Book 2 Chapter 19: Whispers of Betrayal

The following day, the Grand Arena was alive with energy. The remaining contestants stood on the central platform, awaiting the announcement of the third round. Jiang Chen's sharp eyes scanned the crowd, noting the determination etched on every face—and the hidden tensions simmering beneath.

Lord Xian once again appeared above the arena, his golden robes fluttering as he raised a hand for silence.

"Aspirants," he began, "the third trial is a test of resolve and cunning. You will face not only your fellow contestants but also the environment itself. Only the truly resourceful will prevail."

He gestured, and a section of the arena floor began to descend, revealing a spiraling staircase that led deep into the earth.

"Below lies the Obsidian Maze," Lord Xian continued. "Your task is to retrieve one of the celestial shards hidden within. Be warned: the maze is filled with traps, illusions, and ancient guardians. And remember—there are fewer shards than there are of you."

A murmur swept through the crowd. Jiang Chen exchanged a glance with Lei Qian, both understanding the unspoken implication. This trial would pit contestants directly against each other, with alliances and betrayals likely to emerge.

The Descent into Darkness

The contestants descended the staircase into the Obsidian Maze, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. The walls of the maze were polished black stone, their surfaces reflecting distorted images of those who passed by.

"Stay close," Jiang Chen said to Lei Qian, his voice low. "This place is designed to disorient and divide."

As they ventured deeper, the group quickly splintered, each contestant pursuing their own path. Jiang Chen and Lei Qian moved cautiously, their senses on high alert. The first trap came in the form of shifting walls, separating the two of them.

"Jiang Chen!" Lei Qian's voice echoed from the other side of the wall.

"I'll find you. Stay safe," Jiang Chen called back, his mind racing. He pressed his palm against the wall, channeling his spiritual energy to map out the maze's structure. The maze responded with a pulse of resistance, as if it were alive.

"So, it's not just a physical challenge," he muttered. "This place tests your spirit too."

A Dangerous Encounter

As Jiang Chen navigated the maze, he encountered a figure waiting in the shadows. It was Mei Lan, the archer they had teamed up with in the previous round. Her bow was drawn, an arrow nocked and aimed at him.

"Mei Lan," Jiang Chen said calmly. "I thought we worked well together."

"That was then," she replied, her voice steady. "Now, it's every man for himself. Hand over your shard, or I'll take it by force."

Jiang Chen smirked. "You assume I've already found one. That's a bold move."

She hesitated for a fraction of a second, and Jiang Chen seized the moment. With a burst of energy, he closed the distance between them, disarming her with a swift strike. Her arrow clattered to the ground as he pinned her against the wall.

"This maze is trying to turn us against each other," he said. "If we fight here, neither of us will make it out."

Mei Lan glared at him but eventually nodded. "Fine. A temporary truce."

Reunion and Revelation

Meanwhile, Lei Qian found himself in a chamber filled with swirling mist. The mist coalesced into figures that resembled his past enemies, each one taunting him with visions of failure.

"Illusions," he muttered, gripping his spear tightly. "You won't break me."

Channeling his spiritual energy, he dispelled the mist, revealing a shard embedded in a pedestal at the center of the chamber. As he reached for it, the pedestal's guardian emerged—a towering golem of obsidian, its eyes glowing with malevolent light.

The battle was fierce, but Lei Qian's agility and precision allowed him to outmaneuver the golem. With a final strike, he shattered its core and claimed the shard.

"Jiang Chen will want to see this," he said, tucking the shard into his robes.

As he exited the chamber, he nearly collided with Jiang Chen and Mei Lan. The two of them had managed to navigate their way through the maze and regroup.

"You found one," Jiang Chen said, noting the shard Lei Qian held.

"And you?" Lei Qian asked.

Jiang Chen revealed a shard of his own. "Let's get out of here before someone tries to take them."

Betrayal in the Maze

Their journey to the exit was anything but smooth. Gao Wei, the burly fighter from their previous team, ambushed them near the maze's end. His eyes were wild, and his aura crackled with desperation.

"Hand over your shards!" he bellowed, swinging a massive club.

The ensuing fight was brutal. Gao Wei's strength was overwhelming, but his movements were sluggish compared to Jiang Chen and Lei Qian's agility. Working together, they managed to disarm him, but not without sustaining injuries.

"You should have walked away," Jiang Chen said as Gao Wei slumped to the ground, defeated but alive. They left him there, pressing onward to the exit.

Emerging Victorious

When they finally emerged from the maze, the sunlight was blinding. A gong sounded, signaling the end of the trial. Lord Xian's voice rang out once more.

"Congratulations to those who have passed the third trial. You have proven your resourcefulness and resolve. Rest now, for the final trial will test the very limits of your spirit."

Jiang Chen glanced at Lei Qian and Mei Lan. They had survived another round, but the path ahead would only grow more treacherous.

As they returned to their quarters, Jiang Chen couldn't shake the feeling that the maze's true purpose had been something more than a test. Whispers of betrayal and the faint echoes of unseen forces lingered in his mind, hinting at the greater challenges yet to come.