The cold stone walls of the Spirit Pavilion seemed to pulse with an energy that Feng Yunxian could now feel more acutely. The second trial had been taxing, but it had also awakened something deeper within him—an understanding of how this realm tested not just his body, but his mind and heart. Still, he couldn't shake the weight of what he had just experienced. It was not just an illusion that tested his resolve; it was a reminder of the past he had chosen to leave behind.
Standing alone in the now-silent chamber, he felt the emptiness of the Pavilion swallow him. The spirit that had administered the trials was gone, his cryptic words lingering in the air like a bad omen. Feng Yunxian inhaled deeply, trying to ground himself. He knew that more trials awaited, but each step forward felt heavier.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by a low rumble. The stone beneath his feet vibrated, and before he could brace himself, the ground split open. A narrow staircase spiraled downward into darkness, illuminated only by a faint blue glow. There was no other path ahead, so Feng Yunxian descended.
Each step echoed in the cavernous depths as the temperature dropped. The oppressive weight of the Pavilion seemed to intensify the farther he went, and the blue glow revealed more of the damp, ancient stone that surrounded him. When he finally reached the bottom, a massive door carved from obsidian stood before him. Its surface was etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly, as if responding to his presence.
Feng Yunxian hesitated for a moment. The door felt ancient, far older than anything he had encountered in the Pavilion so far. Whatever lay beyond it, he knew instinctively that it would not be a simple challenge.
With a push, the door groaned open, revealing a vast hall lined with towering statues of mythical creatures. Each figure—dragons, phoenixes, qilins, and other legendary beasts—seemed to be watching him, their stony eyes filled with a sense of challenge. At the far end of the hall stood a large pedestal, upon which a single object rested, shrouded in a soft golden light.
Feng Yunxian's heart quickened. He approached cautiously, every sense alert for traps or hidden dangers. But as he neared the pedestal, the room remained still, save for the eerie silence that hung over everything.
On the pedestal lay an artifact—a jade talisman, ancient and covered in runes. Feng Yunxian's eyes widened slightly. He could feel the power radiating from it, an energy that called to the very essence of his being. This was no ordinary talisman. It was a relic from the ancient eras, from the time of gods and celestial beings. This could be the key to unlocking something crucial in his cultivation journey.
As he reached out to grasp the talisman, the temperature of the room plummeted, and a dark shadow slithered from the edges of the hall, gathering into a humanoid form. Feng Yunxian instantly withdrew his hand, stepping back as the shadow solidified into a figure cloaked in darkness.
The figure's voice was like ice, cold and piercing. "You seek power, but power always comes at a price."
Feng Yunxian's hand went to his sword, though he did not draw it yet. "And what price are you talking about?"
The shadow chuckled, the sound echoing off the walls. "The path you walk is one paved with blood and sacrifice. You are not the first to seek this talisman, nor will you be the last. But you... you carry something different."
Feng Yunxian's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
The shadow glided forward, its form shifting and twisting as it approached. "You carry the weight of another life, of a soul far older than the one you now wear. The Chaos remembers you, Feng Yunxian."
His heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be. The shadow knew of his past life—his true life—as the Divine Immortal of Chaos. He had buried that name deep, knowing that revealing it too soon would invite dangers from powers he was not yet ready to face. But now, it seemed the Spirit Pavilion had unearthed that secret.
"How do you know of the Chaos?" Feng Yunxian demanded, his voice hard.
The shadow's smile widened, though its face remained obscured. "The trials are not just tests of strength or spirit. They test the essence of who you are, of what you carry within. The Chaos is a realm beyond realms, and you... you are bound to it in ways you do not yet fully understand."
Feng Yunxian's mind raced. The shadow's words struck at something deeper within him, something he had long avoided thinking about. He had always known that the day would come when he would have to confront his past, but he hadn't expected it to happen here, in this trial.
"And what does that mean for me now?" Feng Yunxian asked, his tone guarded.
The shadow's form shifted again, becoming more solid, more human-like. "It means you are closer to the truth of your existence than you realize. But beware, for the closer you get, the more dangerous your path will become. Those who betrayed you in the Chaos have not forgotten you. They are watching, waiting for the moment to strike again."
Feng Yunxian clenched his fists. He had known this all along, of course. His enemies in the Chaos were powerful, far beyond what he could currently handle. But that was why he had reincarnated on Earth—to regain his strength, to rise once more, and to take back what was his.
The shadow tilted its head, as if sensing his thoughts. "You seek vengeance. But vengeance alone will not be enough to survive what is coming. The Chaos is but one piece of a much larger puzzle. There are forces at play that even you, with all your knowledge, cannot comprehend."
Feng Yunxian remained silent, his mind turning over the shadow's words. There was a sense of truth in what it said, a cold, unsettling truth that he could not ignore. The Chaos was not the endgame—it was only the beginning of something far greater.
"And what must I do?" he asked finally.
The shadow extended its hand toward the talisman on the pedestal. "Take the talisman. It will guide you, but be warned—it will also test you. The power it holds is immense, but only those who are truly worthy can wield it. If you fail, it will destroy you."
Feng Yunxian stepped forward, his eyes locked on the talisman. He could feel the weight of the decision before him, but there was no turning back now. This was the path he had chosen, the path he had to walk, no matter the cost.
With a steady hand, he reached out and grasped the jade talisman.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a surge of energy shot through his body, flooding his veins with raw, untamed power. His vision blurred, and the world around him spun. The talisman's power was unlike anything he had ever felt—ancient, primal, and vast. It was as if the very essence of the heavens and the earth had been condensed into this small artifact.
But along with the power came something else—memories, images flashing through his mind. Scenes of battles long past, of realms beyond imagining, of gods and beasts and titans clashing in a war that spanned the cosmos.
And then, a single, haunting image—a figure standing at the center of it all, bathed in light and shadow. A figure that he recognized all too well.
It was him.
Feng Yunxian's grip tightened on the talisman as the vision faded. The power still thrummed within him, but now it was tempered, controlled. He could feel the weight of it, but it no longer threatened to overwhelm him.
The shadow stepped back, its form beginning to fade. "You have passed the third trial. But remember—this is only the beginning. The Chaos awaits, and with it, the truth of your existence."
Feng Yunxian exhaled slowly, his mind still reeling from the experience. He had gained a powerful artifact, but more than that, he had gained a glimpse of the truth that lay ahead.
And he knew, without a doubt, that his enemies in the Chaos were already preparing for his return.