PFC Chapter 145 The Path of Inheritance Begins a New Chapter
Chapter 145 The Path of Inheritance Begins a New Chapter
The cool stone walls and rough texture gave me a strange sense of peace. This ancient stone tower was the place of inheritance, the place I had longed for. However, the moment I stepped through the tower gate, the expected tranquility did not appear. Instead, a powerful pressure came at me, as if an invisible hand was pressing down hard on my shoulder.
My legs felt like lead, each step incredibly difficult. The spiritual energy within me seemed suppressed, circulating with extreme sluggishness. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to move forward step by step. Sweat soaked my clothes, and a chill ran down my spine.
The surrounding environment was eerie and terrifying, the light dim, barely enough to make out objects within a few steps. Countless unknown dangers seemed to lurk in the darkness; I could almost hear my own rapid heartbeat, pounding against my eardrums. Fear surged into my heart like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf me.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. Wen Chen had said that the path of inheritance was fraught with peril, and only by overcoming inner fear could one ultimately obtain the inheritance. I couldn't give up; for myself and for him, I had to persevere!
I groped my way forward, the runes on the stone wall shimmering eerily in the dim light. I dared not touch them, fearing I might trigger some mechanism. After walking for an unknown amount of time, a faint light appeared ahead. My heart leaped with joy, and I quickened my pace.
The light grew brighter and brighter until I arrived at a spacious hall. In the center of the hall floated a huge crystal ball, emitting a soft light that illuminated the entire hall.
An old man sat cross-legged beneath the crystal ball, his eyes closed, his hair and beard all white, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom. He emanated a powerful aura that made me feel suffocated.
"Are you... an ancient immortal?" I asked tentatively.
The old man slowly opened his eyes, his gaze piercing as if it could see right through me. "You are Xiao Yao?"
I bowed respectfully and said, "It is indeed I, the junior."
"You've done very well. Getting this far proves you possess unwavering willpower," the ancient immortal's voice was deep and powerful. "However, this is only the beginning. The trials to come will be even more difficult. Are you ready?"
I nodded firmly: "I'm ready!"
The ancient immortal smiled slightly and pointed to the crystal ball: "This is the Pearl of Inheritance. It will guide you through the trials to come. Remember, only those with pure hearts and unwavering wills can ultimately receive the inheritance."
Just as I was about to step forward, suddenly, a dark shadow flashed past and blocked my way.
A man dressed in black with a cold and stern face appeared in my sight. He exuded a sharp aura, making me feel a strange sense of oppression.
“Feiyu…” I whispered his name.
He looked at me, a disdainful smile playing on his lips: "Xiao Yao, you are not qualified to receive the inheritance at all."
"You..." I was about to retort when he interrupted me with his next words...
"You're nothing but a useless piece of trash without any spiritual roots. What makes you think you can compete with me?" Fei Yu's voice was like a sharp knife, piercing my heart. Every word he spoke was like a heavy hammer, striking my fragile self-esteem.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms, causing a sharp pain. I struggled to control my anger, forcing myself to calm down. "Whether you have the right or not isn't up to you to decide," I said, my voice trembling slightly, yet tinged with stubbornness.
"Hmph, being stubborn won't help." Fei Yu sneered. "You think you can get the inheritance? You're just delusional!"
I took a deep breath, ignoring his provocation, and turned my gaze to the Ancient Immortal. He stared at us silently, his face expressionless, as if none of this concerned him.
"The first test begins!" The majestic voice of the ancient immortal echoed in the hall.
As soon as I finished speaking, the floor of the hall began to shake, and a huge wall of flames appeared in front of me. The heat was intense, making it hard for me to breathe. The scorching air felt like it was melting my skin.
I instinctively took a step back, staring in horror at the wall of flames. This was no ordinary fire, but a celestial fire imbued with powerful spiritual energy; a moment's carelessness would reduce me to ashes.
"Is this the first test?" Despair filled my heart. How could a useless person like me, without any spiritual roots, possibly pass through this wall of flames?
Fei Yu stood to the side, arms crossed, watching coldly with a mocking smile on his face. "Give up, Xiao Yao, you are no match for me."
His words stung like a needle. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to calm down. I couldn't give up; I had to pass the test and prove myself!
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and channeled my meager spiritual energy to form a thin protective shield around my body. I knew this shield couldn't possibly withstand the power of the immortal fire, but it at least gave me a glimmer of hope.
I opened my eyes and took my first step with determination. Searing flames instantly enveloped me, and I felt as if my body was about to be burned to ashes. The intense pain made it almost impossible to breathe, but I gritted my teeth and persevered, walking forward step by step.
Sweat soaked my clothes, and my hair clung to my face. My vision blurred, and I could only grope my way forward by feeling. My consciousness began to fade, and my body grew heavier and heavier, as if I might collapse at any moment.
Just when I was about to give up, a gentle voice sounded in my ear. "Don't be afraid..."
"Don't be afraid..." The voice flowed like a clear spring through my anxious nerves, bringing a touch of coolness. In my blurred vision, a gentle face appeared—it was Reimu. She had appeared beside me at some point, looking at me with worried eyes. She gently took my hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid, I'll be with you. You will definitely overcome this wall of flames."
Reimu's hands were soft and warm; her gentleness was like a refreshing stream, flowing into my parched heart. Feeling the warmth of her hands and her tenderness, I felt a sense of peace. Yes, I can't give up. I still have Reimu, and so many people who support me. I must persevere!
I took a deep breath, struggling to overcome my fear, and transformed the power Reimu had given me into the driving force to move forward. I mobilized all the spiritual energy within me, forming an even stronger shield around my body. I knew this shield was still weak, but it represented my determination, my indomitable spirit!
"Thank you, Reimu." I gave her a grateful smile, then resolutely rushed towards the raging wall of flames.
The scorching flames instantly engulfed me; I felt as if I were in a giant furnace, my skin aching as if pierced by a thousand needles. I gritted my teeth, enduring the indescribable pain, and moved forward step by step.
Reimu's voice kept echoing in my ears, guiding me forward like a beacon of light. "Hang in there, Xiao Yao, you can do it!" Her voice was gentle yet firm, giving me immense encouragement.
I felt as if I could see the finish line, the other side of that wall of flames. A flame of hope ignited within me, dispelling my fear and giving me the determination to charge forward.
I felt my body growing lighter and lighter, as if I were about to fly. I knew I was almost there! With my last ounce of strength, I leaped forward and finally broke through the wall of flames!
I collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. My clothes were soaked with sweat, and my hair was plastered messily to my face. I looked up and saw Fei Yu standing not far from me with a gloomy expression. He was also covered in sparks, clearly having gone through a tough battle.
He glared at me fiercely, snorted coldly, and then walked away without looking back. Watching his retreating figure, a question arose in my mind: why was he in such a hurry?
I stood up, dusted myself off, and prepared to continue. However, just as I took my first step, I suddenly felt a powerful force pulling me back. I looked back and found no one there.
A chill ran down my spine, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. I tried to move forward again, but found myself unable to budge an inch, as if trapped in an invisible cage.
I struggled desperately, but to no avail. Suddenly, a fog rolled in before my eyes, and the surrounding scenery began to blur. I felt my consciousness fading, as if I were being sucked into an unknown world…
"Where am I..." I murmured to myself, my voice growing softer and softer until it disappeared into the silence... The mist cleared, and I found myself standing on entirely new land. Looking back, the raging wall of flames was gone, replaced by a lush, verdant forest. I took a deep breath; the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, a stark contrast to the scorching heat from the other side of the wall of flames.
Before I could even feel relieved that I had passed the first test, I saw Fei Yu's figure flash past me. He was surrounded by azure light, clearly using some kind of acceleration spell. He glanced at me, his eyes filled with disdain and provocation. "Trying to get ahead? Not so easy!" I thought to myself, and immediately circulated my spiritual power to chase after him.
I moved with incredible speed, almost keeping pace with Fei Yu. He seemed surprised that I could catch up, a flicker of astonishment crossing his eyes before he let out a cold snort and accelerated again. We raced through the dense forest, branches scraping my cheeks, leaving tiny welts, but I dared not relax my guard, keeping a close eye on Fei Yu, afraid of being left behind.
Suddenly, Fei Yu stopped, and I almost bumped into him. He pointed ahead, a hint of mockery in his voice: "Looks like we'll have to cooperate." I followed his gaze and saw a massive, bottomless chasm ahead, with smooth, impassable cliffs on either side. Above the chasm, a pale purple mist hung in the air, obscuring the view on the other side.
My heart sank. This rift was clearly the second test, and Fei Yu's meaning was obvious: we had to join forces to overcome this obstacle. Although I was reluctant to cooperate with him, there was no other way at the moment. I nodded in agreement.
After discussing it, we decided to use Fei Yu's flying artifact to cross the rift. He summoned a cyan flying sword, its blade emitting a faint cyan light. I carefully stepped onto the flying sword, and Fei Yu jumped on as well, controlling the sword to slowly ascend into the air.
The flying sword carried us slowly towards the other side of the rift. Just then, a sinister laugh suddenly came from below the rift, followed by a powerful suction force coming from the bottom of the rift. The flying sword began to shake violently, as if it would fall at any moment.
"Oh no! It's the Netherworld Ghost King!" I exclaimed, recognizing the sinister aura emanating from him.
Fei Yu's expression also turned serious. He increased his spiritual energy output, struggling to maintain the balance of the flying sword. Just when we were about to give up, the flying sword finally flew across the rift and landed on the ground on the other side.
Before I could even catch my breath, the sight before me stunned me. This was no longer a dense forest, but a vibrant, multicolored light, like a dream. Instinctively, I reached out to touch the light, only to find my hand passing right through it.
"Is this...an illusion?" I murmured to myself.
"Be careful, this illusion is full of temptations, and you can easily get lost in it if you're not careful," Fei Yu's voice rang in my ears, carrying a hint of warning.
I took a deep breath, trying to stay awake. I knew this illusion was the third test, and the most dangerous one. I walked forward step by step, and the scenery around me began to change. I saw myself standing on a high platform, with countless people kneeling at my feet, shouting "Immortal Venerable!"
A thought flashed through my mind: This…isn't this the scene I've always dreamed of? To become a Celestial Venerable, revered by thousands…
I reached out, wanting to touch this glorious sight...