The Trial of Lust
The illusion formed once again, and Tiān Shén found himself in a bustling, thriving city of the Immortal Realm, a place known as Xīan Zhèn, where power and wealth determined one's standing in society. In this trial, he was not a powerful cultivator but a successful merchant, famed throughout the city for his control over an immense trading empire. Tiān Shén had amassed his fortune through careful planning and shrewd deals, trading in some of the most precious treasures and rare artifacts sought after by immortals and mortals alike.
His merchant house, the Zhēn Bǎo Pavilion, was a towering structure made of jade and gold, filled with dazzling treasures that could tempt even the most disciplined cultivator. Rare spirit stones, artifacts imbued with ancient power, and elixirs capable of extending life lined the halls. The building itself was a symbol of his success, admired by all. Every corner of the city knew Tiān Shén as the man with the Midas touch—whatever he sold would turn to gold. People sought him out, hoping to acquire a rare item that could help them break through bottlenecks in cultivation or protect them in dangerous encounters.
He had everything a man could want: wealth, status, and power.
Yet, none of it mattered in the face of one woman—Song Yue.
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Song Yue was the very embodiment of beauty. Her flawless jade-like skin shimmered under the sunlight, her dark hair cascaded down her back like silk, and her every movement was like a carefully choreographed dance. Men and women alike found themselves mesmerized by her, caught in the trap of her allure. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, seemed to pierce the soul of anyone who dared meet them, promising a world of mystery and seduction.
Tiān Shén had first encountered her during one of his lavish banquets, where the most powerful merchants and sect leaders would gather. Song Yue had entered the hall, wearing a dress woven from the finest silks and adorned with a shimmering phoenix brooch on her chest, an accessory that only heightened her breathtaking beauty. From the moment their eyes met, Tiān Shén was captivated.
He had never been the type to fall easily for anyone. His business had always been his priority. But something about Song Yue ensnared him. She was more than just a beautiful face; she was like a flame, and Tiān Shén was the helpless moth drawn to her light.
What he didn't know was that Song Yue was as dangerous as she was beautiful.
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At first, their interactions were innocent enough. Tiān Shén invited her to several private dinners, hoping to win her affection through charm and gifts. He showered her with treasures from his pavilion—rare silks from distant lands, elixirs that could enhance beauty, and even a golden phoenix jade pendant that was said to protect its wearer from harm.
But Song Yue never cared for Tiān Shén. She played her role well, smiling sweetly and showing just enough interest to keep him hooked, while subtly manipulating his every move. Her true goal had always been his wealth and influence. She was well-versed in the art of manipulation, and she used Tiān Shén's obsession with her to her full advantage.
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Tiān Shén's once-thriving business slowly began to suffer. He found himself spending more and more time thinking about Song Yue, neglecting his trade and the countless merchants who relied on him. His once-meticulous attention to detail was now scattered, his focus entirely consumed by his lust for her. Even when his most loyal customers came to him, hoping to purchase rare artifacts, he would wave them off, choosing instead to chase after fleeting moments with Song Yue.
As his business faltered, Song Yue's influence grew. She whispered in Tiān Shén's ear, advising him to make foolish decisions. "Sell the lower-grade treasures for cheaper, make the customers feel like they're getting a bargain," she would suggest with a sweet smile. But the deals were terrible, and Tiān Shén's reputation began to suffer. Soon, competitors began taking advantage of his weakening position, and the once-dominant Zhēn Bǎo Pavilion started to lose ground.
But Tiān Shén was too blinded by lust to notice.
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One day, Tiān Shén came to a sudden realization: Song Yue had slowly taken over his entire operation. With his mind clouded by lust, she had maneuvered herself into a position of power within his business. She now controlled the decisions, the finances, and even the employees. Under her guidance, his fortune dwindled, and his pavilion, once the most renowned in Xīan Zhèn, was on the brink of collapse.
He confronted Song Yue, anger and frustration finally breaking through the fog of his desire. "Why are you doing this? I have given you everything!" he demanded, his voice trembling with emotion.
Song Yue didn't even bother to hide her disdain. Her eyes, once so full of warmth, were now cold and calculating. "Everything?" she laughed. "You were a fool, Tiān Shén. I never cared about you. All I wanted was your wealth, your power. And now that I have it, you're nothing to me."
Her words were like a dagger to his heart. All this time, Tiān Shén had thought he was the one pursuing her, when in reality, she had been leading him to his own destruction.
"Then what will you do now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Song Yue smiled. "You'll see."
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Within days, Song Yue had fully taken over Tiān Shén's pavilion. She spread rumors about his incompetence, telling the city that he was no longer capable of running such a grand business. His employees turned their backs on him, following Song Yue's lead, and the merchants who once sought his favor now laughed at his fall from grace.
The final blow came when Song Yue publicly humiliated him in front of the city. At a grand auction, where the most precious treasures were to be sold, Song Yue announced that Tiān Shén was no longer the owner of the pavilion. "He's nothing more than my servant now," she declared with a cruel smile. "He'll be the one opening the gates to my mansion from now on."
And just like that, Tiān Shén, once one of the wealthiest and most respected men in Xīan Zhèn, became nothing more than a lowly gatekeeper.
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For years, Tiān Shén lived in shame. Every day, he stood by the entrance to Song Yue's mansion, opening the gate for her guests, who mocked and ridiculed him. The once-proud merchant was now the laughingstock of the city, his former glory reduced to nothing but a distant memory.
Song Yue would pass by him daily, her eyes filled with cold indifference. The woman he had once desired so desperately now treated him as nothing more than a tool she had discarded after using. Tiān Shén had been consumed by his lust for her, and in the end, it had cost him everything.
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Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the illusion shattered. Tiān Shén found himself back in the cold, stone halls of the Celestial Soul Pagoda. His heart raced, his mind still reeling from the vivid emotions of the trial.
The weight of his failure in the trial of lust pressed down on him, but it also brought clarity. He understood now the destructive nature of unchecked desire. Lust had consumed him, blinding him to the truth and leading him to ruin. The lesson was clear: he could not allow such base emotions to control him, or they would be his undoing.
Tiān Shén knelt before the pagoda, his gray robes billowing around him. His purple eyes, still sharp and divine, gleamed with newfound wisdom. He had learned from this trial, just as he had from the trials of pride, greed, and envy. The path of cultivation was not just about strength but also about mastering one's emotions and desires.
With this understanding, he rose, ready to face the next trial.
He had much to learn, but he would not fall again.