The First Owner of the Black Ring
Li Wen woke up with one thought pounding in his head: "I have to go back to that world."
The campus was closed today. No classes, no responsibilities—just silence and time. The perfect chance to find out if what he saw a few days ago was real… or just a dream that refused to fade.
He sat on the edge of his bed. Sunlight poured through the window, striking his hand. The black ring on his finger shimmered faintly, as if it drank the light around it.
"Can this thing really take me back there?" he muttered.
His fingers trembled slightly. Part of him didn't believe it would work. But another part—the desperate, angry part—needed to believe. He was tired of being powerless, tired of being stepped on.
He took a slow breath and said, "Black ring… take me back. To that world."
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the air thickened—heavy, cold. A strange tingling crawled across his skin. The room spun, blurring into black.
Colors bled away. The sound vanished. And then—a blinding flash tore through the darkness.
When his eyes opened again, he wasn't in his room anymore. The world around him felt alive.
The air was damp and sweet, thick with the scent of earth and ripened fruit. Trees towered in every direction, their branches heavy with dark-red orbs that shimmered like wet rubies. They looked like apples… smaller, darker, almost bleeding color.
Li Wen stared in disbelief. "I actually made it back."
He reached for a low branch, plucked one of the fruits, and took a bite. Juice ran down his chin—tangy, hot, electric. Power rushed through his veins like fire. His whole body felt lighter, sharper, alive.
"Holy crap…" he breathed. "This stuff's amazing. It tastes great and it makes me stronger. If I could sell this in the real world… I'd be filthy rich."
He chuckled at the thought, but the smile didn't last. His gaze drifted to the ring.
"But if anyone finds out…" he whispered. His hand clenched. "They'd try to take it. And I'm not strong enough to stop them."
He pushed the ring deeper onto his finger, hiding it as best he could. "Better keep this secret. For now."
He wandered through the orchard until something caught his eye—an old wooden hut half-hidden behind the trees. The roof sagged, the walls cracked and gray with age.
"I didn't see that last time," he murmured.
The door creaked as he pushed it open. The air inside smelled of dust and forgotten years. A crooked table stood in the center, surrounded by broken chairs and stacks of yellowed books. Sunlight leaked through the wall gaps, drawing gold lines across the floor.
"Hello?" he called softly. "Anyone here?"
No answer—just the whisper of wind sliding through the cracks.
He stepped closer, brushing dust off one of the books. The moment his fingers touched it, a voice came from behind him.
"Just as I thought… you finally came."
Li Wen froze. His heart kicked hard. He spun around fast.
A woman stood in the doorway—young, graceful, dressed in soft violet. Her long black hair flowed like silk, her eyes calm but impossibly deep.
"Who are you?" he asked cautiously, taking a step back.
She smiled faintly. "I'm the first owner of the black ring you're wearing."
His eyes widened. "No way. This ring's been in my family for generations. My grandmother said it's an heirloom."
The woman nodded slowly. "It is. I gave it to your ancestor long ago. He saved my life, and that ring… was my way of repaying him."
Li Wen blinked. "So you've been alive for—what, centuries? That's impossible."
"My name is Yu Ning," she said softly. "I was once a cultivator—in this world. That ring isn't just a trinket. It's a bridge between the human realm and ours. Only those from your bloodline can use it."
Li Wen gave a nervous laugh. "Cultivator? Like… from those web novels? Training, spirit power, immortality—that kind of thing?"
Yu Ning's smile deepened. "Maybe those stories aren't as fake as you think. They're echoes of something real."
He rubbed his temples. "This is insane."
"You don't have to believe me yet," she said gently. "You've already crossed into this world—that's proof enough. But if you want to understand more…"
She raised her hand. A crimson crystal appeared on her palm, pulsing like a living ember.
"…take this."
The crystal floated toward him, slow and steady.
Li Wen caught it by instinct. It was warm, thrumming faintly—like a heartbeat. "What is it?" he asked.
"A memory crystal," Yu Ning replied. "Place it on your forehead. You'll see part of my memories—and the truth about this world."
"And if I do… what happens to me?" he asked carefully.
"Nothing dangerous," she said with a calm smile. "Maybe a little dizzy. But after that… you'll understand."
Her voice began to fade. Her body turned translucent, like smoke drifting in sunlight.
"Wait! Where are you going?" he shouted.
Yu Ning's voice came softer, distant. "I can only stay for a while. Once you've seen my memories, call my name through the ring—I'll return."
And then she was gone.
Li Wen stared at the crystal glowing in his hand. Its red light pulsed slowly, reflecting in his eyes. "Should I really do this?"
He sat on a worn-out chair. Sunlight spilled from the broken roof, painting his face and hands in gold. The crystal's light shimmered, calling to him.
He sighed. "Alright, Yu Ning… I'll trust you. Just this once."
He pressed the crystal to his forehead.
Instantly, red light burst outward—blinding, searing.
Then the world vanished.
He was no longer himself. He saw Yu Ning as a young woman, training beneath a burning sky. He saw battles against strange beasts, fire and light crashing like waves. Then—a woman who looked exactly like his mother, kneeling beside a wounded Yu Ning.
"That's… my ancestor," he whispered.
The visions shattered. Li Wen gasped, trembling, breath ragged.
He looked down at the ring on his finger. Its dark glow shimmered faintly—alive, aware.
"So it's all true," he said softly. "Yu Ning wasn't lying."
His eyes turned toward the door—and the faint red light bleeding through the forest outside.