Chapter 2: The Hourglass of Time, Controlling Time?​​

"Don’t mind what my parents and sister said. I’ll make them accept you soon."

Awkwardly stepping out of the bathroom, Ning Qingya wheeled herself to the hospital bed. Her foggy mind cleared slightly as she vigorously rubbed her delicate face. Opening her mouth, she changed the subject.

"Mhm."

Wang Shikong nodded. "Push me to the balcony. I want some sunlight."

"Okay." Ning Qingya complied, guiding him into the sunlight on the balcony.

The warm sun bathed his face, causing Wang Shikong to close his eyes gently.

Beside him, Ning Qingya watched his handsome profile and distant expression, a wave of guilt washing over her once more.

A young man, fresh out of school in the prime of his youth, now paralyzed for life because of her carelessness...

"Want some fruit?" she asked softly after a few minutes.

"No," Wang Shikong replied calmly.

"I’ll handle your discharge soon. I’ll take you home," Ning Qingya continued.

"Fine. Buy me an electric wheelchair," Wang Shikong instructed.

"Okay."

Ning Qingya nodded. "I’ll go handle the paperwork now. I’ll be back soon. Call me if anything urgent comes up."

"Mhm."

Listening to her footsteps fade and the door click shut, Wang Shikong glanced around, then slowly raised his right hand.

With a thought, sand trickled between his fingers.

Time materialized, sifting silently through the gaps.

"Time is formless, shifting stars and realms unseen."

"Years are knives, carving mountains, seas, and all between."

"A flash—radiance blooms."

He murmured, a phantom hourglass materializing in his palm, accompanied by ethereal text:

​​[Hourglass of Time: Origin]​​

​​[Ability 1: Restart (Resets the user's condition. Current limit: within 10 minutes. Cooldown: 1 day)]​​

​​[Ability 2: Time Stop (Pauses all entities within a radius of 1 meter * user's mental strength, excluding the user. Current duration: 1 second. Cooldown: 1 day)]​​

​​[Ability 3: Perception (Time perception. Allows precise detection of minuscule time increments, sequences of events within fleeting moments, and prediction of future trends. Current foresight: 1 second.)]​​

​​[Other abilities locked due to insufficient mental strength.]​​

"An artifact earned after a year trapped in that realm, surviving countless brushes with death."

Wang Shikong gazed at the hourglass, awestruck. "No wonder it’s called the most mysterious, untouchable, imperceptible force. Even more extraordinary than the spatial power I once wielded."

Especially the third ability—Precognition. It was entirely passive, with no cooldown. Its utility in combat was unimaginable.

Thinking of the impending descent of the Endless Continent, Wang Shikong’s eyes flickered. He closed them, attempting to sense the surrounding elements, cycling the Elemental Spirit Refinement technique.

Finding nothing, he raised an eyebrow but quickly understood. Elemental perception wasn’t active yet.

Seems cultivation methods only work after the Endless Continent links with Earth, he mused silently, unlocking sealed memories, piecing them together bit by bit.

"Shikong, let’s go. I’m taking you home."

Ning Qingya’s return interrupted his thoughts not long after.

"Alright."

Hearing her voice, Wang Shikong opened his eyes.

Two orderlies arrived, wheeling him outside to a luxury van parked by the hospital entrance. They carefully lifted him inside.

"Uncle Liu, drive us home," Ning Qingya instructed. The vehicle pulled away.

Wang Shikong sat in the plush interior of the luxury van. The graceful figure beside him sat poised, every movement a pleasure to behold.

In under twenty minutes, the car entered the grounds of Tán Palace Villa No. 018, one of Shanghai’s most exclusive residences.

"Miss, let me push him," offered a middle-aged butler as the car stopped. He and the driver helped Wang Shikong into the wheelchair.

"No need. I’ll do it," Ning Qingya refused, then commanded, "From now on, address him as Young Master."

"Y-yes, of course," the butler stammered, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he nodded.

Entering the opulent villa living room, Wang Shikong surveyed the familiar home. His gaze settled on the ‘father-in-law’ puffing a cigar on the sofa, the ‘mother-in-law’ wearing a worried frown, and the ‘sister-in-law’, Ning Qingrou, staring at him with wide, curious eyes.

"Mom, Dad, is the room ready?" Ning Qingya asked.

"All set. Everything’s prepared," Mrs. Ning rose, adding, "Butler Chen will share the room with him for easier care."

"Okay, Mom."

Ning Qingya nodded, pushing Wang Shikong forward. "I’ll show you your room. Let me know if you need anything else."

"Alright. I’m not used to the smell of smoke in rooms," Wang Shikong stated.

Ning Tianxiong, mid-puff on his cigar, froze, his expression and arm stiffening.

"Dad, how many times have I told you? No smoking at home," Ning Qingya chided, looking at her father.

"You—you—" Ning Tianxiong sputtered, pointing a trembling finger at Wang Shikong, struggling to speak. "The audacity! You..."

"Old Ning, our daughter means well. It’s for your health," Mrs. Ning soothed beside him.

"I—I’ve smoked for decades! What else am I supposed to do?" Ning Tianxiong retorted, exasperated.

"Geez, Dad, maybe try a gas canister next? Boom!" Ning Qingrou chirped playfully, clearly enjoying the drama.

"My dad’s actually quite reasonable. He rarely smokes inside," Ning Qingya explained as she wheeled Wang Shikong towards the elevator. "Let’s see the room."

"Mhm."

Wang Shikong nodded. Under Ning Tianxiong’s furious glare, they took the elevator to the second floor.

A seventy-square-meter room held two beds, fully equipped with every necessity.

"I prefer living alone. Have Butler Chen stay next door," Wang Shikong requested upon arrival.

"Of course. I’ll have a bell installed by your bed. Press it if you need anything," Ning Qingya agreed readily, accommodating his every wish.

She then showed him the study, the tea room, the home theater...

"I have to go to the company during the day and won’t be able to stay with you. Butler Chen will be at your disposal 24/7. You can also ask the housekeepers for anything. Now, let’s go eat," Ning Qingya explained, guiding him to the dining area. "Let the chefs know your favorite dishes. How does today’s meal look?"

"I’m not picky," Wang Shikong replied, eyeing the lavish spread on the table.

"Um... Shikong, eat up," Mrs. Ning forced a smile, trying to accept her new son-in-law.

Wang Shikong nodded. The ‘family of five’ sat down for their first official meal together, though the atmosphere was palpably tense.

Ning Tianxiong at the table downed glass after glass of wine, shooting occasional displeased glances his way.

Wang Shikong paid him no mind. His father-in-law was clearly going through a rebellious phase.

After dinner, he had Ning Qingya wheel him to the balcony. Gazing at the night sky, he quietly sifted through the flood of information in his mind.

Reborn, he needed a meticulous plan.

To mend past regrets, seize every opportunity, protect everyone dear to him, and ensure his wife’s tragedy never repeated.

Over the next two days, he rested at night, basked in the sun on the balcony or courtyard during the day. When Ning Qingya returned in the evening, she’d wheel him around the neighborhood.

Wang Shikong and the Ning family reached a tentative ‘acquaintance’.

On the third morning, after breakfast, Wang Shikong watched Ning Qingya and her father leave for the company and Ning Qingrou head to school. He wheeled himself into the study.

Picking up a nearby fan, he gently fanned himself.

Adjusting his glasses, golden sand seemed to flow within his eyes as he slowly closed them.

​​"It’s here!"​​

Simultaneously, a voice echoed in the minds of every person on Earth:

​​[Linking to the Endless Continent...]​​

​​[The Endless Continent welcomes cultivators from other worlds to slay demons, vanquish evil, and ascend to immortality!]​​

​​[You have ten minutes to prepare. In ten minutes, you will descend upon the Endless Continent!]​