Li Feng's heart pounded as the energy from the Immortal Sage's touch surged through him. His senses sharpened, and he felt as if he was seeing the world for the first time. Colors were more vibrant, sounds clearer, and every breath filled him with a strange but exhilarating vitality. This new power was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
The Immortal Sage withdrew his hand and gave Li Feng an appraising look. "You feel it, don't you? The spark of potential awakening inside you. But mere potential is not enough. If you are to walk the path of the Eternal Sovereign, you must prove yourself worthy."
Li Feng steadied himself, sensing that this moment was only the beginning. "What must I do, Sage?"
The Immortal Sage's expression was unreadable, but his gaze held an intensity that sent a shiver down Li Feng's spine. "You must complete a trial. It will test not just your strength, but the essence of your character. Many have tried, but few succeed."
He gestured to a dark path leading into the dense forest, where ancient trees loomed like silent guardians. "Beyond that path lies a place hidden from mortal eyes—the Cave of Shadows. In its depths, you will face the fears and doubts within you. Only by confronting these can you begin the journey of cultivation."
Li Feng swallowed, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination. He knew that fear had held him back for too long. This was his chance to face it head-on.
As he stepped onto the path, the Sage's voice followed him, calm but commanding. "Remember, what you see in the Cave may not be real, but the challenges will test the truest parts of you. Do not lose yourself."
The forest grew darker the further he walked, and an unnatural silence settled around him. No birds sang, no leaves rustled—it was as if nature itself was holding its breath. Finally, he arrived at the cave entrance, a narrow gap in the mountainside with jagged stones framing its mouth. A faint, cold draft seeped out, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and something… darker.
Summoning his courage, Li Feng entered. Shadows swallowed him, and he could barely make out the winding path inside. The deeper he went, the colder it grew, and he began to feel an inexplicable weight on his chest, as if something heavy was pressing against his spirit.
Suddenly, faint whispers echoed through the darkness. At first, he thought he was imagining them, but as he continued, the whispers grew louder, taunting him with words that sounded eerily familiar.
"Did you think you could become anything more than a broken man?" one voice sneered.
"You weren't enough for Mei Lin," another hissed. "Why would you be enough for anything greater?"
Li Feng clenched his fists, pushing forward. He knew the voices were illusions, tricks meant to weaken his resolve, but they struck deep, touching wounds he had yet to heal. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the darkness itself sought to pull him down.
As he continued, a faint light appeared ahead, revealing a large, cavernous chamber. In the center of the chamber stood a figure—one that made his heart skip a beat. Mei Lin. She was exactly as he remembered: her delicate face, her soft smile, the warmth he'd once found in her gaze. For a moment, he felt a pang of longing.
"Li Feng," she said softly, her voice carrying an echo. "Why did you leave? Don't you want to be with me?"
His heart twisted. This wasn't real, he reminded himself. But the ache was undeniable. He had loved her, given her everything, only to be betrayed. And yet, seeing her again brought back memories of their happier times, stirring feelings he thought he had buried.
"No," he said, his voice trembling. "You… you are not real."
Her expression changed, turning cold and mocking. "Is that what you tell yourself? You were never enough for me. Zhang Wei could give me everything you never could—status, wealth, and a future."
Her words stung, but this time, he did not waver. He took a deep breath, grounding himself. "I may not have been enough for you, but that does not define who I am."
The figure of Mei Lin vanished, replaced by a swirling darkness that began to take shape, forming a shadowy version of himself. This dark reflection stared back at him with a look of contempt.
"You think you're strong enough to walk this path?" the shadow sneered. "You couldn't even hold on to the one person who meant something to you. How do you expect to conquer anything greater?"
Li Feng's hands trembled, but he steadied himself, meeting the shadow's gaze. "Maybe I did fail. Maybe I was weak. But I'm here now, ready to face whatever comes."
The shadow lunged, its form shifting into a monstrous, clawed creature. It struck at him, fast and fierce. Li Feng dodged, narrowly avoiding the blow, but he could feel the creature's strength pressing against him. His heart raced, and instinct took over as he fought back, evading its strikes and landing blows of his own. But the creature's taunts continued, echoing his insecurities and doubts with every attack.
Finally, with a surge of determination, he channeled the energy he'd felt from the Sage's touch. He focused his mind, letting go of the anger, the betrayal, and the fear. A warmth ignited within him, illuminating his heart and spreading through his body. As he embraced this power, his hand began to glow with a faint, radiant light.
He struck, his glowing fist connecting with the shadow creature's form. The darkness shattered, dissolving into mist as the echoes of its taunts faded. The weight on his chest lifted, and he felt a profound clarity he hadn't known before.
The chamber began to shift, and he found himself back at the entrance of the cave, where the Immortal Sage awaited.
The Sage nodded approvingly. "You faced the darkness within and emerged stronger. This was only the first step, Li Feng, but you have proven your spirit's strength. Remember this moment, for there will be many more trials ahead."
Li Feng nodded, breathing deeply, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He knew this was just the beginning, but the fire within him had been lit. He would no longer be bound by his past or his fears. He was ready to embrace the path of the Eternal Sovereign.