Chapter 12: The Trial of Ascension Begins

Lin Mu stood in awe of the Divine Realm, the weight of his journey pressing down on him as he took in the impossibility of his surroundings. The air buzzed with energy, each breath filling him with a strange vitality, as though the very essence of life flowed through the atmosphere. His heart beat steadily, yet a hum of anticipation surged within him. The Trial of Ascension was waiting for him, and whatever trials he had passed before paled in comparison to what was coming.

Above him, the floating cities shimmered in the distance, their structures ethereal, crafted from materials that defied comprehension. Towers and spires jutted toward the heavens, and in the distance, the celestial light bathed everything in an unearthly glow. Though beautiful, Lin Mu knew that this realm was not merely a place of peace—it was a realm of power, and he could feel that power all around him.

System Notification:

New Objective: Ascend to the Temple of Gods and complete the Trial of Ascension.

The system's directive was clear, and though the path to the Temple of Gods wasn't physically visible, Lin Mu knew it was out there, likely hidden among the floating cities or the divine spires that shimmered with celestial light. He steadied himself, gathering his thoughts and readying his mind for what lay ahead. His body felt lighter, more alive in this realm, and the Blessing of Immortality pulsed within him like a second heartbeat.

His mind still processed the enormity of it all—he had come from the mortal world, fought through trials, earned the favor of the gods, and now, he was in their realm, one step closer to the ultimate goal of ascension. But there were no shortcuts here. He had earned his place in the Divine Realm, and now, he had to prove that he was worthy of becoming more than mortal.

He took his first step onto the glowing path that materialized beneath him. The ground beneath his feet shifted with each step, morphing and solidifying as he moved forward. It was as if the realm itself responded to his presence, guiding him toward the trial. His Divine Senses flared, and he felt the faint tremors of power in the distance—his destination was near, but there was no telling what obstacles awaited him.

The path stretched on, winding through the radiant valleys and floating islands. Each step seemed to bring him closer to the heart of the Divine Realm, but Lin Mu couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He could sense the presence of divine beings, their attention focused on him as if they were studying his every move. He tightened his grip on his weapon, feeling the combined power of light and shadow thrumming within it, ready to defend himself at any moment.

As he neared what appeared to be a large marble platform suspended in the air, the path began to change. The glowing energy beneath him flickered, and the air grew denser, charged with an immense pressure. The presence of something—or someone—was drawing closer.

Then, a voice filled the air, echoing through the realm like the toll of a great bell.

"Mortal, your journey has brought you far. But the path to ascension is not one of trials alone. It is a path of truth. Show us the strength of your heart and the purity of your soul."

The voice was deep, commanding, and filled with divine authority. Lin Mu looked around but saw no one. Instead, the air around him shimmered, and from the ground, four pillars of light shot into the sky, forming a square around the platform. Each pillar pulsed with energy, radiating both warmth and power.

System Notification:

Trial of Ascension: First Test - The Pillars of Virtue

Objective: Prove your worth by embodying the virtues of Strength, Wisdom, Compassion, and Honor.

Lin Mu's heart skipped a beat. The Trial of Ascension wasn't just about combat. It wasn't just about fighting his way through divine creatures or overcoming powerful guardians. The gods required more than strength—they sought to test the very essence of his character.

He stepped forward onto the platform, his eyes drawn to the first pillar, glowing with a fierce, fiery light. Strength. The energy from the pillar radiated outward, filling Lin Mu with a familiar surge of power. His mind flashed back to the countless battles he had fought—the times he had relied on brute force, on his evolving power to defeat the enemies before him. But strength wasn't only about muscle or skill in combat; it was about resilience, the ability to endure even when all hope seemed lost.

The fiery light of the pillar flared, and the ground in front of Lin Mu began to tremble. Slowly, a figure materialized from the light—a reflection of himself, but larger, stronger, more imposing. This was the embodiment of his strength, the force he had relied on throughout his journey.

The figure spoke, its voice low and resonant. "You have relied on your strength, mortal. But true strength comes from within. Show me that your power is more than just a weapon, and I will grant you passage."

Lin Mu took a deep breath, focusing his energy. The battle against the embodiment of his own strength wouldn't be about overpowering it—it would be about balance, about showing that his strength came not just from force, but from the will that drove him to overcome every obstacle.

He charged forward, his weapon glowing with the combined energy of Abyssal Strike and the light from the divine realm. The reflection met him head-on, their weapons clashing with a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves across the platform. But as they fought, Lin Mu realized the truth behind the test.

It wasn't just about winning. It was about understanding the limits of his strength—knowing when to strike and when to hold back, when to rely on brute force and when to trust his instincts. His reflection fought with all the fury and power he had displayed in past battles, but Lin Mu understood now that his strength alone wasn't what had brought him this far. It was his will to survive, his refusal to give up, even when outmatched.

With a final surge of energy, Lin Mu dodged his reflection's strike and brought his weapon down in a controlled arc, stopping just before it could connect. He had passed the test of strength—not by defeating his reflection, but by proving that his strength was more than just the ability to destroy.

The fiery pillar dimmed, and the reflection dissolved into light. The voice from above spoke again. "Strength alone cannot carry you. You have passed this test. Now, face the next."

Lin Mu turned toward the second pillar, its light cool and shimmering like the surface of a calm lake. Wisdom. He stepped toward it, knowing that this test would challenge him in a way the battles had not. Wisdom wasn't about fighting—it was about understanding, about seeing the world and its challenges from a higher perspective.

The light of the pillar flickered, and once again, a figure emerged—a version of himself, but this time smaller, quieter, with an aura of contemplation. This was the embodiment of his wisdom, a reflection of the decisions he had made along his journey.

The figure spoke, its voice calm and measured. "Wisdom is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to see beyond it. Show me that your decisions are guided by more than instinct."

Lin Mu felt the weight of the test settle on him. He had fought countless enemies, made countless choices, but were those decisions always wise? Had he always seen the bigger picture, or had he been driven solely by survival?

As the second trial began, Lin Mu prepared himself, not for battle, but for introspection. To prove his worth, he would have to look inward, to confront not just the challenges ahead, but the man he had become.

The Trial of Ascension had only just begun, and Lin Mu knew this was far more than a test of power.

It was a test of the soul.