As the news of Lu Shang's prolonged unconsciousness spread throughout the Lu clan and beyond, it ignited a wave of mixed emotions and speculation.
Some people, particularly those from rival clans, rejoiced about it and even wished that more bad thing should happen to the Lu Clan for their power to weaken.
On the other hand, within the Lu clan, many pitied Zhang Xiao and empathized with her plight. They knew that she had faced challenges in conceiving and had put all her hopes and love into raising Lu Shang, despite his apparent lack of talent in cultivation.
They saw her dedication and unwavering support for her son as a testament to a mother's unconditional love, even though the child was trash.
Zhang Xiao was said to be a cursed woman who could only give birth to only one child which was why she take care of Lu Shang extremely well.
The clan leader was fully aware of her problem when he was young but because of the love he had for her, he still decided to marry her, though the clan tried to stop him but couldn't stop him.
Rumors and gossip swirled within the clan, with whispers of curses and divine retribution targeting Zhang Xiao and her only son. Some believed that Lu Shang's condition was the result of a higher power punishing the Lu clan for their supposed arrogance and transgressions. Others dismissed such talk as baseless superstition, emphasizing the need for practical solutions and medical expertise.
As weeks turned into months, Zhang Xiao's resolve remained unyielding. She shut herself off from the rumors and the prying eyes of those who wished to exploit her vulnerability. Instead, she focused on finding any possible avenue for Lu Shang's recovery. She sought help from renowned physicians, sought advice from spiritual practitioners, and even delved into ancient texts and scrolls, searching for clues or remedies that might awaken her son from his dormant state.
Unbeknownst to everyone, deep within Lu Shang's consciousness, a battle was raging. His spirit, trapped within his own mind, fought against an unknown force that held him in a perpetual state of unconsciousness.
Deep within the depths of his consciousness, Lu Shang found himself in a realm shrouded in darkness. It was an ethereal space where his mind and spirit were locked in a fierce battle against an unseen adversary. He struggled against a formidable heart demon that had emerged from the depths of his own doubts and fears.
The appearance of his heart demon was demonic as if it was the king of demons. There were two horns on the head of the heart demon, which had a demonic aura around them.
The heart demon took the form of a formidable opponent, mirroring Lu Shang's physical appearance but radiating a malevolence that sent shivers down his spine.
It taunted him with words of doubt, reminding him of his perceived inadequacies and failures.
The heart demon sought to keep Lu Shang trapped in this mental prison, preventing him from regaining consciousness and continuing his cultivation journey.
With every passing moment, Lu Shang fought back with all his might. He mustered his resolve and refused to succumb to the heart demon's torment. It was a battle not just for his physical body but for his very spirit and will to live.
As the struggle intensified, flashes of memories and emotions flooded Lu Shang's mind. The death of his parents on earth, the pain of getting rejected by his parent's relatives, struggling for himself by stealing and doing minor jobs at a young age to keep himself together, suddenly dying in a cave without even knowing what killed him, and then miraculously getting reincarnated into the body of another person in a cultivation world.
He was opportune to experience motherly love in this world, the love and unwavering support of his mother, Zhang Xiao, emerged as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. It fueled his determination to break free from the clutches of the heart demon and reunite with her.
With each passing moment, Lu Shang's battle with the heart demon grew more intense. He summoned every ounce of his inner strength, drawing upon the resilience he had developed through the trials and tribulations of his past.
The memories of his struggles and the love he had experienced fueled a fire within him, pushing him to overcome the darkness that engulfed his consciousness.
The heart demon's taunts and illusions became fiercer, exploiting Lu Shang's deepest insecurities and doubts. It whispered of his perceived worthlessness, the failures he had endured, and the futility of his efforts. But Lu Shang refused to succumb to the negativity.
He clung to the memories of love and support, using them as a shield against the heart demon's attacks.
With each passing day, the battle raged on within Lu Shang's consciousness. While the outside world remained unaware of the turmoil unfolding inside him, Zhang Xiao could sense a glimmer of hope. She continued her tireless search for a solution.
She remained by Lu Shang's side, speaking to him with words of encouragement, sharing stories of their past and their dreams for the future. She believed that her voice would reach him, even in the depths of his unconsciousness, and serve as a guiding light to lead him back to consciousness.
With a surge of darkness, the heart demon transformed before Lu Shang's eyes. Its demonic form grew even more sinister, its aura exuding an overwhelming malevolence.
In the midst of the battle, a glimmer of realization flickered within Lu Shang's mind. He recognized that the heart demon was not an external enemy but a manifestation of his own fears and self-doubt. It was a reflection of the internal barriers he needed to overcome to reach his true potential.
With newfound clarity, Lu Shang confronted the heart demon head-on. He challenged its illusions, refusing to believe the lies it whispered. He embraced his past struggles as stepping stones that had shaped him into a resilient and determined individual. The heart demon's power wavered as Lu Shang's resolve strengthened.
But despite this, he was still finding it difficult to win against the heart demon.
Lu Shang's ears rang with the heart demon's mocking laughter and cruel words. "You are nothing but trash that is meant to be used as a stepping stone for others and other generations to come; you are nothing but a useless fellow to everyone around you.
You are cursed to be nothing. Oh, do you think that your mother has your interests at heart? No, she doesn't. She's only doing that for now. One day she will turn her back on you." The heart demon began to evilly laugh out, its voice echoing in Lu Shang's ear.
As the heart demon continued its assault, Lu Shang couldn't bear it or stop himself from breaking down at the words of the heart demon. He clutched his head with both hands and gritted his teeth in pain.
His mind was slowly beginning to give in to the will of the heart demon, which added more evil smiles to the face of the demon.
"Is this true?" "It seems like I am truly meant to be a stepping stone for others; why the need to live when I can only be oppressed and can't defend myself?" Negative thoughts began to pop into Lu Shang's head.