Chapter 4: The First Trial

Days turned into weeks as Li Wei dedicated himself to mastering the Iron Root. His body grew stronger with each passing day. The technique had proven more difficult than he had first realized, but with the system's occasional guidance and Elder Yuan's stern mentorship, he slowly began to see progress.

In the mornings, he would rise early, practice the stance for hours, his legs trembling with exhaustion, and then meditate in the evenings, drawing on the spiritual energy he had been cultivating. By now, he had reached 40% of Mortal Stage 1, his spiritual energy growing steadily. Yet, he could feel that something was missing—a deeper understanding of his own body and the flow of energy within it.

One evening, after an exhausting session of the Iron Root, Li Wei sat cross-legged in his small room, the familiar hum of spiritual energy swirling inside him. The system's interface appeared before his eyes.

Current Cultivation Level: Mortal Stage 1 (40%)

New Tasks Available:

Hunt and defeat a Spirit BeastReward: 100 cultivation pointsComplete a task for Elder YuanReward: 150 cultivation pointsCultivate the Iron Root to Mastery (Hold the stance for three hours)Reward: 200 cultivation pointsLi Wei hesitated. He had already defeated the Silver-Eyed Wolf and completed several tasks, but the one that caught his attention was the second task: Complete a task for Elder Yuan.

His heart quickened. A task from Elder Yuan? The old man had been vague about his teachings, but Li Wei knew that Elder Yuan was no ordinary person. He had already proven his worth by teaching Li Wei the Iron Root technique, so it was likely that this task would help him take the next step in his cultivation.

Without wasting time, Li Wei set off to Elder Yuan's hut the next morning. As he approached the familiar stone cottage, he felt a slight unease in his stomach. Elder Yuan had always been distant and difficult to understand, but Li Wei had learned that his words were often more meaningful than they seemed.

Elder Yuan was sitting outside, his hands resting on the armrests of an old wooden chair. He looked up as Li Wei approached, his expression unreadable.

"You've come," the elder said. "You wish to take the next step, hm? I have a task for you, but it will not be easy."

Li Wei nodded, his gaze determined. "I'm ready."

Elder Yuan stood and gestured to the path leading deeper into the forest. "Follow this path. You will find a cave—inside, you will face the Trial of Will. Only those who pass the trial can truly understand the flow of spiritual energy within their body. If you fail, you will return as you came, no stronger than you were before."

Li Wei's pulse quickened. Trial of Will? The name sounded ominous, but he had no intention of turning back. He nodded firmly. "I will not fail."

Without further words, Elder Yuan handed him a small, ornate stone talisman. "This will mark the beginning of your trial. Once you enter the cave, you will be bound by the trial's rules. No outside help, no escape. Do not waste time."

Li Wei bowed, taking the talisman with both hands. He turned and walked toward the forest path, the weight of the task settling heavily on his shoulders.

The trees grew denser as he ventured deeper, and the air grew cooler. Soon, he reached the cave entrance, a dark maw in the side of a mountain. He could feel a faint pulse of energy emanating from within, like a heartbeat. The talisman in his hand glowed faintly, as if responding to the cave's energy.

Taking a deep breath, Li Wei stepped inside.

The cave was silent, the air thick with an eerie stillness. The walls were covered in faint markings, symbols that Li Wei couldn't decipher. As he ventured further into the cave, the light from his talisman flickered, casting strange shadows on the walls.

Suddenly, the talisman pulsed, and the cave was bathed in an ethereal light. A voice echoed in the chamber, deep and resonant, as if coming from all directions.

"Welcome, Li Wei. You have entered the Trial of Will. Only those who understand their own heart and mind may pass. Fail, and your path will end here."

Li Wei's heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. He had no idea what to expect, but he knew that he had to confront whatever was ahead.

The air around him shimmered, and suddenly, the world seemed to distort. The walls of the cave twisted and turned, and Li Wei found himself standing in the middle of a vast, open plain. The sky above was filled with swirling dark clouds, and the wind howled around him. A strange presence weighed heavily on him, like an invisible pressure on his chest.

The voice returned, sounding closer this time. "This is your trial. Confront your deepest fears and desires. Only when you can conquer them will the way forward be revealed."

Li Wei felt his breath catch. My deepest fears? He didn't know what that meant, but before he could react, figures began to materialize before him—shadows of his past, his doubts, and his failures.

The first figure was his younger self, standing there, looking helpless. "You'll never be strong enough. You're just a farmer's son. You don't belong in the world of cultivation."

Li Wei's stomach twisted. This is my fear? The voice of doubt had followed him all his life, and now it stood before him.

But Li Wei refused to be intimidated. "No. I'm not weak. I will prove it."

He took a step forward, and the image of his younger self wavered before him, fading into nothingness.

But the trial wasn't over. More figures appeared: his father, older and weary, shaking his head. "You've always had dreams, but you'll never reach them. There's no way you'll succeed."

Li Wei felt his chest tighten. His father's disapproval had always been a weight on his heart. The man who had raised him was a simple, hardworking man, and Li Wei had often felt guilty for wanting more.

"No," Li Wei whispered, his voice gaining strength. "I will become someone great, for both of us."

With a surge of energy, he advanced again, and the vision of his father disappeared.

Yet, the trial was far from over. The final figure was a shadowy, ominous presence—an enemy far stronger than he had ever imagined. The figure grinned, its eyes glowing with malice. "You will never defeat me. You're too weak, too inexperienced. You'll never stand a chance."

Li Wei felt his legs tremble. This... this is my greatest fear. That I'll never be strong enough. The weight of the challenge before him seemed insurmountable, but something within him snapped. I can't back down. Not now. Not ever.

Summoning every ounce of strength and determination, Li Wei focused on his spiritual energy. He gathered it into his dantian, feeling the power surge through him. He raised his hand, and the energy in the cave responded, forming into a pulse of bright light that collided with the shadowy figure. The figure screamed and faded into nothingness, leaving only silence.

The air around Li Wei shifted. The dark clouds parted, and the cave's walls returned to their original form. The presence that had been pressing on him lifted, and for the first time, he felt lighter.

The voice echoed again, this time softer, almost approving. "You have passed, Li Wei. Your will is strong. You may proceed."

Li Wei's heart raced as the cave's light brightened, and the path forward was revealed. He had done it—he had faced his fears and conquered them. With newfound confidence, he stepped forward, knowing that the trial had prepared him for the trials ahead.