Yun Wao stood at the edge of the hill.
One more step and it would be over.
He stared down at the jagged rocks far below, hands shaking, wind screaming around him like it wanted him to fall. The sky didn't care. The world didn't care. No one cared.
Except… maybe he still did.
> "I have to avenge them," he whispered.
But then, another voice — not outside. Inside.
> "Avenge them? You? Pfft."
"You're a mid-grade cultivation root joke. A side character in your own tragedy."
"You couldn't protect your family. You're nothing. You should jump."
Yun Wao froze. His heart pounded.
> "I… I'm still alive. I can still—"
> "What? Be pathetic longer?"
"You're just wasting air, bro."
That voice got louder. Clearer. Meaner.
It knew what to say. What to bring up.
Every failure. Every time he begged for answers from his dad.
Every memory they sealed away… especially of her.
His mother.
He couldn't remember her face. Couldn't remember her voice.
Only the blood on the floor.
Only the silence.
> "Jump."
He closed his eyes.
And fell.
---
💥 BOOM. SQUASH.
Yeah. He hit the ground.
And it HURT.
Not mentally. Not spiritually.
Physically. Like every bone in his body rage quit at once.
His arms? Shattered.
His knees? Gone.
His head? Can't even describe it. Just… agony.
But as the pain screamed louder than thought, he saw something.
Faces.
His life flashing before his eyes.
His mother. Her actual face.
> "He even saw Han Wu — yeah, the dude he just met. Which made no sense… unless life flashing before your eyes includes random new friends too."
And for the first time ever — everything felt clear.
He was dying.
For real.
He smiled.
Even though he was broken. Bleeding. Beaten.
He smiled…
And died.
---
Two days later...
A pair of disciples from Law Enforcement wrinkled their noses as they looked down.
> "We found a corpse at the bottom of the hill. Smells like hot trash. Mortal. Looks like he's been there a while."
The officer stepped closer, holding his nose.
> "Ugh. Just another weakling who couldn't suppress his inner demon. Toss him in the pile. Maybe check if he had friends or whatever."
And just like that, Yun Wao's story ended.
Right?
…
---
🗿 Narrator Time.
So.
Let's talk about Inner Demons.
What are they?
They're not spiritual beasts.
Not curses. Not enemies from outside.
They're you.
Your regrets. Your fears. Your worst thoughts, whispered in your own voice.
They know your memories — the ones that hurt most.
They wait until you're weak.
Then they strike.
And guess what?
No one is safe.
Not even peak Nascent Soul cultivators.
Not even ancient immortal dudes with glowing eyes and 9-pack abs.
If you can't handle your inner demon, there's no point in cultivating.
Your roots could be legendary.
Your technique flawless.
Your destiny written in gold ink.
But if you lose to yourself?
You're done.
---
Or are you?
Because this is a story.
And he's the main character.
And sometimes… plot armor activates when you least expect it.
---
> [TO BE CONTINUED...]
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⚠️ Want spoilers? Join my Discord or something. Maybe I'll leak a chapter, maybe I won't. Stay suspicious. 😎
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