Chapter 26: Because Someone Is Already Protecting Me

Boom!

The violent explosion instinctively prompted Su Youwei to shield her head. It was over. Her "Perfect Self" had left no trace within her sea of divine consciousness. Her attempt at visualization had yielded no results.

What exacerbated Su Youwei's disappointment was that, despite averting her gaze, the horrific visage of her internal demon was still imprinted on her mind. Its grotesque form was composed of exposed flesh and blood, bristling with crimson bone spurs. Its "wings," an amalgamation of fractured blades, bore a stark duality—half as white as snow, half as black as ink. Its presence defied precise description, an embodiment of unbridled malevolence.

This, she surmised, was her internal demon, an embodiment of her darkest aspects. Internal demons were indeed elusive entities.

Su Youwei delved into her memories, seeking the inception of her terrifying alter ego.

The origins of this nightmarish entity traced back to her previous life, following her escape from the Su family. The loss of her closest kin had left a void in her heart. She would awaken abruptly from sleep, gripped by an overwhelming sense of suffocation and an involuntary rush of tears. A maelstrom of emotions, primarily a boundless hatred, surged to fill the emptiness.

She still recalled the sensation as her sharp blade pierced her first adversary's heart, blood gushing forth like a crimson spring, staining his white garb a vivid red. The act bestowed a strange sense of solace and tranquility. It seemed she had finally obtained the power to protect herself.

And so, she continued to kill, a ruthless cycle that fed her hatred, breeding more violence in return. The more she killed, the more her hatred grew, and the cycle perpetuated. A poignant parallel to the monstrous figure that now confronted her.

But now, as she gazed at her internal demon, Su Youwei realized that her current self bore resemblance to the terror she had once unleashed. The correlation between the two was undeniable.

Su Youwei began to trace the evolution of her inner demon. Her initial thoughts led her to the culmination of her previous life's actions—the culmination of hatred, pain, and vengeance. Yet, even then, she recognized an ultimate truth.

"You are right," Su Youwei conceded aloud.

A resounding declaration emerged, seemingly originating from the depths of her very being.

"Whether I acknowledge it or not, we are indeed one and the same."

"No," Su Youwei refuted vehemently. "You are not human."

"No one grows to be this monstrous!"

"Here, what you witness is your very essence."

"Essence?"

"An ugly essence."

"It's impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible."

Amidst their dialogue, the monstrous form began to shrink, its dazzling spikes diminishing to naught. As the transformation concluded, a petite girl emerged, her hair as white as snow and her pupils a crimson hue. She donned a vibrant skirt, akin to the color of blood—a shade that stung Su Youwei's eyes with its vividness.

"I am aware that you find this appearance preferable, yet it remains a mere facade. No matter how my attire changes, the hue remains—blood-red."

Su Youwei clenched her fists.

"In truth, you know that even if you were to return to an unblemished past, denying the truth is futile. Otherwise, I wouldn't exist here."

"What if I choose to forget?"

"Forget? You cannot."

"...?"

"You may not have recognized it, but you possess the ability to perceive both past and future. Even if you temporarily seal these memories, their return is inevitable."

Su Youwei contemplated, asking, "Does this mean that forgetting can only be achieved through death?"

"No, you can also opt to embrace it. Your task is not to deny yourself, but to integrate your fragmented self into a unified whole."

Confusion flickered within Su Youwei's eyes, gradually giving way to understanding. She began to see merit in the internal demon's perspective.

The very emergence of her inner demon was an indication of the void within her heart. Embracing her inner demons could potentially mend this void. However, a sense of resistance persisted within Su Youwei.

However, she shook her head. Accepting her inner demon would transform her into a monster, making her unworthy of standing beside Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian. Her thoughts swirled, and she verbalized her decision.

"The choice is clear," Su Youwei declared decisively.

The confrontation continued, with Su Youwei's alter ego attempting to sway her resolve. She stood firm, knowing that the monstrosity before her had no claim over her fate. Su Youwei's own voice resonated within her heart, carrying the weight of her determination.

This struggle, this resistance, seemed to resonate with an unseen force, granting her strength.

"Why?"

"Because someone is already protecting me."

The assertion resounded with a sense of unwavering conviction, a smile blossoming across Su Youwei's countenance as bright as the blossoms of spring. The magic in the air was palpable, echoing the beat of her resolute heart.

Even the internal demon couldn't escape its impact. Its very core trembled in response, its ferocious exterior momentarily stilled.

Its ferocity was eclipsed by something else—bewilderment.

"It's her you're referring to?"

"You know."

"Then she will become your new inner demon."

"I'm not certain. What I do know is that I prefer to fill my void with warmth rather than the cold malice you embody."

A powerful proclamation, accentuated by Su Youwei's resolve.

Even the internal demon fell silent, its tumultuous thoughts quelled.

"Let me show you."

Darkness erupted, an engulfing tide surging forth to consume Su Youwei's mental landscape. Yet, fear did not grip her. She closed her eyes, her heart and mind focused.

In her mind's eye, Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian's voice and radiant smile emerged. Every detail, from her head to her dainty toes, her hair to her charming visage, was etched in Su Youwei's memory.

Upon reopening her eyes, an image materialized before her—the embodiment of Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian. Poised before her terrifying inner demon, this apparition valiantly charged forth.

A deafening boom ensued, followed by a resounding silence.

When the tranquility returned, the vision of "Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian" had dissipated, yet the malevolent surge of darkness had ceased as well.

The internal demon rasped in a strained voice, "Is this the one protecting you? I see nothing remarkable."

Su Youwei shook her head, a bashful smile adorning her lips. "You will come to understand."

The reason her imagined "Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian" hadn't vanquished her inner demon wasn't due to her incapacity to protect. It was because Su Youwei's understanding of Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian remained incomplete. Her visualization had been flawed.

For instance, the foot she had managed to depict—only Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian's right foot was realized.

"My inner demon, prepare yourself. As I become better acquainted with Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, I shall vanquish you!"

As for the prospect of Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian becoming her new inner demon…

With her heart now embracing her role as Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian's Junior, Su Youwei's concerns appeared trivial.