Li Zhen stood at the edge of the bridge of light, gazing toward the shimmering Island of Space. Unlike the previous islands, which radiated the essence of tangible elements like fire, water, and metal, this final island seemed untethered to physical reality. Its surface constantly shifted—one moment a vast expanse of starlit skies, the next, a void of darkness speckled with swirling galaxies. Time itself felt distorted as he approached, with each step elongating or shortening unnaturally.
His heart pounded as he considered the implications. The trials of the Island of Space would not only test his mastery of the previous elements but also challenge his perception of reality and his control over the unknown.
The ethereal glow intensified as he crossed onto the island. Gravity seemed to waver; one moment, he felt weightless as if floating in a void, and the next, a crushing force rooted him to the ground. Adjusting his stance, he activated his spiritual energy to stabilize himself.
"Welcome, seeker," came a voice that seemed to echo from every corner of the cosmos. It was calm and measured, resonating with an unshakable authority.
A figure materialized in front of him, formed entirely of starlight. Its face was featureless, yet its presence exuded a vast, infinite wisdom.
"You have traversed the paths of the elements and proven your resolve, precision, and strength," the figure said. "But the essence of Space requires more. It demands mastery over the unseen, the intangible. To wield it is to control the fabric of existence itself. Do you accept this trial?"
Li Zhen nodded solemnly. "I am ready."
Trial of Perception
The figure raised its hand, and the island dissolved into a swirling void. Li Zhen found himself suspended in an endless expanse of stars and nebulae. There was no up, no down—only a vast, incomprehensible infinity.
"To master space," the voice said, "you must first understand its infinite nature. Find the path within the chaos."
Li Zhen closed his eyes, centering himself. The void was disorienting, but he remembered the teachings of the Netherworld Pavilion's system. The previous elements he had mastered provided him a foundation—earth for stability, water for adaptability, fire for willpower, wood for growth, and metal for precision. He focused on each in turn, allowing their energies to guide him.
As he opened his eyes, faint threads of light appeared, weaving through the void. They formed intricate patterns, shifting and rearranging as he observed them. He realized these threads represented pathways through space, but choosing the wrong one could lead to entrapment in the void.
Li Zhen extended his spiritual senses, feeling the threads' vibrations. Some pulsed with a harmonious rhythm, while others emitted chaotic, dissonant energy. He chose the first harmonious thread and stepped onto it.
Instantly, the void shifted. The stars realigned, and the threads of light twisted around him. A wrong move would sever the pathway and plunge him into the abyss. Step by step, he advanced, each choice requiring intense focus and intuition.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the void stabilized. The threads coalesced into a single glowing bridge leading him forward.
"You have found the path," the voice said. "But perception is only the beginning."
Trial of Distortion
The void gave way to a vast arena suspended in space. The figure of starlight stood at its center, holding an hourglass filled with shimmering particles of light.
"Space is not static," the figure said. "It bends, folds, and shifts. To master it, you must overcome its distortions."
The figure turned the hourglass over, and the arena warped around Li Zhen. Distances stretched and compressed unpredictably. A step forward could propel him miles ahead or leave him stationary. Objects around him duplicated, shifted, and merged in a chaotic dance of spatial distortion.
From the edges of the arena, constructs made of crystalline light emerged. They moved erratically, their forms stretching and twisting as they attacked. Li Zhen dodged the first strike, but the distortion made it impossible to predict the constructs' movements.
Focusing his energy, he reached into the essence of the elements within him. The stability of earth grounded him, while the adaptability of water allowed him to flow with the distortions rather than resist them. He began to anticipate the patterns of space, dodging and countering the constructs' attacks.
As he fought, he realized that the distortions weren't random. They followed a subtle rhythm, a hidden logic woven into the fabric of the arena. Tuning his senses to this rhythm, he struck with precision, shattering the constructs one by one.
The hourglass emptied, and the distortions ceased.
"You have adapted to the shifting nature of space," the figure said. "Now, prove you can command it."
Trial of Dominion
The final trial began without warning. The arena expanded infinitely, and the figure of starlight grew, towering over Li Zhen like a celestial titan.
"To command space is to impose your will upon it," the figure said. "Demonstrate your dominion, or be consumed by the infinite."
The figure raised its hand, and waves of spatial energy rippled toward Li Zhen. The energy twisted the fabric of reality, creating rifts and vortexes that threatened to engulf him.
Li Zhen braced himself, summoning all the spiritual energy at his disposal. He reached out, trying to grasp the essence of space itself. It was elusive, slipping through his fingers like grains of sand.
"Focus!" he told himself, drawing upon the lessons of the previous trials.
He remembered the threads of light from the Trial of Perception and visualized them converging around him. Slowly, he extended his will, weaving the threads into a protective barrier. The spatial waves crashed against it, but the barrier held firm.
Emboldened, Li Zhen pushed further. He reached into the rifts and vortexes, closing them one by one. Each success strengthened his connection to the essence of space.
Finally, he turned his attention to the titan. Channeling his energy, he wove a net of spatial threads and cast it toward the figure. The threads wrapped around it, binding its movements and shrinking its colossal form.
The figure let out a resonant laugh, its voice filled with approval. "You have demonstrated true dominion over space. You are worthy of its blessing."
The Blessing of Space
The figure dissolved into a stream of starlight that flowed into Li Zhen. He felt an overwhelming surge of power as the essence of Space merged with his spiritual core. His perception expanded, allowing him to sense the subtle flows of energy and matter around him.
As the arena faded, Li Zhen found himself back on the bridge of light. The six elemental blessings now coursed through him, their combined power resonating within his soul.
Ahead, the entrance to the Netherworld Pavilion glowed with an otherworldly light. The trials had prepared him for this moment, but he knew his journey was far from over.
With renewed determination, he stepped forward, ready to uncover the secrets that awaited him.