Qin Dog

At that moment, Qin Gou felt an overwhelming urge to travel back in time and fight Forgotten Self for three hundred rounds.

They said this was supposed to be the gentlest trial, just defeating a heart demon. So why am I facing the peak version of myself?

Little did Forgotten Self know, the Mystic Realm he had created to train and test young talents had, after countless years, drawn in someone so powerful that even Forgotten Self at his peak would have respectfully called him “Senior.”

—

The black-and-white Kunpeng Fan swayed lightly in the hand of the white-clad heart demon. The entire illusionary world darkened as if the heavens were collapsing. Thunder roared, and the sky turned into a chaotic storm of destruction.

The fierce winds pushed Qin Gou back, leaving deep marks on the ground. If the winds grew any stronger, they could have shredded his body to pieces in an instant.

The white-clad heart demon smirked arrogantly. “You dare challenge me? With what? What qualifications do you have to fight me? Tell me, Arc Moon Mountain’s Master!”

“Is it the Dreamwalker Lantern? The Senluo Seed? Or perhaps the Unseen Staff-Sword?”

The heart demon’s gaze was filled with disdain as he looked down at Qin Gou. “You’re a joke. Do you still think you’re worthy of the title ‘Heavenly Master’? Do you still dream of cleaning house and reclaiming your former glory as the invincible master of Arc Moon Mountain?”

His voice echoed from all directions, piercing into Qin Gou’s ears like needles, attempting to erode his will.

With a casual wave of the Kunpeng Fan, the heart demon sent a powerful gust of wind that swept Qin Gou into the air. His face turned pale, and he appeared utterly helpless, like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

—

Meanwhile, in the real world, chaos was brewing.

The grand hall flickered unpredictably, and Forgotten Self’s remnant soul grew increasingly unstable.

“What’s happening?”

“Could it be that Forgotten Self’s remnant soul no longer has the strength to sustain the Mystic Realm?”

“Are we going to be trapped here forever?”

“No, please, no!”

“Uh… excuse me… where’s the restroom? I’ve been holding it since the first trial.”

Forgotten Self’s remnant soul, however, remained fixated on the thin figure sitting on the Introspection Cushion. His expression was one of utter shock, his hand nearly tearing out his own beard.

What kind of illusion is this? What kind of heart demon could consume so much of my power? The energy drained in this instant could plunge an entire city into a three-day dream!

What kind of monster is this boy?!

—

“Why aren’t you answering me? Why won’t you speak, Heavenly Master? Qin Gou! Do you not even have the courage to talk to me anymore?” the heart demon sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

Despite the searing pain, Qin Gou’s face remained stoic. “What right do you have to make me speak?”

“What?!” The heart demon’s expression darkened.

Qin Gou pointed a finger at him. “That’s my Kunpeng Fan. My life-bound spiritual tool. This wind, this rain, this thunder and lightning—all of it is my power. You’re holding my tool, wielding my abilities, and you dare to act smug? What are you? You’re nothing but a trivial illusion born from the corners of my mind.”

“You think I’d fear you? Respect you? Ridiculous. I am Qin Gou! And you… from now on, you’ll be called Qin Dog. That’s the name I, your true self, bestow upon you. Cherish it.”

“How dare you!”

The heart demon’s face twisted in rage. “You’re courting death!”

With a furious wave of the Kunpeng Fan, a thunderous divine bird tore through the dark clouds, its majestic form illuminated by flashes of lightning. It screeched and dove toward Qin Gou, its claws aimed to strike him down.

“You’re the one courting death!” Qin Gou roared. “These powers took me a thousand years to master, and you think you can use them to destroy me? Even if I can’t fight back now, do you think my powers would allow themselves to be used against me?”

Qin Gou’s eyes sharpened like a hawk’s. Suddenly, a massive, feathered hand appeared out of nowhere, grabbing the thunderbird mid-flight and crushing it effortlessly. The bird didn’t resist—it either couldn’t or wouldn’t.

Behind Qin Gou, a towering, translucent giant emerged, radiating an aura of destruction. Its presence was overwhelming, like a beast poised to devour the world.

—

In the grand hall, Forgotten Self’s already unstable remnant soul suddenly shattered, shocking everyone present.

“Senior Forgotten Self!”

“What’s going on?!”

In an instant, Forgotten Self’s remnant soul reappeared, his face weary and pale. Glaring at Qin Gou, he pointed a trembling finger and shouted, “This cannot continue! If this goes on, the remaining power of the Mystic Realm will be depleted, and all my years of effort will be wasted! You, get out!”

—

The Introspection Cushion beneath Qin Gou cracked open, revealing a bottomless pit. Before he could react, he was unceremoniously dropped into the abyss.

But just as he fell, a broken black whip shot out like a snake, wrapping around his waist.

Gu Feiyan had acted without hesitation.

—

However, the pit generated a powerful suction force, pulling both Qin Gou and Gu Feiyan into its depths. The pit then sealed itself, leaving behind a pristine Introspection Cushion. The entire process happened so quickly that it seemed as if nothing had occurred.

—

“Junior Brother Qin! Senior Sister Gu!”

Hu Le shouted in panic, “Senior Forgotten Self, please show mercy!”

Forgotten Self’s remnant soul cast a deep, unreadable gaze at Hu Le. After a moment of silence, his expression turned cold. “Fate is inevitable… whether it’s a blessing or a curse depends on a single thought.”