Chapter 40 – The Temple's Last Secret
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A Path Unsealed
Luo Fan stepped past the remnants of the cursed feast, his fingers still tingling from the lingering energy. The chamber had returned to silence, the oppressive presence now gone.
But something had changed.
The air felt lighter, yet beneath it was a subtle shift—like the temple itself was now paying attention.
> "You know, Boss, I have to ask—" EchoStar's voice was dry. "Are you just naturally drawn to every terrifying supernatural horror event, or is this a personal hobby?"
Luo Fan smirked. "You're acting like I had a choice."
> "You literally did! There was a perfectly good 'leave the haunted dinner alone' option! But noooo, you had to go for 'consume the ghostly remnants of an ancient eldritch entity.'"
Shen Mu folded her arms. "I agree with the mirror."
Luo Fan raised an eyebrow. "That's a first."
She scowled. "Don't get used to it."
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The Forgotten Door
With the trial over, the temple reacted. The walls rumbled, shifting in ways that weren't physically possible. Dust cascaded as new pathways revealed themselves, ancient mechanisms grinding into motion.
Ahead of them, a previously hidden door unfolded from the stone, its surface engraved with countless watching eyes.
Shen Mu tensed. "That wasn't there before."
Luo Fan examined it, noting the delicate carvings. Unlike the previous traps, this one felt different—not hostile, but expectant.
> "Okay, so best-case scenario: this is a hidden treasure vault. Worst-case scenario: this is where the temple keeps the extra terrifying horrors."
Luo Fan sighed. "You really know how to keep morale up, don't you?"
> "It's a gift."
Shen Mu placed a hand on her sword. "If you're opening it, do it carefully."
Luo Fan reached forward.
With a deep click, the door slowly swung open.
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Echo of the First Star
The room beyond was… small. Unexpectedly so.
Instead of a grand chamber, it was a single circular hall with a raised pedestal at the center. Upon it lay an object.
A mirror.
But not just any mirror.
It was shattered, its pieces floating in place, held together by a faint silver light. The moment Luo Fan saw it, a pulse ran through his very core.
It wasn't just any artifact.
It was a fragment of EchoStar itself.
> "Wait. What—" EchoStar's voice was suddenly strained, almost uncertain.
Luo Fan frowned. "You recognize it?"
> "That's—" A pause. "I don't remember it, but I know it's mine."
Shen Mu glanced between them. "Another piece of your artifact?"
Luo Fan nodded, stepping closer. The mirror's surface rippled, reflecting not just his image, but something else.
A landscape he had never seen before.
Twisting skies. A broken world.
And in the distance—
A figure, watching.
His breath caught.
Because the figure—
Looked just like him.
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The Choice of Reflection
The moment his hand touched the mirror, a voice whispered in his mind.
Not EchoStar's.
Not the Devourer's.
Something older.
"You seek to restore what was lost. But do you understand what that truly means?"
Luo Fan's pulse quickened. "Who are you?"
"A shadow of a shadow. A memory left behind."
The reflection of himself tilted its head, eyes unreadable.
"You stand at the edge of understanding. To take back what is broken… you must first accept what was once whole."
The words burned, settling deep into his mind. A test. A question.
And then—
A choice.
1. Absorb the Fragment Directly – Gain immediate power, but risk overwhelming his mind.
2. Bind It Slowly – Integrate it over time, allowing EchoStar to evolve naturally.
3. Leave It Be – Some knowledge is better left untouched.
> "Boss, I don't like this." EchoStar's tone was serious now. "This isn't just some power-up. This is… something else."
Shen Mu watched warily. "Decide quickly. I don't trust this place to wait forever."
Luo Fan inhaled.
He had made it this far.
Now—
It was time to choose.
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[Chapter End.]