The Test of Awakening

When Barkley stood on the ancient altar, he felt as if he resonated with the pulse of the whole world. The symbol under his feet exuded a mysterious energy, which was as powerful as the surge of the deep sea, and it was irresistible. The genetic code in the body also began to resonate with this energy, as if a long-sealed door was slowly opening.

Barkley's heartbeat accelerated, and the air was filled with an indescribable tension. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the changes in his heart. The woman stood on the edge of the altar, watching him quietly, as if waiting for a critical moment to come.

Just as Barkley tried to calm down, the surrounding environment suddenly changed drastically. The originally peaceful forest scene disappeared in an instant, replaced by a desolate and mysterious alien space. The earth was dark red, the sky was covered by thick clouds, and the air was full of ominous omens. Everything in front of him seemed to be pulled out of a nightmare, full of oppression and uneasiness.

"What is this place?" Barkley's voice echoed in the empty environment. He felt that his body was bound by an invisible force, as if everything was slowly getting out of his control.

The woman's voice sounded softly in his ears: "This is the first test designed by your parents for you. Only in this space can you stimulate the hidden power in your genes. This is both part of reality and beyond reality. It will test your will, courage and wisdom."

Barkley took a deep breath and looked around the desolate area. He knew that this would not be a simple test. Since he learned that such a powerful force was implanted in his genetic code, he realized what kind of responsibility he had. And this test may be the key to let him truly master this power.

However, before he could take any action, the air around him suddenly became more tense. The earth began to shake, and a low roar came from a distance, as if some huge existence was slowly approaching. Barkley looked around vigilantly, clenched his fists, and was ready to deal with any sudden situation at any time.

Soon after, a group of vague black shadows appeared from a distance and gradually became clear. They don't look like ordinary creatures, with twisted bodies and blurred faces, as if they were made of darkness and smoke. Each shadow exudes strong hostility and approaches Barkley step by step.

Barkley's heartbeat accelerated and he felt an inexplicable fear. But he knew that this test was not just a competition of strength, but more importantly a psychological contest. He had to stay calm to find a way to break through in this extreme environment.

"What are these shadows?" he asked in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the monster-like shadows.

The woman's voice came again: "They are the embodiment of your fear and doubt. Here, your heart will be magnified, and all your emotions and uneasiness will become real enemies. If you can't overcome these demons, they will completely devour you."

Barkley took a deep breath, his heart full of pressure. He knew very well that he had endured too much confusion and fear along the way. From the sudden disappearance of his parents when he was a child, to finding himself being hunted when he grew up, to learning the truth about the genetic code in front of him, the struggle deep in his heart has never stopped. And now, these emotions have become real threats.

The shadows were getting closer and closer, and Barkley could feel the biting chill from them. With every step, his body felt a strong pressure, as if an invisible force was trying to defeat his will.

He knew that he could no longer retreat. He had to fight and face these demons.

Barkley raised his hands and focused all his attention. As he gradually controlled his inner fear, the genetic code in his body began to respond, and energy flowed through his limbs. His hands gradually emitted a faint light, and the power seemed to be gradually awakening.

But the shadows were obviously not going to give in easily. They let out a low roar and pounced on Barkley frantically. The first shadow was extremely fast and almost arrived in front of Barkley before he could react. It opened its twisted claws and went straight to his chest.

At the critical moment, Barkley's body reacted instinctively. He swung his hand forward suddenly, and a powerful energy gushed out from his palm and hit the shadow directly. The shadow let out a sharp scream, exploded in the air in an instant, and disappeared without a trace.

Barkley was panting, his heart beating violently. He didn't expect his power to burst out so quickly, which made him feel both excited and nervous.

But before he could breathe a sigh of relief, more shadows had surrounded him. They were no longer just threats like before, but began to attack more fiercely. Claws and screams filled the entire space, as if to tear Barkley apart.

He gritted his teeth, concentrated his mind, and used the genetic code in his body with all his strength. This power seemed to be gradually stimulated with his will, and every wave of his hand brought a powerful energy fluctuation. However, as the battle intensified, his physical strength was also rapidly consumed, and cold sweat gradually seeped out of his forehead.

Barkley realized that if he couldn't end this battle as soon as possible, he might be exhausted and completely in despair. He had to find a more effective way to deal with these shadows, not just consuming his own physical strength.

As he struggled to resist, a sentence his mother once said suddenly flashed through his mind: "The power of the genetic code is not only about attack, but more importantly, about balance. You must learn to resonate with time and space, rather than relying solely on violence."

Barkley's thoughts suddenly shook, as if he had grasped some key. He closed his eyes, trying not to just concentrate on fighting, but to let his mind merge with this space and sense every energy fluctuation around him.

As his consciousness gradually spread, the scene around him began to become clear. The movements of those shadows no longer seemed so elusive, and he could clearly sense the path of each of their attacks. The power in his body was no longer a chaotic flow of energy, but gradually became stable and rhythmic.

Barkley took a deep breath and opened his eyes again. Those shadows were still besieging, but this time, he was no longer afraid. On the contrary, he felt that he had completely taken control of the situation.

When the next shadow pounced, Barkley's action was no longer a simple defense. He lightly dodged the attack, and with a slight movement of his fingers, he released a precise energy that directly hit the core of the shadow. The shadow let out a wail and dissipated instantly.

The other shadows also gradually became sluggish, as if they had sensed Barkley's changes. They still tried to attack, but each time they were easily resolved by Barkley. As time went on, all the shadows disappeared one by one under Barkley's attack, and finally the entire space returned to peace.

Barkley stood there, his heartbeat gradually calming down. He knew that he had not only defeated these demons, but more importantly, he had learned how to control the genetic code in his body.

When the last shadow disappeared, the desolate scene around him also became blurred. The cracks on the earth and the dark red sky gradually dissipated, replaced by the original peaceful forest.

Barkley breathed a sigh of relief and felt a strong sense of fatigue surge in his heart. He knew that although this test was over, it was only the beginning of his awakening.

The woman slowly walked to his side, her eyes full of praise. "You did a good job, Barkley," she said softly, "You passed the first test and proved that you have enough courage and wisdom."

Barkley nodded. Although he was full of pride in his heart, he also knew that this power still needed more tempering. The legacy his parents left him was far more profound than he had imagined, and this was just the beginning.

"Next, I will take you to see someone," the woman continued, "She can help you unlock more secrets about your parents, and it's time for you to know that the real battle has just begun."