The pale sky above the grayscale realm stretched into infinity, void of clouds, stars, or sun. A windless silence hung heavy, pressing against Lin Tianming's senses like a suffocating veil. Across the grey plain, the older version of himself stood, still and patient.
It was like staring into a twisted future—a Tianming molded by loss, failure, and betrayal. His aura was cold, sharp, and brutal, utterly devoid of warmth or mercy.
"This trial is unlike the rest," the System whispered in his mind.
System Notification:
> Trial of the Eternal Echoes Initiated Phase One: Confrontation of the Fallen Self Objective: Survive and subdue the self that succumbed to fate
"I am what you could become," the doppelgänger said, eyes dull yet piercing. "If you choose vengeance over purpose. If you let pain become your law."
Tianming summoned his celestial sword. "Then I will cut that path away."
The shadow lunged forward.
Steel clashed with steel.
Their blades moved in unison at first, mirroring each other perfectly. Every strike was anticipated, every dodge predicted. But the fallen version began using tactics Tianming had never considered—ruthless feints, attacks fueled by pain rather than logic.
He ducked under Tianming's guard, struck his ribs, and kicked him backward.
Tianming skidded across the barren ground, coughing blood.
"Anger slows you," the mirror-Tianming said. "You hesitate because you still believe in saving others."
Tianming wiped his mouth. "No. I hesitate because you've forgotten why we fight."
He closed his eyes.
Let instinct fall away. Let the system's guidance fade. Let all paths vanish.
Only his will remained.
His eyes snapped open.
A new aura surged from him—deeper, calmer, more resolute.
He charged forward again, not as a blade, but as a flame—burning with conviction.
Their swords clashed once more.
This time, the fallen self faltered.
Blow after blow, Tianming pressed the assault. Every slash carved through the lies the fallen self believed in. Every step forward was a declaration:
I will not become you.
Finally, with one mighty strike, he knocked the blade from the mirror's hand.
Tianming stood over him.
"I could kill you," he said.
The fallen self looked up, hollow.
"Then why don't you?"
"Because even a broken piece of me deserves redemption."
He reached out.
Light surrounded the fallen Tianming. He didn't resist.
They merged.
A wave of energy pulsed outwards.
System Notification:
> Trial Phase One Complete Mental Fusion Initiated – Trauma and Strength Integrated New Trait Gained: Steeled Resolve – Immune to mental illusions and fear-based attacks
The realm shimmered.
Phase Two Initiating: Trial of Echoing Souls
---
Outside the sphere, the girls stirred as the orb began to pulse with rainbow light.
Zhao Yueyin rose. "He's entering the second phase."
Qingmei looked worried. "He's been in there almost a day."
Yuelan placed a hand on her shoulder. "Trust him. That man defies logic."
---
Back inside the sphere, Tianming found himself in a new realm—this one made of infinite fragments, like shards of glass suspended in the void.
Each shard reflected a different scene: wars, cities, lovers, betrayals, triumphs, deaths.
A thousand lives played before him.
"System," he said, voice steady.
> Trial of Echoing Souls: Choose one path. Live it. Learn from it. Die in it. Success requires comprehension and transformation.
The shards spiraled around him.
One hovered forward.
It showed a peaceful village, a humble life, no cultivation—just family, farming, and warmth.
He touched it.
---
And instantly, he was someone else.
His name was still Tianming—but here, he was a mortal. A son of a blacksmith. A man who lived for others. He fell in love with a girl named Mei. They married, raised children, and aged together.
She died before him. He lived on, alone but fulfilled. When he finally closed his eyes, he smiled.
The world turned to dust.
He returned to the void.
Another shard hovered forward.
This time: A world where he chose revenge above all.
He burned empires. Slaughtered sects. In the end, he sat on a throne of bones—alone, godlike, empty.
He touched it.
And lived it.
Then died with a scream.
Another shard.
He was a protector this time, sacrificing everything for others, dying young but with honor.
He lived. He died.
Again. And again.
Dozens of lifetimes passed. Every choice led to a lesson.
By the end, his soul was weary, but his mind clear.
"I understand now," he said into the void.
"The value of power lies in how we wield it. The meaning of life is not escape from death—but what we do before it."
System Notification:
> Trial Phase Two Complete Trait Acquired: Soul-Tempered Vision – Perceive intent through aura; insight into karmic threads
Final Phase Initiating: Realm of Divine Echo
Tianming's surroundings faded.
He stood now in a vast temple, floating above a nebula sea.
A voice echoed.
> Prove you are worthy of the title Heaven-Denier. Face the Will of the Heavens.
A beam of golden light descended.
It formed into a colossal figure—shimmering and formless, with a crown of stars and robes made of galaxies.
It held no weapon—only presence.
Tianming stepped forward.
He did not draw his blade.
He stood tall.
"I defy not for defiance. I deny not for rebellion. I rise… because the heavens were never meant to cage us."
The giant raised its arm.
An invisible pressure crushed down.
Tianming didn't flinch.
He breathed in—and let his spirit flare.
A dragon of chaos emerged behind him, wrapped in lotus petals of clarity and lightning shaped by compassion.
He raised both hands.
Origin Qi Integration: Soul–Will–Body Synchronization
He roared—and the sky split.
The giant cracked.
Fragments of divine will scattered.
Tianming floated in the silence that followed.
The temple collapsed.
The voice returned—soft this time.
> Heaven-Denier… trial complete.
> You are now the bearer of the Celestial Seed. A new realm may one day sprout from your will.
A lotus-shaped mark appeared on his palm.
The sphere expelled him gently.
---
Outside, the girls saw a flash of light—and Tianming descended slowly, robes untouched, gaze quiet.
"Tianming!" Qingmei ran forward.
He caught her.
Zhao Yueyin and Yuelan approached.
"You look… different," Yuelan said.
"I've seen who I might become," he said. "And who I must choose to be."
Zhao Yueyin studied him. "You carry new weight."
He nodded. "We have work to do."
He looked at the sky.
"The heavens blinked," he said. "Let's make sure they never close their eyes again."
---
[End of Chapter 30: Mirror of the Fallen Self]