Li Zhen stood before the grand gateway to the Netherworld Pavilion, its massive doors exuding a subtle but overwhelming power. The trials of the Six Elements had pushed him beyond his limits, but they were merely the prelude to the mysteries that lay ahead. The spiritual energy coursing through his body hummed in resonance with the ancient structure, as though the pavilion itself recognized him as its master.
With a deep breath, he placed his hand on the cold, smooth surface of the door. Golden runes danced beneath his palm, activating a series of mechanisms that released a low, harmonious hum. Slowly, the doors creaked open, revealing the interior of the pavilion.
The sight took Li Zhen's breath away. The pavilion's inner sanctum was impossibly vast, with floors that stretched into infinity and walls adorned with shimmering constellations. Floating platforms moved rhythmically in the air, while streams of ethereal energy wove intricate patterns between them. In the center of the room stood a massive, circular dais surrounded by pillars etched with symbols of life, death, and reincarnation.
As Li Zhen stepped inside, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Welcome, Keeper of Souls. The Netherworld Pavilion has awaited your arrival."
The voice was neither male nor female but carried a weight of timeless authority. It was the System, the very core of the pavilion's power.
The Keeper's Oath
Before Li Zhen could respond, the dais began to glow. A projection of a massive tome appeared, its pages turning slowly in an unseen breeze. The voice spoke again.
"To ascend as the true master of the Netherworld Pavilion, you must first take the Keeper's Oath. Do you accept the responsibilities of guiding lost souls, maintaining the balance between realms, and protecting the sanctity of life and death?"
Li Zhen hesitated for only a moment. His journey had already set him on this path, and the trials had proven his resolve. "I accept," he said firmly.
The tome shimmered and descended, stopping just before him. The pages turned to a blank sheet, and words began to inscribe themselves in golden ink.
"Repeat after me," the voice commanded.
Li Zhen recited the ancient words, each phrase binding him to his new role:
"I swear to uphold the duties of the Netherworld Pavilion,
To guide the wandering and judge the lost,
To defend the harmony of the realms,
And to wield this power with wisdom and compassion."
As he spoke the final words, the tome closed with a resounding thud. A surge of energy erupted from the dais, enveloping him in a blinding light. When the light faded, a mark had appeared on the back of his right hand—a sigil of the pavilion, representing his new identity as the Keeper of Souls.
The Pavilion's Secrets
The voice of the System returned, softer this time. "With the Keeper's Oath, you have awakened the Pavilion's true power. As its master, you will gain access to its many features. Explore and learn, for the trials ahead will test not only your strength but your understanding of the balance you now guard."
Li Zhen stepped toward the floating platforms, his eyes drawn to the streams of energy flowing between them. Each stream carried images of souls—some wandering aimlessly, others trapped in chains of karmic burden. He realized these were the spirits that the pavilion existed to protect and guide.
One platform caught his attention. It housed a crystal sphere that pulsed with a deep, violet light. Approaching it, he felt a pull, as though the sphere was calling to him. Placing his hand on its surface, a series of images flooded his mind.
They showed a soul trapped in a cycle of endless torment, its cries echoing in the void. A task appeared in his mind: "Guide this soul to the cycle of reincarnation."
The System spoke again. "Each soul you aid strengthens the Pavilion and, in turn, enhances your cultivation. This is the balance you now maintain. Complete this task to begin the Pavilion's restoration."
The First Task
The crystal sphere shimmered, and Li Zhen found himself transported to a shadowy realm. It was a desolate, barren wasteland, filled with the cries of wandering spirits. The air was thick with resentment and sorrow, making it difficult to breathe.
Before him stood the tormented soul, its form wreathed in dark flames. Its eyes were wild, filled with a mixture of fear and anger.
"Stay back!" it shrieked, its voice a cacophony of anguish. "I won't return to the cycle! I won't!"
Li Zhen raised his hands in a calming gesture. "I'm not here to harm you," he said gently. "I'm here to help you find peace."
The soul recoiled, its flames growing more intense. "Peace? There's no peace for me! Only suffering!"
Drawing upon his spiritual energy, Li Zhen activated the Pavilion's power. The sigil on his hand glowed, and an aura of calm radiated from him. "Your suffering comes from clinging to the past," he said. "Let me help you let go."
The soul hesitated, its flames flickering. But before it could respond, a dark shadow emerged from the ground. It was a Wraith, a malevolent entity that fed on the anguish of lost souls.
The Wraith lunged at Li Zhen, its claws dripping with corrosive energy. Reacting instinctively, he summoned a barrier of light, deflecting the attack. He then countered with a blast of spiritual energy, forcing the Wraith back.
The fight was intense. The Wraith moved with unnatural speed, striking from multiple angles. But Li Zhen's training and newfound power allowed him to anticipate its moves. Channeling the essence of the elements, he trapped the Wraith in a web of spatial threads and unleashed a powerful strike, destroying it.
With the Wraith vanquished, the soul's flames began to wane. Li Zhen extended his hand. "It's over. Let me guide you to the cycle of reincarnation."
This time, the soul didn't resist. It reached out, and as their hands touched, a brilliant light engulfed them both.
Restoration and Growth
When the light faded, Li Zhen found himself back in the Pavilion. The crystal sphere glowed brightly, its violet hue now tinged with gold. The System spoke once more.
"You have completed your first task as Keeper. The Pavilion has begun its restoration, and your cultivation has advanced."
Li Zhen felt a surge of energy within him. His spiritual core had grown stronger, the essence of the Pavilion merging with his own.
Looking around, he noticed subtle changes in the Pavilion. The floating platforms seemed more stable, their movements more synchronized. The streams of energy flowed more brightly, and the images within them were clearer.
He clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through him. This was just the beginning. The Netherworld Pavilion held countless secrets, and with each task he completed, both it and he would grow stronger.
As he prepared to explore further, the System's voice echoed one final time.
"Remember, Keeper, the balance you protect is fragile. The challenges ahead will not only test your strength but your resolve to uphold the sanctity of life and death. Proceed with caution."
Li Zhen nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "I will."
With that, he stepped deeper into the Pavilion, ready to face the trials and revelations that awaited him.