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墨書 Inktalez
The ground cracked open, and Xuan Yang fell into an endless darkness. He felt like a discarded stone, plummeting down, down, the sound of wind howling in his ears like the cries of ghosts, piercing his eardrums. "Damn it, is this ever going to end?" Xuan Yang couldn't help but curse. What kind of place was this? He struggled to stabilize himself but found it futile; the sensation of weightlessness made him feel nauseous, his stomach churning violently.
Suddenly, his descent slowed, as if he had fallen into water, a strange resistance enveloping him. He opened his eyes and found himself in a vast expanse of white. "Where is this...?" Xuan Yang looked around, filled with confusion. There was no sky, no ground, only an endless sea of white, like a giant canvas waiting for something to fill it.
"Welcome to the final stage of the trial," an ethereal voice echoed in his ears, resonating like ancient bells that shook his very soul.
"Final stage?" Xuan Yang was taken aback, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. How could this trial still be ongoing?
"Indeed, you must pass the final test to become a true Puppet Master," the voice continued with an undeniable authority.
"What is the final test?" Xuan Yang asked, his tone tinged with anxiety; he sensed that this so-called test would not be easy.
"Conquer your inner fears," the voice replied succinctly yet powerfully, like a thunderclap that reverberated within Xuan Yang's heart.
Xuan Yang's heart sank. He understood that this would be the most challenging ordeal he had ever faced. He closed his eyes and began to examine his inner self, as if exploring a dark cave. What was his greatest fear? Losing loved ones? Losing friends? Or losing power? No, none of those. His greatest fear was losing himself; he feared being consumed by power and becoming a cold-hearted monster. He feared losing his way and forgetting his original dreams, turning into a mere shell of a person.
"I know your fears," the voice seemed to penetrate his soul like an omniscient deity. "But you must overcome them to wield true power."
Xuan Yang took a deep breath; he knew he had to confront his fears. Avoidance would only make them stronger. He opened his eyes, determination shining in them like a drawn sword glinting in the light. "Come on, let me see what my fears are!" he declared loudly, his tone filled with challenge and a sense of irrevocable resolve.
The white space began to transform, swirling like an ink wash painting into a desolate desert. The blazing sun hung high in the sky, scorching the earth, and waves of suffocating heat filled the air as if he were trapped in a giant furnace. Xuan Yang felt parched; his throat burned as if on fire with every breath he took, each inhale feeling like swallowing hot sand.
He trudged forward step by step on the scalding sand beneath him; each step felt like walking on hot iron. He moved slowly, each footfall akin to walking on razor blades. Sweat soaked through his clothes and evaporated under the relentless sun into a hazy mist around him. His body felt heavier with each passing moment as if he were carrying a mountain on his back that made it hard for him to breathe. His willpower waned dangerously low, flickering like a candle in the wind that could extinguish at any moment.
Suddenly, he spotted an oasis ahead—a shimmering jewel amidst the desert—radiating an inviting glow. In the oasis lay clear waters as crystalline as emeralds and lush trees with thick foliage and vibrant greenery; birds sang sweetly amidst fragrant flowers that refreshed the spirit.
Xuan Yang's heart leaped with joy as he quickened his pace toward the oasis like a thirsty traveler who had found hope for life. He could hardly wait to drink from the cool lake waters, to rest in the shade of trees, to escape this damned desert.
He drew closer to the oasis, its scenery becoming increasingly vivid, like a beautiful mirage unfolding before his eyes. He spotted a familiar figure standing by the lake—Qu Si Yang, the one he had been longing for day and night.
“Si Yang!” Xuan Yang called out excitedly, quickening his pace, his heart brimming with joy and anticipation. He rushed to Qu Si Yang, wanting to embrace her, to feel her warmth.
However, Qu Si Yang turned around, revealing a cold expression that resembled eternal ice, emanating a bone-chilling aura. “You are not Si Yang!” Xuan Yang's heart sank; he stepped back as if doused with cold water, jolted awake from a beautiful dream.
“I am your inner fear,” Qu Si Yang said, her tone icy and merciless, like a judgment from hell.
Xuan Yang felt a weight in his heart; he realized he had been deceived. This oasis, this Qu Si Yang, were merely illusions—manifestations of his own fears.
“You are afraid of losing her, afraid that she will leave you,” Qu Si Yang continued, her voice laced with mockery, echoing in his ears like a demon's whisper. “You fear disappointing her expectations and letting her down.”
Xuan Yang fell silent. He knew Qu Si Yang spoke the truth; he had always feared losing her and betraying her trust. This fear clung to him like a parasite.
“You must conquer this fear to become a true Puppet Master,” Qu Si Yang said, her tone growing serious, echoing like the teachings of a mentor in his heart.
Xuan Yang took a deep breath; he knew he had to make a choice: to continue sinking into fear or to face it bravely.
“I will not lose her!” Xuan Yang declared loudly, his voice filled with determination, as unyielding as steel. “I will protect her and ensure she comes to no harm!”
“Good,” Qu Si Yang nodded. “Then let me see your resolve.”
Qu Si Yang's figure vanished, replaced by a massive shadow that loomed like a demon crawling from the depths of hell, claws bared and exuding an oppressive aura that was suffocating.
Xuan Yang understood this was the embodiment of his inner fear; he had to overcome it to prove his determination and gain true power. Clenching his fists, his gaze sharpened like that of a hawk, filled with the thirst for battle. “Come on!” he shouted as he charged at the shadow like a tiger pouncing on its prey, fueled by unwavering courage.
An intense battle began...
Suddenly, he felt someone tapping his shoulder, pulling him back from the chaos into reality. He opened his eyes and found himself still lying on the cold stone platform, everything around him had returned to calm.
"You're awake?" A familiar voice echoed in his ear, like the warm sun in winter, dispelling the chill in his heart.
It was Lu Zhiyuan.
"Old Village Chief?" Xuan Yang was taken aback, filled with confusion. The experience he just had felt so real yet so surreal.
"You just had a very long dream," Lu Zhiyuan said, a hint of laughter in his tone, like a caring father.
"A dream?" Xuan Yang recalled the events that had just transpired, still unable to find peace within. Was it really a dream? If it was a dream, why did it feel so real? If it wasn't a dream, then what was it?
"You have passed the trial; now you are truly a Puppet Master," Lu Zhiyuan said, his voice filled with pride, as if watching his own child grow up.
Xuan Yang's heart trembled. He had finally achieved his long-held dream of becoming a true Puppet Master.
He stood up, feeling a surge of power coursing through him, as if a slumbering dragon within him had finally awakened. A powerful energy surged through his body. He lifted his head and gazed into the distance, his eyes filled with hope and determination.
He knew that his journey was just beginning...
Yet, the village had undergone tremendous changes, an ominous premonition surged within him...
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