Book 2 Chapter 20: The Final Trial Approaches

The Celestial Contest had reached its climax. The remaining contestants stood in a vast open courtyard within the Grand Arena, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. The crowd was silent, their collective breath held as they awaited the announcement of the final trial. Overhead, the skies shimmered with the ethereal energy of the Ascended Plane, casting an otherworldly glow over the scene.

Jiang Chen stood among the final contenders, his expression calm but his senses sharp. Beside him, Lei Qian and Mei Lan shared quiet words, their trust in each other evident. The trials had forged bonds, but they had also sown seeds of distrust among the remaining participants.

Lord Xian appeared once more, his golden robes radiant under the shimmering sky. His commanding presence silenced even the faintest whispers as he raised his hand to address the crowd and contestants.

"Aspirants," Lord Xian began, his voice resonating with power, "you have proven your strength, resolve, and resourcefulness. Now, you face the ultimate challenge. The final trial is a test of dominion and spirit—a battle within the Sky Nexus."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd and among the contestants. The Sky Nexus was a legendary battleground, said to exist on the border between realms. Few had ever entered it, and fewer still had returned.

The Sky Nexus Revealed

At Lord Xian's command, the center of the courtyard began to glow, intricate runes spiraling outward to form a massive array. The energy within the array surged, and a portal began to form, its surface shimmering like liquid starlight.

"Each of you will enter the Sky Nexus and face its trials," Lord Xian continued. "Your objective is to claim the Nexus Core, a relic of immense power. But be warned: the Nexus will test not only your strength but also your very essence. Only the most worthy shall succeed."

One by one, the contestants stepped forward, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension. When Jiang Chen's turn came, he felt the portal's energy pulling at him, resonating with the depths of his spirit.

"This is it," he murmured to himself. He glanced at Lei Qian and Mei Lan, giving them a firm nod before stepping through.

Inside the Sky Nexus

The transition was instantaneous. One moment, Jiang Chen was surrounded by the shimmering portal; the next, he stood in a vast expanse of shifting landscapes. The Sky Nexus was unlike anything he had ever seen. Mountains floated in midair, rivers of light flowed through the sky, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to pulse with a heartbeat of its own.

"So, this is the Sky Nexus," Jiang Chen said, his voice barely above a whisper. The energy here was overwhelming, pressing against his spirit and testing his resolve.

A voice echoed through the air, neither male nor female, but a blend of countless tones.

"Welcome, challenger. Your path begins here. Prove your dominion over yourself, the world, and the forces beyond."

Suddenly, the ground shifted, and Jiang Chen found himself standing in a circular arena. Opposite him, a figure began to materialize—a mirror image of himself, but with eyes that burned with an unnatural crimson light.

Facing the Shadow

The mirror image—Jiang Chen's Shadow—smirked as it drew its blade, an exact replica of his own weapon.

"You think you can ascend?" the Shadow taunted. "You are weak, bound by the chains of your past and your foolish morality."

Jiang Chen steadied his breathing, his grip on his sword tightening. "You're nothing but a reflection. Let's see how long you last."

The Shadow lunged, its movements eerily identical to Jiang Chen's. Their blades clashed, sparks flying as they exchanged blows. The battle was relentless, each strike and counterstrike perfectly mirrored. Jiang Chen quickly realized that brute force alone would not defeat this opponent.

"If you are me, then you must have my weaknesses too," Jiang Chen thought. He feigned an opening, baiting the Shadow into overextending. The moment it did, he shifted his stance and struck with precision, cutting through the Shadow's guard.

The Shadow staggered, its form flickering. "Clever," it said, its voice distorted. "But this is only the beginning."

With that, the Shadow dissolved into mist, and the arena shifted once more.

Trials of Dominion

The next challenge brought Jiang Chen to a towering spire surrounded by storm clouds. At its peak rested a glowing orb—the Nexus Core. As he began his ascent, the winds howled, and spectral guardians emerged to block his path.

The guardians were relentless, their attacks coordinated and precise. Jiang Chen fought with every ounce of his strength, his movements a blend of technique and instinct. Yet, as he climbed higher, the guardians grew stronger, their strikes testing the limits of his endurance.

"This isn't just a physical trial," Jiang Chen realized. "It's testing my will."

As he neared the summit, the final guardian appeared—a colossal figure wreathed in lightning. Its voice boomed like thunder.

"Do you have the strength to claim the Nexus Core?" it demanded.

Jiang Chen's eyes burned with determination. "I will not be stopped."

The battle was fierce, the guardian's strikes shaking the very spire. Jiang Chen drew upon every lesson he had learned, every ounce of power he possessed. With a final, decisive blow, he shattered the guardian's form and stepped onto the summit.

Claiming the Core

The Nexus Core floated before him, its light pulsating with an otherworldly rhythm. As Jiang Chen reached out to touch it, a surge of energy coursed through him, threatening to overwhelm his senses.

Visions flashed before his eyes—moments from his past, glimpses of possible futures, and the faces of those who had influenced his journey. He saw himself standing atop a mountain of corpses, his hands stained with blood. He saw a world bathed in light, where his name was revered.

"The choice is yours," the disembodied voice said. "What will you become?"

Jiang Chen clenched his fist, his resolve unwavering. "I will forge my own path. My destiny is mine to control."

The Nexus Core's light intensified, enveloping him in a cocoon of energy. When the light faded, he stood alone on the summit, the Core's power now pulsing within him.

A New Challenge Awaits

When Jiang Chen emerged from the Sky Nexus, the crowd erupted into cheers. Lord Xian watched from above, a faint smile on his lips.

"You have done well, Jiang Chen," he said, his voice reaching only Jiang Chen's ears. "But this is only the beginning. The Ascended Plane has much more in store for you."

As Jiang Chen rejoined Lei Qian and Mei Lan, he felt a newfound strength coursing through him. The Celestial Contest was over, but his journey had only just begun.