Chapter 20: The Echoes of the Past
The calm after the storm was a strange, almost surreal feeling. Li Yan stood at the edge of a lush, vibrant landscape that stretched out before him, a stark contrast to the tempest he had just emerged from. The ground beneath his feet was solid and warm, the air crisp with the scent of fresh earth, and the sky above was clear, dotted with occasional drifting clouds. It was peaceful, almost too peaceful.
"Is this the next trial?" Li Yan muttered to himself, surveying the idyllic surroundings. "It doesn't feel like a trial at all. More like… a lull before the real test."
He had learned by now that peace in the world of trials was often fleeting, and the true nature of a challenge could appear when least expected. Still, he allowed himself a moment of respite. It was rare to have time to think and reflect, especially after surviving the Storm of Destiny.
He sat down on a smooth rock, gazing at the horizon. His mind wandered back to the figure he had encountered—his destiny manifest, a vision of the woman who had always been tied to his soul. What was that all about? he wondered. She had told him that the storm had been a test of his will, of his ability to choose his path. But the message felt deeper, more profound. It wasn't just about choosing his future; it was about embracing who he truly was and shedding the fears and insecurities that had held him back.
"Enough thinking," he said aloud, standing up with a sigh. "I've already passed the trial. Let's see what's next."
As he turned to leave, the ground beneath him shifted, and before he could react, a series of shimmering portals appeared, floating before him in the air. Each portal pulsed with a different color—some red, some blue, some green—each one calling to him in its own unique way.
Li Yan frowned, studying the portals carefully. Another choice?
The voice that had guided him through the trials spoke once again, its tone distant and cryptic. "Li Yan, you have passed the tests of will and destiny, but now you must face the echoes of your past. These portals lead to memories—fragments of the life you once lived. Step through, and confront what lies within. Only by understanding the past can you truly shape your future."
A chill ran through Li Yan at the mention of his past. His life before all this—before the trials, before the system, before the endless heavens—had been… ordinary. He had been a regular person, living on a parallel Earth, unaware of the vast cosmic forces that were watching over him.
But as he stepped closer to the portals, the weight of his past seemed to press against him, and a sense of foreboding gripped his heart. Do I really want to revisit all of this?
He hesitated for a moment, then resolved to face whatever memories lay behind the portals. "I'm not running away," he said firmly, stepping forward and choosing the red portal. It flickered, then expanded, pulling him in with a soft whoosh.
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The World of the Past
Li Yan found himself standing in the midst of a bustling city—a place that looked familiar, yet foreign, as if it existed in a time long forgotten. The streets were alive with activity, but everything felt… distant. The air was thick with the hum of human life, but it seemed muted, as if he were watching it through a veil.
He recognized this place instantly. It was his old home, the city where he had spent most of his life on Earth, before everything changed. His eyes scanned the surroundings—tall buildings, crowded marketplaces, and streets filled with people who didn't notice him. Everything was the same, yet different, as if the memories were faded and distorted.
"Is this where I grew up?" he whispered to himself.
His question was answered as a familiar figure appeared in front of him—a young man, dressed in the same clothes he used to wear. It was himself, but from another time, another life. He was walking down the street with a carefree smile, completely unaware of Li Yan's presence.
Li Yan's heart tightened in his chest. He had almost forgotten what it felt like to be this person—carefree, unburdened by the weight of the heavens, the system, the trials. His former self was so different from who he was now, and the realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
"Was I really like this?" Li Yan muttered, his voice barely audible.
As he watched his younger self, a memory stirred in the back of his mind. A memory of a simpler time, before his world had been turned upside down, before the infinite heavens had come crashing into his life. He remembered his family, his friends, the laughter, and the joy—everything that had been ripped away the moment he had been thrust into the world of cultivation, systems, and cosmic forces.
But there was something else in this memory. A shadow.
As he walked alongside his past self, a dark figure appeared at the edge of his vision. A man cloaked in black, his face obscured by a hood. The man's presence sent a shiver down Li Yan's spine.
"Who is that?" Li Yan asked, stepping forward, his instincts warning him of the danger the figure posed.
The figure seemed to notice Li Yan's gaze, but he did not react. Instead, he simply turned and walked into an alleyway, disappearing into the shadows.
Li Yan hesitated for a moment, then followed. The alleyway was narrow, dark, and oppressive, and the air felt heavy with an eerie stillness. As he moved deeper into the alley, he heard a faint voice—his own voice, but distorted, echoing through the darkness.
"You don't know what's coming… You don't know the truth."
Li Yan's breath caught in his throat as the words echoed louder, and he realized the figure had been speaking to him. To his past self.
The moment the voice faded, a sudden burst of light erupted from the depths of the alley, blinding Li Yan. He shielded his eyes instinctively, but when the light dimmed, he found himself standing in an empty void once more.
The portal had closed behind him.
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End of Chapter 20