"They will sur-no, It is unsol- no!" Ryujin's wavered as his answer stuck to his throat, invoking a momentary change in the Tiger's expression.
"Which is it?!" The Tiger pressed for clarity, causing Ryujin to break out in non-existent sweat.
The question was one truly riddled with pitfalls at every angle.
Asides the difficulty of the question itself, there is also the fact that the Tiger hadn't asked;
If he said they both surrender; then that would mean both entities were living beings, which is clearly wrong since the question used a 'What' and not 'Who'.
However, he could have -and did almost say- it was an unsolvable paradox; an answer which would have provided him with an easy way out of the dilemma.
However, the fact that both entities were omnipotent meant that there must surely be a result, so it couldn't be an unsolvable paradox.
Also, if he claimed it was a draw, then that would contradict the very nature of both their existence which is to negate one another.
Thus, with that in mind, Ryujin arrived at his conclusion...
"Neither!"
Ryujin debunked his previous half-response which he intended to claim was him simply thinking out loud, should the Tiger decided to make things difficult for him.
Then he gave his answer;
"The unstoppable force destroys the immovable body... However, the immovable body also halts the unstoppable force.
So it is an encounter that results in mutual destruction." He said with a voice filled with absolute self-confidence.
"Hmm..." The White Tiger sighed as it brooded on Ryujin's answer with its eyes shut.
Then after what simultaneously felt like seconds, minutes and even hours, its eyes finally snapped open as Ryujin prepared to receive its verdict on his answer to the paradox.
"Since time immemorial, there have always been two kinds of answers to this paradox, and both of them were usually half-assed." The Tiger began.
"On the one hand, there were those who would claim that both entities will surrender.
Whilst such an answer would be correct, in that it created a paradox that contradicted the omnipotence of both entities, it also happened to defile the very nature of omnipotence itself."
Ryujin listened attentively. He had also thought this and almost said it.
Then now that the Tiger was calling it a half-assed, he was glad that he had stopped himself just in the nick of time.
"There were also those who chickened out of the problem and claimed it was an unsolvable paradox.
This might, and would have been correct since all the answer that has ever been provided to this paradox were either wrong or these two I just mentioned."
Ryujin almost choked at the thought that the tiger had felt his hours of rigorous thinking was nothing more than him chickening out of the problem.
But in another sense, it does seem and sound like he was taking the easy way out, which was why he was also glad he had stopped himself from giving such an answer.
"However, you have managed to create a third scenario, and whilst even I can't really tell if it's true for now, I cannot also claim it to be wrong either.
Then the fact that you were able to think outside your limits and create an answer that both possessed the essence of omnipotence and that of a paradox; I shall dismiss the indecisive response you gave earlier."
Hearing this, Ryujin's eyes widened in surprise as his soul began to well up in gratitude.
His eyes went blurry in stifled tears of joy.
He knew the tiger would bring up the matter, but to think it would scrape if off out of sheer kindness!
"I didn't ignore your indecisiveness on the basis of goodwill, rather, it was because your answer gave a result to the encounter of the omnipotence of both parties.
Also, there's also the fact that they both got destroyed, creating a paradox that both satisfied and debunked their omnipotence.
Upon weighing the potential significance of your answer against your indecisiveness, I decided that the former far outweigh the latter."
Hearing this, Ryujin gave a nod of gratitude, as he finally realized the reason why the tiger had taken a while to issue its verdict.
"A paradox within a paradox; hmm!" The White Tiger grunted in awed fascination.
"Seeker, your answers have revealed that you possess a mind sharpened by the stones of challenge and contemplation, and with that, I believe you are ready to receive the Medallion of Awakening."
The Tiger concluded as it stretched its paw towards Ryujin; and upon it, sat a medallion attached to a necklace of some sort.
It really did look like a token of achievement.
The medallion itself was a pentagonal, wooden plate with mystical runes intricately etched onto it.
At its center, a radiant gemstone gleamed with a multicolored otherworldly light, capturing the visuals of the endless cosmos.
Above and below the central gem laid two slots; each housing a transparent crystal gems that were all linked to the central gem by a vertical engraved line.
Similarly, the four outer gems were also linked in pairs; one above, and one below the central gem, by an engraved line that separated the medallion into three pentagonal rings.
With a Gold-black color that was painted in a manner that symbolized, balance and harmony; the medallion rippled with a subtle energy that seemed to predate existence itself.
Seemingly in a hurry, and without giving Ryujin enough time to properly scrutinize the medallion, the White Tiger then waved its paws, causing the entire crucible to swirl and swivel into a mini tornado.
Yama stood there, watching from outside, as the mini tornado of clouds gradually slowed to a crawl.
He gripped a fist in agitated anticipation, as he he saw the visage of the duo gradually take form amidst the dispersing tornado of clouds.
Then the duo emerged, and when he saw Ryujin cradling the Medallion of Awakening in his grasp, he couldn't help but heave a huge sigh of relief.
It wasn't that he didn't believe in the latter.
Rather, it was due to the fact that, the Crucible of Paradoxes tested one's ability to make astute judgements.
However, its questions or riddles are based on and can be picked from an innumerable number of topics, ranging from mortal matters, to mystical phenomenon that no one has ever witnessed.
Thus, his relief didn't come from the fact that he lacked belief; rather it was from the fact that even he couldn't guess what riddles or questions Ryujin would be given.
It was that feeling of helplessness that bordered on being useless that frustrated the realm king, and the reason for his sigh of relief.
Without another word, Yama and Ryujin completed their courtesies to the White Tiger and left afterwards.
They vanished from the realm of cloud and began to head eastward.
Their destination... The abode of the Azure Dragon Deity of Feng Shui!
-----
In the heart of a tranquil oasis, nestled amidst an emerald forests with streams that whispered the secrets of creation.
Yama and Ryujin arrived at a clearing that was bathed in the otherworldly ambience of the infinite cosmos above.
Right in front of them was the Azure Dragon; coiled and hovering in wait of them with a presence that loomed so large, it dwarfed that of the giant anaconda into a dot.
Its ethereal azure form shimmered with an otherworldly light that resonated and transformed every aura in its vicinity into one that fed the very essence of its divinity.
Behind him was a massive three-legged cauldron that seemed to have been crafted from an ethereal metal that shimmers with a spectrum of colors.
Etched onto its rim, were several ancient runes that pulsated softly with a golden glow.
Even from without, Ryujin's intuition kept telling him that its interior was unbelievably vast; most likely deeper than its physical form should allow.
It presence was sturdy, as if the earth was an extension of its base,
Overall, it gave Ryujin a mystically primal vibe; almost as if the cosmos above were nothing but testament vapors of what it had once birthed.
"Oh? I see." Yama muttered to himself as they approached the otherworldly scene.
'Though all the previous test have touched upon different aspects of Ryujin's memories and cognitive brilliance, this test... this test...' Yama's thought trailed of as he stared at the Azure Dragon in confliction.
"Welcome Ryujin, prepare yourselves for the trial ahead...
The treasure which you seek is not one that currently exists, but one you will have to create all by yourself.
Hence, your trial this time would test the bounds of your wildest imagination and the depths of your creative brilliance." The Azure Dragon got straight to business.
Hearing this, Ryujin felt a surge of excitement mingled with trepidation.
This trial, despite promising him an unparalleled power, will also be just as difficult to surmount, if not more.
"Behind me sits the Cauldron of Primal Harmony, visualize it; etch its image and essence into your psyche; for from within it, must you create your perfect treasure."
"You will be given a specific set of ingredients, and at any moment, you shall be allowed to add only five more, which you must mention to me before using.
You must reveal the extent of your adaptability, and create your treasure from within the ensuing chaos." The Azure Dragon revealed.
With a silent nod, Ryujin understood the gravity of the trial before him.
This was not merely a test of focus and imagination, but also a quest to unlock the secrets of creation, and the mastery over the force of chaos.
Nevertheless, before he approached, he turned to Yama and sought guidance.
"Yama," He called out, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"How should I approach this trial?"
Hearing this, Yama responded with a reassuring smile.
"In this trial Ryujin, you will have to trust in your intuition and creativity." He advised.
"Seek harmony in the chaos, and let your instincts guide you."
"But remember, true mastery comes not from forcing elements together, but from understanding their inherent nature and finding the fundamental balance between them."
Then with Yama's words echoing in his mind, Ryujin stepped approached the cauldron.
With each step, he pondered the challenge before him.
How could he merge disparate elements into the perfect synthesis?
What secrets lay hidden within the essence of creation?
Upon arriving before the Cauldron of Primal Harmony, Ryujin felt a sense of exhilaration wash over him.
The Nobel Scientist within him was basically raring to reveal his prowess; but with a deep breath, he began to focus his mind, channeling every single one of his thoughts into the task at hand.
He latched his gaze onto the mysterious cauldron, and began to observe it.
This was what he loved...
This trial was well centered around his strongest instincts; the thirst to observe and understand the plight of any situation he finds himself.
Ryujin utterly scrutinize the cauldron, burning as much of its image as possible into his mind.
However, just like the first time he met Yama, the more he tried to focus on sensing the innate capacity and capabilities of the cauldron, the more his mind churned and his focus wavered.
Ryujin felt as if he had been made to ride the fastest merry-go-round, and then told to fixate his gaze onto a tiny dot in the distance.
An overwhelming sense of vertigo hit him squarely, threating to send his mind into the endless cosmos, never to return.
However, in that moment, and as if responding to the threat posed to its host, the Mystic Transformation Pupils suddenly came alive.
It slowed Ryujin's focus to a crawl, halted it, and then latched it onto the cauldron once again.
However, not only did it help Ryujin etch an even more detailed image of the cauldron into his mind, it even went further to absorb the essence, innate capacity and capabilities of the cauldron into his mind.
Upon witnessing the sight, the Azure Dragon was slightly taken aback.
Then it sent a dissatisfied gaze at Yama who stood to the side, but the latter simply responded with a cunning smirk.
The Azure Dragon then return its gaze toward Ryujin, almost as if it was sure that what happened wasn't going to impact the difficulty of the trial.
Then as if on cue, a torrential surge of alien information began to surge and bombard Ryujin's mind.
The pressure of their sheer volume threatened to drown his consciousness into the deepest of abyss.
His soul flashed and even began to slowly fade as the information being sent into his mind by the mystic transformation pupils proved to ginormous for him.
He felt as though he was nothing but a puny insect trying to stop a flaming cart.
Seeing this; a massive sense of anxiety washed over Yama; pouring over him like cold water in the chilliest of winter.
He shuddered at the potential consequence of his carelessness as he watched Ryujin's soul gradually turn transparent...