Chapter 85: The Trial of the Divine Ascendant

Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er made their way toward the arena, their steps measured and deliberate. The vast expanse of the Supreme God Realm stretched out before them, filled with the energy of countless gods and goddesses who inhabited this space. As they walked, Xiao Tian could feel the pressure mounting. Every breath seemed to carry the weight of millennia, and the air crackled with raw divine power.

They reached the edge of the arena, where a series of floating platforms hovered just above the soft, cloud-like ground. The arena was a vast open space, a perfect circle formed by towering pillars made of translucent energy. At the center of it all stood a large stone altar, engraved with ancient symbols that seemed to shift and change as the trio approached.

"This place..." Yue'er whispered, her eyes wide with awe and trepidation. "It feels like it's alive. The energy here is unlike anything we've ever felt."

Lian'er nodded, her gaze sharp and focused. "This is not a mere arena—it's a place where the gods test their power. We will face challenges unlike any before."

Before they could step any further, a booming voice echoed across the arena, seemingly coming from all directions. "Welcome, mortals, to the Trial of the Divine Ascendant."

The ground rumbled beneath their feet, and the ethereal clouds surrounding the arena swirled in response to the voice. The symbols on the stone altar began to glow with a brilliant light.

"Only those who prove their worth may ascend to the next stage," the voice continued. "You must face the Trial of the Divine Ascendant, where your strength, resolve, and unity will be tested. Only by overcoming these challenges can you move forward in this realm."

The light from the altar grew brighter, almost blinding, before it suddenly erupted into a wave of divine energy that washed over them. Xiao Tian's body tensed as the power surged through him, but instead of overwhelming him, it seemed to merge with his own, amplifying the Blessings that flowed through his veins.

Yue'er and Lian'er, too, stood firm, their auras intertwining with the divine energy, as if the realm itself was accepting them.

A loud crack reverberated through the arena, and suddenly, the arena's floor split open, revealing a massive pit beneath. From within it, colossal figures began to rise—monstrous beings made entirely of divine energy, their bodies shifting like clouds, but their forms were solid, powerful, and imposing. They towered over the three, each one emanating an aura of pure godly might.

One of the beings spoke, its voice like thunder. "The Trial begins. Defeat us, and you may continue. Fail, and you shall be cast into oblivion."

Xiao Tian clenched his fists. This was no longer just about strength—it was about survival. He glanced at Yue'er and Lian'er, and they exchanged silent nods, understanding the gravity of what lay before them.

The three beings charged at them in unison, their forms blurring as they moved with lightning speed. Xiao Tian felt the air shift, and before he could react, one of the beings swung a massive fist toward him. He barely managed to dodge, his speed amplified by the Blessings within him.

The being's fist collided with the ground, sending shockwaves that tore through the arena, creating fissures in the ground and sending debris flying. Xiao Tian's heart raced as he landed, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the shockwave. His eyes flicked toward Yue'er and Lian'er, who were already engaging the other two divine entities.

Yue'er's movements were fluid, her body a blur as she weaved around her opponent's strikes. She summoned her Spirit Domain, a translucent shield of divine energy, to block the blows aimed at her. The Spirit Domain pulsed with light, absorbing the impact of each strike. Lian'er, on the other hand, moved with deadly grace, her martial arts fluid and precise as she struck at the weak points of her opponent's body. Each strike sent shockwaves of divine energy reverberating through the air.

"Focus, Xiao Tian!" Lian'er's voice cut through the chaos, reminding him of his task.

Xiao Tian nodded, shaking off the lingering effects of the earlier strike. He focused all his energy into his next move, drawing on the Blessings within him. His aura flared as he called upon the power of his divine connections. He could feel the energy of the gods and goddesses coursing through him, pushing him beyond his limits.

With a roar, he charged at the first of the divine beings. It swung its enormous fist toward him, but Xiao Tian was faster. He sidestepped the attack and struck with a flurry of punches, each one empowered by the divine energy coursing through his body. His fists connected with the being's ethereal form, each strike shaking the very air around them.

The being recoiled, clearly stunned by the force of his blows. Xiao Tian grinned, sensing its weakening form. He pushed forward, unleashing a devastating series of strikes that shattered the being's cloud-like body into a burst of divine energy.

But there was no time to rest. The remaining beings continued their relentless assault. Xiao Tian's heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to let fatigue take hold. His body surged with divine power, each strike more powerful than the last.

Yue'er and Lian'er were not far behind, their own attacks relentless as they worked in tandem to bring down their opponents. The atmosphere was thick with divine energy, the sound of thunderous clashes echoing across the arena.

It felt as though time had slowed. Xiao Tian's senses sharpened, and he felt a surge of connection to the divine forces around him. It was as though the gods themselves were watching, waiting to see if they were truly worthy.

With a final, resounding blow, the last of the divine beings shattered into nothingness, and the arena fell silent. The clouds above parted, revealing the bright, shimmering sky of the Supreme God Realm.

The voice from before echoed once again, though this time it was filled with a sense of approval. "You have passed the Trial of the Divine Ascendant. You are worthy of ascension."

The ground trembled beneath their feet as a portal of light appeared before them, glowing with the intensity of countless stars. Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er exchanged looks of exhaustion, but their determination was unwavering.

They had done it. They had passed the first test of the Supreme God Realm.

Together, they stepped toward the portal, ready for the challenges that lay ahead.

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[End of Chapter 85]