Jackie Chan: The Supreme Sorcerer, invited by his father to come out of seclusion

Chapter 164 The Immortal's Trial
Xiaoyu understood.

The barrier before us is both a test and a threshold for recognition.

It was not a cold rejection, but a scrutiny from the very source of righteousness, examining whether she was qualified to bear the hopes left behind by Xiao.

She stopped trying to force her way through, took a deep breath, stood up straight with her small body, and looked clear and determined.

She gently placed the dark red ancient book she was holding on the ground, and then, facing the invisible barrier before her, she solemnly and deeply bowed.

"My name is Xiaoyu."

Her voice was clear and crisp, with a hint of childishness, yet exceptionally earnest.
"I came here to find the power to fight the demons, to save my family, and to protect more people."

“I know that you are Xiao, the will left behind by that great hero.”

She raised her head, her gaze seemingly piercing through a barrier, looking towards the ancient peach tree in the center of the island.

"I may not be strong enough or smart enough, but I have a heart that wants to protect."

Please give me a chance!

As soon as she finished speaking, the invisible barrier seemed to be touched by her sincerity, emitting a soft hum.

Warm golden light seeped out from inside the barrier, like gentle flowing water, softly enveloping Xiaoyu's body.

The scene before my eyes twisted and spun again.

This time, she wasn't passively watching the fragments of light and shadow; rather, her entire consciousness was drawn by that warm and boundless power, sinking into a deeper and more mysterious realm.

When her consciousness returned, Xiaoyu found herself standing in a void of darkness.

The ground beneath their feet was not solid; it was more like a calm, still black surface of water, reflecting the only source of light above—an energy body suspended in the air, radiating a soft golden glow.

That light was the very source of righteous energy she had sensed earlier—warm, peaceful, yet containing unimaginable, immense power.

"Has the test... begun?"

Xiaoyu looked around and saw nothing but the golden light and the endless darkness beneath her feet.

The place was so quiet that even her own breath seemed to be swallowed up.

Just then, a voice rang out directly in her mind. The voice was gentle and ancient, with a touch of ethereal majesty. It was the voice she had heard in the illusion, belonging to that immortal in the mortal world.

"Child, do you crave power?"

Xiaoyu was taken aback, then nodded without hesitation:
"Yes!
I need the strength to save people!

"strength……"

The voice seemed to be pondering.
"Look into your heart, what do you truly desire?"

As the sound faded, ripples suddenly appeared on the dark water in front of Xiaoyu.

Images appeared as if projected onto a screen.

In the scene, the old man is tightly bound by Ximu's black tentacles, suspended in mid-air in the dilapidated church. Although his face is still stubborn, his brows reveal exhaustion and worry.

Next, Jackie Chan was also bound by the black energy, his face filled with anxiety and helplessness, only able to make "uh uh" sounds of struggle.

Then, Sheriff Black and Tru struggled against the Black Mage's attack under the bridge, facing numerous dangers.

Finally, the image freezes on Ximu's grinning face. He has absorbed a massive amount of dark energy, becoming even more powerful and evil, as if he wants to drag the entire world into darkness.

Seeing these images, Xiaoyu felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart tightly, and she was instantly overwhelmed by suffocating pain and anxiety.

“Dad!

Uncle Jackie!

Tru!

Sheriff!

She cried out, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.

"See? This is the price you pay for your hesitation." The voice spoke again, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible seduction.

“Your family and your friends are suffering because of your weakness, and may even… lose their lives.”

"Do not!

No way!

Xiaoyu shook her head vigorously and wiped away her tears.

"Just nod, child."

The voice became gentler, more alluring.
“I can grant you unparalleled power immediately.”

Enough to tear that sky demon apart in an instant, enough to bring your loved ones back unharmed.

You no longer need to go through a long search, nor do you need to face unknown dangers.

As long as you accept…

As the voice seduced her, the soft golden light in front of Xiaoyu suddenly began to expand violently!

The light became blinding, no longer pure gold, but mixed with a hint of... eerie dark red!

A violent, vast power, yet carrying a chilling aura of destruction, emanated from the ball of light and surged toward Xiaoyu!

It was as if she could immediately grasp this power that could change everything simply by reaching out her hand!

Xiaoyu's breathing became rapid.

Defeat Westwood instantly? Rescue Old Man and Uncle Dragon immediately? The temptation is too great!
It was so big that she could hardly resist it!

She could almost see the black aura surrounding Ximu vanish with a wave of her hand, and her father and Uncle Long looking at her with delight and praising her.

"well done"

Her hand, uncontrollably, slowly rose, trying to grasp that readily available, powerful force.

My fingertips were almost touching the dark red and gold intertwined light.

But at that moment, another image flashed through her mind—the young man who lived in seclusion in a dark valley, surrounded by cold black energy, and who was ultimately devoured by his own power, his body and soul destroyed, Ye!

And then there's that ethereal yet profound saying from the immortal of the mortal world:

"Power itself is neither good nor evil; good and evil reside in the mind."

Excessive obsession can easily lead one astray.

Xiaoyu's raised hand suddenly stopped, and a glint of clarity flashed in her eyes.

This power... no!
Although it appears powerful, even disguised by a golden glow of righteousness, the rage, destruction, and coldness it contains are completely different from the upright, peaceful, and just righteousness that Xiao left in her memory!

This is more like... the kind of extreme, ruthless dark power that the night pursues!

"Power gained through the wrong methods, no matter how strong, is not true power!"

Xiaoyu abruptly withdrew her hand, her eyes hardening with determination. She raised her head and shouted at the energy emanating an alluring glow:
"I reject!"

"I do crave power, but I crave the righteous power to protect everyone and bring hope!"

Not this... this dark power that's like drinking poison to quench thirst!

My father taught me that I must do everything on the right path!

Even if it's slower, even if it's more dangerous, we can't take the crooked path!

"I believe in Uncle Long, I believe in Tru, and I believe in Sheriff Black!"
We will definitely find the right way to defeat Westwood and rescue Daddy!

Her words were powerful and resonant, echoing in this empty space.

The dark red and gold light flickered violently a few times after her firm refusal, as if it were somewhat unwilling.

(End of this chapter)