The next morning, Liang Chen sat in the corner of his room, staring intently at the small sprout that had begun to grow inside the cosmic Seed. It seemed to breathe slowly, emitting a soft, calming light, while the system remained silent for a long time.
Liang (hesitant): "Can I understand now? What will this sprout become? And how can I protect it against the dark creatures?"
Suddenly, the system's voice appeared, calm and reassuring:
System: "Do not worry, Liang. At this stage, the sprout only needs your presence. With time, it will grow and become capable of protecting itself. Your task now is balance, not combat."
Liang (with a sigh of relief): "But... if the sprout grows this quickly, won't someone notice it?"
System: "No creature—whether from this world or from other realms—will be able to perceive the sprout or even sense it. Only dark creatures may sense part of the energy it emits, but they will not be able to find it easily as long as you maintain internal balance."
Liang felt a sense of relative comfort, but he wasn't entirely sure of the system's words. He decided to leave the apartment and head toward the old neighborhood to search for information about the spiritual beings that might exist in the mini-world he had discovered.
The old neighborhood was bustling with activity, with numerous small stalls and shops selling rare and strange items. As he wandered among the stalls, an elderly man selling old maps caught his attention.
Elderly Man (in a quiet voice): "You're looking for something special, aren't you?"
Liang stopped and stared at the man with cautious eyes.
Liang: "How do you know what I'm looking for?"
Elderly Man: "Those who seek the truth always appear differently. Come, let me show you something."
Liang approached carefully while the elderly man pulled out a torn, ancient map. It contained intricate lines and circles marking unknown locations.
Elderly Man: "This is not just a map. It is a gateway to a small world, where spiritual beings live. The place is not for the weak, but it may hold answers to your questions."
Liang (curious): "And what is the price?"
The elderly man smiled slyly.
Elderly Man: "The price is courage. If you're ready to enter this world, you won't need money, just a strong heart."
Entering the Mini-World
That night, Liang sat on the floor in his apartment, studying the map in detail. It seemed to guide him toward an energy gateway hidden in an ancient forest outside the city.
System (warning): "This world is not safe, Liang. But if you decide to go, you must be prepared to face creatures that may test your patience and your soul."
Liang smiled lightly.
Liang: "I've learned to face my fears, especially after everything I've been through. If this helps me understand the sprout and protect it, there is no other choice."
When Liang reached the energy gateway, he felt a tremendous pressure on his body, as if the air had become thick. After taking a few steps inside the new world, a creature appeared before him, resembling a small dragon, with eyes glowing like tiny suns.
Dragon (in a deep voice): "At last, the new bearer has arrived. Do you think you're ready for the Soul's Test?"
Liang (confidently): "Test? Why do I need to be tested?"
Dragon: "Because this world does not accept the weak, and you carry within you a secret that could change the balance of the universe."
Liang prepared for battle, but the dragon shook its head and laughed.
Dragon: "This is not a test of physical strength, but a test of your soul. Prove that you're worthy of protecting the sprout, and I will reveal the first secrets of the cosmic Seed."
Liang stood facing the dragon, trying to comprehend what it wanted from him. He felt that this moment would change the course of his journey, and that every step here would bring him to decisions that could determine his fate and the fate of the sprout in his hands.
Temporary End