Chapter 40: The Test of Realms

Lin Yun's body fell into the swirling vortex of darkness. The sensation was strange, like being torn through layers of space itself. It wasn't the feeling of simple transportation, but something far deeper. His body tingled with unfamiliar energy as he felt his very essence being pulled in different directions. He clenched his fists, focusing on maintaining control over his Qi, but the force around him was so overwhelming that it threatened to destabilize his core.

Just as suddenly as the vortex had appeared, the world around Lin Yun shifted. The chaotic dark energies dissipated, and he found himself standing on solid ground once again. His surroundings were nothing like the familiar landscapes he had known; it was as though he had been transported to an entirely different realm.

A dark sky stretched above, swirling with ominous clouds that crackled with the occasional burst of purple lightning. The ground beneath him was jagged, with deep ravines stretching across the horizon. The atmosphere was thick with oppressive energy, and the air itself seemed to pulse with power.

The cloaked figure stood before him, as though he had been waiting for Lin Yun's arrival. His presence was an immovable force, but there was something unsettling in the air. It was as if the very land around them was alive—alive with hostile intent.

"Welcome to the **Trial of Ascension**," the man's voice echoed. "This is the space between realms. A place where only the worthy can prove their strength."

Lin Yun's eyes narrowed. "The Trial of Ascension?" he repeated. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

The man raised a hand, and the air around them began to distort, forming illusions of various martial techniques. Lin Yun's heart skipped a beat as he recognized them: they were the techniques from the higher realms—**Core Formation Realm**, **Soul Cultivation Realm**, and even glimpses of the **Heavenly Path Realm**.

"This is where the true test lies," the cloaked man said. "You will face not only the forces of nature but also the martial techniques of the greatest cultivators across the realms. Every technique, every move, is a challenge to your very being."

Lin Yun didn't flinch. The trial, whatever it was, had already begun, and there was no turning back now. He steadied his breath, his mind already assessing the situation.

He raised his right hand, channeling his Qi as he summoned his most recent technique, **Qi Integration**. His aura flared around him, blending seamlessly with the environment, but the dark energy in the air resisted his attempts to connect. It felt like a wall had been put in place between him and the natural flow of energy.

"You cannot rely on the same techniques here," the man's voice came again, almost as if he had anticipated Lin Yun's reaction. "In this realm, your Qi is restricted. You must adapt or perish."

The realization hit Lin Yun like a jolt of lightning. This was not just a test of strength—it was a test of his adaptability. The Trial of Ascension wasn't a test of how much power he had but of how well he could adapt to the unknown, how he could adjust to the unfamiliar and continue to grow.

With a deep breath, Lin Yun closed his eyes. He had already been through countless trials in his previous life, and every challenge had forced him to grow. This was no different.

The world around him shifted again, this time faster. A **Qi Gathering Realm** cultivator materialized before him, his eyes burning with the intent to kill. Lin Yun could feel the man's power, and though he could see the cultivation rank in his aura, it was clear that this wasn't just any cultivator. This was an illusion designed to challenge him.

The cultivator attacked without warning, launching a powerful palm strike that reverberated through the air. Lin Yun reacted instantly, his body twisting with inhuman agility as he dodged the strike. His movements were fast, fluid, but the environment still resisted his Qi. The walls of energy around him were pushing against him, like a great weight on his shoulders.

Lin Yun understood. His usual reliance on Qi integration wouldn't work here—he would have to rely on his body's raw strength and his knowledge of martial techniques instead.

He pivoted, using the **Fist of the Divine Dragon**, a martial technique he had learned from his master in the early days of his cultivation. The strike was fast, powerful, and precise. It collided with the cultivator's incoming attack, creating a shockwave that rippled through the air.

The cultivator staggered back, his face twisted in pain, but Lin Yun didn't let up. He continued pressing the attack, using his knowledge of martial forms, his speed, and his agility to wear down the illusionary opponent.

Finally, the cultivator disappeared into thin air, vanishing as though he had never existed.

But Lin Yun knew better. This was only the first of many trials.

Another figure emerged—this time, a **Soul Cultivation Realm** practitioner, their eyes gleaming with malice. But Lin Yun had already anticipated this. His body pulsed with energy as he took a stance, drawing on his **Dragon's Heart** martial technique. His aura stabilized, and for the first time, the pressure from the environment began to fade. He had adapted.

This was no longer a battle for survival. It was a challenge to his very growth.

The Soul Cultivator attacked with a flurry of sharp strikes, each infused with the power of their realm. Lin Yun's body moved with perfect precision, dodging and parrying the blows with a calm focus that surprised even him. His mind was clear, his understanding of martial arts reaching new heights.

With a sudden, decisive motion, he countered, using the **Dragon's Heart Fist** to strike the cultivator's chest. The impact sent the illusion reeling, and with a flick of his wrist, the opponent dissipated into the air.

Lin Yun stood there, breathing heavily but calm. His eyes gleamed with a new understanding. He wasn't just passing these tests—he was evolving.

"You are proving yourself worthy," the cloaked man's voice rumbled in approval. "But the road ahead is long. You must face the true forces of the realms. The Trial of Ascension is only beginning."

Lin Yun nodded, ready for the next challenge. His journey toward mastery had only just begun.