The palace hall was vacant and silent except for the faint hiss of the fire dancing along the rims of the centuries-old runes inscribed on the walls. Bai Cheng's heart raced in his chest as he gazed upon the skeleton of the immortal cultivator who sat on the altar.
The bony hand, once powerful and feared, lay clasped on the hilt of a weapon that emitted an unmistakable aura of potency—the Emberheart Halberd.
The resonant and deep voice rang out again:
"Prove your worth, or perish."
Bai Cheng gulped hard, his throat parched. He wasn't certain if it was the weapon trying him or the echoes of the immortal cultivator's will. Either one, this was not merely a test—it was a judgment.
Taking a careful step forward, Bai Cheng sensed the air itself grow heavy around him.
Each step was as if he dragged himself through an eternity of resistance, as if the room itself wanted to shatter his determination.
The dog growled beside him, its fur bristling, sensing something Bai Cheng could not.
Steady," Bai Cheng whispered to the dog, although his voice trembled.
Abruptly, the earth shook under his feet, a low hum increasing to a blinding quake. From the distant end of the hall, darkness capered in the dim light as a figure appeared—no, a guardian beast.
It was massive, its body cloaked in flickering flames that hissed and sparked like molten lava. A tiger-like form took shape, its molten eyes glowing with a fierce intelligence.
Every step it took left scorch marks on the stone floor, and the temperature of the room rose sharply.
The fiery mane of the beast bristled as it yawned its jaws wide, releasing a bellowing growl that seemed to shake through Bai Cheng's own bones. The dog yelped wildly, standing guard in front of Bai Cheng.
The tiger stalked in a circle, its smoldering eyes fixed on Bai Cheng.
Bai Cheng didn't dare move. His mind raced as he gripped his staff tightly. Do I fight? Do I run? But something about the beast's movements gave him pause. It wasn't attacking.
Instead, it seemed… deliberate, as if assessing him.
The voice came back, this time a whisper, but with the force of authority:
"The guardian does not strike the unworthy. It tests resolve. Do not falter."
The tiger ceased its circling and sat back on its haunches, its burning eyes focusing in as it gazed at Bai Cheng. It let out another roar, a one so great it shook the skeletons adorning the walls, but it did not attack.
What now?" Bai Cheng grumbled, his words shaking as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
The voice replied:
"Take the weapon. Show your courage."
Bai Cheng hesitated for but a moment. He knew that this was a moment that would determine everything—his survival, his future, and possibly even his destiny.
Taking a deep breath, Bai Cheng ran towards the altar. Every step sent shudders of resistance through his frame, the runes burning brighter as if attempting to push him back.
The tiger growled low, its molten eyes never leaving him.
Lastly, he arrived at the weapon. Shivering, he extended his hand to the halberd. The instant his fingers touched its shaft, an explosion of energy enveloped the room. The runes on the walls burst into life, their light blinding.
The Emberheart Halberd glowed red with heat, and for an instant, Bai Cheng believed his flesh would vaporize.
The voice again boomed, vibrating the foundation of the hall:
"Mortal, your journey starts here. But be warned, for power is both a blessing and a curse."
The halberd came alive in his hand, throbbing with an old power that flowed through his veins.
The tiger gave a deafening roar, its form radiating more light until it was almost blinding.
Suddenly, fire broke out from the runes under Bai Cheng's feet, churning upward and engulfing him. The scroll markings on his body ignited, their fiery heat almost intolerable.
The voice repeated itself again, menacing and conclusive:
"Establish your worth, or these flames will incinerate you."
Bai Cheng ground his teeth, fighting to remain upright as the fires danced around his flesh.
He gripped the halberd harder, its strength coursing through him. But then—blackness.
When his vision returned, the scene before him was completely different.
Bai Cheng blinked, his heart racing in a daze. He was no longer within the palace hall. The air was no longer dense with heat, but crisp and cool.
Spread out around him was an endless sea of what looked like a heavenly garden, the sky above twinkling with stars which danced in beautiful patterns.
"Where… what is here?" Bai Cheng grunted, holding the halberd close as his dog whimpered beside him
.The weapon, now dulled, did not give off heat but instead felt incredibly heavy in his grasp. He gazed down—his hands were vacant. The halberd was gone.
Fear raged in his chest. "Where did it go?!
Before he could get his thoughts together, a soft, musical hum filled the air. He slowly turned, his eyes opening wide as he absorbed the vision before him.
Ahead was a massive structure, unlike anything Bai Cheng had ever seen. It was not made of stone or wood but seemed to be carved from pure light, shifting and shimmering as though alive.
Ancient symbols floated around it, each pulsating with energy that resonated deep within him.
The voice came back, but less loudly this time, almost with a chuckle:
"You have only begun to walk the path, child. What lies ahead will test not your strength but your heart."
Bai Cheng stepped tentatively forward, his dog whining in alarm. The celestial body towered over him, its weight of importance bearing down on him.
"What's waiting for me in there?" Bai Cheng whispered, half to himself.
The voice replied mysteriously:
"Not all power is intended to be used, and not all wars are intended to be waged. Some riches are intended to remain concealed, even from those who desire them."
The doors of the structure opened, unleashing a light that was blinding and absorbed Bai Cheng's sight again.