Nuwa stood motionless, her red dress swaying gently in the morning breeze, blinking in rare astonishment. The twin beauty marks beneath her eyes appeared particularly distinct as her eyebrows rose in surprise.


    "Black ''One''..." Nuwa''s beauty marks became more pronounced as she furrowed her brow slightly, her amber eyes reflecting the morning light and distant dust cloud.


    Her thoughts drifted back to the time she had spent with Torht many years ago. Torht''s "Void," that strange, dark power, resembled a flowing abyss. Now, LaUhta''s "One" was this same rare black color—far from ordinary. Perhaps Torht had sent her to guide LaUhta precisely because he had discerned something unusual about this black "One."


    Nuwa waved away the drifting dust. "Interesting," she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she circled LaUhta. "It seems thou canst not release the ''One'' as others do, yet thou canst infuse it into objects through touch." After pondering a moment, she smiled: "This is a unique path, perhaps requiring its own approach, developing into something extraordinary."


    LaUhta gazed down at his hands, seemingly still recovering from the shock. That power had been immense, yet instantly beyond control. He remembered the sensation of the black stone in his hand, that wondrous connection as if it were joined to his flesh, and the indescribable fear that followed.


    "I—" LaUhta''s voice trembled slightly, "the stone, it turned black as ink."


    Nuwa nodded, understanding gleaming in her amber eyes. "Thou infused the ''One'' into the stone, just as I shaped the ''One'' into earthen form. The difference is that thy ''One'' seems to contain immense energy." She picked up another small stone and offered it to LaUhta. "Wouldst thou try once more?"


    LaUhta hesitated, then extended his hand to accept the stone. He carefully extended his consciousness toward it, attempting as before. However, fear shadowed his efforts—whenever he felt the "One" beginning to flow toward the stone, that bottomless dark memory would surface, interrupting his attempt.


    "I cannot," LaUhta shook his head. "Whenever the ''One'' begins to flow, fear follows."


    Nuwa tilted her head, the two beauty marks at the corners of her eyes appearing particularly lively with her changing expression. Rather than disappointment, she showed even deeper curiosity.


    "Perhaps thou needst journey through the Inner Realm path to fully master the ''One''," Nuwa''s voice flowed clear as a stream, carrying a subtle suggestion. "The Inner Realm is where Tao practitioners perceive their true selves, glimpsing the depths of their hearts. Usually it requires much practice to enter."


    "Inner Realm?" A flash of confusion and curiosity crossed LaUhta''s eyes.


    Nuwa nodded slightly without further explanation, merely saying gently: "Fear, too, belongs to perception. Do not flee from it, but face it directly."


    LaUhta drew a deep breath, looking hesitantly at the stone in Nuwa''s hand. Fear still circled in his heart like a bird refusing to depart. Yet the trust in Nuwa''s amber eyes gave him courage. Slowly he extended his hand, accepting the ordinary river stone.


    "Face fear directly," he repeated Nuwa''s words silently, fingers gripping the stone, feeling its rough surface.


    Nuwa stood nearby, the two beauty marks beneath her eyes shifting slightly with her attentive expression. She could sense the flow of the "One" within LaUhta changing, becoming more ordered, more focused.


    LaUhta closed his eyes, concentrating fully on extending his consciousness toward the stone in his hand. This time, he did not resist the fear that followed but faced it directly, accepting it, allowing that feeling to penetrate his heart.


    The "One" began flowing from his body into the stone, first as subtle black markings crawling across its surface, then gradually spreading until the entire stone turned pure black. This was no ordinary black, but a darkness so deep it seemed to devour all light.


    The moment the stone turned completely black, LaUhta felt a powerful pulling force emanate from it. His consciousness was suddenly dragged inward, as if caught in an invisible vortex. The surroundings began to distort and fade—the sound of flowing water, the wind, birdsong all gradually receded, replaced by an unprecedented silence. He tried to call out, but his voice was swallowed by this strange transformation. After the last ray of reality''s light vanished, he found himself in a boundless dark space.


    This was not the physical world, but a realm formed purely of consciousness. Here, thoughts became reality, emotions took tangible form. LaUhta could feel his fear materializing in this space, surrounding him like black mist.


    In the distance, countless tiny points of light flickered in the darkness, spread like stars across this universe of consciousness. Each light seemed to contain some memory or emotion, drawing him to explore.


    In the material world, Nuwa saw LaUhta''s body suddenly become rigid, the stone in his hand emitting an unusual black light. She immediately realized what had happened, her eyes widening slightly.


    "Inner Realm..." Nuwa whispered, surprise flashing in her eyes. "To enter unbidden is exceedingly rare."


    LaUhta stood motionless, his body completely still, yet his consciousness had journeyed to another realm, a wondrous world that only Tao practitioners could touch.


    In that boundless space of consciousness, LaUhta wandered aimlessly. The points of light in the darkness surrounded him like fireflies, sometimes near, sometimes far, emitting a faint yet steady glow. His thoughts took physical form, leaving a blurred trail behind him, marking his path through the void.


    As he ventured deeper, the surrounding darkness gradually condensed, becoming heavier. Those scattered emotions of fear began gathering in one place, as if shaped by invisible hands. Initially just a vague black mist, the vapor slowly solidified, taking human form.


    The figure stood half a head taller than LaUhta, entirely black, like a silhouette dipped in ink. It had no facial features, yet gave the impression of watching. It stood silent, unmoving, yet emanated a wordless pressure.


    "What manner of being art thou?" LaUhta demanded, his voice echoing through the vast consciousness space.


    The black figure slowly raised its hand, pointing to LaUhta''s chest. "I am thy fear, dwelling in thy heart, born of thy thoughts." Its voice did not travel through air but sounded directly in LaUhta''s mind, deep and hollow.


    LaUhta stepped back, warily eyeing this entity formed from his fears. "Why dost thou appear?"


    "Thou seekst to control the ''One,'' yet the ''One'' and I are intertwined," the shadow floated forward, more sliding than walking. "I am the essence of the ''One,'' the ''One'' is my form. Release me, and thou shalt master the ''One''."


    "Release thee?" LaUhta''s brow furrowed.


    The shadow extended its hand, pointing toward the scattered lights in the distance. "Fear is the source of power, contained it weakens, released it strengthens. Thou confine me within thy body, the ''One'' is likewise limited."


    It drew near to LaUhta, its black face almost touching his. "Let go, release me, and thy ''One'' shall reveal its full potential."


    LaUhta felt a chill rise up his spine. This fear was not external, but sourced from deep within his heart—his instinctive dread of the "One," a complex emotion woven of awe and fear toward that power.


    The shadow''s words coiled around LaUhta''s mind like a poisonous serpent. "Let go, release me"—these simple words echoed through the consciousness space, triggering deep resistance within LaUhta''s heart. He instinctively shook his head, stepping backward.


    "No, if I release thee, the consequences would be unthinkable," LaUhta''s voice trembled through the consciousness space.


    The featureless face of the shadow seemed to convey a hint of mockery. "What dost thou fear in me?"


    LaUhta''s thoughts churned, fear surging like a tide. In this space composed purely of consciousness, thought was reality. As his fear deepened, the surrounding darkness began to twist and reshape, like clay kneaded by invisible hands, gradually forming new scenes.


    The darkness dispersed, replaced by familiar images of the Lagu settlement. Thatched roofs gleamed golden in sunlight, villagers moved busily between dwellings, children''s laughter filled the air. This was his homeland from memory, warm and peaceful.


    Yet this tranquil scene was quickly broken. The shadow appeared silently in the village center, like a moving patch of darkness. The villagers seemed unable to perceive its presence, remaining absorbed in their daily lives.


    The shadow extended its hand, lightly touching a passing villager. That person instantly collapsed, life seeming to drain away. There was no struggle, no cry of pain, only the extinguishing of life in an instant.


    LaUhta''s heart pounded violently, fear spreading through him like wildfire. He wanted to shout, to warn the villagers, but his voice remained trapped in his throat.


    The shadow continued its advance, and wherever it passed, life withered. Elders, adults, women, children—none were spared. It needed no weapon; a mere touch took life. The entire village became a place of deathly silence within minutes, laughter forever replaced by silence.


    LaUhta saw Canglian fallen before the altar, those eyes once full of wisdom now empty and sightless. He watched the villagers who had cared for him fall one by one, their lives like candles in the wind, easily extinguished.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    The shadow stood amid the ruins of the village, surrounded by countless departed lives. It slowly turned to face LaUhta, and though featureless, seemed to smile.


    LaUhta fell to his knees, trembling fingers clawing at the ground of the consciousness space. The scene before him was like a thousand knives, carving his heart piece by piece. Canglian, the villagers, everything he knew—all reduced to nothing under this shadow of fear. Tears welled from his eyes, becoming luminous points in the consciousness space, floating around him.


    "No... no..." LaUhta''s voice was utterly broken, like torn cloth. His chest heaved violently, his breathing rapid and chaotic. The consciousness space trembled with his emotional turmoil, surrounding scenes twisting as if kneaded by invisible hands.


    The images of villagers dispersed one by one, until only Canglian''s figure remained. The old man''s kind face blurred, the light of life in his eyes gradually fading. "Thou art not my son, yet dearer than a son..." Canglian''s voice echoed like a distant sound in the consciousness space. "May thou become a Tao, protecting us all..."


    With these final words, Canglian''s image also dissolved into nothingness.


    LaUhta''s emotions finally collapsed. He released a heart-rending wail that echoed through the consciousness space, transforming into countless waves of energy expanding outward. His pain, sorrow, fear—all negative emotions reached their peak in this moment, breaking through like floodwaters through a dam, unstoppable.


    In this abyss of despair, a thought rose in LaUhta''s heart like the first ray of dawn: "This is not reality, but a projection of my inner fear. As Canglian said, the ''One'' connects with my will; the more I fear it, the more powerful it becomes."


    The consciousness space shook violently from his emotional outburst, the floating lights scattering like startled fireflies. The shadow stood in place, silently watching it all, like an artist satisfied with his work.


    Yet LaUhta''s emotions did not subside. With the fall of his final tear, a new emotion began rising in his heart. No longer helpless fear or desperate grief, but a burning, searing anger.


    "Thou art not an external entity, but my own projection," LaUhta slowly rose, his gaze burning. "I need not fear myself, only accept and master."


    That anger burned like a flame in his chest, rapidly spreading throughout his body. The temperature of the consciousness space seemed to rise with it, the floating lights beginning to rotate faster, forming a vortex surrounding LaUhta and the shadow.


    LaUhta rose slowly to his feet, that anger materializing like red flame rising around him. This flame enveloped his entire body, from hair tips to fingertips, every inch of skin seeming scorched as by molten lava, emanating burning heat. His eyes no longer shed weak tears, replaced by flames of anger dancing within, flashing with dangerous, intimidating light. That brightness was no longer the gloom of sorrow, but a searing flame, cutting through the darkness of the consciousness space, staining everything crimson.


    "You... you created all this!" LaUhta''s voice roared like a wild beast, each word filled with uncontainable rage.


    LaUhta spoke no more, concentrating his wrath into his fist, red light dancing upon his knuckles. He suddenly pushed off the ground, his form shooting forward like a released arrow, accompanied by the sound of tearing air, charging directly at the shadow.


    The shadow made no move to dodge, raising its arm to meet LaUhta''s attack with its own fist. The two fists collided in the consciousness space without earthshaking sound, yet released an invisible shockwave. The space rippled like a calm lake surface struck by a massive stone, surrounding lights scattering in all directions.


    Though his first strike did not land, LaUhta''s assault continued like a storm. He punched, kicked, each attack wrapped in consuming flames of rage. Fists whistled, legs blurred, the consciousness space becoming a battlefield of raging waves.


    The shadow''s form drifted elusively, moving like a specter between LaUhta''s attacks. Occasionally it raised a hand to block, its black arm colliding with LaUhta''s fiery limbs, releasing silent waves of energy. With each contact, LaUhta felt a cold force attempting to infiltrate his consciousness, only to be burned away by his flames of anger.


    "Fear is but an illusion of the heart, born of a thought, ended by a thought," LaUhta''s consciousness grew clearer through battle. "I need neither flee nor submit, only face and transcend."


    The shadow gradually changed tactics, no longer merely evading. It began to counter-attack, its black fists like hammers from the abyss, carrying an annihilating deathly aura, striking toward LaUhta.


    LaUhta roared, advancing rather than retreating. He lowered his body, dodging the shadow''s heavy blow, closing in with his right fist launching like a cannonball toward the shadow''s chest.


    At his knuckles, red flame condensed into a sharp cone, carrying the determination to burn everything. When the flame contacted the shadow''s body, it made a hissing sound like a red-hot brand touching ice. The shadow''s chest was pierced by flame, leaving a charred hole like fire-burned cloth.


    The shadow''s form suddenly stiffened, its previously fluid movements becoming sluggish. It looked down at the hole in its chest, where black mist was dissipating, unable to reform. This embodiment of fear seemed to feel pain, silently opening its mouth but unable to make a sound.


    LaUhta gave it no chance to recover. Pressing his advantage, his fists fell like heavy rain, each blow carrying consuming rage, each precisely striking the hole in the shadow''s chest. The flames continuously eroded, expanded, the shadow''s form melting rapidly like ice under a burning sun.


    Black mist escaped from the shadow''s body, drifting through the consciousness space, emitting despairing whimpers. The once-solid form of the shadow became ethereal, its outline blurring as if ready to dissipate at any moment. It staggered backward, trying to distance itself from LaUhta, yet pursued relentlessly by angry flames.


    Finally, under LaUhta''s last devastating blow concentrating all his rage, the shadow released a silent wail and completely collapsed. Its black body shattered into countless fragments, like dust scattered by fierce wind, ultimately dissipating into nothingness. In the consciousness space, only endless void remained, and the still-burning red flames surrounding LaUhta.


    With the complete dissolution of fear, LaUhta felt an unprecedented lightness wash over him like a tide, cleansing every corner of his consciousness. The invisible shackles that had long bound his mind were broken at this moment; he felt his consciousness freed from bodily constraints, light and unfettered. He sensed himself becoming one with the boundless void, without boundaries or obstacles, his consciousness extending infinitely, vast as the limitless universe, a sense of omnipotent power filling his entire being.


    Nuwa stood by the stream, her slender fingers lightly touching the beauty mark beneath her left eye, concentration gleaming in her amber gaze. She could sense the "One" within LaUhta undergoing dramatic change, those once chaotic, disordered energy waves gradually stabilizing, like a turbulent stream suddenly transformed into a calm lake.


    "Interesting," Nuwa murmured, her red dress swaying gently in the breeze.


    The stone in LaUhta''s hand emitted an unusual black light, not like common brightness but more like a light-devouring black abyss. Nuwa could sense the concentration of the "One" within the stone had reached a level beyond ordinary imagination, nearly exceeding what material substances could endure.


    Just as Nuwa considered whether to intervene, a sudden change occurred. The "One" within LaUhta suddenly erupted in a powerful wave, like an earthquake beneath a calm sea. Then, the wave quickly subsided, but this calm differed entirely from before—it was an ordered, controlled stillness.


    The black light on the stone instantly vanished, and LaUhta''s eyes snapped open.


    He drew a deep breath, like one who had held his breath underwater too long finally surfacing. He looked around, his gaze somewhat confused, as if awakening from a long dream.


    "How long has passed?" LaUhta asked hoarsely, his voice carrying a trace of fatigue.


    Nuwa tilted her head slightly, the twin beauty marks at her eyes appearing more vivid with her expression. "The space of a single breath," she answered softly, the corners of her lips curving in a gentle smile.


    LaUhta stared at her in shock, his face filled with disbelief. In his perception, that confrontation with fear had lasted several days. He could clearly recall every detail, every clash, every moment of pain and anger. Yet in the real world, all this had transpired in but an instant.


    "Impossible, I felt so much time had passed..." LaUhta murmured, his gaze falling on the ordinary stone in his hand, now restored to its original state.


    Nuwa observed LaUhta''s shocked expression, her lips curving slightly upward. She gracefully stepped closer, her red dress swaying gently in the breeze.


    "Thou entered the Inner Realm," Nuwa''s voice was soft yet certain, the twin beauty marks beneath her eyes becoming more animated with her expression.


    LaUhta frowned in confusion: "Inner Realm?"


    "The Inner Realm is how Tao practitioners know themselves," Nuwa explained, her fingertip lightly touching her forehead. "A world constructed by thy consciousness, not external but internal landscape. Through the Inner Realm, Tao practitioners understand themselves, enabling the ''One'' to work in harmony with the body."


    LaUhta looked down at the stone in his hand, reflecting on his recent experience. That boundless dark space, those flickering lights, that shadow formed from his fear—everything had felt so real, yet dreamlike.


    "The Inner Realm differs with each person, reflecting the Tao''s inner heart," Nuwa continued, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "How didst thou enter? I thought thou wouldst need much longer guidance."


    LaUhta contemplated briefly, recalling the circumstances. "When I tried to infuse the ''One'' into the stone, I suddenly felt a powerful pull. My consciousness... was drawn in," he said hesitantly, seemingly uncertain himself. "The ''One'' must have taken me there."


    Surprise flashed in Nuwa''s eyes as she raised her delicate eyebrows. "Drawn into the Inner Realm by the ''One''?" She nodded thoughtfully. "This is rare indeed. Most Tao practitioners require deliberate cultivation to enter the Inner Realm."


    LaUhta turned the stone in his hand, feeling its ordinary texture, entirely different from its pure black transformation moments before. "There... I met my own fear," he said softly, his gaze somewhat distant.


    LaUhta drew a deep breath and began recounting his experience in the Inner Realm. He described the boundless darkness, the lights flickering like fireflies, and the black figure formed from his fear.


    "That vision showed me... the annihilation of the entire settlement," LaUhta''s voice carried a slight tremor, but unlike before, this trembling held no fear, only a resolve born from facing possibility. "I understood that it was not prophecy, but my deepest concern. I feared my power would harm those I love, and this worry became the very shackle binding me."


    He raised his hand, looking at his palm where a faint black energy flowed at his fingertips, no longer as uncontrollable as before. "Only when I faced and conquered this fear did I truly understand the way of mastery."


    Nuwa suddenly laughed softly, the twin beauty marks beneath her eyes appearing especially lively with her expression.


    "Thou art truly singular in thy approach," she said, shaking her head slowly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "To confront it head-on in such a manner."


    LaUhta paused, then scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "Is... something wrong with that?"


    "I speak not of wrong," Nuwa''s smile deepened. "Only that thy directness is surprising. Inner fears are illusions; most choose to understand, accept, or transcend them. Thou chose the most primal approach—beating it to pieces."


    Nuwa gracefully twirled, her red dress tracing a beautiful arc through the air. "It suits thy nature well," she added with a playful smile.


    LaUhta recalled his savage attacks in the Inner Realm and suddenly found it somewhat amusing himself. Perhaps Nuwa was right—he had indeed chosen the most direct approach.


    "Since thou hast conquered thy inner fear, perhaps try again to master the ''One''," Nuwa picked up a new river stone and offered it to LaUhta, her eyes filled with expectation and encouragement.


    LaUhta accepted the stone without hesitation this time. Following his breathing rhythm, the stone''s surface gradually developed black markings, eventually turning purely black. Unlike before, however, fear no longer filled his heart, replaced by a calm sense of control.


    He tossed the stone lightly, and it streaked across the sky like a meteor, blasting a huge crater in a distant mountainside. As the dust settled, LaUhta smiled at Nuwa: "I believe I have found my path."


    Nuwa nodded with satisfaction, approval gleaming in her amber eyes. "There are countless paths, each different. Thy ''One'' cannot be released at a distance, yet can be conducted through touch with extraordinary power." Her voice was gentle yet firm. "This is not a flaw, but thy unique quality."


    LaUhta looked down at his hands, feeling the flow of the "One" within, no longer so strange and uncontrollable. His lips curved slightly upward, his eyes shining with new hope and determination: "Whatever path lies ahead, I shall no longer fear."