Chapter 21: The Trial of the Heart

Mu Bai took a deep breath as he stepped through the now open doorway, the air crackling with an intense energy that sent a shiver down his spine. The second fold had arrived—the Trial of the Heart. The celestial voice echoed in his mind again, its tone a little more somber than before.

"This is the Trial of the Heart, Mu Bai. In this fold, you will face challenges that test your emotions, your desires, and your relationships. To pass, you must maintain your heart's clarity and remain true to your path."

Mu Bai's eyes narrowed. The heart, huh? It sounded deceptively simple, but he knew better than to underestimate the trials ahead. Emotions, relationships—those were powerful forces that could drive even the mightiest cultivators to madness. In his journey, he had already seen how emotions could cloud judgment and lead to irreversible decisions. He wasn't about to let that happen.

"I will not falter," Mu Bai muttered to himself, his hands clenched into fists as he walked forward.

The path ahead was lined with blooming lotus flowers, their petals glowing with an ethereal light. The air smelled sweet, almost intoxicating, and a sense of tranquility filled the atmosphere. It felt like walking through a dream, the perfect place for one's heart to open and reveal its true desires.

As he moved deeper into the path, the world around him shifted. The once peaceful surroundings started to distort. The lotus flowers' glow grew brighter, but their petals began to change into faces—familiar faces.

The first face he saw was that of a woman—her beauty unmatched, her eyes filled with warmth and affection. It was Hua Chenyun, his first love. Her face smiled at him, and her voice echoed in his mind.

"Mu Bai, I have always loved you. Don't you remember?"

Mu Bai froze, his heart skipping a beat. The memories of their time together flooded back, the affection, the sweet words, the moments they shared. It was so real, so vivid. But as the image of Hua Chenyun lingered, Mu Bai could feel the unease growing in his chest.

He stepped back, shaking his head, trying to clear the thoughts from his mind. The trials of the heart weren't just about the emotions tied to others—they were about self-control, about recognizing illusions and not letting them cloud his judgment.

"This is a test," Mu Bai muttered. "A test of my will."

Hua Chenyun's image began to fade, but another appeared in its place—this time, it was a different face. It was his mother, the woman who had given birth to him but was taken from him by the higher powers. She had always been a distant memory, but now, her image stood before him, her eyes filled with concern and sorrow.

"Mu Bai, you've been alone for so long. Don't you miss me? Don't you want to join me in the afterlife?"

His heart twisted at the sight of her, the emotions overwhelming him. The pain of abandonment, the longing for something he could never have. But he refused to be swayed. He had grown stronger. He had his own path to follow.

"No, Mother," Mu Bai said, his voice filled with quiet determination. "I will not let myself be distracted. I have a greater purpose."

As he turned away from her image, another figure emerged—this time, it was his childhood friend, Xiao Lian. Her smile was playful, her presence comforting.

"Mu Bai, you're always so serious. Don't you ever just want to relax and enjoy life? You're letting this journey consume you!"

The temptation to abandon his responsibilities, to follow the path of least resistance, pulsed through him. He knew the weight of his mission, but Xiao Lian's words echoed in his mind.

But Mu Bai's resolve hardened. "I can't afford to lose focus. Not now. Not ever."

The faces around him grew more numerous, more familiar, each offering their own temptations. Yet with each challenge, Mu Bai's heart became more resolute. He had already lost so much—he could not afford to let these fleeting moments of desire and nostalgia drive him off course.

Finally, the images of those he loved faded, replaced by a brilliant light that surrounded him. The celestial voice rang out once more, its tone filled with approval.

"You have passed the Trial of the Heart, Mu Bai. Your emotions no longer cloud your judgment. You have proven that your heart is strong, true, and unwavering."

Mu Bai stood there, chest heaving, sweat dotting his brow. He had made it through, but the trial had been harder than he had imagined. Emotions were powerful, and it was easy to get lost in them, but he had learned that the path he was on required him to stay clear-headed and focused.

As the light around him faded, the celestial being spoke again, this time more solemnly.

"The next trial will be even harder than this one. Prepare yourself, for the Trial of the Will is not to be taken lightly."

Mu Bai nodded, taking a deep breath. His heart was heavy, but he had learned something vital—he could not allow himself to be swayed by the people or desires of his past. The journey ahead was his alone, and he would walk it with clarity and strength.