As the sun sets in the late afternoon, long shadows stretch on the training ground, where Mei Feng signaled for Bai Cheng to move forward. At the center of the arena stands a glowing round platform pulsating softly with glowing symbols, as if alive. Ancient power filled the air, making a shiver run down Bai Cheng's back.
What is this? Bai Cheng asked, turning his head and looking carefully at the platform.
Ah," Mei Feng pressed severely as if checking over a list, "the Doppelgänger Drill. You have to fight somebody who knows you better than anybody else.".
"Better than Gerald?" Bai Cheng teased, smiling wryly as he glanced at Gerald, who still stood by, looking bewildered.
Mei Feng smiled in a way that showed she was in earnest, which made Bai Cheng stop smiling. "No, Bai Cheng.
Someone much worse—you."
Before Bai Cheng could process her words, the runes lit up in a blinding burst of light. A cold mist swirled around the platform, growing denser until shapes began to emerge from within it. By the time the fog finally lifted, Bai Cheng's heart was skipping a beat.
There, three of them were present.
Every Doppelgänger shared identical strong features and identical posture, but the faces on them were cold and far-off. Their eyes, sharp as they were, seemed to pick up every weakness Bai Cheng ever tried to hide.
"What. What kind of weird sorcery is this?" Bai Cheng said quietly, stepping back automatically.
"You've trained your body," Mei Feng said, her voice cutting through the tension sharply. "But have you trained your mind? Your self-control? These copies aren't just tricks. They are you—your strengths, your weaknesses, everything. They'll take advantage of what you don't want to see."
"Great," Bai Cheng said, rolling his shoulders. "Guess I'll just have to beat myself up."
Confident, are we? Mei Feng's lips curled into a knowing smile. Let's see how long that lasts. Begin!
The First Attack
Doppelgangers began to move swiftly, closing in within no time. Bai Cheng hardly had a chance to react as the first one kicked out with a spinning kick that came towards his ribs.
"Too slow!" the Doppelganger snarled, its voice a twisted echo of his own.
Bai Cheng blocked the kick with his forearm and felt pain from the hit. Turning to punch, another Doppelgänger attacked him from behind and punched him in the side.
Damn it!
Bai Cheng cursed, retreating. He caught himself, launched himself at the third copy-only to be sidestepped with uncanny ease his arm wrenched behind his back, and driven to the floor.
He rolled aside just in time to avoid another hit which smashed into the platform, making a small dent in the stone.
"They have hit harder than I do," said Bai Cheng softly, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"They just swing a lot smarter," Mei Feng said from in front. She folded her arms. "Strength is meaningless unless easy to anticipate.".
Fighting Shadows
Bai Cheng launched himself back into the fray, hoping to outrun his antagonists. He leaped at one with a flurry of punches, putting everything Gerald had taught him into play. But for every attack, the Doppelgängers countered.
They struck down from above even as Bai tried to brush one's legs. As he turned to sidestep them, they cut off his route of escape.
They're reading me! Bai Cheng spat, resentment climbing with each failed attempt.
"Of course," Mei Feng said calmly. "They are you. They know every pattern and every habit.
You can't just rely on brute force. Think, Bai Cheng!"
It's easier said than done! Bai Cheng shouted, just avoiding a coordinated attack. He was tired, out of options, and worst of all—he was losing his confidence.
The mockery begins.
As Bai Cheng stumbled backward the Doppelgängers began speaking, voices crackling with venom.
"You think you're strong?" one sneered, its expression mocking. "You're barely holding on."
Why bother?" another taunted, circling around him like a creature of prey. "You will never amount to anything.".
Bai Cheng clenched his fists, with his teeth between them. "Shut up.".
"You are but a wretched failure," said the third copy, its words smarting a lot. "Even your friends pity you."
"I said shut up!" he bellowed and charged forward in a mad blind frenzy.
He punched one Doppelgänger hard in the chest and the sound echoed in the air. But the victory was short-lived. The other two attacked simultaneously, one to his legs, and the other punched him in the stomach.
Bai Cheng tumbled to the ground, unable to breathe as the pain went through his body.
The Inner War
Mei Feng sat there silently. "Look at you," she said, her voice soft but with a piercing tone.
"You act like a child because you cannot control yourself. Is this the same Bai Cheng who wants to compete against other cultivators in the tests? Get up!"
Bai Cheng grunted as he dropped to his knees. His body ached, and his mind was filled, but the fire in his chest refused to die.
"You think you're better than me?" he growled, glaring at the illusions. "Fine. Let's see who's the strongest."
The Doppelgängers smiled in unison, efficient and precise movements as they readied themselves for another assault.
Determined though, Bai Cheng could not overtake speed and teamwork. He was countered with every action, and every plan that he undertook failed. The more he fought, the better he realized that he wasn't just fighting versions of himself but also against his doubts and fears.
At the end of the drill, Bai Cheng lay flat on the platform, wheezing for breath and complaining of muscle aches.
Doppelgängers dissolve into mist, and Bai Cheng is left alone with his disappointment. "Think you can win purely on your strength?" Mei Feng asked, her voice sharp but kind.
But Bai Cheng said nothing. He looked up at the sky, with frustration and weariness on his face.
"Learn from this, Bai Cheng," Mei Feng said as she moved closer. "You cannot defeat your enemies before you defeat yourself. Think about that before you try again."
Me was leaving, Bai Cheng could feel his fists clench at his sides. He made a promise in his pain, to get it so she would acknowledge him finally.