Chapter 13: The Wisdom Within

Lin Mu stood before the second pillar, its shimmering light reflecting a calm, serene energy that seemed to wash over him like a quiet stream. The embodiment of Wisdom stood opposite him, a smaller, more contemplative reflection of himself, and yet, the figure radiated a depth that made Lin Mu pause. This trial was different. There was no battle, no clash of weapons or strength—it was a test of mind, of clarity, and insight.

The reflection's voice was calm and steady as it spoke. "Wisdom is not measured by the knowledge you possess, but by your ability to apply it. The choices you've made have shaped your path, but not all choices lead to the truth."

Lin Mu took a deep breath, considering the reflection's words. He had always relied on instinct, on his raw determination to survive. But had he been wise? Had he always made the right choices, or had he acted out of fear, out of desperation?

The pillar pulsed with light, and suddenly, the air around them shimmered, distorting into images from Lin Mu's past. It was as if time itself had folded inward, showing him fragments of his journey. Each scene was a moment of decision—a fork in the road where Lin Mu had been forced to choose between different paths.

He saw himself facing the Shadow Revenant, remembering how he had used the light of the trees to disrupt its dark power. But then, the scene shifted to a moment he had almost forgotten—his first encounter with the system, when he had been confused, frightened, and unsure of what lay ahead. Back then, he had chosen to fight, to survive no matter the cost. But had it been wisdom, or merely instinct that had guided him?

The reflection gestured toward the swirling images. "These are the choices you've made. Some have led you to victory, others to loss. But the question is not whether you won or lost—it is whether you learned. What did you gain from these moments? What did you understand?"

Lin Mu's heart sank slightly as he realized the gravity of the trial. It wasn't about proving that he had made the right choices at every turn. It was about acknowledging the truth behind those decisions, about understanding the consequences and accepting the lessons they had offered him.

The images swirled again, faster this time, showing him the faces of those he had encountered, those he had fought and defeated. The guardians, the Abyssal Beast, even the divine figures from the Trial of the Gods. He had conquered them all, but in each battle, there had been moments of hesitation, moments where he had been forced to adapt, to think beyond the immediate conflict.

The reflection spoke again, softer now. "Wisdom comes not from knowledge, but from reflection. To ascend, you must look within, and understand why you fight. What drives you, Lin Mu? What is the purpose behind your journey? Is it only survival, or is there something more?"

Lin Mu clenched his fists, staring into the reflection's calm, unyielding gaze. What had driven him? The system had pushed him from one world to the next, forcing him into battles and trials he had never asked for. But as he stood here, on the verge of ascension, he realized that it wasn't just about survival anymore. It had never been just about that.

His journey had become something more—something greater. It was about growth, about becoming more than he had ever thought possible. It was about unlocking the truth of who he was and what he could become. And it was about confronting his limitations, not with fear, but with understanding.

He stepped forward, standing eye to eye with his reflection. "I fought because I had no choice. But along the way, I've realized that it's not enough just to survive. I have to learn from every battle, every challenge, and every failure. My strength means nothing if I don't understand its limits. I want to ascend, not because of what I've won, but because of what I've learned."

The reflection's eyes softened, and a faint smile appeared on its face. "That is the first step to true wisdom. Understanding that power is not the end—it is the means. You have passed this test. Now, proceed."

The pillar of wisdom dimmed, its light fading as Lin Mu stepped away. He felt a wave of clarity wash over him, as though a fog had lifted from his mind. The weight of the decisions he had made no longer felt like a burden. Instead, they were part of his journey, guiding him toward something greater.

System Notification:

Second Pillar of Virtue Completed - Wisdom.

Next Pillar: Compassion.

Lin Mu's gaze shifted to the third pillar. Its light was softer, warmer, radiating an aura of kindness and empathy. He had known the first two tests would be difficult, but this one felt different. Compassion was not something he had considered during his journey. He had fought for his life, battled enemies with ruthless efficiency, but compassion?

As he stepped toward the third pillar, the warmth of its light enveloped him, and once again, a reflection of himself appeared. This time, the reflection seemed softer, more human—less of a warrior, more of a man. The reflection's eyes were filled with empathy, and its voice was calm, yet filled with emotion.

"Compassion is the greatest strength, yet it is the hardest to wield. You have fought and won many battles, but tell me, Lin Mu, have you ever stopped to consider the lives you've taken? The worlds you've left behind?"

Lin Mu froze. The question hit him harder than he expected. His journey had been one of constant battle, constant survival. But the reflection's question was more than that—it was about understanding the consequences of his actions, the lives he had touched, both positively and negatively.

He had never paused to think about the enemies he had defeated. To him, they had been obstacles, challenges to overcome. But had they been more than that? Were they not also living beings with their own stories, their own struggles?

The reflection gestured, and the air shimmered again, revealing scenes from his journey—moments where he had fought without mercy, where he had defeated foes with the sole purpose of surviving. But now, as he watched these moments replay before him, he saw them differently. The enemies he had fought weren't just faceless beings—they had fought for their own survival, just as he had.

"True compassion is not about sparing every life, but about understanding the weight of every life you take. You must recognize the cost of your power and the responsibility that comes with it. Only then can you ascend."

Lin Mu's heart felt heavy as he processed the reflection's words. Compassion wasn't just about mercy—it was about understanding the balance of life and death, about recognizing the cost of his actions. He had to face the truth, not just of his strength, but of the lives he had ended in pursuit of his goal.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Mu spoke, his voice steady but filled with resolve. "I can't undo the lives I've taken. But I can learn from them. I can carry the weight of their loss, and use it to guide me toward something greater. I understand now that my journey isn't just about power—it's about the responsibility that comes with it."

The reflection smiled, its eyes filled with understanding. "That is compassion. To feel, to understand, and to carry the weight of those you've touched. You have passed this test."

The pillar of compassion dimmed, and Lin Mu stepped away, his heart lighter but his mind focused. He had faced the truth of his journey, of his decisions, and of the lives he had affected. And now, there was only one test left.

He turned toward the final pillar, its light glowing with a noble radiance—Honor.

The end of the Trial of Ascension was near, and Lin Mu was ready to face it.