Test of Strength

chapter 9:

Test of Strength

Wan Jie surveyed the elven capital from his new seat of power - an imposing black stone throne erected in the central palace courtyard. The shining city now answered to him alone after his ascension and purging of the old order. But complacency was the path to stagnation. There were always greater heights to strive for.

The Jewel Crown granted Wan Jie profound cosmic insights into the fabric of reality itself. He sensed now how the world functioned as an extension shaped by mind and will. With cultivation and understanding, matter and energy could be manipulated as effortlessly as moving one's own limbs.

But mastery came only through trial and incremental effort. Wan Jie needed fresh challenges to test his deepening control against. Conquering this mortal realm had grown trivial. His ambitions required venturing beyond, to test his might against gods and titans.

Closing his eyes, Wan Jie projected his awareness heavenward through the translucent veil separating the dimensions. Celestial realms of light and profound power awaited beyond the veil. He observed the fractal bridges and conduits through which divine beings moved between realms.

Now he must secure permission to traverse these cosmic pathways himself. As expected, his subtle intrusion had not gone unnoticed. Wan Jie's projected senses detected powerful ripples of focus converging upon him - the watchful gaze of heavenly guardians alerted.

Subtle whispers pervaded the luminous dimension, evaluating this mortal speck that dared trespass upon divine precincts. Though veiled by the Crown's influence, Wan Jie's nature could not escape the scrutiny of cosmic entities. Patience and adaptation were required.

Before the guardians' attention stifled his projection completely, Wan Jie withdrew his consciousness back to the material plane. There would be no forceful bypassing of heavenly security, that path led only to ruin. Accommodation and leveraging their own rules was the surest method.

The guardians peered closely at the threads Wan Jie's fate and destiny wove into the great celestial tapestry dictating order in the realms. While irregular, he was bound to the world below still. His time had not yet come to be judged and measured for reincarnation. Certain avenues thus remained open to him.

Returning to his material form on the throne, Wan Jie opened his eyes to address the attendant priests bowing nearby. "Send word to all lands. An open tournament of champions shall be held here in one month's time." The priests hurried to obey as Wan Jie smiled thinly, his will set.

Over the following weeks, fighters from all kingdoms and walks of life gathered in the elven capital, drawn by rumors of the unprecedented event. The city had become neutral ground under the banner of the mysterious Father who unified the fractious elven houses through pure force of presence. What miracle could he work unifying all peoples?

When the appointed date came, hundreds of combatants crowded the tournament coliseum ringed by thousands of spectators. Representatives from proud knightly orders stood alongside reclusive mystic sword-masters and even bestial orcish champions. Competition bred cautious unity.

From his viewing box, Wan Jie surveyed the arrayed fighters. Most were elite heroes accustomed to winning glory and fame through strength of arms alone. They could not imagine the scale of powers truly governing existence. He would enlighten them.

The preliminary bout started. Wan Jie watched carefully as fighters matched skills, analyzing their capabilities. Most depended on vigorous physical abilities or limited energy manipulation shaped by their force of will. Powerful but confined by material limits.

Hours passed as the weak were weeded out. The remaining victors stood proud in the arena, full of confidence. Surely the finals would be where their heroic talents shone brightest. But Wan Jie's expression remained neutral. They still understood so little.

Night fell. Wan Jie proceeded into the grand coliseum flanked by fanfare and cheers. The assembled fighters marveled at the plain-looking man in simple robes. Could this unassuming person truly command cosmic forces as rumored? Incredulity shifted to doubt then anger at being deceived.

As the arena torches flared brighter, Wan Jie halted at the central dais. "You have doubts...that is expected. Allow me to show you truth." With a wave of his hand, reality flickered. Suddenly the coliseum was replaced by an infinite void with platforms suspended weightlessly. Shocked cries rang out, fighters struggling to keep balance.

Calmly walking the platforms, Wan Jie regarded the assembly. "The likes of you fight using naught but crude strength. Now observe what it means to wield true power." He made a pulling gesture, ripping a swirling vortex into existence. 

From this tear in space-time, an eldritch monstrosity emerged, its bulk seeming to warp and fold in upon itself as it lingered between dimensions. The creature did not belong wholly in this plane of existence, but Wan Jie's will had anchored it temporarily.

The mutant horror reared, disturbed by its summoning and maddened by the strange reality surrounding it. A dozen whipping tentacles tipped with barbs lashed out blindly at the platforms holding the fighters. Cries of panic resounded as they barely dodged the colossal striking limbs.

But Wan Jie stood motionless, unbothered by the thrashing monstrosity's proximity. With a snap of his fingers, he bound the creature fully with solid bands of force. More hand gestures molded the energy into spears that riddled the beast. It gave an awful shriek as black ichor dripped freely into the endless void below before slowly dissolving entirely.

Stunned silence filled the space. The audience of fighters all stared wordlessly at Wan Jie standing relaxed with no weapon beyond his strange gestures. Reality itself bent to his whims, supreme above their martial skills. He needed offer no challenge or combat trial - the gulf lay bare already.

With another ripple, Wan Jie restored the arena surroundings. "You have witnessed but the barest fraction of true power. Leave now with understanding." He waved his hand in dismissal. None dared offer even token resistance. The crowds dispersed, humbled and contemplative of higher truths.

Alone again, Wan Jie allowed himself a thin smile. The demonstration served its purpose well. Already distorted rumors would spread like wildfire of his absolute mastery over fundamental forces. Such reputation paved the way to grander stages.

The heavens too would have observed the event with keen interest. By sidestepping direct challenge in favor of calculated spectacle, Wan Jie demonstrated adherence to the intricate cosmic dances of status and posturing through veiled shows of power. The doors remained open for his planned ascent.

Now Wan Jie required only the right opportunity. Patience was a virtue he cultivated along with strength. But the hour grew late, and complacency would dull his edge worse than any defeat. The time had come to test his limits fully against the divine. Legends would speak of what came next for eons hence.