Chapter 33: Illusion of Reality
"What are you staring at?"
I was looking at the silver-haired boy when he looked at me back.
Nothing.
I turned around to my place where my food was placed, sitting in the previous place, munching on some roasted meat. Slowly, more and more came above. After 10 people came above, the purple figure appeared again.
"Among all the present people, you have the strongest potential to be immortal. These stairs aren’t just stairs; these were made by me to let future generations experience the immortal trial in advance. Those who can reach the top in less than an hour they most likely to survive the 1st Immortal Tribulation."
"Senior, what do you mean by 1st tribulation?"
A kid wearing a golden robe asked, bowing politely, to the purple figure.
"There is no use telling it now. Next, the Trial is to pass through these gates. The purple Figure pointed at the giant purple gates."
After saying this, he vanished again, giving a side glance to me. As he left, I also stood up to explore the palace from inside. Everyone was still thinking about who would enter first.
I already stood in front of the gates, gently pushing them open. Inside was a beautiful garden, with a lot of plants and a small waterfall that caught my eye. I went directly inside, followed by Little black and the woman.
"Wow, beautiful..."
Hm...
Woof! Woof!
Little Black, as usual, started taking bites of some random berries and fruits from the plants. While the woman and I enjoyed the beauty of the place.
I stared at the small waterfall that was directly coming from the cloud cluster above the purple place. It was creating a small river inside this mythical place.
Making the whole place a piece of Art.
I went closer to the water, and the river was so clean that even small rocks at the bottom were clearly visible. I took a few gulps of the water; it was really refreshing. Though the taste may not be different from normal water. But it has a unique, refreshing effect.
As I was looking at the water, the little black came behind, pushing both of us into the water.
"Splash..."
"Young Master, are you okay?"
The woman’s voice also followed along.
What, okay... It’s great.
Little Black started splashing water at my face with his paws. I also retaliate without falling. We continued to play in the water for a while. At the same time, the woman also sat at the shore of the river watching us play.
Looking at her, I noticed her genuinely smiling for the first time.
At this moment, everything felt beautiful. I also completed one of my past dreams at this moment. This life here feels so good, far different from my struggling days on earth. But sometimes I always feel, what if all this turns out to be a dream, just like those novels I read weren’t real.
I looked at flowing water in front of me, as water was moving forward, an unknown fear started to grip my mind, fear of reality.
Sitting still for a few minutes, I took out the purple flute, placing it on my lips gently.
As I played the flute, the whole mountain, Palace and everything else vanished. I was back in my old room.
A small dark room with a chair and a table, and on the table was placed an old laptop, a charger and an almost broken phone. I looked at the whole room for a bit before opening my phone. There weren’t any missed calls or messages. I placed it back on the table. Looking at the outside door.
’Maybe reality is meant to be harsh; there is no escape.’
A slight smile appeared on my lips, with eyes filled with tears. I took a step forward, moving towards the door. Every step carries an unknown weight and fear. Finally, arrived in front of the door. My hand placed on the doorknob. Just a small pull needed to escape from here.
But I stopped and walked back.
’Do I really want to escape? The answer was no.’
I went back to the old chair, sitting back on it.
I looked at my old laptop, which was taking its last breath, then gave a last look at the whole room. Though my eyes still carry tears, this time it was a type of love... at least for me. My smile becoming even wider.
I took out my old earphones, placing them in my ears and closing my eyes.
When I was in the absolute darkness, I got the feeling of being watched. Like this, darkness is alive.
I opened my eyes to look around, but the darkness was no longer there. I was back in this cultivation world, sitting beside the river. I put down the flute, staring at the river.
’Things are going in the way I want all of my dreaming being completed, but a question emerged, the question which should have existed in the first place. Do I really want these dreams to be completed?’
I looked into the sky, then at the surroundings. The sky was filled with dark clouds, which were slowly dissipating, and the woman’s face was filled with tears, not just her; even Little Black was rubbing his head against my feet.
I stood up, carrying the Little Black in my arms, I walked out of this place. Followed by the woman. As we were walking out of the palace, those kids were still outside the palace.
Once I came outside, these kids tried to surround me, but threw away the fiery Phoenix which appeared in the sky. This time, it was even taller than the mountains covering the whole secret realm.
As it screamed, the whole secret realm started to crack, and the purple figure appeared quickly, but before he spoke, I said flatly.
I want to leave this place, send me out.
He quickly waved his hand, creating a portal for me to go out. I stepped into the portal, giving a last glance to these horrified kids as the portal closed.