Chapter 17: The Shattered Mirror

The valley faded behind them as Lin Wei and Mei made their way back into the dense forest. The encounter with the Guardian had left Lin Wei with more questions than answers, but one thing was clear: the ancient power within him was far more complex—and far more dangerous—than he had realized. It wasn't just a tool or a weapon; it was a living, breathing force that seemed to have a will of its own.

As they walked, Mei glanced at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "What happened back there, Lin Wei? You were standing in front of that archway, and then… you just froze. I couldn't reach you."

Lin Wei hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I… I don't know how to explain it. It was like I was pulled into another world. There was a man—a Guardian. He said he was there to test me."

Mei's eyes widened. "A Guardian? What kind of test?"

Lin Wei shook his head, his voice tinged with frustration. "He wanted to see if I could control the ancient power. If I was worthy of it. And if I failed… he said the power would consume me."

Mei frowned, her brow furrowing in thought. "That doesn't make sense. Why would there be a Guardian? And why now?"

Lin Wei shrugged. "I don't know. But I think it has something to do with the pull I felt. The ancient power… it's like it's guiding me. Or maybe it's testing me."

Mei was silent for a moment, her gaze distant. "This is bigger than we thought, Lin Wei. The ancient power isn't just a fragment of the heavens' energy. It's something more. Something… alive."

Lin Wei felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean?"

Mei met his gaze, her expression serious. "I mean that the power within you might have its own agenda. And if we're not careful, it could use you to achieve its goals."

Lin Wei's stomach churned. The idea that the ancient power might be manipulating him was unsettling, to say the least. But he couldn't deny that it made sense. The power had always felt foreign, like a presence lurking just beneath the surface of his consciousness.

"What do we do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mei placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch firm but reassuring. "We keep moving. We learn as much as we can. And we stay one step ahead of the sect—and the power."

Lin Wei nodded, feeling a flicker of determination. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew he couldn't give up. Not now.

---

They traveled for several more days, sticking to the wilderness and avoiding populated areas. The ancient power within Lin Wei continued to grow, and he spent hours each day meditating, trying to understand and control it. But the more he tried to harness it, the more he realized how little he truly understood.

One evening, as they sat by a campfire, Lin Wei felt the pull again—stronger this time. It was like a magnetic force, drawing him toward something he couldn't see. He stood abruptly, his heart pounding.

"Do you feel that?" he asked, turning to Mei.

Mei frowned, her expression concerned. "Feel what?"

Lin Wei hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "It's like… a pull. Like something's calling to me."

Mei's eyes widened. "It's the ancient power again. We need to follow it."

Lin Wei nodded, his resolve hardening. "Let's go."

They set off in the direction of the pull, moving through the forest with cautious determination. The feeling grew stronger as they traveled, guiding them toward a secluded clearing. At the center of the clearing stood a massive stone mirror, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly light.

Lin Wei approached the mirror cautiously, his heart pounding. The surface of the mirror rippled like water, and as he stared into it, he saw his reflection—but it wasn't him. The figure in the mirror had glowing eyes and a sinister smile, and its presence was overwhelming.

"Lin Wei," the figure said, its voice echoing through the clearing. "You've come."

Lin Wei took a step back, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. "Who are you?"

The figure stepped out of the mirror, its form solidifying as it emerged. It was a perfect replica of Lin Wei, but its aura was dark and menacing. "I am you," it said, its voice dripping with malice. "The part of you that you try to ignore. The part that knows you're not strong enough. The part that knows you'll never control the ancient power."

Lin Wei's heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. "What do you want?"

The doppelgänger smirked. "I want what you want. Power. Freedom. But you're too weak to take it. That's why I'm here—to show you what you're truly capable of."

Before Lin Wei could respond, the doppelgänger lunged at him, its movements swift and unpredictable. Lin Wei barely managed to dodge, feeling the heat of its Qi as it grazed his arm. He activated **Qi Flow**, feeling the energy surge through him as he prepared to counterattack.

But the doppelgänger was faster. It moved with a speed and precision that Lin Wei couldn't match, landing blow after blow. Lin Wei tried to use **Shadow Step**, but the ability glitched, teleporting him only a few inches to the side.

"See?" the doppelgänger taunted. "You can't even control your own abilities. How do you expect to control the ancient power?"

Lin Wei gritted his teeth, refusing to give up. He focused on his **Inner Calm** ability, stabilizing his emotions and clearing his mind. As the doppelgänger lunged at him again, Lin Wei sidestepped and struck with a **Frost Palm**, freezing the ground beneath its feet.

The doppelgänger stumbled, giving Lin Wei an opening. He pressed the attack, channeling his Qi into a powerful strike. But just as he was about to land the blow, the doppelgänger vanished, reappearing behind him.

"Too slow," the doppelgänger sneered, delivering a devastating kick that sent Lin Wei sprawling.

Lin Wei groaned, struggling to get back on his feet. His body ached, and his Qi was running low. But he refused to give up. He closed his eyes, focusing on his system. He needed something—anything—to turn the tide.

His system screen flickered to life:

**[New Quest: Overcome Your Shadow. Reward: System Upgrade.]**

Lin Wei took a deep breath, letting the energy flow through him. He thought about everything he had been through—the trials, the training, the moments of doubt and triumph. He thought about Mei's words: *"You can control this power. You just need to believe in yourself."*

As he focused, his system screen flickered again:

**[Ability Acquired: Mirror Strike (Glitch Variant).]**

**[Description: Reflect your opponent's attack with equal force. Accuracy may vary.]**

Lin Wei opened his eyes, feeling a surge of determination. The doppelgänger lunged at him again, but this time, Lin Wei was ready. He activated **Mirror Strike**, channeling his Qi into the ability.

The doppelgänger's attack struck, but instead of hitting Lin Wei, it was reflected back at him. The force of the blow sent the doppelgänger flying, and he landed hard on the ground, his form flickering like a dying flame.

"You… you can't defeat me," the doppelgänger said, his voice weak but still defiant. "I am a part of you."

"You're right," Lin Wei said, walking toward him. "You are a part of me. But you're not the part that defines me."

He raised his hand, channeling his Qi into a final strike. The doppelgänger's form shattered like glass, dissolving into the void.

---

The clearing fell silent, the only sound the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. Lin Wei stood there, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The ancient power within him surged, and he felt a strange sense of clarity—as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Mei approached cautiously, her expression a mix of awe and concern. "Lin Wei… are you okay?"

Lin Wei nodded, feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment. "I think so. I… I faced my shadow. And I won."

Mei smiled faintly. "That's good. But we should get out of here. This place… it feels strange."

Lin Wei nodded, feeling a flicker of unease. The clearing was beautiful, but there was something unsettling about it—something that made him want to leave as soon as possible.

As they made their way out of the clearing, Lin Wei couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. He had faced his shadow and emerged victorious, but he knew there were still many challenges ahead. With Mei by his side and the ancient power within him, he was ready to continue his journey.

---

The path ahead was uncertain, but Lin Wei was determined to find his own way—no matter the cost.