The Hidden Trial

Liu Chen stood at the edge of the cliff, the vast expanse of the world stretching before him. The winds howled against his robes, but he paid no mind to it. His mind was still racing with the events of the past few days. His cultivation was progressing faster than he could have hoped for, and with every step forward, he felt both excitement and unease. He had only just reached the Spiritual Ocean Realm, and already, the world seemed to be preparing itself for his next trial.

As the night sky blanketed the world in darkness, Liu Chen's thoughts drifted back to the encounter with the mysterious figure. That enigmatic cloaked man had promised him guidance, but had also warned him of trials—trials that would test not only his strength but his very will. The system, for all its support, had not given him any further clues. The only thing he knew for certain was that these trials would not be easy.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a ripple in the air—a faint pulse of energy. Liu Chen's senses, honed from his days of cultivation, immediately sharpened. He could feel it—the faint disturbance in the spiritual energy around him. This wasn't a normal fluctuation; it was something purposeful, something meant for him.

System:

"Host, a hidden trial has been detected. The trial is linked to the Heavenly Marks that you possess. Prepare yourself. This is a crucial moment in your cultivation path."

Liu Chen felt a surge of anticipation. The Heavenly Marks—the mysterious golden symbols that appeared on his palm—were not something he understood completely. The system had been cryptic about them, only mentioning that they were a sign of his destined path. But now, they were beckoning him forward. The marks on his palm began to glow faintly, pulsing with the same energy he had sensed moments before.

A ripple of light formed in front of him, like a door opening in the air itself. Liu Chen took a cautious step forward, drawn by an unseen force. The air around him hummed with power, and he could feel the pressure of this unseen trial weighing down on him. It was as if the very world was watching, waiting for him to make his move.

System:

"Entering the trial will force you to confront your deepest fears and desires. Once inside, you will face a series of challenges. They will test your physical strength, your mind, and your spirit. Should you fail, there will be consequences."

Liu Chen clenched his fists. He had faced adversity before, but this… this felt different. The air grew colder as he took another step toward the glowing rift. The world seemed to fall away, and in an instant, he was engulfed by a brilliant light.

When Liu Chen opened his eyes again, he found himself in a completely different place. The familiar landscapes of the valley had vanished, replaced by an endless sea of mist. The air was thick with spiritual energy, and the ground beneath his feet felt soft, like a dense carpet of grass. Tall, ethereal trees stood scattered across the vast expanse, their leaves shimmering with a golden hue. But despite the beauty of this place, Liu Chen knew better than to let his guard down.

The trial had begun.

System:

"Host, this is the Trial of the Heart. To pass, you must conquer three trials: The Trial of Strength, the Trial of Will, and the Trial of Spirit. The first trial, the Trial of Strength, will begin now."

Liu Chen felt the ground tremble beneath his feet. The mist around him began to swirl, and from the depths of the fog, a massive creature emerged—a beast unlike anything Liu Chen had ever seen. It resembled a lion, but its body was wreathed in black flames, and its eyes glowed with a cold, merciless light. It let out a roar that shook the earth, and Liu Chen could feel the oppressive pressure of its presence.

System:

"This is the Infernal Lion, a creature born from the very essence of spiritual power. Defeat it to pass the Trial of Strength."

Liu Chen's heart raced. This beast was far more powerful than anything he had encountered before. He could feel the heat radiating off its flaming body, and the air around it was charged with violent energy. His body tensed, his muscles aching in anticipation.

I must fight it, he thought. I can't back down now.

With a roar of his own, Liu Chen activated the Flesh Refining Technique. His body surged with power as his muscles hardened, and his skin shimmered with golden light. The Elemental Gathering energy he had gathered flowed freely through him, reinforcing his body and preparing him for battle.

The Infernal Lion charged forward, its fiery mane trailing behind it like a burning wave. Liu Chen reacted instantly, dodging to the side and unleashing a powerful punch. His fist collided with the creature's side, but the force of the blow was barely enough to push it back. The lion's body was covered in a thick, flaming armor, and Liu Chen's attack had only left a faint scorch mark.

System:

"Your strength is lacking in comparison to the Infernal Lion. To succeed, you must increase your control over the spiritual energy within your body."

Liu Chen nodded grimly. He had to think quickly. He couldn't just rely on brute force. He needed to be smarter.

He focused on his internal energy, channeling it into his legs for speed and his arms for power. As the lion lunged toward him again, Liu Chen moved with blinding speed, evading its claws and landing behind it. With a swift motion, he released a series of punches imbued with Elemental Gathering energy.

Each punch sent a shockwave through the air, each one causing the lion to stumble back. Liu Chen wasn't just attacking the creature's physical body; he was targeting the spiritual energy that flowed through it. His punches began to disrupt the energy within the lion's body, weakening its flames and causing its movements to slow.

The lion roared in fury and launched a massive flame breath at Liu Chen, but he was ready. With a burst of speed, Liu Chen leaped into the air, dodging the flames by mere inches. In the blink of an eye, he was above the lion's head, both fists raised high. He channeled all of his energy into a single, decisive strike.

His fists collided with the lion's skull with a deafening crack, and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze. The world held its breath.

Then, the Infernal Lion crumpled to the ground, its body dissipating into wisps of black smoke. Liu Chen landed gracefully on the ground, panting heavily but victorious.

System:

"You have passed the Trial of Strength. The next trial will begin shortly. Prepare yourself."

Liu Chen wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart still racing. He had won, but he knew the trials were far from over. The real challenge was only just beginning.

As the mist swirled around him, a new, more ominous presence began to make itself known. The Trial of Will awaited him.