The storm of battle faded as Xiao Chen stood in the aftermath of his victory over the Guardian of the Body. The air around him was still, almost eerily quiet, save for the steady thrum of his heartbeat reverberating in his ears. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, and yet, there was an undeniable sense of accomplishment—of power newly awakened within him.
His body, drenched in sweat and blood, was battered and bruised, but the pain was secondary. He had crossed a threshold, pushed beyond what he thought possible. He had defied the limits of his body, and now, he felt stronger than ever before. His senses were heightened, his limbs filled with an energy he had never known.
But even as the satisfaction of victory began to settle in, the voice of the Primordial Life System rang out once more, breaking the silence.
"Xiao Chen," it said, its tone once again steady but laced with an undercurrent of solemnity. "You have completed the Trial of the Body. Your strength has grown, but the path before you remains long. There is still one final trial that awaits. It will test the core of who you are—your heart. This trial is unlike any you have faced before. The Trial of the Heart."
Xiao Chen took a deep breath, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. The Trial of the Heart? He had heard of such trials—tests that challenged not just a person's strength or skill, but their very soul, their innermost desires and fears. This trial was different. It would not be something he could simply overpower. It would require every ounce of his will, his determination, and most of all, his heart.
The ground beneath him shifted, the familiar energy of the Primordial Nexus warping and changing. Before him, a swirling vortex of light and shadow appeared, drawing him in. His gaze locked onto it, his heart now a mix of nervous anticipation and curiosity.
"The Trial of the Heart is a test of your desires, your convictions, and the very nature of your spirit," the system's voice continued. "You will be confronted with visions and choices that will seek to sway you. The trial will not be easy. There will be temptations, illusions—forces that will seek to cloud your judgment. But you must remain true to yourself. Only by confronting your deepest fears and desires can you pass this trial."
Xiao Chen nodded silently. The challenge was clear now. He had fought against the body, and he had fought against his mind. Now, it was time to face the part of him that had always been the most elusive—his heart.
Without further hesitation, Xiao Chen stepped into the vortex.
The world around him shifted. One moment, he was standing in the vast emptiness of the Primordial Nexus, and the next, he found himself in a lush, serene valley. A soft breeze caressed his face, and the scent of flowers filled the air. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, with birds singing overhead.
It felt like home.
But something was wrong.
Xiao Chen's heart skipped a beat as his eyes narrowed. There, standing at the edge of the valley, was a figure he had not seen in years—his mother.
Her delicate features were framed by long black hair, and her eyes held a deep sadness as they met his. She smiled, a soft, comforting smile, the kind he remembered from his childhood, but it was strained. She reached out a hand toward him.
"Xiao Chen…" she whispered, her voice carrying the warmth of love but also the weight of an unspoken sorrow. "I've missed you so much. It's been so long. Why don't you come home? Everything is safe now."
Xiao Chen's breath caught in his throat. The urge to run to her, to embrace her, to feel the warmth of her touch, was overwhelming. His mother had died when he was just a child. How could this be? Was this truly her? Was this a dream? Or was it the system's trial, designed to test his very heart?
His thoughts were a whirlwind. This was a vision—a temptation. He knew it was impossible, but the longing, the grief he had buried for so long, stirred deep within him. His body tensed, and he took a step forward.
"Mother…?" His voice cracked, the weight of his emotions spilling out in that single word. His heart clenched in his chest, and for a moment, he felt as if he could finally let go of everything he had been carrying—the guilt, the loneliness, the constant burden of responsibility.
But as his hand stretched toward her, something deep within him flickered. He froze. This isn't real. This is a trial.
He blinked, shaking his head to clear the tears that threatened to spill. His heart pounded in his chest. He had a purpose now. He had to focus. His mother had died, and no illusion, no matter how real it seemed, could change that. The Xiao Clan needed him. His heart needed to remain true to that mission.
"Mother, I—" Xiao Chen stopped. His mother's smile had turned sadder, her figure flickering as though it was losing its shape.
The voice of the system echoed in his mind, gentle but firm.
"Do you wish to let go of your heart's desire, Xiao Chen? The pain of loss is a powerful thing. Will you give in to it, or will you forge your own path?"
The vision of his mother faded away, and Xiao Chen's legs nearly gave way beneath him as a wave of emotion swept over him. He had felt that longing, that deep ache for so long, but now he understood—it wasn't his true self. The grief, the longing, were shadows of a past he could never change.
"No," he whispered to himself, lifting his head and staring into the distance. "I can't be held back anymore."
With that, the vision disappeared, and Xiao Chen stood alone in the vast emptiness. His chest heaved with exertion, but his resolve was clearer than ever before. He had passed the Trial of the Heart. He had faced his deepest pain and had chosen to move forward.
System Notification:
Congratulations, Xiao Chen! You have passed the Trial of the Heart.
You have gained the following rewards:
+1000 EXP
Heart of the Xiao Clan (Passive Skill): Strengthens your willpower and determination. Increases emotional resilience and control over your cultivation.
Your cultivation has reached the next level!
---
System Panel:
1. Cultivation
Level: Qi Condensation (Perfection) [1500/2000 Exp]
Next Level: Core Formation
Speed: +2x faster growth
2. Skills
Swordsmanship: Entry (EXP: 45/100)
Alchemy: Entry (EXP: 40/100)
Fist Techniques: Entry (EXP: 35/100)
EXP Gain: +5 per sparring, +10 per potion
3. Professions
Alchemy: Entry (EXP: 75/100)
Forging/Beast Taming/Formations: Unlearned
EXP Gain: +10 per potion, +2 per forging attempt
4. Quests
Main Task: Restore Xiao Clan
Side Tasks:
Explore (+20 EXP)
Train Allies (+15 EXP)
Defeat Rivals (+30 EXP)
Refine Materials (+25 EXP)