The Underworld has a formation that allows immortals to recover their original bodies or souls, shattered by heavenly lightning during their tribulations and lost in the mortal world.
The formation is called Traceback to Life.
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A secret lies beneath the waters of Chentang Pass.
The secret came to light when the heart of Nezha's fire lotus body burned away the entire stretch of sea bordering Chentang Pass.
Soon afterward, the lotus heart went missing, causing an uproar.
Marshal of the Central Altar Nezha was peerless in battle and ranked first among the Five Camps. Since his appointment, he had guarded the land of the Nine Provinces for over a thousand years.
The loss of the fire lotus's heart meant he no longer possessed pure spiritual power. He could no longer issue orders to his subordinates as their superior, and he had lost his emotions, leaving him incapable of feeling pity for anyone.
To recover the lotus heart and piece together the full story of the incident beneath the sea, Nezha returned to Chentang Pass once more.
He returned through the Traceback to Life formation.
As time and space overlapped, he saw himself at the moment of his first birth into the mortal world.
He saw himself fearlessly fighting demons and monsters, displaying the qualities of a god despite his mortal body.
But now, watching as an observer, Nezha showed no expression as he saw his former self filled with grief and anger, then face death with passionate resolve.
After it was over, once everyone had left, he casually tossed himself a section of lotus root.
Children's thoughts are simple, and every feeling is written on their faces.
The little boy wasn't angry that Nezha hadn't given him any special treatment. But when he heard that the fire lotus's heart had later been given to his mother, and was now missing for no apparent reason, he yelled at Nezha:
"Didn't you say you protect the lands in all five directions? Aren't you supposed to be incredibly powerful?"
"How could you not even take care of Mother?"
"I hate you!"
This was the first time Nezha had felt an emotion since the lotus heart disappeared.
So Nezha walked the road back to Chentang Pass again and again.
He chose not to take his younger self away.
Because he always believed that if he returned to the past, he could change the ending, and bring about a more complete redemption.
Even though what happened on that timeline would never be repeated, no matter what.
"The me who was born in the mortal world saved the me of the present in a parallel universe I can never reach again."
Tips:
A family-focused special featuring the Chentang Pass setting from Divine Tribulation. Readers who haven't read the previous story can enjoy it without any trouble.
When Nezha left Chentang Pass after completing his tribulation, he gave the fire lotus's heart to his mother so she could become a god.
Both Nezhas are protagonists in this story. It's a plot-driven serious drama with a certain learning curve, so feel free to drop it if it's not for you.
Theme: Break the chains of fate.
