Chapter 75: The Path to Ascension

The air around Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er was thick with anticipation as the earth trembled beneath their feet. They had successfully completed the trials of the elements—fire, water, wind, and earth—but the journey wasn't over. They knew, deep within their hearts, that this was just a stepping stone to something greater.

With the trials behind them, the path before them had opened, a mysterious tunnel that led deeper into the temple. A faint glow emanated from the darkness ahead, casting long shadows on the stone walls. The ground was smooth, and the air felt strangely lighter, as though they were stepping into a place untouched by time.

Xiao Tian took the lead, his sword sheathed but ready at his side. The Multi Blessings System thrummed with power within him, guiding him forward. Each trial had not only tested their strength but had also brought them closer to unlocking the secrets of their own potential.

Yue'er and Lian'er followed closely behind, their steps silent but purposeful. Yue'er's eyes were sharp, always on the lookout for any potential danger, while Lian'er's whip crackled with latent energy, her body relaxed yet prepared for a sudden strike.

As they continued down the path, Xiao Tian couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The atmosphere had changed; it was as though the very walls of the temple were alive, observing their every move. He glanced over his shoulder, meeting the eyes of his companions. They, too, could sense the change.

Suddenly, the path ahead widened, revealing a vast, open chamber. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested a glowing orb, its light pulsating with a steady rhythm. The air around the orb shimmered, as if it were surrounded by an invisible barrier of immense power.

"Welcome, champions," a voice boomed, reverberating through the chamber. It was deep and resonant, echoing in every corner. "You have passed the trials of the elements, proving your worth. But now, the final test awaits."

Xiao Tian's heart raced as he stepped forward. The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. It was powerful, ancient, and filled with the weight of countless years.

"The final test?" Xiao Tian asked, his voice steady. "What do we have to do?"

"You must claim the Blessings of the Ancients," the voice replied. "To ascend to the next stage of your journey, you must prove your mastery over your own power. Only those who have the courage to face themselves can claim the blessings."

A sudden surge of energy filled the room, and the orb on the pedestal flared to life, casting brilliant rays of light. It was as though the room itself was alive with energy. Xiao Tian felt the air around him thicken, and the pressure on his chest increased.

The voice continued, "You will each face an aspect of yourself—your fears, your desires, your hidden potential. Conquer them, and the Blessings of the Ancients will be yours. Fail, and you will be trapped here for all eternity."

Xiao Tian stepped forward, his mind whirling with thoughts. Facing his own fears? His desires? He had come far, but this challenge felt different from anything he had encountered before. It wasn't just about defeating an enemy or solving a puzzle. This trial was about understanding himself on a deeper level, something far more challenging.

Yue'er, standing next to him, looked toward the orb with a mixture of determination and concern. "What is this?" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. "We've faced trials before, but this feels different."

"It's a test of our souls," Lian'er said quietly. "We need to confront the things we're hiding from ourselves. The things we fear most."

Xiao Tian turned toward his companions. "Whatever happens, we face this together."

With those words, the light from the orb intensified, surrounding each of them. The chamber seemed to melt away, and suddenly, Xiao Tian found himself standing in a different place entirely.

He was in a forest—a dense, mist-covered forest. The trees loomed high above him, their twisted branches reaching toward the sky. There was no sound, no movement, just an eerie stillness that filled the air.

And then, out of the mist, a figure appeared.

It was a younger version of himself—unscarred, innocent, and full of hope. The figure looked at Xiao Tian with wide, unblinking eyes. "You've come to face me," it said, its voice eerily similar to Xiao Tian's own. "To confront the person you used to be."

Xiao Tian's heart skipped a beat. "What is this? Why are you here?"

The younger version of Xiao Tian smiled sadly. "I am the part of you that you've forgotten. The part of you that still believes in the impossible. The part that believes in kindness and innocence."

The words hit Xiao Tian like a physical blow. He had changed so much since his childhood. His journey had hardened him, and in many ways, he had lost the pure ideals he once held dear. He had become a warrior, focused on strength and survival. The innocence he once had now felt like a distant memory.

"You've buried that part of yourself," the younger Xiao Tian continued. "You've buried the belief that not everything is about power. That people can still be saved. That there's hope beyond strength."

Xiao Tian clenched his fists. "I've learned that power is the only thing that matters. That's the world we live in."

"Is it?" The younger version of Xiao Tian stepped closer, his voice full of sorrow. "Is it really? What about the people you've left behind? What about the friends who relied on you, who believed in you? You think they're better off with you focused only on strength?"

Xiao Tian took a step back. The weight of the words hit him hard. His journey had been long and filled with battles, but had he lost something essential along the way? Had he become so consumed with power that he had forgotten the people who mattered?

He looked at the younger version of himself, the embodiment of everything he had once believed in, and for the first time, he questioned the path he had chosen.

"I…" Xiao Tian's voice faltered. "I don't know anymore."

The younger version of him smiled. "That's the first step. You've started to face yourself. The rest is up to you."

The mist around them began to fade, and Xiao Tian felt the weight lift from his chest. He had faced his past, his doubts, and now, he could move forward with clarity.

---

[End of Chapter 75]