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Ascension of the Divine Farmer (Web Novel) - Chapter 21: Spirits of the Ancients
Chapter 21: Spirits of the Ancients
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The air crackled with tension as the ghostly figures coalesced around them, their forms shifting like smoke, illuminated by the eerie glow of the orb. Wei Long instinctively stepped back, positioning himself protectively in front of Lin Mei and the other warriors. The ancient spirits bore expressions that were both sorrowful and fierce, as if they were caught between their past and the present intrusion.“Why have you come?” the lead spirit intoned, its voice echoing through the chamber like thunder. “This place is sacred, a resting ground for those who have passed. Your presence is an affront.”
Wei Long swallowed hard, searching for the right words. “We seek knowledge and strength to defend our home from the Jade Serpent Sect. We do not wish to disturb your peace, but we have no choice.”
The spirit’s gaze bore into him, weighing his words. “Many have sought the power of this site, yet few have proven worthy. To claim the orb is to embrace its burden. It requires a sacrifice.”
Lin Mei stepped forward, her voice steady. “What kind of sacrifice? We are willing to fight for our home, but we cannot sacrifice our lives without understanding the cost.”
The spirit’s form flickered with intensity. “The orb holds immense power, drawn from the very essence of the earth. It can amplify your abilities, but it demands a price in return. To wield its strength, one must confront their deepest fears and regrets.”
Wei Long’s heart raced at the implications. The burden of such power was immense, and he knew that confronting one's fears could lead to unforeseen consequences. But the stakes were high, and they had no time to hesitate.
“We accept the challenge,” Wei Long declared, his voice unwavering. “If it means protecting our people, we are willing to face whatever trials await us.”
The spirit regarded him silently for a moment before nodding slowly. “Very well. If you wish to prove yourselves, you must each confront the manifestations of your past. Only then will you be deemed worthy of the orb.”
As the last word left the spirit’s lips, the chamber began to shift. The walls morphed, twisting into shadows that spiraled around them, enveloping each warrior in darkness. Wei Long felt his heart pounding in his chest, and before he could brace himself, the darkness consumed him.
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He found himself standing in a desolate landscape, a familiar place from his childhood—the training grounds of his old sect. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the cracked earth. He could see figures sparring in the distance, their movements fluid and practiced.
But as he approached, he felt a chilling recognition. It was a memory—a painful one. There, among the fighters, he saw himself, a younger Wei Long, filled with ambition and pride. Beside him stood his closest friends, laughter and camaraderie flowing freely between them.
Suddenly, the laughter turned to shouts, and the ground trembled as the vision shifted. The joyous scene morphed into chaos; a group of sect disciples burst in, weapons drawn, their faces twisted in anger. The memory flooded back: the day the sect was raided, the day he lost everything.
“Help!” a voice cried out, pulling him from the haze. He turned to see his friends—once vibrant, now ghostly figures—being overwhelmed. He felt the surge of helplessness wash over him, a familiar feeling that gripped his heart.
“No!” he shouted, reaching for them, but they were just out of reach, shadows fading into the night.
“You couldn’t save them then,” a voice taunted, echoing through the void. “What makes you think you can protect anyone now?”
The words struck like a physical blow, and Wei Long staggered back, pain flashing through him. He realized that this was his greatest fear—the fear of failure, of being unable to protect those he cared about.
He drew a deep breath, grounding himself. “I may have failed in the past,” he said firmly, “but I will not allow it to happen again. I will fight for my friends, for my people. I am stronger now. I will not let fear control me.”
As he spoke, the shadows around him began to dissipate. The figures of his friends smiled at him one last time before fading away, leaving behind a flickering light that grew brighter, illuminating the dark landscape.
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Suddenly, Wei Long felt the ground shift beneath him once more. In an instant, he was back in the chamber, standing before the lead spirit. The other warriors had also returned, each appearing shaken yet resolute.
The spirit observed them closely. “You have faced your past. You were given the opportunity to turn back, to embrace your fears. Yet you chose to confront them. This is the mark of a true warrior.”
Lin Mei stepped forward, her expression fierce. “We are not afraid of our pasts. We are here to forge a new future. But we need the power of the orb to do so.”
The spirit nodded. “You have shown your strength of will. Now, who among you will claim the orb?”
Wei Long exchanged glances with Lin Mei and the others. He knew this was a pivotal moment, but he also understood that the orb’s power could be overwhelming.
“I will do it,” he said, stepping forward. “I’ve faced my fears. If this power can help protect my home, then I’ll accept its burden.”
The spirit raised an ethereal hand, gesturing toward the orb. “Very well, Wei Long. Claim your destiny.”
As he approached the altar, the orb pulsed with energy, drawing him closer. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cool surface. Instantly, a surge of power coursed through him, filling him with a sense of clarity and strength.
Visions flooded his mind—images of battles yet to come, of allies standing together against a tide of darkness. But alongside them were warnings—of the price he would pay for such power, of the choices he would need to make.
Yet even as the weight of these choices settled on his shoulders, he felt a new sense of purpose awaken within him. This was not merely power; it was a tool to forge a better future.
As Wei Long withdrew his hand, the orb’s glow intensified, enveloping him in radiant light. He felt the energy flowing into him, sharpening his senses, enhancing his abilities, and forging a connection to the land itself.
When the light faded, he stood before the spirit once more, his presence radiating with newfound energy.
“You are now bound to the essence of this site,” the spirit proclaimed. “Use this power wisely, for it is both a gift and a burden.”
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With the orb secured, the group took a moment to gather themselves. The path back would be equally perilous, but Wei Long felt a renewed sense of confidence.
“Let’s move,” he said, determination resonating in his voice. “We have a fight to prepare for.”
As they retraced their steps through the tunnel, Wei Long felt the weight of the orb resting in his possession, a beacon of hope and a reminder of the sacrifices they had all made. He couldn’t shake the feeling that their journey was just beginning.
Emerging from the mountains, the air was heavy with anticipation. The storm was closing in, and the time for action was upon them. Whatever awaited them, they would face it together—warriors united against a common foe.
The alliance would stand strong, and the Jade Serpent Sect would soon learn that their ambition had awakened a force they could not control.
