Did I Eat The Universe ?

Shuang Yue continued his journey along the rugged northern paths, his heart filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension for the trials ahead. After days of hardship and facing the trials of otherworldly energy, he had become more attuned to the workings of his Inner Universe. Yet, countless mysteries still lurked within its depths.

On this day, he arrived at a desolate land, where a towering ancient stone gate stood halfway up the mountainside. The gate was weathered with age, its surface engraved with indecipherable runes and totems that emitted a faint blue glow. As he approached, he felt an inexplicable resonance between the gate's energy and the deep azure light of his Inner Universe.

Shuang Yue stepped closer, reaching out to touch the cold surface of the stone gate. The moment his fingertips made contact, a subtle tremor surged through him. His vision blurred instantly—as if he had stepped into an entirely different realm.

The solid stone gate and barren landscape had vanished, replaced by a vast illusion bathed in flowing azure light. The sky hung oppressively low, thick mist shrouding everything, mirroring the deepest obsessions and fears hidden within his heart.

In this illusion, fragmented images flickered before his eyes—his lonely years of cultivation, his unwavering pursuit of power, and the fears and doubts that kept him awake at night. A voice echoed within his mind, whispering in torment, "Can I truly control this power? Will I be consumed by my own obsessions?" These doubts circled him like specters, sending a chilling unease through his soul.

Just as he felt on the verge of being swallowed by his fears, a deep, resonant voice rang out from the void, carrying both warmth and unwavering resolve. It seemed to come from the very depths of the world itself:

"Only those who are free of distractions may pass through the Gate of the Forbidden Land and witness the true essence of the Devourers' civilization."

The words crashed through his mind like thunder, cutting through the fog clouding his heart. In that instant, he sensed a hidden force calling him to let go of all obsession.

As the voice faded, Shuang Yue gradually calmed the turmoil within him. Within the illusion, he began to perceive ancient murals embedded in phantom stone walls, whose details remained discernible despite being weathered by time.

The murals depicted a Devourer clad in violet robes, standing proudly amidst chaos. Yet, within his eyes burned a madness and arrogance that forewarned of inevitable downfall. Behind him, fractured runes hinted at a tragic and irreversible fate. Alongside the murals, ancient inscriptions read:

"The Annihilator betrayed the righteous path; his unchecked ambition led to disaster, disrupting the balance of all laws."

The words struck Shuang Yue like a bolt of realization. He recalled the moment he had confronted Ji Mie—the Devourer who had once sought ultimate power. That frenzied, despairing gaze now seemed a stark warning: uncontrolled power could only bring destruction.

The mysterious voice resonated through the illusion once more, and suddenly, Shuang Yue witnessed a vision of an ancient era—an age when the world was newly formed, and all laws were one. The Devourers had once forged a covenant with the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, maintaining harmony and order.

He finally understood: this illusionary trial was not just a challenge to his inner fears but also a rare opportunity. It allowed him to glimpse the origins and true purpose of the Devourers' civilization.

With newfound clarity, Shuang Yue focused all his willpower, casting aside fear and obsession. Closing his eyes, he let his cultivation technique flow naturally, allowing the blue light of his Inner Universe to stabilize and shine with renewed brilliance.

Gradually, the unsettling illusions faded, and the runes on the murals began to glow softly. Their radiance was no longer ominous but instead imbued with warmth and hope, gently flowing through the illusionary realm.

At last, Shuang Yue opened his eyes, no longer bound by the fears of his past. He knew that the understanding he had gained in this moment would serve as a guiding beacon on his path ahead. He whispered to himself, "Today, I have surpassed my inner demons and cast aside all obsession. From now on, I shall rule my Inner Universe with clarity and wisdom, safeguarding the balance between myself and the heavens."

The mysterious voice echoed one last time, intertwining with the inscriptions on the murals, reinforcing his newfound resolve.

Stepping out of the illusion, Shuang Yue found himself back in the desolate expanse beyond the forbidden gate. The sky had brightened, and as he took in the crisp air, he felt a newfound strength—an unwavering determination forged through the trial.

Looking upon the gate that had led him into the illusion, he murmured, "This gate was not just the start of a trial—it marked my awakening, a threshold where I began to resonate with the world's spiritual energy and grasp the essence of true power."

His gaze was resolute, his steps firm, as though declaring to the world: no matter how arduous the road ahead, he would wield his power with purpose, forging a new era for the Devourers.

He gathered the ancient runes and tattered scrolls left within the forbidden ground, engraving their lessons deep into his heart. Then, turning away from the gate, he stepped forward into the unknown.

In the distance, the first rays of morning light painted the sky, casting away the lingering mist, as if heralding a new beginning.

Shuang Yue strode forward, his voice barely above a whisper yet filled with unwavering determination:

"Today, I have conquered my inner demons. Tomorrow, I shall wield this newfound strength to rewrite fate and forge a new legend for the Devourers!"

His words echoed through the vast wilderness, resonating with the rising sun and the boundless energy of heaven and earth, paving the way for a future he would carve with his own hands.