The Inner Portal

  Huang Di decided to visit each of the elders who had aided him so far, to express his gratitude and bid farewell, in case he did not return from the test. He left the visit to Lady Scarlet for last.

  Upon entering her home, she greeted him warmly. The two sat on the sofa where it had all begun for them: their connections, experiences, and the start of a relationship that, depending on the outcome of the test, might cease to exist.

  After discussing various topics, Huang Di asked a question he had not posed to any of the other elders, showing the level of intimacy, he had with Scarlet:

  “Now that I am prepared for the test, I still don’t know how to initiate it. Do I need to go to a specific place? Am I being tested in some way? Can you clarify that for me?”

  Scarlet laughed and replied:

  “Of course, that’s a valid doubt, kitten. The question is: are you truly ready? If so, you must go to the inner gate and open it. There, you will be directed to the test. Got it, cutie?”

  Huang Di blushed. Although he already had some experience with women, he was still a young novice in this art and had much to learn about these incredible beings who brought joy and pleasure but were also the cause of many conflicts among men, even ghosts.

  “Where can I find this inner gate?” he asked., I already know almost the entire outer area and haven’t seen anything resembling a large, flashy gate.”

  Scarlet looked at him with a knowing expression and replied:

  “Zizizi, cutie, this place is much larger and more filled with mysteries than it appears. Even someone with plenty of time would find it laborious to know every corner of this incredible place. I’ll give you a little spoiler: this place is far bigger than your eyes and senses can perceive. There are many secret locations, and their extent, both outside and inside, increases as you pass the tests.”

  She paused and continued:

  “The more tests you pass, the more spaces become accessible. And, for obvious reasons, I can’t be too specific. But let’s just say there’s a kind of blockade, by passing the tests, you unlock these blockades, gaining benefits and advantages. Each of us elderly people knows this from personal experience, but we also have our own blockades due to our current conditions. That’s why we have access only to this small village with the library. But there are other areas beyond this, and each stage you conquer will unlock new zones for you to explore. So, my advice is: don’t miss this opportunity. Give it your all.”

  “As for the gate, she went on, of course you didn’t see it in the outer area, because it isn’t located there. It will always be in the inner area. At this stage, the inner area is the library. So, when you get there, ask where the big gate is, and those little devilish creatures will help you... with those ridiculous looks of theirs, zizizi.”

  Hearing this, Huang Di discovered yet another secret about the relic, which left him amazed. Previously, he thought he had explored everything there was to explore and that perhaps it wasn’t worth such an effort to pass the test. Now, with the revelation that the place held even more mysteries and hidden areas, he felt renewed in his desire to give his all to conquer his space and become an official member.

  He understood that this place was a relic designed to refine and empower new generations on the path of cultivation. It was an ideal space for training, growth, and access to knowledge, with master’s willing to teach. Even if he became an inner disciple of the Golden Crane Sect, he would never have as many benefits as he did here. The powers instituted and the competition for resources outside were intense and limiting. In this relic from the ancient era, however, everything seemed more accessible.

  After reflecting on all this, Huang Di thanked Lady Scarlet and headed toward the library, his heart steadfast in his goal: to pass the great test and officially claim all the privileges he had already been enjoying, and much more. It would be like entering a secret community, an exclusive society, with benefits that would completely change its path.

  It was shortly after lunch, around one in the afternoon, on the same day as the bet between him and Umbra. Huang Di said goodbye to Scarlet and went directly to the library. Upon arrival, he asked about the great gate and was directed to a secret area inside the library.

  There, he found himself before a gate much larger than the first one he had crossed. Made of a dark, solid material covered in golden runes, the gate extended up to the ceiling, a colossal height of one hundred meters. Huang Di thought of the weight of that structure. If the other gate had already required considerable effort, this one would demand everything he had, and even then, there was no certainty he could open it.

  Young Salazar, who had accompanied him that far, quickly said goodbye, turning his back as he slowly walked back the way he came.

  Alone before the immense gate, Huang Di took a deep breath and reached out his hand. Upon touching the structure, the golden runes shone intensely. Suddenly, he was enveloped by an unknown energy, and, in the blink of an eye, his body was transported to a new and mysterious place.

  The Arena of the Relic of Space and Time

  In a barren place where life seemed impossible, thousands of rocks floated beneath a starry sky. At the center stood a stone arena, apparently formed by meteorites and asteroids. Huang Di looked around inside a small circle marked with golden runes, similar to those on the gate he had touched earlier. Before him, the vast arena was enclosed by a dome-shaped barrier, seemingly allowing life to exist where it ought not to.

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  Huang Di was stunned, unsure how to proceed. After an hour, he had yet to receive any instructions on how to start the test, remaining alone in that strange space. He wondered if other candidates would be necessary to begin the evaluation. Based on the environment and the signs, he concluded he would have to fight something to advance the test but fearing he might not be able to turn back, he stayed motionless within the runic circle.

  The place was clearly hostile to life, with no signs of food, shelter, or any other resource, only the arena beneath a sky filled with immense rocks that seemed suspended in the void and could fall at any moment. However, indecision would lead him nowhere. After twelve hours, another day had passed. Now, he had two days of the outside world, or two weeks in that temporal space, to complete the test.

  Determined, Huang Di stepped out of the small circle. Instantly, the runes faded, and the circle vanished, confirming his fears: there would be no return.

  Suddenly, from the center of the arena, a statue identical to him emerged, carved from stone as if formed from the very floating rocks of the sky. The figure spoke in a hoarse voice that, within seconds, became perfectly comprehensible:

  “The Combat Arena of the Relic of Space and Time have been activated for the 1,548,654.56th time since its creation. Today, we have two challenges. In the first test, you must defeat yourself. In the second, you shall overcome waves of enemies. And, in the final test, you will face your opponent. The one who remains the last living being endowed with independent intelligence, uninfluenced or aided by others, will earn the right to become a new member of the Relic of Space and Time.

  The statue continued:

  “Competitors, I grant you one hour to prepare. Should you wish to withdraw, this is the ideal moment. Once the test begins, it will only end when there is a clear victory. Defeated parties may die or lose consciousness; these are the only ways to consider a defeat. And, in the third test, one party may surrender in favor of the other, though this diminishes the victor’s glory.”

  “Candidates who wish to withdraw, place your hand on the Doppelganger.”

  Huang Di remained stunned. Three phases would be necessary to earn the relic’s approval. The idea that this place had been created by a supreme power to prepare new generations of cultivators grew even stronger.

  However, something bothered him: the statue had mentioned two challengers, but he saw only himself and the statue. Was it mistaken? Huang Di quickly dismissed this possibility and decided to focus on his own challenges. He knew that to find answers, he would need to advance.

  Renewed with new resolve, he sat in lotus position to prepare, physically, mentally, and energetically. He began to absorb, like a black hole, the energies of the environment. The air, rich in metal Qi, could help him purify and concentrate this Qi in his dantians, facilitating his advancement toward the second level of the earth rank.

  While meditating, the Doppelganger watched him. Its eyes, once inert, now shone with a thirst for combat. A powerful energy emanated from it, akin to that of a cultivator at the fifth and final level of the earth rank. This aura abruptly awakened Huang Di from his meditative state, finally recognizing who his first challenge would be.

  Rising, the two, the man and the statue shaped like a man, took combat stances. Their gazes met. Both studied each other’s movements, like predators ready to strike. The first battle was about to begin.

  The First Challenge, Huang Di vs. Doppelganger

  Who would be the prey and who the predator? the Doppelganger, who physically resembled him, faced each other with appraising gazes. This imitation, Huang Di thought, not only copied his appearance but also his fighting style. Every movement seemed a perfect reflection, as if it were a perfect copy in essence.

  However, Huang Di had endured numerous battles recently, which had strengthened his self-esteem and motivated him to press forward. Taking the initiative, he unleashed a torrent of wind and sound swords upon his opponent. To his surprise, the doppelganger not only imitated his movements but also his abilities. When Huang Di used One Sound as a Weapon, the doppelganger responded with the same technique, causing both to clash midair and cancel each other out.

  When the dust settled, Huang Di observed carefully and realized that, although the abilities seemed identical, the doppelgangers was slightly superior. It had formed fewer weapons but more efficiently, completely nullifying Huang Di’s technique. This demonstrated that the doppelganger was more effective in using a skill Huang Di himself had created, something that defied common sense.

  The stalemate resumed, but this time the doppelganger took the initiative, employing Phantom Foot, a skill Huang Di had recently developed. This left him perplexed, the doppelganger had assimilated his unique traits in little time and without apparent training. It was like taking a punch to the stomach, showing that the road ahead was long and that the world held many wonders and horrors.

  Huang Di understood that the attack targeted his mind, a strategy to weaken his resolve before resorting to the Secret Mind Control Skill. The goal was to make him vulnerable to mental domination, easing the technique’s success. However, what Huang Di did not yet know was that the doppelganger, powerful as it was, had limitations: it could not copy secret-type abilities.

  That did not stop Huang Di from growing furious. He launched into a short-range aerial combat, forcing the doppelganger to confront him in close quarters. Then, something unexpected happened: as their fists collided, the doppelganger stepped back at a few paces, hands trembling. Huang Di, in his momentum, continued attacking, sensing the opponent might collapse at any moment.

  With every step, every strike, Huang Di increased his strength, exceeding his own maximum capacity. The fury that consumed him seemed to expand his limits. In Berserker mode, he left no room for retaliation, focusing on relentless offense, inflicting progressive damage on the enemy.

  After several minutes of intense fighting, the opponent showed clear signs of wear, with visible fractures across its body. Now face to face with the enemy, Huang Di concentrated all his power on a final punch, striking the doppelganger’s chest and shattering it into countless pieces. The first challenge was won, part of a series yet to come.

  As he caught his breath, Huang Di noticed a fragment of the statue, from the chest upwards, muttering words. He recognized some:

  "Being underestimated... re-evaluate... test adjustments... Your strength far exceeds your rank... increase difficulty..."

  Huang Di’s eyes widened and he frowned. He had given his all, barely won, yet the test was deemed easy. It was an outrage, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it.

  Then, the pieces of the doppelganger began to reassemble, regaining their original form, no longer resembling Huang Di, but a generic humanoid shape. The being’s voice echoed through the arena:

  "Both challengers have passed the first phase of the test. There will be a 30-minute pause before the second phase begins. If you wish to quit, now is the time."

  Once again, Huang Di heard the statue mention two challengers. What could this mean? he wondered as he sat down to rest and recovered his strength.