Xiang Chen and Wei Zhen faced each other, the atmosphere in the Spirit Forest charged with tension. The faint glow of the spirit stone shimmered between them, its power calling out to both disciples. Neither was willing to back down.
"I've heard a lot about your skills, Xiang Chen," Wei Zhen said, his eyes narrowing. "But let's see if you're truly worthy of the inner faction."
Xiang Chen's expression remained calm, but his energy surged within him. He had prepared for this moment, and he wasn't about to lose. "I don't plan on losing this opportunity."
In an instant, Wei Zhen launched his attack, summoning a whirlwind of energy around his fist. "Wind Serpent Strike!" he shouted as he propelled himself forward, the energy twisting into the form of a snake, aimed directly at Xiang Chen.
Reacting quickly, Xiang Chen sidestepped the attack, feeling the force of the wind as it brushed past him. He countered with a blast of his own energy, forming a golden orb between his palms and releasing it with a swift push.
"Energy Sphere!" he called, directing the orb toward Wei Zhen.
Wei Zhen deflected the attack with a sweep of his hand, dispersing the energy into the air. "Not bad. You've got power, but let's see how you handle this!"
He leapt back and began chanting, the air around him growing colder as frost formed at his feet. With a swift motion, he unleashed a wave of ice shards, each one sharp enough to pierce through solid wood.
Xiang Chen's eyes widened as he saw the barrage of ice heading his way. He quickly summoned energy into his hands, forming a barrier in front of him. The ice shards collided with the barrier, shattering into pieces, but the force of the impact pushed Xiang Chen back several steps.
"Impressive," he muttered, feeling the cold sting on his skin. "But you're not the only one with advanced techniques."
Drawing on the energy he had accumulated through his training, Xiang Chen began to channel the power he had practiced in meditation. His aura flared, and he felt the heat of his internal energy building. He focused on the golden light within, condensing it into his palms.
"Flame Burst Palm!" he shouted, thrusting his hands forward. A wave of fire erupted, sweeping across the forest floor as it raced toward Wei Zhen.
Wei Zhen's eyes widened, and he quickly leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the flames. The heat singed the edge of his robes, and he glared at Xiang Chen. "You've got more skill than I expected. But I'm not done yet!"
As Wei Zhen prepared his next attack, the ground beneath them began to tremble. Both disciples paused, their attention drawn to the forest around them. The trees shook, and a deafening roar echoed through the area.
"What was that?" Xiang Chen asked, scanning the surroundings.
From the shadows, a massive creature emerged—a Spirit Bear, its fur glowing with ethereal light and its eyes filled with rage. It was much larger than any beast Xiang Chen had encountered before, its presence dominating the forest clearing.
"This is bad," Wei Zhen muttered, his eyes locked on the beast. "Spirit Bears are known to attack anything that disturbs their territory."
Xiang Chen felt the tension rise. He knew they had two options: fight the beast together or retreat and lose the chance at the spirit stone.
"We can't take it down alone," Xiang Chen said, making a quick decision. "We need to work together if we want to survive this."
Wei Zhen hesitated, clearly reluctant. But as the Spirit Bear roared again, charging toward them, he nodded. "Fine, but this doesn't mean we're allies. We take down the bear, and then we settle our fight."
Xiang Chen smirked. "Agreed."
The two cultivators stood side by side, combining their energies. Xiang Chen focused his fire-based techniques, summoning a burst of flames to distract the Spirit Bear, while Wei Zhen channeled his ice techniques, creating spikes of ice that shot toward the creature's legs.
The Spirit Bear roared as the attacks struck, but it was far from defeated. It swiped its massive claws, sending a shockwave that forced both of them to leap back. Xiang Chen felt the force of the wind against his face, and he struggled to maintain his balance.
"We need a stronger attack!" Xiang Chen called out.
Wei Zhen nodded. "Let's combine our techniques. I'll freeze its movements, and you deliver the final blow!"
Focusing their energy, Wei Zhen unleashed a powerful ice blast that encased the Spirit Bear's legs in solid ice. The beast struggled, roaring in fury as it tried to break free.
"Now!" Wei Zhen shouted.
Xiang Chen didn't hesitate. He channeled all his energy into his hands, forming a large sphere of golden fire. With a roar, he launched the sphere at the Spirit Bear's chest.
The impact was explosive. Flames erupted around the beast, and the ice shattered as the combined power of fire and ice struck its target. The Spirit Bear let out one final roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into wisps of spiritual energy that scattered into the air.
Xiang Chen and Wei Zhen stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath as the forest returned to its eerie calm.
"Not bad, Xiang Chen," Wei Zhen said, wiping sweat from his brow. "But now that the bear's out of the way, the spirit stone is mine."
Before Xiang Chen could react, Wei Zhen darted toward the stone. But Xiang Chen was ready—he blocked Wei Zhen's path, his hand outstretched.
"We fought together to take down the bear. The least we can do is split the reward," Xiang Chen said calmly.
Wei Zhen paused, his expression unreadable. "Fine," he said after a moment. "You've earned it."
They each placed a hand on the spirit stone, and as their energy combined, the stone glowed brightly, splitting into two smaller stones.
"You're full of surprises," Wei Zhen admitted, pocketing his half of the stone. "But don't think this means I'll go easy on you in the future."
Xiang Chen smiled. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
As they returned to the edge of the forest, Elder Huan awaited them with a knowing look. "Well done, both of you. The trial is not just about strength, but cooperation and wisdom."
[Quest Completed: Trial of the Spirit Forest]
[Experience Points Earned: 150]
[Current Level: 6.5]
[New Skill Acquired: Collaborative Combat]
With another trial behind him, Xiang Chen felt his determination solidify. The path to becoming the Celestial Monarch would be filled with challenges, but he was ready to face them, one step at a time.