The morning sun shines through the cracks of the ancient temple and falls on the square, adding a touch of warmth to this solemn building.
On the square, the young people who participated in the "Hand of Brahma" trial have lined up in a neat team according to the instructions, waiting for the trial to begin.
After the brief encounter last night, the distance between Ebot and Saraswati seemed to have narrowed a lot. They stood side by side in the team, talking in a low voice, sharing each other's understanding of magic and their vision for the future.
Vinu and Kumar stood not far away, peeking at them from time to time with hostile eyes, as if they were planning some conspiracy.
"Silence!"
A deep voice, like thunder, exploded over the square, making everyone's eardrums buzz.
An old man in a white robe and holding a golden staff slowly walked to the high platform in the center of the square. He has white hair and beard, a dignified face, and a pair of deep blue eyes, as if he can see through everything in the world.
"He is the great elder of the 'Hand of Brahma', Aditya." Saraswati introduced him to Ebot in a low voice, "It is said that he has lived for more than two hundred years and is one of the most powerful magicians in the entire Mohenjo-daro." Elder Aditya looked around at the people in the square and slowly said: "Welcome all young magicians to the Brahma Temple to participate in the entry trial of the 'Hand of Brahma'." "'Hand of Brahma' is an ancient organization that protects Mohenjo-daro. We are responsible for protecting this city and protecting the balance of magic." His voice, although old, was full of power, "If you want to join us, you must have extraordinary talent, firm will, and a heart that protects justice." "Now, I declare that the entry trial of the 'Hand of Brahma' officially begins!" As soon as Elder Aditya finished speaking, the sky above the square suddenly became turbulent, and the originally clear sky instantly became gloomy and dark.
"Boom boom..."
Bursts of low thunder came from afar, as if foreshadowing a huge storm that was about to come.
The young people in the square were all startled by this sudden change. They looked up at the sky with uneasy looks on their faces.
"Don't panic, this is the first level of the trial, the 'ladder to heaven'." Elder Adiya's voice rang in everyone's ears, "Only by passing the test of the 'ladder to heaven' can you enter the Brahma Temple and participate in the next trial."
As soon as the voice fell, the ancient and magnificent Brahma Temple in the center of the square suddenly burst into a thousand-foot light.
The golden light rushed straight into the sky, illuminating the originally dim sky like daylight.
In the golden light, a huge golden staircase slowly extended from the gate of the temple to the sky above the square, like a golden avenue leading to the sky.
"Is that the 'ladder to heaven'?" Ebot looked up at the golden staircase that towered into the sky, his heart filled with shock and expectation.
"It is said that the 'ladder to heaven' has a total of 999 steps, and each step contains powerful magical power. Only those with strong enough mental strength and willpower can reach the top of the 'ladder to heaven'." Saraswati explained to Ebot in a low voice, with a hint of nervousness and uneasiness in her tone.
"Those who climb the 'ladder to heaven' will be qualified to enter the Brahma Temple and participate in the next round of trials. Those who cannot climb the 'ladder to heaven' will be teleported out of the trial area and lose the qualification to join the 'Hand of Brahma'." Elder Adiya's voice sounded again over the square, "Now, the trial begins!"
As soon as Elder Adiya finished speaking, the young magicians in the square could not wait to rush to the shining golden "ladder to heaven".
They all wanted to prove their strength and get the qualification to join the "Hand of Brahma".
Epot and Saraswati looked at each other and walked towards the "ladder".
"Be careful, Epot." Saraswati said softly, "This "ladder" is not as simple as it looks."
"I will, and you too." Epot nodded, then took a deep breath and stepped onto the first step of the "ladder".
A powerful force instantly surged from the soles of his feet to his heart, as if to overturn him.
Epot quickly stabilized his body, activated the magic of "Nature's Language", and guided the natural forces around him to resist this powerful pressure.
"Sure enough, this 'ladder' contains some powerful magical power." Ebert thought to himself, "Moreover, as the stairs rise, this power seems to be increasing."
He looked up and saw that some of the young magicians who were in the front were beginning to give up.
Some people were pale and staggering, obviously they were almost exhausted of their physical and mental strength.
Some others were directly thrown down from the "ladder" by this powerful force, and fell heavily on the square, groaning in pain.
Ebert climbed steadily, and every step was extremely steady. The air around him seemed to become sticky because of this invisible pressure, and breathing became a little difficult.
But he did not panic, but concentrated his mind and operated the magic of "Nature's Language" to the extreme.
He closed his eyes and felt the natural power around him.
The breeze brushed across his cheeks, bringing with it the fragrance of grass and soil; the warm sunshine shone on him, injecting him with endless energy; the earth beneath his feet conveyed a solid and heavy force, supporting his body, so that he would not be crushed by this invisible pressure.
"Everything has a spirit, and everything has a voice." Ebott silently recited the true meaning of "the language of nature" in his heart, "As long as you listen with your heart and feel with your heart, you can integrate with nature and borrow the power of nature."
He opened his arms, as if to embrace the whole world.
"Wind, earth, sunshine, please lend me strength!"
As his mind moved, the natural forces around him, as if they heard his call, began to gather towards him.
The breeze turned into an invisible armor, wrapping his body and protecting him from the strong pressure;
The earth turned into a pair of invisible hands, holding up his feet and making him walk more steadily;
The sun turned into a warm energy, flowing through his body, replenishing his consumed physical and mental strength.