The Hidden trial

"I see you still haven't slept."

I jumped as I was startled by the sound of Master Yan Zhaoxuan's voice behind me.

When I turned around, I found him standing at the door to my room with his arms crossed, watching me with a firm face and unreadable expression

I swallowed. "I was just… thinking."

His sharp gaze didn't waver.

"Your thoughts are very loud, enough to disturb the calmness of the night"

I looked down, embarrassed. "I just… can't stop wondering about the energy I released today. It felt too strong. It felt,.. "

"Dangerous?" He finished it for me.

I nodded slowly.

He studied me for a long moment before speaking. "Come with me."

I blinked in surprise but I didn't say anything. Rather I quickly stood up and followed him as he left the palace hall. The corridors were dimly illuminated by beautiful soft lanterns which casted long shadows against the walls. The entire sect was very quiet at this hour, but I could feel invisible eyes watching us.

Master led me outside, past the training ground, and we headed toward the mountains behind the sect.

The air became colder as we walked further and soon we got to a hidden cave which sat between rocks.

Ancient symbols were carved at the entrance of the cave, it glowed very faintly in the darkness..

"This place..." I shivered slightly. "What is this place ?"

Master Yan Zhaoxuan placed a hand on the stone, murmuring something under his breath. The symbols glowed up and the cave entrance slowly opened with a deep rumbling sound.

"The Cave of Trials." His voice was quiet but firm. "A place meant to test one's will and awaken their true potential."

I took a step back. "A trial?"

He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "You want answers. This cave will give them to you."

My hands clenched into fists. A part of me hesitated because it was filled with doubts. What if I wasn't ready? But another part of me was filled with determination.

I took a deep breath. "I'll do it."

Master didn't look surprised. He simply nodded. "Do not lose yourself inside, be careful"

Then, without another word, he shifted to the side so I could enter inside

The First Illusion

The moment I entered the cave everything changed.

I suddenly started feeling very dizzy and when I blinked I wasn't inside the cave again, I was somewhere different.

I was… back home.

I gasped, my heart beating so fast against my chest as I beheld the familiar sight of my childhood village. The wooden houses, the scent of burning firewood, echoes from the laughter of children that were playing in the streets… It was the same thing I remembered, no difference.

I turned slowly, still confused and I caught my breath when I saw a figure standing a few meters away from me.

"Mother?" My voice trembling

She was there, alive, smiling at me like nothing had ever happened. Tears filled my eyes as I took a step toward her.

But then…

The sky suddenly became dark. The ground beneath me trembled.

The air around me became very hot as flames erupted around the village. People shouted and screamed, I turned around quickly, watching helplessly as fire consumed everything

And then.. Blood.

So much blood.

Bodies littered the ground, the scent of death filling the air. My mother stood in front of me, her smile gone, her body shaking.

"You did this." I could barely hear her, it was like a whisper.

I felt my chest tighten painfully. "No… I didn't…"

"You brought destruction." Her eyes were filled with something I couldn't bear to see.. fear.

I stumbled back, my breath coming in short gasps. "No, I.. I would never.. "

"You are a monster."

The words echoed around me, growing louder and louder until I wanted to scream.

Suddenly i felt whoosh of cold air hitting me and that very illusion shattered like broken mirror

I fell to my knees, struggling to breath, my whole body was shaking uncontrollably

"It wasn't real…" I whispered to myself. "Just an illusion… It's just an illusion, yes an illusion.

But why did it feel so real?

Before I could recover from the shock, the cave shifted again. The darkness around me twisted, forming a figure.

A man.

Tall. Dressed in dark robes. His face was blurred, but his voice was unmistakable.

"You are not meant to exist."

I froze. "Who are you?"

The figure stepped closer. "You should not have been born."

My heart pounded as his words filled my mind

" What do you mean by that?"

I asked looking angry

He didn't answer. Instead, he raised a hand. Darkness came upon him, and suddenly, I couldn't move.

The shadows wrapped around me, suffocating, crushing..

"Accept the truth." His voice was quiet, but it held an undeniable weight.

"You are cursed."

Pain exploded in my chest.

I screamed.

And then..

Everything went black.

Outside the Cave

Master Yan Zhaoxuan stood outside the cave, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he watched the entrance.

An hour had passed.

Then two.

Then three.

He couldn't help but feel an atom of concern deep within him, but he didn't do anything because he knew the trial would either awaken my strength or break me.

The darkness was endless. Cold. Silent.

I was floating in nothingness.

"Is this where I die?"

No.

I felt something warm inside me, it was like a spark, faint at first but it grew

A voice, soft, yet powerful, whispered in my mind.

"Wake up."

My eyes snapped open.

A golden light appeared around me, destroying the shadows that held me captive.

The figure in the darkness disappeared

"Impossible."

But I wasn't listening anymore.

I raised my hands, and for the first time, I commanded the energy within me.

Light clashed against darkness.

The cave trembled.

And then..I won.

Outside the Cave, A golden explosion of light burst from the cave entrance, the surrounding mountains couldn't escape shockwaves and the ground trembled, the air was filled with raw energy, undiluted, unshakable.

Master Yan Zhaoxuan's eyes widened slightly.

Then.. silence And finally—

I stepped out.

My clothes were torn. My body ached. But I was standing. Alive.

Changed.

Master's gaze met mine.

For the first time, I could read his eyes and all i could see was

Recognition.

Like he had been waiting for this moment all along.

"You knew." My voice was hoarse.

He said nothing for a moment. Then, finally

"Come. There is much to discuss."

And with that, he turned, walking back toward the palace.

I hesitated for only a second before following him.

My heart pounded.

I had survived the trial.

But somehow, I knew..

This was only the beginning.