SHADOW SLAVE: A FINAL HOPE

The figure recoiled, its face twisted in revulsion. ''You think you can simply erase me? I am the reason you hesitate, the reason you doubt! and that is why I am the one you choose to face at last''

Fang Yuan stood tall, his heart resolute. ''I will not erase you, but I will understand you. You are a part of me, and I will not shy away from the truth of my actions. I will learn from my mistakes, and I will grow!''

With that, he stepped forward once more, embracing the figure of disgust. The wave of shame crashed over him, but this time, instead of retreating, he absorbed it, transforming the feeling into a lesson learned. The disgust faded into light, merging with him, and for the first time, he felt a sense of completeness.

As the last remnants of his former selves dissolved into him,a voice made its way into his serene and clear min it was the voice of disgust

''you might have overcame us fang yuan but the souls that you have taken because of your lofty ambitions the next trial you will have to face them you will have to live as them you will have to end them ''

 As the voice faded Fang Yuan stood alone in the vast darkness, a profound calm settling over him. He had faced his emotions, acknowledged his failures, and emerged stronger. With a newfound clarity,

[you have slain four ****, fang yuan]

[you have received a memory]

[you have slain a ****, amalgamation of emotions]

[you have received a memory]

[congratulations, aspirant, on clearing the trial of mind]

The darkness around him began to shift, swirling into a vortex of light as the trial of mind came to a close. Fang Yuan felt the pull of the next trial, the trial of soul, beckoning him forward. He stepped into the light, ready to face whatever lay ahead, his mind united in purpose.

''The trial of soul, huh? ''

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As Fang Yuan broke through the amalgamation of his negative emotions, he was met with an astonishing sight.

a long, endless path stretching out toward the horizon. This path appeared to be constructed entirely of white marble rock, gleaming and pristine. It was wide enough for a single person to walk alone, creating an atmosphere of solitude.

The surface looked both fragile and strong simultaneously, a paradox that intrigued him. Compared to the dark, oppressive world he had just emerged from, this glowing white path stood in stark contrast, illuminating the way forward with an ethereal light.

Having been prepared for the trial of soul by his emotion of disgust, Fang Yuan was acutely aware of what awaited him on this journey. With a mix of trepidation and determination, he took his first step onto the path.

''TAAK''

In an instant, the world around him began to blur and shift, the scenery transforming into something entirely different.

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"I'll be back, I promise," she whispered, but deep down, he knew those words were empty, a false reassurance.

This haunting phrase echoed in his mind as he faced the vision of his mother, a figure he had long since forgotten. Yet here she stood before him, conjured to life through the spell's recreation, revealing a moment he had never expected to witness again. The sight of the one person he had cherished most shattered his usually calm and composed mind, throwing it into chaos. The vision of his mother stirred deep emotions within him, emotions he struggled to comprehend fully. He yearned to speak to her, to reach out, but he quickly realized that he was merely an observer in this scene, powerless to influence the events that unfolded before his eyes.

Minutes stretched into hours as the sun dipped below the horizon and rose once more. Little Fang Yuan waited with bated breath for his mother's return, while the dream version of himself began to grasp the significance of his first steps. Gradually, the whispers of the townsfolk grew louder, their voices rising in a cacophony that drew the attention of the authorities.

Ultimately, the echo of his innocence faded away, leading him to the local monastery—a sanctuary of knowledge and tranquility run by compassionate monks. It became his first true home, a place where he felt a semblance of belonging.

At the monastery, Fang Yuan discovered a new rhythm to his life, a pace that resonated with his soul.

The monks welcomed him with open arms, showering him with kindness and imparting their wisdom through books, philosophy, and spirituality. They recognized the spark of brilliance in his young eyes and nurtured it, believing he had the potential to become a renowned scholar. Fang Yuan thrived in this nurturing environment, immersing himself in his studies as if they were his lifeline. He devoured the poetry of Rumi, absorbed the wisdom of the Buddha, and explored the teachings of countless philosophers, each text becoming a stepping stone on his intellectual journey.

Yet, beneath the surface of this newfound life, a deep ache lingered in his heart—a void where a mother's love should have blossomed. Despite the monks' unwavering kindness, the haunting reality of abandonment loomed over him like a dark cloud. Fragments of memories—his mother's laughter, the warmth of her embrace—flashed through his mind like distant dreams, often slipping away before he could grasp them fully. Even amidst the books and wisdom that surrounded him, loneliness became a constant companion, a shadow that followed him wherever he went. Although Fang Yuan was merely an observer in this vision, the emotions began to resonate deeply within him, echoing the pain of his past.

One day, while sitting beneath the sprawling branches of the old oak tree, Fang Yuan confided in Brother Li, a gentle monk who always took the time to listen and offer comfort. "Brother, why do some birds leave their nests?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, laden with curiosity and sorrow.

Brother Li regarded him with understanding, his eyes reflecting compassion. "Sometimes, my child, they believe they must seek a better place to thrive. But it can be painful for those left behind, as they grapple with the emptiness of loss."

Fang Yuan nodded, tears welling in his eyes as he absorbed the monk's words. "I wish I could understand why I was left. Was I not enough for her?"

Brother Li placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a gesture of comfort amidst the turmoil. "You are more than enough, Fang Yuan. Remember, a mother's heart can carry burdens we cannot see, and her choices may not reflect your worth."

As Fang Yuan continued to grow, so did his intellect and understanding of the world around him. By the age of sixteen, he excelled in his studies, his name spoken with reverence in both religious and scholarly circles. Yet, despite the accolades and praise that surrounded him, they did little to fill the void within his heart. The profound knowledge he acquired only served to highlight his isolation; he felt like an ancient philosopher lost in a world that had long moved on while he remained anchored in his past, unable to escape the shadows that clung to him.

Over the years, Fang Yuan sought connections, forming friendships with fellow students who shared his passion for learning. Yet every time he got close to someone, walls built from fear and pain held him back, preventing him from fully opening up. The more he learned about the human condition, the more he wrestled with the despair that enveloped him, a heavy cloak that weighed down his spirit. He often contemplated the fragility of existence, how fleeting moments of joy could lead to immeasurable sorrow and heartache.

On the fateful night, Fang Yuan found himself standing on the edge of a precipice overlooking the monastery being in control of this body after witnessing its life for 16 years he felt nothing. The moon hung low in the sky, casting its silvery glow across the landscape as he contemplated life's paradoxes. He had accumulated knowledge and wisdom, yet none of it could bridge the gap left by his mother's absence. He felt trapped in an existence that strained against the limits of his soul, where happiness seemed an elusive mirage, always just out of reach.

In that moment of, Fang Yuan took a deep breath and whispered into the wind, his voice barely carrying above the rustling leaves. "to clear the steps that represents my karma I need to end the souls infrigment on me by ending its like again , huh how Ironic my first kill is going to be myself."

With a unwavering will and determenation, he stepped forward, and in that moment, he took the first life with his own hands.

His own life.

[you have slain a ****, wandering soul]

"Haah... haah... haaah." Despite knowing what awaited him with his first step on the Trial of Soul, Fang Yuan struggled to find the words to adequately describe the overwhelming experience. Sixteen years—this was how long he had relived his first life, a cycle of emotions and memories that felt both familiar and foreign. Although he understood this was the nature of the Trial of Soul, the dizzying sensations and the weight of the memories left him feeling weak and disoriented. Yet he knew that stopping was not an option; he had to continue moving forward.

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The Trial of Soul was Fang Yuan's second challenge in the nightmare he faced, meticulously designed to cleanse his soul of the karma he had taken in previous incarnations.

But how did his steps on the divine bridge relate to this cleansing?

Each step Fang Yuan took represented a life he had once ended, and he needed to witness that soul's journey to the end he had to relive their emotions their feelings their relations until he had to kill them again, to pass the trial. He had to keep walking, taking steps and with each step reliving and ending that soul's life, until every last soul he had taken could reach their conclusion and the bridge had no more to cleanse.

Ending that train of thought, he finally took another step,

''taak'' again, his vision blurred as a new scene unfolded before him.

.

.

.

.

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[you have slain a ****, wandering soul]

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authors note:- i hate this chapter but save me someone I cant express the way I wanted it to happen better ahhhhh~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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