Boundless Dream awoke in a place unlike any she had ever known. The void around her was vast and seemingly endless, an expanse of nothingness that stretched infinitely in all directions. The sensation of floating in this emptiness was disorienting, and for a moment, she felt a profound sense of isolation.
Yet, as her senses adjusted, she realized she was not alone. A figure stood before her, emanating a familiar aura of power and serenity. This was no ordinary presence; it was herself—her past self, the original creator of the Room of Fortunes and Misfortunes, the master of everything and nothing.
“Welcome, Boundless Dream,” the figure said, her voice echoing through the void. “Or should I say, welcome back.”
Boundless Dream stared at her past self, memories flooding back in a rush. She remembered the creation of the Room, the experiments with the fundamental forces of the universe, and the decision to safeguard the cosmos by establishing a place of ultimate knowledge and power.
“Who are you?” Boundless Dream asked, although she already knew the answer.
“I am you,” her past self replied. “Or rather, I was you. The part of you that created the Room of Fortunes and Misfortunes, the master of everything and nothing. I am the essence of your most powerful self, preserved in this void, awaiting the day you would return.”
Boundless Dream took a moment to process this. “Why am I here? What happened to me?”
Her past self smiled gently. “You were struck by an abyssal force, a dark energy that targeted your very essence. It was powerful enough to disrupt your celestial form and bring you here, to the Empty, the space between existence and nonexistence.”
Boundless Dream’s eyes widened as she remembered the sudden pain and the vortex of energy that had consumed her. “The Abyss… they have found a way to reach even the most powerful beings.”
“Indeed,” her past self confirmed. “The Abyss is relentless and resourceful. But you have something they do not—a connection to the fundamental truths of the universe, and the power to harness everything and nothing.”
Boundless Dream felt a surge of determination. “What must I do to return? How can I defeat this abyssal threat and protect my people?”
Her past self stepped closer, placing a hand on Boundless Dream’s shoulder. “To return, you must reclaim your full power and understand the true nature of your existence. You are not just a cultivator or a celestial being; you are the master of the boundless and the void. Embrace this, and you will have the strength to overcome any adversary.”
Boundless Dream closed her eyes, feeling the wisdom and power of her past self flow into her. She sensed the vast potential within the Empty, a place where the fundamental forces of creation and destruction intertwined. It was here, in this void, that she could truly understand the scope of her abilities.
Her past self continued, “The Room of Fortunes and Misfortunes was created to protect and empower. It holds the knowledge of countless eons, the secrets of existence itself. Use this knowledge, and the power of the void, to forge a new path. Become one with everything and nothing.”
Boundless Dream felt a profound clarity wash over her. She reached out with her consciousness, connecting with the boundless energy of the Empty. The void responded, filling her with a sense of limitless potential and unity.
“I understand now,” she said softly. “I am the boundless and the void. I am everything and nothing.”
Her past self smiled, a look of pride and satisfaction on her face. “You are ready, Boundless Dream. Return to your world, and show the Abyss the true power of the boundless.”
With those words, the Empty began to dissolve, and Boundless Dream felt herself being pulled back to the physical realm. The void around her shimmered and faded, and she was once again aware of her body and the world she had left behind.
As she reappeared in the Celestial Palace, her allies gasped in shock and relief. Yin, Eldrathorn, Li Mei, and the others rushed to her side, their faces filled with concern and hope.
“Boundless Dream!” Yin exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion. “You’re back!”
Boundless Dream stood tall, her presence more powerful and serene than ever before. “Yes, I’m back. And I have a deeper understanding of my purpose and power. We will not let the Abyss win. Together, we will protect our world and ensure that the light of the Dao continues to shine.”