Wang Hao stepped through the large stone gate, blinking against the searing, blinding light that hit him the moment he entered. His vision faltered for a moment, and he instinctively shielded his eyes, waiting for them to adjust to the overwhelming brightness. When the glare finally dimmed enough for him to see, he took in his surroundings.
The room he found himself in was massive, almost cavernous, with a glowing pool of water dominating its center. The pool emitted an ethereal, radiant light that reflected off the high stone walls, casting strange, flickering patterns across the space. Around the pool stood numerous figures, their robes flowing, faces grim, all of them facing in Wang Hao's direction. Some looked at him with disinterest, but others lingered, their sharp, assessing gazes sizing him up. These were no mere bystanders.
Wang Hao scanned the room, noticing its oval shape and the stone doors lining the walls, each marked with a number from one to thirty-three. The door he'd come through slammed shut behind him with a heavy thud.
The figures around the pool were silent, and Wang Hao could feel the tension that hung in the air. The atmosphere was tense. These people had been here a while—probably days—and it was clear they weren't here to chat. They'd all made the same choice to take part in this trial, knowing it was dangerous. Their grim faces said it all—this was about survival.
Wang Hao's eyes narrowed as he carefully observed those who returned his gaze. His experience told him who to be wary of—those whose eyes held more than just passing curiosity. These were the ones who would not hesitate to strike if given the opportunity.
More competitors trickled into the room, each entering through one of the stone doors, but none leaving. Once the doors closed, they remained that way, sealing all of them inside. It was clear to Wang Hao that something significant was about to begin, though there had been no announcement. No one needed to be told—the trial had already started.
Wang Hao exhaled slowly, careful to control his body language. He had learned over two lifetimes that appearing too eager or too detached could spell danger. Instead, he adopted a confident but controlled demeanor, projecting just enough arrogance to appear capable without drawing unwanted attention. His messy hair fell over his forehead, partly obscuring his sharp, emotionless eyes. To most, he looked like just another participant—a mistake that would cost them dearly.
As time passed, Wang Hao's gaze flickered across the room, landing on a towering, rugged figure entering after him. He stifled a grim smile—Fang Tian. The man was a former stable hand in his clan, a giant in stature, rumored to be descended from the mountain giants. Though Fang Tian had been little more than a laborer due to his inability to cultivate, his sheer physical strength was undeniable.
But Fang Tian hadn't recognized him. With his disheveled appearance and robes covered in dirt, Wang Hao was confident that he could remain unnoticed, at least for now.
The arrival of more participants made the atmosphere grow even tenser. The pool in the center of the room seemed to radiate a strange, otherworldly energy. No one dared to approach it, and the silence was heavy with anticipation.
Then, suddenly, the thirty-third door creaked open, and the last of the competitors filed in. The waiting was over.
Wang Hao felt a surge of adrenaline. These people were all here for one reason—to win. But only one would emerge victorious. His lips curled slightly as he considered his next move. The pool in the center of the room seemed to beckon to him, its surface still and reflective, but something dark swirled beneath the surface. .
The tension in the room was palpable, and no one dared to make the first move. Wang Hao, however, had never been one to follow the herd.
Without warning, he began walking toward the pool. The participants around him turned to watch, their eyes widening in surprise and, in some cases, annoyance. His footsteps echoed loudly in the silence, a deliberate signal to everyone in the room that he was not afraid.
"What do you think you're doing?" a voice called out from across the pool. Wang Hao glanced up to see a woman in flowing white robes and hair, her sharp eyes glaring at him. Her posture was rigid, defensive, but she didn't make a move to stop him.
Wang Hao didn't bother to respond. He had no interest in pointless banter. This entire room was a test of strength, willpower, and perhaps even cunning. The others were content to wait, hoping for clue on the trial's nature, but Wang Hao had no intention of sitting idly by. He was here to win, not to observe.
As he reached the edge of the pool, he saw something—a flicker beneath the water's surface. A ripple. It was enough to confirm what he had suspected all along. This pool was not just water—it was a test in itself.
Without hesitation, Wang Hao lifted one foot and stepped into the pool, his boot splashing into the glowing water. Gasps erupted from the crowd, but he ignored them, sinking deeper as the water engulfed him. Then, as if some unseen force had seized him, he felt his body being pulled downward, faster than the water alone could explain.
The pool was way deeper than it looked. As Wang Hao was dragged under, he felt the pressure building, squeezing his chest, his lungs burning for air. But he didn't panic. He'd been through worse.
The deeper he went, the darker it got. The light from above faded, and the surface seemed far away. Then, he saw it again—movement, a shadow below him. Something was down there.
Wang Hao's eyes narrowed. This was the trial. Whatever was waiting for him, he'd face it head-on. He'd conquer it. The others had hesitated, but Wang Hao had acted. And that, he knew, would make all the difference.
As Wang Hao sank deeper into the mysterious pool, a memory surfaced in his mind. He recalled a conversation with Long Ao. Long Ao had spoken in riddles, as usual, but had left Wang Hao with a poem.
He only dared to take this risk because of the clue Long Ao had given him in the form of a poem. He didn't know why Long Ao had provided him with a hint—had he taken a liking to him, or was there another reason? Perhaps Long Ao helped him with his identity as an outsider in this world. For now, Wang Hao couldn't be sure.
As the water pressed in around him, Wang Hao recited the poem in his mind:
"Hidden truths in shadows lie,
Only the brave shall reach the sky.
Take the plunge and risk it all,
For those who fall shall rise once more."