Darkness enveloped Lu Ming and his army as they advanced through the interior of the Lost Shrine. The walls were immense, covered with arcane inscriptions that faintly glowed. The footsteps of the draconians echoed in the hallway, and the tension grew with every meter they advanced. They knew that this was no ordinary place. It was a fortress of ancient power, a place that tested the will and strength of those who dared to enter.
Suddenly, the air vibrated and a resonant voice filled the shrine.
"Welcome, seekers of power. Only those worthy will overcome the trials and claim the strength hidden within this place."
Lu Ming did not say anything. He knew that any show of hesitation would be seen as weakness. Instead, he raised his sword and continued to lead his army forward.
At the end of the hallway, they arrived at a circular room. In the center, three gigantic statues of draconic warriors watched them from above. Suddenly, the statues began to move, and their eyes glowed with intense fire.
**[System Notification: First test activated. Test of Strength.]**
The statues came to life, their stone bodies cracking and breaking into pieces, revealing three stone draconic monsters, each over three meters tall. They wielded weapons made of rock and metal, and their eyes glowed with magical energy.
"Prepare yourselves!" Lu Ming ordered, spreading his wings as his soldiers stood in defensive formation.
The first of the statues attacked, its giant mace descending with surprising speed for its size. The tall draconic soldiers were the first to react, blocking the attack with their claws and shields. The impact was devastating, the ground shaking under the force of the blow.
"Now!" Lu Ming shouted, signaling the counterattack.
The draconic soldiers charged towards the statues, lashing out with their claws and releasing blasts of fire. However, the stone of the statues was hard, and their attacks barely left any cracks on its surface. The creatures, unfazed, counterattacked with brutal force. One of the tall soldiers was knocked down by a direct hit, his body crashing into the wall.
**[System Notification: You have lost 1 tall draconic soldier. -150 HP.]**
"Use skills!" Lu Ming shouted, realizing that brute force would not be enough.
With a roar, the **Abyssal Dragon Warrior** charged forward. Activating his **Abyssal Destruction** skill, he released a powerful wave of dark energy that struck one of the statues. The attack pierced through the stone, shattering part of its body. The statue let out a roar of fury before charging at the Warrior, but the Warrior nimbly dodged, striking again with his reinforced claws.
**[System Notification: Abyssal Dragon Warrior has damaged the draconic statue. -200 HP.]**
Lu Ming wasted no time. With his enhanced **Dragon Breath**, he launched a blast of fire and electricity straight into the center of another statue. The lightning crackled, running through the body of the stone creature and causing its movements to slow down.
**[System Notification: You have dealt 150 damage to the draconic statue.]**
Finally, after a concerted effort, the statues began to crumble, one after another, under the relentless attacks of the draconic army. As the last statue fell, the hall fell silent.
**[System Notification: First test passed. Test of Strength completed.]**
Lu Ming took a deep breath, surveying the battlefield. They had passed the first test, but he knew it would not be the last. As they prepared to advance, the inscriptions on the walls began to glow again, and the resonant voice filled the air once more.
"You have proven your strength, but true greatness requires more than physical power. The second test awaits you."
The doors in front of them slowly opened, revealing a long hallway leading to the next chamber. Without hesitation, Lu Ming led his army forward.
Reaching the next room, this one was completely different. There were no enemies visible, but in the center was a massive mirror, surrounded by ancient columns covered in runes. The light from the mirror shone, but it showed no reflection. Only a deep void.
**[System Notification: Second test activated. Test of Will.]**
The voice continued. "This test does not measure the strength of your body, but the strength of your mind. Those who are weak-willed will fall into darkness."
Lu Ming walked up to the mirror, his eyes fixed on the emptiness it showed. He knew that this test would be different. It was not something he could face with claws or fire, but with his own determination. As he took a step closer, he felt his mind begin to be pulled into the mirror.
Suddenly, he was transported or into a vast void, alone, without his army. In front of him, a dark figure emerged. It was a replica of himself, but larger, more imposing, and with a dark, evil aura. The figure watched him with a cruel smile.
"Do you think you are worthy of the power of the Sanctuary?" the figure asked. "All that you have achieved, all your power, is nothing more than an illusion. You are nothing more than a pawn."
Lu Ming clenched his fists. He knew that this figure was not real, but it represented his own fears and doubts. "I have come this far because I do not fear my own demons," he said, firmly.
The dark figure laughed. "Prove yourself then. If you fall here, everything you have built will crumble."
With no other choice, Lu Ming charged at his dark reflection. He knew that this test would test not only his combat skill, but his conviction and determination. To survive the Lost Shrine, he would have to defeat not only his external enemies, but also his internal ones.
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