They walked into a world with no edges.
Just glass, and the feeling of falling sideways without moving.
The corridor behind them had vanished. Ahead there were no walls, no ceiling, no sky. Only a glimmering floor, too smooth to be stone, too dark to reflect light.
Wei Lin's voice came soft behind him. "I don't like this place one bit."
Shang Di didn't respond.
Because in the middle of the vast open chamber stood a throne made of reflecting glass.
Cracked. Sharp-edged. Made entirely of broken mirrors.
And on it sat he himself.
But not the version that had fought beasts or created pills. Not the one that had won in Constellation either. Not even the one who stood there himself right now.
No. This Shang Di wore a stretched-out green shirt, red pajama pants, and he had that same distant look from his old life—sitting in front of a flickering screen, praying the notifications would distract him from reality he's desperately trying to escape.
The version of the old Shang Di the one who couldn't face the harshness of reality.
The one that never expected to be seen.
"Hello," the illusion said, it's fingers tapping the edge of the throne.
...
[System Notification]
Trial Zone: Pale Gallery – Sovereign Manifestation
Dungeon Progress: 58% → 65%
Threat Class: Severe
Type: Mental Echo Construct
Objectives:
– Survive and eliminate the Anchor Core
Optional Flag: "Sovereign of the Self"
Clear Condition: Win without using System-assisted techniques
Reward: Fusion Access + Trait Resonance
Warning: Emotional destabilization imminent
...
Wei Lin stopped behind him. "Shang Di? what are you-?"
"You can't see him."
"Who is 'he'?"
"Doesn't matter." Shang Di stepped forward.
The Mirror Shang Di stood up from the throne of broken mirrors.
No glow. No Qi. No posture of strength.
And yet, Shang Di could feel it.
Like the room was bending toward the copy.
"You got all this power, and the first thing you did was make a system clean up your mess, pathetic" the copy said sneering.
"I earned this path."
"You clicked the 'yes' button. That's not earning. That's desperation, or curiosity at best."
Shang Di's fists clenched.
"I know what I was. What I am."
The copy stepped closer to him.
"You've got a voice in your head giving you strength. Pulls. Quests. Rewards. How much of this is actually earned by you? In the end it depends on luck, not skill."
The system interface buzzed, then dimmed.
[System Suppressed]
Trial must be completed without aid.
The silence that followed was heavier than the darkness around them.
And then the copy moved.
...
There was no warning.
No burst of Qi, no flash of light.
Just a silent step, and the Mirror Shang Di was there, slamming a palm strike at Shang Di's temple.
He ducked just in time—barely.
The next strike came low, a sweep meant to trip him.
He countered with a reverse kick, but the copy moved like he expected it.
Because of course he did, he was fighting himself after all.
This wasn't an opponent.
This was everything he used to be—and everything he feared he still was.
He gritted his teeth.
A fist connected with his ribs with just enough force to send him stumbling a step back.
The air got knocked out of his lungs.
Another hit—his jaw this time.
The world spun around him, and he felt loosing his sense of balance.
He hit the ground, hard his ribs and jaw feeling numb due to the rush of hi adrenalin.
"C'mon," the Mirror sneered. "Don't you have a comeback line? You always had one. On forums. In chat. everywhere online."
Shang Di mustered his strength and pushed himself back to his knees.
Another kick slammed into his side, kicking the air out of him and sending him rolling.
"Wasn't your whole life just dodging? You dodged reality for twenty years. What makes you think you deserve this now?"
He stood up shakily.
Wobbled, fearing his legs would give out beneath him.
Spit blood.
Then wiped his mouth tasting the iron-like flavor his blood left behind.
And smiled.
"Because I'm still standing."
The copy paused.
"Because despite every fight, every crack in the mirror—you still can't stop me from rising."
The Mirror Shang Di scowled and looked at Shang Di disgusted.
"You're just trying to act brave."
"Maybe. But unlike you—" Shang Di surged forward, grabbing the copy's arm mid-strike, and pulled him forward. "—I fight back now."
He headbutted the illusion square in the face.
Glass cracked.
The reflection screamed and stumbled backward.
Shang Di followed, throwing punches—not precise, not elegant, just however. Elbows. Knees. Every hit was sloppy—but honest.
No skill, or technique.
No system, or assistance.
Just grit.
Just will.
The Mirror collapsed to a knee, panting. A hairline fracture split down its face.
"You're… not stronger."
"I don't need to be," Shang Di whispered. "I just need to be more stubborn than the version of me that gave up."
Then he raised his fist—and brought it down.
...
The glass shattered.
The floor, the throne, the echo—all gone.
He stood alone in the dark.
gasping for air from exhaustion.
Sweating strong.
But nonetheless, he was alive.
...
[System Reinstated]
Trial Completed: Pale Gallery – Sovereign Stage
Dungeon Progress: 65% → 72%
Optional Flag Cleared: "Sovereign of the Self"
SP Gained: +90
Shadow's Favor: 5/7 → 6/7
Trait Update: Echo Bind (Resonant Layer unlocked)
Custom Fusion: Unlocked
Base Techniques:
– [Darkness Swallowing]
– [Internal Pulse Rotation]
New Technique:
[Abyss Pulse Swallowing]
Type: Hybrid Disruption / Absorption
Description: Absorbs and circulates enemy Qi within a confined radius; can release a backlash pulse scaled by stored spiritual energy.
Passive Effect: Dampens spiritual interference within a 3-meter zone
Risk: May trigger backlash under heavy overload
...
Wei Lin was waiting at the edge of the illusion dome.
He stared at Shang Di with wide eyes.
"You were out for… two minutes. Standing still. Eyes glazed over. Then you just started punching air like your life depended on it."
Shang Di walked past him.
"It did."
...
Behind them, the mirror shards faded to dust.
And the corridor ahead darkened again—leading to the next trial.
Shang Di looked ahead, more determined than ever.
He then muttered quietly:
"One more push, i can overcome this too."
He took a breath steeling his nerves, and finally, he stepped forward.
...
To be continued…
If you liked this chapter we'd appreciate an add to your library and a vote to motivate us. Have a nice day!
...