From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 148 Battle Against Inner Demons Before the Sealed Gate

The sealed gate stood majestically before me, like an ancient giant, silently enduring. The cold stone walls exuded an ancient and mysterious aura, covered with countless runes that swam like tadpoles, shimmering with an eerie light. I reached out, my fingertips lightly touching the cold stone surface; a chill instantly spread through my body, and I couldn't help but shiver.

What lies beyond the door? Is it the final trial leading to the inheritance, or another unknown abyss? I took a deep breath, trying to calm my wildly beating heart. I had already defeated the remnant soul of the Nine Yang True Monarch, but his words lingered in my mind like a nightmare, "Give up! You can't succeed!" His voice was filled with malice and despair, trying to break my will.

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to ignore those negative emotions. Fei Yu had already entered the sealed gate before me; I couldn't fall behind, I had to catch up with him!

I slowly pushed open the heavy stone door, and a powerful force rushed towards me, as if to devour me. I staggered back a few steps, almost falling. This force was not a physical impact, but rather acted directly on my mind, attempting to awaken the fear deep within me.

The world before my eyes began to distort, familiar scenes transformed into grotesque monsters emitting piercing screams. I felt as if I had been transported back to the moment when I was abandoned by my family and ridiculed by everyone; helplessness and despair washed over me like a tidal wave, almost drowning me.

"No! I'm not afraid!" I shook my head desperately, trying to shake off these hallucinations. I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my flesh; the pain kept me sane.

The mocking voices grew clearer, piercing my eardrums like sharp needles. "Useless! A piece of trash without spiritual roots! You'll never become an immortal!"

My body began to tremble, and the fear deep within me roared like a wild beast, trying to break free of my reason. I felt like I was about to collapse, about to be devoured by this force.

"Xiao Yao! Hang in there!" A gentle voice rang in my ears; it was Reimu's voice.

I opened my eyes abruptly, and the illusion before me gradually faded, the world returning to its original state. I gasped for breath, my clothes soaked with cold sweat.

"Are you alright?" A figure appeared in front of me; it was Reimu. She looked at me with concern, her eyes filled with worry.

I shook my head, trying to calm myself down. "I'm fine, it was just... a hallucination..."

“That’s the power of the sealed gate. It will awaken the fear deep within you. Only by overcoming these fears can you pass the test,” Reimu explained.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I silently repeated my beliefs to myself, telling myself over and over again that I couldn't give up, I had to succeed!

I looked at the massive stone door again, my heart filled with determination. Whatever trials lay hidden behind it, I would face them bravely!

I slowly raised my hand...

I slowly raised my hand and touched the cold stone door again. This time, I did not back down, letting that force assault my soul. Fear, despair, helplessness... all sorts of negative emotions surged like a tide, trying to overwhelm me.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and imagined Wen Chen's encouraging smile, the hardships I had endured to get here, and the glory of finally standing at the summit. These images illuminated my heart like a beacon, dispelling the dark corners.

I silently recited my belief: "My fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens! I, Xiao Yao, will never bow to destiny!"

This belief acted like an unbreakable shield, repelling the onslaught of fear. My heart gradually calmed down, and those negative emotions slowly dissipated. I felt a powerful force surging within me, fighting against the force that was trying to devour me.

After a brief stalemate, the force finally began to recede, like the tide, leaving behind a calm. I slowly opened my eyes. The stone gate before me still stood majestically, but it no longer filled me with fear; instead, it gave me a strange sense of familiarity.

Suddenly, a deep and authoritative voice came from the door: "Do you really deserve to enter here?"

The voice seemed to come from ancient times, carrying an undeniable majesty that sent a shiver down my spine. Who was speaking? Was it the guardian of this door?

I took a deep breath and answered firmly, "Whether I am qualified or not is not for you to decide! I have come this far through countless hardships and overcome countless difficulties. I have gotten here through my own efforts, and I am qualified to be here!"

Although my voice wasn't as loud as that one, it was full of determination and confidence, echoing in the empty space.

"Hmph! What arrogance! Who do you think you are? You dare to challenge the authority of the tradition?" The voice carried a hint of disdain.

I sneered, "A challenge? I'm not challenging anyone; I'm just fighting for my opportunity! I firmly believe that as long as I work hard, I will succeed!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the stone gate suddenly shone brightly, and a dazzling light enveloped me. I felt a powerful force pulling me in, and my body was involuntarily thrown forward.

"Let me see what you're really capable of!" the voice rang out again, carrying a hint of warning.

A chill ran through me; I knew the real test had only just begun. I gripped my sword tightly, my gaze fixed resolutely ahead, ready to face the challenge that lay ahead… “Come on!”

After the dazzling white light faded, I found myself in a vast, empty hall. In the center of the hall floated a huge golden sphere, radiating a warm, soft light. Before me, a giant clad in golden armor and wielding a halberd stared menacingly at me.

"Anyone who trespasses through the sealed gate shall die!" The giant's voice boomed like thunder, making the hall reverberate.

It seemed he was the guardian of this door. I gripped my sword tightly, not daring to be careless in the slightest. The giant's halberd came slashing down at me with a whistling sound, and I quickly rolled to the side to dodge. The halberd slammed heavily onto the ground with a loud thud, making the ground tremble.

"So strong!" I was secretly shocked; this giant's strength far exceeded my imagination. I dared not confront him head-on, and could only rely on my speed and agility to maneuver around him. Like a nimble swallow, I weaved through the giant's attacks, searching for an opportunity to counterattack.

The giant's attacks, though powerful, seemed somewhat clumsy, as if bound by some kind of rule. I noticed that each of his attacks followed a certain trajectory, and the range of his attacks was also somewhat limited.

Could this be… the rule of an ancient inheritance? A thought flashed through my mind as I suddenly recalled some records about ancient inheritances I had read in ancient texts. It is said that the guardians of ancient inheritances are bound by ancient rules; although their power is immense, they cannot use it at will.

With this in mind, I felt a sense of confidence. I began to deliberately guide the giant's attack, leading him step by step into my trap. I used the pillars in the hall as cover to avoid the giant's attacks, while simultaneously searching for his weaknesses.

Finally, I found an opportunity. As the giant swung his halberd again, I dodged behind him and swiftly swung my sword, aiming for his back.

With a clang, my sword was blocked by the giant's armor!

What a strong defense! I was startled, but I didn't give up. I took a deep breath, poured all my spiritual power into the sword, and swung it again.

This time, my sword finally pierced the giant's armor, and blood gushed from the wound. The giant roared and turned to attack me.

I quickly retreated, dodging his attack. I knew my chance had come. I swung my sword again, and this time, it pierced the giant's heart.

The giant let out a roar of resentment, then slowly collapsed, its massive body crashing to the ground, shaking the entire hall.

I stood there, slightly out of breath. This battle was far more difficult than I had imagined. If I hadn't discovered the giant's weakness, I probably would have been defeated long ago.

I looked up at the massive stone door, my heart filled with anticipation. I slowly walked to the door, reached out, and pushed it open…

The blinding light forced me to close my eyes, and a deep voice reached my ears: "Welcome to the true land of inheritance..."

The blinding light gradually faded, and I slowly opened my eyes, finding myself not in any place of inheritance, but still standing in the main hall. However, where the golden sphere had been, a smooth, mirror-like wall had appeared, with faintly visible swirling mist within. The deep voice sounded again, but this time it no longer came from all directions; instead, it echoed directly in my mind: "The real test has only just begun. Overcome your inner fears, and you will receive the true inheritance."

Inner fear? A chill ran through me. Could this mirror be the so-called sealing gate, and its test not of my strength, but of my inner demons? Lingmeng's gentle voice rang in my ears, as if traveling through time: "Xiao Yao, believe in yourself. You are stronger than you think."

Reimu's encouragement flowed like a warm current through my heart, dispelling my unease. I took a deep breath and gazed into the mirror. In the mirror, my figure gradually distorted, transforming into a little girl cowering in a corner, her eyes filled with fear. That was me in the past, the helpless and confused Xiao Yao when I first transmigrated to the world of cultivation.

"You have no spiritual root; you are destined to achieve nothing." A sharp voice echoed in my mind—the voices of those who had once mocked me. Immediately afterward, countless狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) faces appeared in the mirror, pointing at me and laughing at my incompetence and weakness.

My heart began to pound violently, and fear surged forth like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf me. No, I cannot be defeated by these inner demons! I clenched my fists, struggling to control my trembling body. I am Xiao Yao, I have overcome so many hardships and dangers, I will not be defeated by these illusory fears!

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and when I opened them again, there was no fear in them, only determination. Looking at myself in the mirror, I said, word by word, "I am Xiao Yao. I possess an unwavering will and an indomitable spirit! I will not be defeated by you!"

As I finished speaking, the hideous faces in the mirror began to distort, eventually dissipating into wisps of black smoke. The little girl's figure gradually grew up, eventually becoming me, with a determined and confident gaze.

"Very good, you have passed the first test." The deep voice sounded again, "Now, you will face the real challenge."

Ripples began to spread across the mirror's surface, spreading like water. Then, the mirror shattered, revealing a pitch-black passage. Without hesitation, I stepped into it, and at the end of the passage, there was an even more dazzling light.

As the light faded, I found myself in a completely new space. This was no longer an empty hall, but a fairyland filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers. A magnificent palace stood in the distance, resplendent in gold and exuding an imposing aura.

"Congratulations, you've arrived at the true land of inheritance." A familiar voice rang out. I turned my head sharply and saw Fei Yu standing not far away, a meaningful smile on his face...