Feng Yunxian remained still in the vast, silent hall. The jade talisman pulsed in his hand, its weight no longer just physical but symbolic—a harbinger of the trials yet to come. His breath steadied, though his heart still pounded from the visions he had witnessed. The Chaos wasn't just waiting for him; it was beckoning, pulling him back into the fold, but now, he knew his path was more perilous than he had ever imagined.
The shadow had vanished, leaving only the memory of its chilling words: "Those who betrayed you have not forgotten." His jaw clenched as he replayed those words. The faces of his betrayers flashed before his eyes—beings once close to him, who had conspired against him and led to his fall. Their treachery had ripped him from his throne in the Chaos and reduced him to nothing on Earth. But now, he was no longer helpless. He had regained part of his power, and with the talisman, he could feel the ancient energy seeping into his very soul, fusing with him.
He couldn't stay in the Spirit Pavilion much longer. The trials had pushed him to his limits, but the real challenges lay ahead. He had no illusions—he was still far from regaining the strength he once wielded. If the Chaos was watching, so too were those who wished to finish what they had started.
As he ascended the staircase and emerged from the underground hall, the Pavilion's atmosphere felt heavier than before, as if the very structure had shifted in response to his newfound power. The air was thick with anticipation, and even the statues that lined the Pavilion seemed more menacing, their eyes following his every move.
The doors to the Spirit Pavilion creaked open as Feng Yunxian stepped into the light of day. The sun bathed the mountaintop in a warm, golden glow, but he could not feel its warmth. His mind was consumed with thoughts of the Chaos and the enemies that awaited him. He was no longer just Feng Yunxian, the boy striving to reclaim his power—he was the Divine Immortal, and his enemies would soon remember the name they had tried to erase.
Outside, a figure waited.
"Yunxian," a familiar voice called.
He turned to see Xue Ling, her expression a mix of relief and wariness. Her eyes scanned him, searching for any sign of injury. "You've been gone for longer than expected. The trials…"
"They were more than I anticipated," Feng Yunxian replied, his voice calm but edged with a new strength. He had no intention of explaining the shadow or the talisman just yet. Not until he understood their full implications.
Xue Ling nodded, though her eyes lingered on him. "The Sect Elders are aware that you've passed the third trial. They will want to speak with you."
Feng Yunxian wasn't surprised. He had sensed their interest from the moment he entered the Spirit Pavilion. The Elders were always watching, measuring the potential of each disciple, and after passing three trials, he had no doubt he was now firmly on their radar. But their scrutiny no longer concerned him—he had far more dangerous forces to contend with.
"I'll meet them," he said, turning toward the sect's main grounds.
As they walked, Xue Ling's concern broke through. "You've changed, Yunxian. I can feel it. There's something different about you."
Feng Yunxian glanced at her, considering his response. She was one of the few he trusted in this sect, and while he valued her loyalty, he knew there were some truths she wasn't ready to hear. "The trials force us to confront things within ourselves. I've merely seen a part of me I had long forgotten."
Xue Ling's brow furrowed, but she didn't press further. Instead, she followed him in silence, though he could sense her unease. There was no escaping the fact that the road ahead would become even more treacherous, and those closest to him would inevitably be drawn into the conflicts that followed.
When they reached the sect's main hall, the grand doors loomed before them. Feng Yunxian knew what awaited inside—questions, suspicion, and perhaps even an opportunity. The Elders were always calculating, and now, he would have to play their game until the moment came when he no longer needed to.
The doors swung open, revealing the circular chamber where the Elders awaited. The Sect Leader sat at the far end, his presence commanding, though his expression remained neutral. Surrounding him were the five senior Elders, each of them bearing the marks of countless years of cultivation.
Feng Yunxian stepped forward, bowing with respect. "Honored Elders."
The Sect Leader's voice echoed through the chamber. "Feng Yunxian, you have passed the third trial of the Spirit Pavilion. Few have accomplished such a feat in our sect's history. Tell us, what did you gain from this trial?"
The question was deceptively simple, but Feng Yunxian knew it carried layers of meaning. They weren't just asking about his strength—they wanted to know what power he had uncovered, and more importantly, how it could be controlled.
"I have gained insight into the nature of my cultivation," Feng Yunxian began, keeping his tone measured. "The trial tested not only my strength but my understanding of the path I walk. I now see more clearly the steps I must take to ascend further."
The Elders exchanged glances, but it was the Sect Leader who spoke again. "Insight is important, but it is power that defines one's place in the world of cultivation. We have sensed a change in your aura. There is something… new about you."
Feng Yunxian met the Sect Leader's gaze. "I have gained a talisman of ancient origin, one that will aid me in my cultivation journey. Its power is vast, but I am still learning to wield it."
A ripple of interest passed through the Elders. The Sect Leader's eyes sharpened. "A talisman, you say? Such artifacts are rare, especially those from the ancient eras. Show it to us."
Feng Yunxian hesitated for a fraction of a second. The talisman was his, and while he couldn't hide it from the Elders, he didn't want to reveal too much. Still, there was no avoiding their scrutiny.
He reached into his robes and produced the jade talisman, holding it up for the Elders to see. The artifact pulsed faintly with its golden light, and the energy within it caused a subtle shift in the chamber's atmosphere.
The Sect Leader's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "This is no ordinary talisman. Its aura is… unfamiliar."
Feng Yunxian remained silent, allowing them to draw their own conclusions. He had no intention of revealing the talisman's connection to the Chaos just yet. That secret was his to guard, for now.
After a long pause, the Sect Leader finally nodded. "You have done well, Feng Yunxian. Continue to cultivate diligently, and your future in this sect will be bright."
Feng Yunxian bowed again. "Thank you, Sect Leader."
As he turned to leave, he could feel the weight of the Elders' gazes on his back. They were intrigued, yes, but also wary. He had shown them a glimpse of his power, but they had no idea of the storm that was brewing. The shadow's warning echoed in his mind: "The Chaos awaits, and with it, the truth of your existence."
As he stepped outside the hall, Feng Yunxian clenched his fist around the talisman. The Chaos awaited him, but so too did his enemies. The next steps he took would be critical, and he couldn't afford any mistakes. For now, he would continue to cultivate, to grow stronger.
But soon—very soon—he would be ready to face the Chaos once more.
And when that day came, the Divine Immortal would rise again.