Chapter 77: The Blessing Unveiled

The moment the burst of light faded, the room fell into an eerie silence. Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er stood in the center of the glowing chamber, their hearts racing from the intensity of the trials they had just endured. The Blessings of the Ancients had been bestowed upon them, but the true nature of these blessings remained unknown. The air was thick with the energy of the moment, and their bodies hummed with newfound power.

Xiao Tian's eyes flickered as he felt the surge of energy coursing through his veins. It was different from the feeling of breaking through a cultivation barrier or awakening a new soul ring. This energy was ancient, pure, and far beyond what he had experienced before. His body seemed to be both lighter and heavier at the same time, as though he had been imbued with the weight of centuries of knowledge and strength.

"What… what just happened?" Yue'er murmured, her voice trembling slightly. She reached out, feeling the air around them. It seemed to pulse with power, almost as if the entire temple had come alive.

Lian'er was the first to break the silence, her expression serious. "The Blessings of the Ancients have been granted to us. But we've yet to fully understand their meaning."

Xiao Tian nodded, his mind racing. He could feel the connection between himself and the blessings, but it was faint, like a distant whisper calling to him from across a vast expanse. It wasn't something that could be immediately grasped; he would need to meditate on it, let the energy settle and integrate with his own.

"The path we are on is still uncertain," Xiao Tian said quietly, his voice filled with determination. "But these blessings will guide us. We need to understand them fully if we are to move forward."

Yue'er nodded, her gaze softening. "We've come this far together. Whatever the blessings are, we'll face them as one."

Lian'er, ever the pragmatic one, eyed the orb that had granted them the blessings. "The orb is no longer glowing. But we should not let our guard down. There may still be consequences or challenges we don't understand."

As if on cue, the room began to shift. The walls around them seemed to ripple, and the stone beneath their feet trembled. Xiao Tian's senses heightened instantly, and his hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword. Yue'er and Lian'er both readied themselves, their weapons appearing in their hands with practiced ease.

The voice that had guided them through the trials now echoed once more, but this time, it was different. The tone was both softer and more commanding.

"The trials are complete. The Blessings have been granted. But now, you must prove your worth once again."

Xiao Tian felt a shiver run down his spine. What did this mean? Were the trials not over?

The voice continued, "The Blessings of the Ancients are not mere gifts. They are the key to your ascension. But to unlock their true potential, you must face the Guardians."

"Guardians?" Xiao Tian muttered, confusion clouding his thoughts. "What guardians? What do they want from us?"

"The Guardians are the keepers of the Blessings. They will test your resolve, your strength, and your will. Only those who pass their judgment will truly unlock the power of the Blessings."

The walls around them suddenly began to change, transforming into towering stone structures, each more intricate than the last. Massive statues of ancient warriors, their eyes glowing with the same energy that had surrounded the orb, appeared, casting long shadows across the chamber.

Xiao Tian felt his heart race as the statues' eyes fixed upon them. The air crackled with tension.

Then, without warning, the ground beneath their feet shook violently, and the statues began to move. Their stone bodies groaned and creaked, but the power emanating from them was undeniable. These were not ordinary statues—they were living beings, powerful guardians tasked with testing them.

"Prepare yourselves," Xiao Tian said firmly, his eyes narrowing. "These are the Guardians of the Blessings. We must defeat them if we are to prove our worth."

Lian'er's eyes gleamed with determination. "We've faced countless challenges already. These Guardians won't be different."

Yue'er nodded, her expression set. "Together, we can do this."

The first Guardian moved forward, its massive stone foot crushing the ground as it advanced. It was a towering figure, its body covered in intricate carvings that seemed to pulse with energy. Its face was stern, with no trace of emotion, but Xiao Tian could feel the immense power radiating from it. This was a being forged for one purpose: to test their strength.

Xiao Tian stepped forward, his sword drawn and ready. "We won't fall so easily," he said, his voice full of resolve.

The Guardian raised its massive hand, swinging it down toward Xiao Tian with terrifying speed. But Xiao Tian was ready. He darted forward, his sword flashing as it collided with the Guardian's stone fist. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and Xiao Tian's arms nearly buckled under the force. But he held firm, using the energy of the Blessings to steady himself.

The Guardian recoiled slightly, its stone fingers cracking under the force of the strike. But it didn't stop—it raised its other hand, preparing to strike again.

"Yue'er, Lian'er!" Xiao Tian shouted, signaling for his companions to join him. Together, they would defeat this Guardian.

Yue'er and Lian'er rushed forward, their movements synchronized. Yue'er's soul ring flared, the energy of her wind element swirling around her as she struck at the Guardian's legs, attempting to destabilize it. Lian'er's whip crackled with electric energy, lashing out to weaken the Guardian's defenses.

Xiao Tian's blade danced in the air as he launched himself at the Guardian's head, aiming for the weak spots in its stone armor. The power of the Blessings surged through him, and for the first time, he felt like he was truly tapping into something greater than himself. His strikes became faster, more precise, as if guided by an invisible force.

But the Guardian wasn't finished yet. It roared, its voice a deep, echoing sound that reverberated through the chamber. With a final, powerful swing, it unleashed a shockwave that sent them all flying backward.

Xiao Tian landed hard on the ground, skidding across the stone floor. He gritted his teeth, his body aching from the impact. But as he rose to his feet, he saw his companions already getting up, their resolve unbroken.

"This isn't over," Xiao Tian muttered, wiping the blood from his lips. "We will defeat it."

And with that, they prepared to face the Guardian once again.

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[End of Chapter 77]