The next challenge was the Trial of Spirit, a test designed to confront each competitor with visions of their deepest fears and regrets. It required resilience, clarity, and an unshakeable will—qualities that were often more difficult to summon than mere physical strength.
As Shenlong entered the designated space for the trial, he felt the pendant around his neck pulse slightly, as if it sensed the nature of the test. A shroud of mist enveloped him, and within moments, he found himself standing in a twisted version of his village, empty and cold.
Before him appeared a figure he recognized instantly: his younger self, the once-promising prodigy who had lost everything. The young Shenlong looked up at him, eyes filled with a mixture of hope and pain.
"Why did you give up on me?" the vision of his younger self asked, his voice trembling. "You were supposed to be the strongest. But you let everyone call you 'trash.'"
The words struck him deeply, stirring memories of those bitter years when he had struggled to understand his fall from grace. Yet, standing here now, with the pendant's power pulsing within him, he felt a sense of clarity he hadn't known before.
"I didn't give up," Shenlong replied softly. "I fought to find the truth. And now, I carry our legacy forward. What happened in the past was a part of my journey, but it doesn't define who I am today."
The younger version of himself nodded slowly, and as Shenlong reached out, the vision dissipated, leaving him alone in the mist. The clarity of his response had strengthened his resolve, and he realized that he had passed the trial, overcoming the shadow of his own doubts.
As he exited the trial area, Shenlong noticed the curious stares of those who had watched his calm expression throughout. The other competitors looked shaken, but Shenlong walked forward with quiet confidence. He had faced his past and emerged stronger.