CHRONICLES OF THE CRIPPLED CULTIVATOR

His real name was Liang Feng, but people just saw him as a nobody-a cripple. By the time he was 10, life had already kicked him hard. His parents, who were supposed to be good people because of their family name, turned out to be jerks. They kicked him out when his legs stopped working.

They thought a son who couldn't walk would bring shame to the family. Left to fend for himself, he dragged himself through the dirty alleys of Chengdu. Even though he was down, he wasn't out.

Life kept whispering awful things, telling him he was useless. But deep down, something inside him refused to give up. He'd watch the street fighters and the sword guys practicing in the temple yards. Their swords looked and sounded amazing. Even though his body was messed up, his mind kept fighting every night in his dreams.

When he turned 14, things got weirder. He started hearing voices. At first, he was worried he was going crazy, but the voices weren't mean. They sounded old and wise, like the wind that's blown through the mountains for ages. They called him Xuan Hei-a name he didn't know-and told him to go to the old tunnels under the city.

So, Liang Feng went. He crawled through the dark, moss-covered tunnels until it felt like the earth just opened up and swallowed him. The last thing he remembered was a rush of air and falling.

He woke up standing.

It had been years since he felt the ground under his feet. He stumbled, then laughed like crazy until he started crying. His legs, which felt numb, were working again. He ran, he jumped, and his laughter bounced off the walls of this huge place.

This wasn't Earth. Above him was a ceiling of black rock with glowing crystals. The air smelled like smoke and metal. He could hear hammers banging and see rivers of melted metal flowing through the ground. This was Di Yu, sort of like the Underworld of some forgotten people. People were working hard and starving. He found out that surface raiders had stolen all the women. Everyone was hungry, and they had almost lost all hope.

An old guy named Old Guo took him home and told him what had to happen.

If you want to see your parents alive and well, kid, you have to get everything back-the food, the women, everything. If you fail, you're stuck here with us. Your curse will come back, and your legs will fail again. And be sure that your parents won't breathe anymore in your world.

Liang's heart sank. He still loved his mom. He had found his freedom in this awful place, but it would cost him a lot of blood and sweat to keep it. So, he agreed to fight.

Years went by. He trained in the mountains with the last people who knew the old ways. The Ten Grand Magicians of the Ten Kingdoms showed him how to use the magic in the rocks, control the metal winds, and use Qi Jian. It's like sword energy, and it could cut through anything.

He got strong, and his fighting spirit became honed.

After six years, he wasn't the crippled boy from Earth anymore. He was Xuan Hei, the Black Dragon of Di Yu, and the people's last chance at hope.

The day to settle things finally came. With his sword and spells, he led the attack against the surface raiders. He fought through blood and fire and got the stolen women back. Among them, was a beautiful woman named Mei Lin, whose dark eyes gave him the feels. And there was also Lan Xue, she was tough and fun, and her humor started to break through his tough exterior.

But winning wasn't the end.

When the women were safe and the food was back, the people of Di Yu met under the huge stone altar where the Ten Grand Magicians were waiting. Their robes shimmered, and the air was filled with magic.

Old Guo stepped up, his voice shaking. Liang Feng-or Xuan Hei, as we call you now- the gate back to your world will open as we said.

The magicians started the ritual. They chanted old spells, and the stones glowed so brightly. A portal started to form, spinning with gold and black energy like it was alive.

But even as the gateway opened, Liang felt torn.

Mei Lin came forward, nervously giving him a bag of food. Take this... so you'll never be hungry again. A part of us will go with you.

Lan Xue was sad but tried to stay strong. "Don't go, Xuan Hei! Here, you're not broken. Here, we think you're great... up there they will just call you cripple."

Their words hit him hard. His heart started racing-not because he was fighting, but because he felt something he had never felt before. They didn't see him as broken. He felt happy and warm around them. Mei Lin's touch felt nice like something good was about to happen. Lan Xue had this look that dared him to love them instead of going back.

He wanted to stay.

He wanted to be in this world where his legs worked, people praised him, and pretty women cared about him.

But he had agreed.

If he stayed, the portal would close forever. And if the people went hungry again, his curse would come back forever.

Liang closed his eyes, taking one last deep breath. He spoke in a rough voice. I... I can't break my word.

Mei Lin cried, and the tears sparkled. Lan Xue turned away, trying not to cry. The other women thanked him, looking sad.

He held the bag tighter. The food inside was light, but it felt really heavy.

The Ten Magicians raised their staff. The portal got bigger, and the winds sounded like dragons. The voices that had called him here years ago whispered again, louder.

Liang took a step, then another. It felt like he was ripping off his skin. As he went through the portal, he looked back.

Mei Lin said We'll wait... even forever.

Lan Xue raised her fist, trying to look tough. Go, without the hurt legs. But know... we care about you.

Then the portal closed.

The winds howled, the world spun, and the voices gave their final order. His body twisted through space, and the sounds of Di Yu disappeared-replaced by the sounds of Earth.