Purifying the Inner Demon, Both Illusory and Real

Black Winter was in immense pain!

It felt like my whole being was being torn apart.

The soul, consciousness, spirit—the material symbols of self-existence—began to flip, presenting a sense of opposition and repulsion.

As a parasite of the Aether Universe, he was actually parasitized in reverse!

A ray of light appeared out of nowhere.

The structure of the Black Winter begins to crumble from within.

This is a subversion of the program.

The original soul particles have all been transformed into another state.

Black Winter began to disintegrate inch by inch, his body turning white. The negation of negation meant that the meaning of his existence had completely vanished.

Since it has no meaning anymore, is there any need for it to exist?

Obviously.

Chen Qi has already mastered the method to eliminate Black Winter!

This will deal a heavy blow to Black Winter.

Furthermore, with the Cosmic Cycle, everything in the Aether Universe is constantly collapsing.

Countless stars have vanished into oblivion.

The universe has reverted to being composed of cosmic eggs.

This irreversible trend has gradually spread to the Sixth Dimension, to every corner, and to the Aether Universe.

"No!"

"No one can kill me!"

"I will become you..."

"Live to the next generation!"

Black Winter's remaining will surged once more.

Immediately, it abandoned One-Below-All and transformed into pure darkness, rushing towards Chen Ji like a blizzard!

This substance can no longer be understood as matter, but rather as a concept, data, or information flow.

It's as if the Aether Universe is a massive biological computer.

Black Winter is a virus program.

Virus programs can, of course, infiltrate and parasitize anywhere.

In his desperate situation, he made the only choice: to parasitize Chen Ji and be reborn through Chen Ji's body, as long as a piece of data remained.

When the Cosmic Cycle, it can be fully revived and re-inhabit the Aether!

He will even gain all of Chen Ji's power, becoming the God of Knowledge, the God of Systems, the God of Beginnings, the Supreme God, becoming Aether, and transcending Aether.

"Not good!"

God Emperor Tony was astonished.

Even the God of Steel, the God of Technology, the Living Tribunal, and the Supreme Celestial showed surprise at it.

Because once Chen Ji is parasitized and Black Winter is not eliminated in time, Black Winter will live to the next generation and will eventually make a comeback.

He spread his parasites throughout the Aether Universe.

That will last Eternity.

No one can destroy Black Winter again.

Black Winter will also coexist with the Aether Universe.

Even the Big Bang caused by the Cosmic Cycle could only restart the universe, not purify the Black Winter.

This will inevitably provoke a fierce retaliation from Black Winter.

"The God of Knowledge"

"You will be my best vessel!"

"I just realized that you are Aether!"

"As long as I parasitize you, my wish will also be fulfilled."

Black Winter transformed into a life storm, with thunderous roars echoing through the sky, coalescing into a ferocious face that frantically infiltrated from all directions!

It seemed as if Chen Ji could be overwhelmed at any moment.

He seized everything Chen Ji owned for himself.

"What?"

"Is the God of Knowledge Aether?"

"So that's how it was."

"That would be dangerous!"

God Emperor Tony, the God of Steel and the God of Technology, had his expression change drastically in an instant, almost unable to believe it.

So the God of Knowledge is Aether?

Is it the soul of the Aether Universe?

Why would he appear in the universe?

Is it all for the purpose of defeating Black Winter?

"That's right."

"During my seclusion, I already knew my true identity, although many misjudgments occurred during that time."

"But thankfully, I no longer need to hide it."

"I am Aether."

"Aether is me."

"In fact, all the history you know is something I implanted."

"The Aether Universe..."

"It's the future Painted Realm Universe."

"I simply repeated this process in the Aether Universe, all in order to find Black Winter and find a way to defeat you."

"And you, in truth, are nothing more than my inner demon."

Chen Ji's voice was loud.

He already knows all the Mystery.

He even completely dominated the Aether Universe.

If he wanted to, he could stop time and reverse the Big Bang, but that would be a necessary condition for destroying Black Winter was already at his wit's end.

When he created and dissolved the universe, the future and the present already existed simultaneously; the Aether Universe is the Painted Realm, and the Painted Realm is the Aether Universe.

However, the appearance of Black Winter caused a distortion in time, with the future and the past appearing simultaneously in the same dimension, which led to Chen Ji's misjudgment.

Fortunately, he designed Entry System for himself.

The Entry System is the 'Heavenly Dao' of the Painted Realm Universe.

He will use the Big Bang to annihilate Black Winter and also separate the future from the present.

Certainly.

He will transcend the Three Realms and be outside the Five Elements.

He can transcend the past and the future.

He could even use the power of the Tenth Dimension to annihilate Black Winter right here!

"Am I just your inner demon?"

"No!"

You're lying to me!

Black Winter roared angrily.

A terrifying and ferocious expression appeared on his face, which was as dark as a gloomy cloud.

Moment.

Black Winter charged toward Chen Ji.

Having almost completely sealed off the Sixth Dimension, he used his last ounce of strength to try and parasitize Chen Ji, replacing the body before him.

If his plan succeeds, he will possess the body of the God of Knowledge, and thus become the true Aether.

They possess the qualifications to dominate the entire Aether Universe!

All the Creator Deity, the God of Beginnings, and the entities of energy will submit to him.

Those who follow the way prosper, those who oppose it perish.

There will be no third outcome.

He was practically fighting for his life, his Life Force rapidly draining away, yet a smile gradually crept onto his lips, and dark clouds enveloped the world, completely obscuring Chen Ji's figure!

It had practically seeped into Chen Ji's very bones!

Black Winter is rewriting the Calculon.

He merged a part of himself into the body of the God of Knowledge.

However.

A mocking voice suddenly rang out behind him.

Black Winter's expression froze.

"You don't seem to have grasped the situation yet."

"You think you can take advantage of me in my universe? That's just wishful thinking!"

Chen Ji's figure slowly appeared.

It turns out that the figure that appeared in front of Black Winter earlier was just an energy avatar of him!

Black Winter parasitized this energy avatar, but Chen Ji immediately clenched his fist from a distance.

Boom!

The energy avatar then exploded.

The Calculon, carrying the consciousness of Black Winter, is also disintegrating inch by inch.

It kept turning to ashes.

Even though Black Winter wanted to resist, she had almost exhausted all her strength and could only let death take her away, her consciousness gradually fading away!

Who exactly am I?

"Am I Black Winter?"

"Or is it your inner demon?"

Black Winter said unwillingly.

Only now did he have time to review the past, and realize that he had no past at all, as if he had appeared out of thin air.

"You're just a psychological trauma for me."

"Black Winter."

"I defeated you..."

"This doesn't mean the story is over; in fact, it's just beginning."

Chen Ji's tone was somber.

As Black Winter passed away, his surroundings and the scene before him continued to crumble.

It cracked like a lens.

He drifted into a stupor, then surfaced and opened his eyes again.

He unexpectedly appeared in a quaint, antique place.

The fragrance of sandalwood rises gently.

On the prayer mat in front of him sat a bald figure, dressed in a bright yellow robe with a black silk sash around his waist.

A slight smile appeared on his thin face, his voice casual yet tinged with admiration.

"List."

"You have been asleep in the world of consciousness for a very long time."

"I almost didn't make it out."

"Fortunately, you overcame your inner demons."

"Now..."

"You are now a disciple of Kamar-Taj."

The Ancient One looked pleased and nodded secretly.

Disciples of Kamar-Taj undergo a test upon entering the sect.

During trials, one will face the challenges posed by inner demons.

It usually doesn't last very long, ending at most half an hour.

But Chen Ji, who was sitting in front of him, almost succumbed to his own consciousness and struggled for a whole day before finally waking up.

Defeat your inner demons.

They were not defeated by their inner demons.

The initiation ceremony was successfully completed.

She couldn't help but feel extremely happy.

This also means that Chen Ji's talent in secret arts has surpassed hers and that of Sorcerer Supreme throughout history.

It is likely that Chen will be the most outstanding Sorcerer Supreme in the future.

However, Chen needs to defeat Strange first.

"The world of consciousness?"

"Test?"

"Inner demons?"

"Was it all just a dream?"

Chen Ji's pupils contracted slightly.

As he looked at the Ancient One, a distant memory suddenly flashed through his mind: when he had just begun his training, he had undergone a trial.

Like Doctor Strange, he drifted through the world of consciousness, and only after passing the trials did he become an Apprentice Mage.

Turn out to be...

Before this, what he experienced happened in the world of consciousness?

There has never been Aether Universe, nor God of Knowledge, nor God Emperor Tony and Black Winter?

But the trials he experienced were incredibly real!

He could even recall the spells he knew, but the lack of magic within his body made him feel uneasy.

Because he had become accustomed to Omnipotence.

Now that I've returned to the normal world, and just Kamar-Taj, my feelings are indescribably complicated. It feels like falling from Heaven to Hell, like a fleeting dream.

But this also made him realize the power of the Sorcerer Supreme.

It was as if a universe had been created.

Let him experience and learn in the universe, so that he can use his knowledge in the real world in the future.

All he had to do was repeat his previous experience.

First, go to Morag and find the Power Stone!

"Venerable One."

"Am I no longer in the world of consciousness?"

Am I living in a real world?

Chen Ji confirmed this repeatedly.

"You're not the first person to ask me that."

"Mordo, the King, Kaecilius have all asked me the same question."

But I can answer you.

"Yes."

"You've returned to the real world; you've defeated your inner demons."

The Ancient One smiled.

She slowly stood up, looked at the buildings outside the window, and a hint of melancholy appeared in her eyes.

Because she had asked her master the same question.

The world of consciousness and the real world are separated by only a fine line.

If you sink into depravity, you will lose your soul.

Fortunately, this disciple who took the initiative to become an apprentice possessed exceptional talent and ability, and also overcame his greatest inner demons.

Their future prospects are simply limitless.

"I see."

Chen Ji's expression was complicated.

Immediately, he summoned the Entry Panel again.

It's exactly the same as the words he had at the start of the game.

[Name]: Chen Ji

[Identity]: Apprentice Mage

[Talents]: Clever and Keen (white), Martial Arts Master (green), Minor Affinity (green).

[Luck Value]: 0

[Clever and Keen] (in white): Your intelligence is exceptional; no matter how complex something is, you can grasp its essence immediately.

[Martial Arts Master] (Green): In the realm of martial arts and physical skills, your learning and comprehension are at a master level. With perseverance, you will surely become Grandmaster.

[Minor Affinity] (Green): You possess remarkable magical talent, can easily master some mysterious spells, and will also be favored by spiritual beings.

The previously Black Entry have disappeared.

Only now did he realize the power of the Black Entry; they had actually affected his consciousness.

It was all just a drill.

It can also be understood as a simulation!

He simulated the course of his life in the world of consciousness.

However, due to the existence of the Black Entry, it gradually evolved into a demon in one's heart, and also became a parasite called Black Winter.

But he has overcome his inner demons.

Simply relive the experiences of the world of consciousness.

You can completely avoid disaster and level up quickly, thus shedding your weakness!

And the first thing he was going to do.

The goal is to go to Morag and find the Orb of the Cosmos!

"List."

"You have passed the test; this Sling Ring is yours."

"Remember not to lose the Sling Ring."

"This will lead to unpredictable dangers and troubles."

"The lords of the Dark Dimension have always been eyeing us covetously."

Ancient One handed over the Sling Ring and gave it earnest instructions.

"Thank you, Venerable One."

Chen Ji nodded.

Then, he slowly left the main hall.

Wearing the Sling Ring on one's hand and drawing it in the Void creates a Mystic Portal.

Although he no longer possessed his former magic, he retained invaluable experience!

Everything one sees and experiences in the world of consciousness is incredibly real.

He then stepped through the Mystic Portal and arrived at a desolate, ravaged planet.

They appeared in front of the gate of a temple.

Pfft

Magical sparks swirled and burst open.

Ignoring the obstruction of the gate, he stepped into the temple.

The Orb of the Cosmos was retrieved through a small, Mystic Portal.

As the spirit orb was twisted open.

A dazzling purple gemstone came into view.

The gemstone surged with Infinity energy, brimming with unpredictable and violent power!

The slightest touch could reduce it to ashes, but he had already mastered the trick, concentrating his consciousness on a single point!

They then established a connection with the Power Stone.

A beautiful purple Rune appeared in his eyes.

This is the Power Rune from the Infinite Runes!

"Same start, different story."

"My era has begun."

Chen Ji smiled.

Immediately, he used the Power Stone to tear open the Cosmic Veil.

They entered a tavern located in the Void.

Bartender Jack, was wiping wine glasses when he saw Chen Ji push the door open and then smiled.

"The God of Knowledge".

Would you like a glass of mead?