novellhall Chapter 102 Cliff of Heavenly Gate
Chapter 102 Cliff of Heavenly Gate
Chapter 102 Cliff of Heavenly Gate
You have entered the third trial: the Cliff of Heavenly Gate.
The surrounding area was boundless, with no sky or earth, no light or darkness, only endless gray mist slowly swirling around.
This is the edge of the Heavenly Gate.
Deep within the mist, the outline of a majestic gate could be vaguely seen. The gate was tightly closed, its height unknown, its width unknown, and its surface unadorned, displaying only the most ancient and simple patterns, exuding an aura of vastness and desolation.
That is the Heavenly Gate.
Before the Heavenly Gate, a colossal beast lay prostrate.
Its shape resembles a mountain, with the body of a tiger and nine heads, all of which are human-faced, with wide-open, angry eyes, exuding unparalleled majesty. Its entire body is covered with cyan-gold scales, each scale shimmering with a metallic luster.
This is the Enlightened Beast —
[Guardian: Kaiming Beast (Mythical Projection - Weakened Version)]
[Level: ??? (Under trial adaptation adjustment)]
【Characteristics: Guards the Heavenly Gate, discerns truth from falsehood, distinguishes between inside and outside, and dynamically adjusts its supernatural power according to the challenger's strength】
[Warning: This battle is not a pure contest of strength. You must break through his supernatural power, the Mirror of Clarity, to see your true self before you can reach the Heavenly Gate.]
"The latecomers."
The nine human faces of the Enlightened Beast spoke simultaneously, their voices overlapping, majestic and powerful, resonating deep within Lu Qingfeng's soul.
"If you wish to knock on the gates of heaven, you must first pass my test. I possess the supernatural power of the 'Mirror of Light,' which can reflect your true nature and reveal your inner and outer self. Overcome the reflection in the mirror, or gain my approval, and the gates of heaven will open on their own."
Lu Qingfeng focused his mind and became vigilant. His qi and blood had already silently reached their peak. If this wasn't a pure contest of strength, then it was a contest of strength! Either way, a fight was inevitable!
"Stop talking so much! Can't we just start the trial?"
"Stubborn fool!" The Enlightened Beast in the center swayed slightly, its eyes gleaming with golden light. "Then I'll show you what true internal and external barriers are!"
As soon as it finished speaking, one of its heads suddenly opened its huge mouth and spewed out a beam of clear, water-like light that instantly enveloped Lu Qingfeng.
Knowing it was a normal testing procedure, Lu Qingfeng did not try to avoid it, letting Guanghua cover him up.
In an instant, he felt a moment of mental confusion, and the surrounding scenery rippled and rearranged like water.
[Warning: You are affected by the "Mirror of Clarity" supernatural power! Soul strength assessment in progress — Willpower check in progress —]
[Partial exemption passed! You failed to fully exempt this effect!]
[Network Notice: Unknown factors are intervening — Network-related challenge scenarios are being revised —]
[Mirror in effect! Generated based on your life imprint, power traits, memory fragments, and latent thoughts.]
"Interior Reflections!"
The gray mist dispersed to both sides, and a figure materialized directly in front of Lu Qingfeng, with the same outline, height, and build as Lu Qingfeng.
But when the fog completely dissipated and her face was revealed, Lu Qingfeng was suddenly taken aback.
It was a face that blended many features, and was even somewhat distorted.
Aside from resembling Lu Qingfeng's original appearance, the figure's brows were filled with an even greater tyranny and madness than Lu Qingfeng's, a contradictory, extreme coldness and emptiness, and his body was surrounded by dark red blood energy that had accumulated countless killings and despair.
What shocked Lu Qingfeng even more was that the Chongyue Sword held by this figure was covered with cracks, and a dark red luster seeped out from the cracks.
"This is... me? Am I really that cruel, bloodthirsty, and ruthless? Isn't this tarnishing my noble and righteous image?!"
Lu Qingfeng felt a sense of absurdity and began to wonder if something deep within him that he had deliberately ignored or suppressed was being reflected.
On the other side, the inner vision slowly raised its head, its empty yet crazed eyes locking onto Lu Qingfeng. A stiff, exaggerated grin spread across its lips as it uttered a low, hoarse voice: "Power—slaughter—devour—more—stronger—freedom? Hahaha—tear everything apart—this is your—deepest—true desire—isn't it?"
Before the words were even finished, the figure inside had vanished from the spot!
Faster! Even faster than Lu Qingfeng's normal speed!
Why are we starting the boss battle so soon?! That's unsportsmanlike conduct!
Lu Qingfeng only had time to turn to the side before a purplish-black sword aura grazed his chest. The brutality and deathly stillness contained in the sword aura made him feel a bone-chilling cold on his skin.
"Not bad," the inner figure appeared ten meters away from him, tilting its head and speaking in that unsettling tone, "But, are you afraid of me? Afraid of this—the more real you?"
"Fear your mother!" Lu Qingfeng suppressed his self-doubt, his eyes flashing with bloodlust. "Where did this vile demon come from, daring to call itself me? Who the hell gave you that audacity?! You dog!"
Unleashed form, activate! Dark red energy surged skyward!
Sky Domination - Meteor Shower!
Lu Qingfeng transformed into a shooting star, his Chongyue Sword trailing a crimson tail of flames dozens of feet long, as he crashed headlong into the figure before him!
The inner figure also swung his sword to meet the attack, the purplish-black sword energy clashing with the crimson sword energy!
Boom!!!
A terrifying shockwave exploded in the void, tearing large blank spaces into the surrounding gray mist.
Both of them were sent flying backwards at the same time.
Lu Qingfeng steadied himself, his arm slightly numb. His opponent's strength, speed, and even combat skills were almost on par with his own. In fact, the aggressiveness and destructiveness of that purplish-black blood energy were even slightly greater than his normal blood energy!
"See that?" The inner figure shook its arm, and the cracked mountain hummed. "This is the power that you have suppressed and denied, yet it truly exists—originating from the feast, from tyranny, from every unbridled killing and devouring you have done—it yearns to be released, yearns to turn everything into nourishment—including yourself."
"1
Lu Qingfeng paused for a moment, his mind flashing back to the exhilarating slaughter of 100,000 Qin soldiers in the dungeon, the satisfaction of devouring the Blood Crystal of the Army Fiend, and an almost instinctive greed for greater power.
I do seem a bit abnormal, and I have so many negative emotions that when they are isolated and presented, they appear so grotesque.
I seem to enjoy doing all those things.
"So what!" Lu Qingfeng slowly raised his head, seemingly trying to find an excuse for himself. "I have never denied my thirst for power, nor have I ever shied away from battle and killing, but all of this is driven by my will, pointing towards the freedom and strength I pursue, rather than being enslaved by them and turning into a monster that only knows destruction!"
"Control?" the shadowy figure sneered sharply. "Your so-called control is nothing but a fragile balance! When a stronger temptation arises, when cracks appear in your will—it will devour your hypocritical heart, just like I have! Look at the cracks in this sword; that's proof of your inner conflict!"
"Fear?
'
Lu Qingfeng found the voice in front of him annoying; when had he ever been afraid!