Chapter 221 Duan Feng is aggrieved

A dark space.

The touch of the body was intermittent, and an unpleasant metallic texture occasionally appeared in the perception. It was probably the doctor touching him.

Duan Feng's consciousness floats here.

This place... can probably be considered his consciousness space.

He actually didn't know, because he rarely came here since he grew up - after all, this was the first time he was knocked unconscious.

I lost... It wasn't a dream, I really lost, and I lost so miserably, I was knocked unconscious, it was totally undignified.

This seemed to be the first time he had experienced this since he was born.

If I had used all my strength from the beginning...

Duan Feng fell silent.

There was only silence in the darkness, and he could almost hear his own heartbeat.

I don't know how long it was before he chuckled.

Never mind, he couldn't fool himself.

If you can't win, you can't win. There's no need to make such excuses... I have already tried my best, and the so-called full strength is just adding Aqiu. But if that's the case, when has Yu Cang ever used his full strength?

You have to know that in this duel, Yu Cang had watched the battle for a long time with his soul energy fully restored, and there were plenty of dragon scales on the field. Although he did drag Yu Cang into trouble at the beginning, but after that, Yu Cang has been at ease.

Even now, when I think about it, Yu Cang probably had a way to break the deadlock at any time at the beginning... After all, his dragon scales can activate that kind of "fusion" power.

There were already six dragon scales on the field at the beginning of the game. Even if Yu Cang did not summon the Saint of Breach, he would definitely have a backup plan.

What's more... in the end, when he activated the critical mass maximum and manipulated the chaotic convection triggered by the light and dark contradiction dragon, he had already borrowed the power of Aqiu. That attack was already his full strength, but he still failed without any suspense.

In fact, his own card deck was continuously improved by countless senior card makers, while Yu Cang's card deck was made by himself... Thinking about it this way, the gap seems to be even bigger.

I lost completely... Just as Yu Cang said, I was beaten up by him.

Duan Feng recalled what Duan Zhang had said to him.

"Feng'er, stop comparing yourself to your peers."

"You are the one who will ascend to the level of myth. Sooner or later, they will be trampled under your feet. We can be friends, but remember not to confide in each other."

"Have you finished reading "The Legend of Emperor Chang'an"?

“That’s who you’re going to be.”

…

"Heh." Duan Feng chuckled.

Just now, you should have been watching and saw that I lost.

Now, am I still dreaming that I will become some kind of legend?

...Well, you wouldn't care about that.

You don't care about anything except your family and your "career".

So what if I lose?

The next day, he would probably hear the news of his victory outside. Duan Zhang's plan would still proceed in an orderly manner. Every step of his way had been determined in advance, and he could not choose anything he wanted.

…

Duan Feng couldn't help but clench his fists.

Myth? Bullshit!

Just because we have the same talent, do we have to follow the same path and become the same person?

He wants to become a legend, but that is his, Duan Feng's, own future, not the dream you gave me!

Why do you all think that I can only become a legend by relying on this companion soul?

If you really thought so, why didn't you just drown Duan Feng and let Aqiu be someone else's shadow?!

…

"peak?"

Duan Feng's heart trembled.

A familiar voice came from behind him. He recognized it. It was Aqiu's voice, and also his own voice.

"Feng, is this why you have been unwilling to fight alongside me?"

“…”

"Turn around."

Duan Feng took a deep breath, did not turn around, but opened his eyes.

It was pitch black in front of my eyes, but there was a faint light coming from behind me, which was the light of the soul.

He remembered that when he was young, before he had read "The Biography of Emperor Chang'an" and before he knew so many things, he often came to the consciousness space to play.

Because at that time, only here could he see his only friend.

In a trance, some images seemed to flash before my eyes.

…

"Who are you?"

"I'm Duan Feng."

"You're talking nonsense, I'm Duan Feng!"

Young Duan Feng looked at the soul floating in front of him, his eyes full of curiosity.

This guy... is like those man-eating ghosts described in the books.

But it's strange, why am I not afraid of him?

I was clearly terrified when I read those stories.

"I'm not a ghost!" Ah Qiu said angrily, "I am you! How can anyone be afraid of themselves?"

"Eh? Can you hear what I'm thinking?"

"This is our inner world, of course I can hear it."

"Well... okay." Duan Feng scratched his head.

For some reason, when Aqiu said "I am you", he believed it easily in his heart.

"But I can't call you Duan Feng...it would be weird."

"What do you want to call me?"

"Hmm, let me think... Oh, Dad said that there are many small hills near every mountain. How about I call you Duanqiu?"

"No." Aqiu curled his lips.

"Then I'll call you Aqiu, so it seems closer~" Duan Feng naturally knew what Aqiu was thinking.

"Um...okay, then I'll call you Feng."

"Okay!" Duan Feng smiled.

This was his first friend.

…

A long time passed by unknowingly.

Aqiu didn't know when it started, but he was able to come out of the consciousness space and move freely.

I don’t know since when, Duan Feng never returned to this consciousness space again.

"No." Duan Feng denied, "I just simply felt that the opponent I met didn't need your help."

"…I can hear what you're thinking right now."

Duan Feng curled his lips secretly: "Then why are you asking me?"

"Just because of such a childish reason?" Aqiu seemed very angry. "Do you know how long I have been in this stupid place? Do you know how much I hope for another battle? You are happy, you are free and unrestrained, but what about me? You can go anywhere in the world, but I can only stay in this dark place! Do you know how I have been living these years?"

Duan Feng was silent.

His eyes seemed to flicker, his lips trembled slightly, and he didn't say a word for a long time.

In the end, he could only speak softly in a very low voice:

"I'm sorry...but I told you that day would come, it would..."

"Duan Feng, I can hear what you are thinking now."

“…”

Aqiu walked around to Duan Feng, but Duan Feng just lowered his head silently and did not look at Aqiu.

"Duan Feng, I am you. If you are unwilling to even look at yourself, how can you talk about becoming a legend on your own?"

“That’s someone else’s path…”

"Why, is there also an Aqiu in Di Changan's mind?"

“…”

"Have you been calling me Aqiu for too long, so long that you've forgotten it?" Aqiu leaned closer. "My name is also Duan Feng?"

Duan Feng was speechless. He moved his lips for a long time before he stammered, "Give me a little more time... I will definitely find the right path..."

“…”

This time, it was Aqiu who remained silent.

After a while, he chuckled.

"Forget it." Aqiu took a few steps back, "Feng, I'm going to be away for a while."

"Leave?" Duan Feng's eyes widened suddenly. He looked up, seemingly in disbelief. "But you're my companion soul...where can you go?"

"Didn't you hear me?" Aqiu's face had calmed down. "I'm going to the Jieying campus. There's something I want there... I can't just do nothing while I'm waiting for you."

"But you are my companion soul, where can you go..."

"Don't worry." Aqiu said, "The Jieying campus is a place where everyone's sight converges. There is no concept of distance in the usual sense here. As long as I enter the Jieying campus in the ancient capital, no matter where you go, it won't be affected."

"cocoa……"

"You don't need me anyway."

Looking at Duan Feng's sudden helplessness, Aqiu really felt a little funny.

What Yu Cang said was indeed correct.

Feng has never realized what it feels like to lose himself.

"Yu Cang? Why are you thinking about him?" Duan Feng was completely panicked. "Wait, tell me clearly, what do you mean by I will lose you?"

"I never said that." Aqiu restrained his expression and thoughts.

"I can hear what you're thinking!!"

"You heard wrong." Aqiu said expressionlessly.

Jieying Campus is indeed a good place.

If that's the case there, it should be possible.

Humph, I should have done this a long time ago... Yu Cang is indeed much better than Feng.

Aqiu was thinking this in his heart, and Duan Feng was completely panicked after hearing this.

Wait, what the hell do you mean?!

What do you mean Yu Cang is much better than you... Damn it, he just beat me once, what do you mean by thinking that?

When it comes to card making... oh no, it seems like I can't compare to Aqiu in card making, not to mention that my card making skills actually come from Aqiu.

When he thought about it this way, it seemed that apart from his family background, he was not as good as Yu Cang at all... With Duan Feng's pride, he naturally disdained to rely on his family background to crush Yu Cang, but this made him even more panicked.

He looked at Aqiu who was sneering, and didn't know what to say.

You're not going to abandon yourself and go to Yu Cang, are you? Impossible, you're my companion soul! You can't live without me!

Duan Feng's heart tightened.

Wait, he just said that the Jieying campus should be able to do it... Damn, what exactly can it be done? Just tell me clearly!

For a moment, Duan Feng's mind was full of random thoughts, and for the first time, he felt a sense of fear.

Aqiu is my only friend!

Since childhood, Duan Zhang has had strict requirements for his social circle. He can have friends, but those friends have to go through layers of screening before he can come into contact with them.

All they wanted was the identity of "friend", not to be his, Duan Feng's, friend.

It was fine to talk and play together normally, but whenever he wanted to make close friends, wanted to have better fun, wanted to have some "brothers"... those so-called friends would immediately become secretive and disappear without a trace.

Duan Zhang has plenty of ways

Apart from Aqiu, who else is willing to speak his mind to Duan Feng?

From childhood to adulthood, Aqiu has always been by his side, making him accustomed to Aqiu's presence. He has never thought that he would lose Aqiu... except today, except now.

Therefore, he could no longer maintain his usual calmness and confidence. He took a few steps forward and was about to question Aqiu, but he saw Aqiu's body tremble and disappear on the spot.

In an instant, the words that were on the tip of his tongue had no one to confide in. Duan Feng stood there in a daze for a moment. The space of his consciousness was dark and empty, and turned into an indelible emptiness that surrounded him.

"A...Aqiu?" Duan Feng asked tentatively.

“Aqiu?…Aqiu!”

…

In the ward.

open eyes!

Duan Feng opened his eyes in an instant and stood up from the bed.

"Aqiu——"

Duan Feng suddenly stopped.

He looked to the side and saw Duan Ao and a doctor standing there. Behind him were many people from the Duan family and some young-looking nurses.

Seeing this scene, although Duan Feng was already sweating profusely, he quickly calmed down and his expression became calm again.

It's not that he wants to be arrogant.

But he knew... as the "myth of the future", if he made a fool of himself in front of outsiders and showed an inappropriate appearance like he did now... then anyone who saw this scene would not have a good ending.

If it happened somewhere else, it would be fine. Duan Zhang wouldn't be involved so deeply and the situation wouldn't be so serious, but now, his second uncle is here.

He knew very well that although Duan Ao appeared to be amiable on the surface, he was actually cruel and ruthless, and extremely paranoid.

He wasn't sure whether Duan Ao would attack those unfamiliar doctors because his ugly behavior was exposed, and he didn't want to gamble.

"What's wrong, Feng'er?" Duan Ao came up with a concerned expression on his face. Anyone who came would think that he was just a kind elder.

"...I'm fine, everyone, go out."

"That's good, that's good... You guys, there's nothing for you to do here, just get out."

The Duan family members nodded and walked out together. The doctor was also very tactful. He packed up his things and was about to leave.

Duan Feng raised his eyes and looked at Duan Ao: "And you, get out too."

"...Hahaha, Feng'er really knows how to joke." Duan Ao laughed a few times and sat down next to the bed. "You just called...Aqiu? What's going on? Are you having a conflict?"

"No."

"Come to think of it, at the end of the duel." Duan Ao's eyes narrowed slightly, and his smile inexplicably took on a hint of coldness. "Aqiu...didn't he obey your orders?"

"Nothing." Duan Feng frowned slightly, "Did you use the shield again?"

Duan Ao's face was still full of smiles: "Of course...but that's what doctors use for examinations, there's nothing I can do about it."

"...Okay." Duan Feng breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately... Aqiu was temporarily disconnected because of the blocker, and he thought Aqiu really didn't want to pay attention to him.

"But... Feng'er." Duan Ao's smile faded slightly. "It's time for you to make a choice... Di Chang'an's reluctance to show up and accept you as his disciple speaks volumes. Why not just..."

"I said, no need." Duan Feng's expression remained unchanged, as if he already knew what Duan Ao was going to say. "Aqiu is just my companion soul."

He knew that his family had always been concerned about his talent.

It is said that when he was born, a mysterious man appeared and said that he had the rare talent of a companion soul that only appears once in a thousand years, and wanted to take him in as his disciple.

But how could Duan Zhang easily trust such a person, so he did not agree.

Who knew that after he was born, it would actually be like this, and when Duan Zhang turned around to look for him, the person had already disappeared.

So all along, Duan Zhang had a thorn in his heart.

That companion soul, Aqiu...could it be a trap set by that mysterious person, who wants to use Duan Feng's body to do something unspeakable?

After all, apart from Di Chang'an, no one knows what the companion soul talent should look like, and no one dares to be sure that Aqiu is really Duan Feng's companion soul.

Gathering forces in the name of Duan Feng and making arrangements in layers also intends to fight against the mysterious man.

After all, if Duan Feng's talent is fake, then the Duan family will suffer a complete loss if they have invested resources all along and the mysterious person takes advantage of them. But if they gather forces in the name of Duan Feng, even if the mysterious person launches a plot, the Duan family will still have this force and will not suffer a complete loss.

When the situation becomes established, the title of Duan Feng will no longer be important - the real beneficiaries will still be the Duan family.

When Duan Feng was just born, Duan Zhang once applied to meet with Di Chang'an to inquire about the companion soul talent, but was rejected. However, as long as the four major family alliances gather together, it may not be impossible to take advantage of the situation to meet with Di Chang'an, and then everything will be known.

Besides, the mysterious man may not be afraid of the Duan family, but now that the four major families have united, the mysterious man must think twice before he wants to reap the benefits - after all, this is equivalent to touching everyone's cake.

This was the decision Duan Zhang made, believing it would bring the greatest benefit to the family. Otherwise, he would not want his children to be involved in so many troubles.

As for this shield... it is a means to temporarily block the perception of the companion soul.

"Feng'er," Duan Ao said, "Don't lie to Second Uncle. At the very end, Ah Qiu clearly disobeyed your orders... Why don't we choose a safer approach and directly refine this so-called companion soul..."

"I said," Duan Feng said without hesitation, "I will not agree to this plan."

"...Okay. It's okay. If you change your mind, you can always tell your uncle."

"Don't worry about it."

"Okay." Duan Ao sighed, "By the way, Feng'er, when you're ready, remember to tell me. I'll arrange a meeting between you and Yu Cang."

Duan Feng was stunned, but soon he understood.

One battle can settle all grudges... The duel is over, and now it's time to "settle all grudges".

It’s just right... He wants to ask Yu Cang what nonsense he said to Aqiu!

Looking at Duan Feng whose expression changed slightly, Duan Ao sighed.

"Feng'er," he said, "It doesn't matter if you lose this time. I'll have the card maker study Yu Cang's duel video as soon as possible. Next time, your deck will definitely beat him!"

"Uh-huh?"

Duan Feng was stunned.

He looked at Duan Ao and said uncertainly, "I... lost?"

"Yes." Duan Ao seemed to have difficulty speaking. "Feng'er... well, this time, many people are paying attention to your competition. Yu Cang's status is also very special. We can't just declare you the winner... Don't feel pressured."

The weight of the Flame Emperor Medal was too heavy. Even if Ye Laidu had already struck the imperial capital with one sword, Duan Zhang had to hold his nose and swallow his anger.

There is no way, I can’t afford to offend him.

Upon hearing this, Duan Feng was stunned.

This time... did I really lose?

Hehe…hahaha…hahahahahaha!

In the puzzled look of Duan Ao, Duan Feng suddenly laughed, and his voice became louder and louder!

Okay, okay...it turns out that winning or losing this time is not meaningless.

Duan Zhang, I finally met someone who can make you lose face!

For the first time, he finally felt like he had taken a step forward in his life. Even though he had lost, and it might have embarrassed him in some circles, he was incredibly happy.

He finally saw a hint of fluctuation in his unchanging future.

Yu Cang...it seems that you are even more powerful than I thought.

He suddenly felt a little grateful towards Cang, but then he felt even more aggrieved.

No, why should I be grateful to him!

He wanted to snatch my Aqiu away! Why, do I have to thank you?

dream!

Duan Feng gritted his teeth silently in his heart, but on the surface, his smile just faded a little.

"Ah?" Duan Ao blinked as he looked at Duan Feng's expression, somewhat confused.

But...it's okay, as long as there's no pressure.

So he stood up and said, "Okay Feng'er, I won't disturb your rest then."

"Remove the jammer."

"Don't worry, I will."

Duan Ao left the room.

quite a while.

The air twisted and Aqiu's figure appeared beside the bed.

"...What are you talking about again?" There was no expression on Aqiu's face.

"It's the same as always, a normal physical examination." Duan Feng brushed it off and then asked anxiously, "Aqiu, tell me, what did Yu Cang say to you?"

"..." Aqiu seemed to sigh, "Feng, Yu Cang has card-making technology that is beyond the times. I want to learn it."

Duan Feng quickly said: "Then you won't..."

"Not what?"

"No, no." Duan Feng seemed to find it difficult to speak. He clenched his teeth and hesitated for a long time before saying, "You won't leave me, will you?"

"……Oh."

Duan Feng was anxious: "You...you can't do this, you are my only friend!"

"Stop being childish." Aqiu snorted.

He pushed Duan Feng back onto the bed: "You are also my only friend."

Hearing this, Duan Feng was stunned for a moment, then his expression became overjoyed. He was about to say something when he heard Aqiu say:

"However, you haven't considered my feelings for such a long time, so don't even think about me caring about you this time. I will stay at the Jieying campus. When you truly understand yourself, come find me again."

"Then I will stay in the ancient capital..."

"I won't see you even if you stay here," Aqiu said. "If you continue like this, you will always be so childish."

"...What's wrong with you?" Duan Feng's eyes widened slightly. Looking at Aqiu with this tone, a sense of inexplicable grievance gradually accumulated in his heart.

He held back and didn't show it, "How can you say I'm childish..."

"Haha." Aqiu laughed.

(End of this chapter)