Temptation

Xu Yan stepped into the next chamber, the air heavy with a palpable pressure. His sharp eyes scanned the room. It was empty, save for a single pedestal in the center. Upon it rested a thick, ancient manual, its cover made of some kind of dark leather etched with faint, glowing runes.

Cautiously, Xu Yan approached, his instincts on edge. His gaze lingered on the manual. It exuded an ominous energy, as if it pulsed faintly with a life of its own. For a moment, he hesitated. 'Another trial,' he thought, his jaw tightening. But there was no turning back now.

Reaching out, Xu Yan placed his hand on the manual. The moment his fingers made contact, a blinding light erupted from it, engulfing him entirely. The world spun, and his vision went blank.

"Xu Yan," a deep voice called out, resonant and commanding. It wasn't a voice that demanded attention—it seized it. "Do you seek power?"

When Xu Yan's vision returned, he found himself in a strange, surreal landscape. The sky was a swirling vortex of black and crimson, and the ground beneath him shifted like living shadows. Ahead of him, the voice continued.

"With this technique, everything you desire can be yours," it whispered, smooth and inviting. "Your enemies crushed. Your ambitions realized."

The shadows around him began to take form, molding into an image. Xu Yan's breath hitched as he saw the bodies of those who had betrayed him, strewn across the ground. Their lifeless eyes stared into nothingness, faces frozen in terror. He stood above them in the vision, a triumphant figure shrouded in power.

The scene shifted. Now, he sat upon a grand throne, his black robes flowing like a dark tide. A mighty presence exuded from him as disciples knelt before him, chanting his name. The banner of the Blood Fang Sect loomed high above, its emblem glowing fiercely. To his side, the Azure Sky Sect bowed low in submission.

"Look at it," the voice urged. "This is what you could have. Power, vengeance, dominance—everything you've ever wanted. All you must do is accept."

Xu Yan's fists clenched at his sides, his heart pounding. The allure was undeniable. It wasn't just the power—it was the justice, the retribution he had craved since that fateful day of betrayal. He took a step forward, drawn toward the image.

"Take it," the voice coaxed. "You deserve it. Strength reigns supreme, does it not? Forget morals, forget hesitation. With power, nothing else matters."

Xu Yan's breathing quickened. His mind was clouded by the intoxicating visions, his emotions swirling in chaos. For a moment, he could see himself reaching out, grasping that power. His body tensed, his resolve wavering.

Then, like a faint echo, a memory broke through the haze. It wasn't loud, but it was clear. He could hear Grandpa Chen's voice, warm and steady. He saw the old man's wrinkled hands holding a wooden sword, a bright smile on his face. "Practice, Xu Yan. It's not about cutting others down, but about cutting away your doubts."

The memory struck like a lightning bolt. Xu Yan's breathing slowed as his mind cleared. "No," he muttered, almost to himself.

The voice grew more insistent, its tone shifting to one of frustration. "Why? Why refuse? Look at what lies before you! Strength determines everything. With power, you can rewrite your fate."

Xu Yan's expression hardened, and he took a step back from the visions. "You're right about one thing," he said, his voice steady. "Strength is what matters. But power that turns me into a monster is no power worth having."

The shadows around him writhed, the vision shifting into chaos. The voice was almost pleading now. "Why cling to weakness? Why hold on to meaningless ideals? Everything can be yours. You can crush the hypocrites, shatter their schemes, and stand above them all!"

Xu Yan exhaled slowly, his gaze sharp. "I seek power, yes. And revenge. But I won't lose myself in the process. Even when I stepped onto the demonic path, I swore I would follow my own ideals. Whether it's the righteous path or the demonic path, I will use whatever means necessary—but they will be my means."

He took a deep breath, his shadow qi faintly swirling around him. "In the face of strength, hypocrisy and schemes mean nothing. But I refuse to abandon who I am."

The voice roared, the shadows surging as if trying to consume him. Xu Yan stood firm, his aura flaring as he shouted, "Break for me!"

The shadows shattered, the oppressive energy dissipating in an instant. The vision faded, and Xu Yan found himself back in the chamber. The manual on the pedestal was gone, replaced by a faintly glowing rune on the wall. The room was quiet, the air still.

Xu Yan exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing as he steadied his breath. His gaze lingered on the glowing rune, his thoughts turning inward. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the exit, his resolve burning brighter than ever.