the intentions of those who had left behind glimmers of hope for him; they would never wish him any harm.

As the moments passed, Fangyuan became increasingly aware of his consciousness beginning to slip away, as if it were a fragile fragment of himself being pulled into the abyss.

The darkness that surrounded him was not merely an endless void; it was a powerful force, an overwhelming presence that seemed utterly determined to bring about his demise, to extinguish the light of his existence once and for all. But at the end of it all he heard a voice, a voice so ethereal and ancient that it made even him felt minuscule.

Fang Yuan's heart was calm as a still lake as he processed the power of the voice echoing in his mind. It felt like a lifeline thrown to him at the brink of nothingness. He wasn't just fighting for his own consciousness; the fate of something vast and terrifying loomed on the horizon—an awakening that could change everything. He focused on the chilling words

 "You have to stop it... stop it from awakening."

The gravity of the statement weighed heavily on him, he knew the moment the strand of fate appeared that its price isn't going to be low whatever gave him this chance to live had his own goals in mind and needed him in its grand scheme of things .

Gathering his strength, Fang Yuan took a deep breath, feeling the remnants of his fading consciousness sparking with renewed energy. He had to decipher this message, to understand the threat, and to act before it was too late. Time was running out, and the crucial knowledge felt as tantalizingly close as it was elusive.

He began piecing together the fragments of his memory—were there signs leading up.

As he steeled himself for the journey ahead, the voice echoed once more, a haunting reminder of his mission: he must prevent the awakening at all costs.

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When Fang Yuan regained consciousness, he found himself not in the void, nor in his familiar world.

He was lying in a cold, dark alley, his small body shivering against the biting wind. He blinked, his mind sluggish, memories fragmented and scattered. Slowly, he sat up, his fingers brushing against the damp, cracked stones beneath him.

For a moment, a sense of disorientation took over him; he was unsure of his identity. His mind was shrouded in a haze of fragmented thoughts and fleeting images. Yet, as the minutes passed, a unrelenting drive stirred within him a deep and unyielding yearning.

The memories of Fang Yuan, the demon venerable who had once defied heaven and earth, remained intact beneath layers of confusion, eager to resurface.

Hours passed as he slowly unravelled his memories.

They emerged in flashes—vivid images of battles fought, lands conquered, and enemies vanquished.

He recalled finding the strand of fate and the ethereal voice of that otherworldly being. However, what unsettled him the most was not merely the recollection of his past, but the stark revelation of his current state.

He was a child, no more than four years old. Within him resided a strangely familiar yet foreign essence—not the immortal figure of power he once embodied, but an orphan wandering the outskirts of an unrecognizable city.

No longer was he Fang Yuan, the demon venerable. Yet within this unfamiliar landscape was a grand opportunity: the prospect of traversing the path to immortality anew, to reclaim the power he had long sought.

The thrill of this new beginning coursed through him. He pushed himself up, shaking off the chill of the ground. His small hands, although seemingly fragile and full of clauses, clenched into fists, feeling the latent strength running within.

It remained a deep reservoir of resolve and ambition, ready to be harnessed.

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authors note :

hey guys how yall doing so just wanted to say hi to everyone who came to read my first chapter

 ik ik some of you gonna say that some paragraphs are same as Namtar_lion [author of shadow slave ; revered insanity] and yes I took some para from his work, sorry for that bro just ik we were gonna write same so I took them hope you'll not get mad at me and if you want ill add in the para that I took your name in the comments

btw don't worry except for another 2 chapters the story on is gonna be completely different then both shadow slave and Namtar_lion story, idk if you'll gonna like it or not but I will give it my all its my first chapter so plz have some mercy on me

and give me those power stones plzzzz~~~~~~

btw anyone guessed how that strand came into the void answer in the next authornote

 hint ; a dream of sunny