The road stretched endlessly before me, a ribbon of dirt and stone winding through the mountains.
My legs ached, but I pressed on, the faint glow of the system's guidance urging me forward.
Beside me, Zhang Hao grumbled under his breath, his complaints punctuated by the occasional curse when he tripped over loose rocks.
"You're sure this Liu Ying person is real?" Zhang Hao asked, panting.
"We've been walking for hours, and all I've seen are trees, rocks, and more rocks."
"She's real," I replied, my voice firm.
"The system doesn't lie. And if Liu Ying is who I think she is, then she's vital to our mission."
[System Notification: Target Location Approaching – Liu Ying's Sanctuary.
Distance: 3 kilometers.]
The system's announcement spurred me onward, though doubts lingered in my mind.
Liu Ying. The name stirred something deep within me, a fragment of memory from my past life.
I saw flashes of a woman, her eyes fierce and determined, standing beside me as we faced an endless horde of enemies.
But the memory was incomplete, like so many others.
"Let's pick up the pace," I said, quickening my steps.
We reached a dense forest, the canopy so thick that sunlight barely penetrated the gloom.
The air was heavy, and the sound of rustling leaves set my nerves on edge.
"Do you feel that?" Zhang Hao whispered, gripping his sword.
I nodded.
The air was charged, like the moments before a storm.
[System Notification: Trial Initiated – Guardian's Wisdom and Strength.
Objective: Pass the trial to enter Liu Ying's Sanctuary.]
Before I could process the message, the ground beneath us shifted.
Vines shot up from the earth, weaving into walls that formed a labyrinth around us.
"Great," Zhang Hao muttered. "A maze.
Just what I wanted today."
I studied the vines, their emerald surfaces glinting faintly in the dim light.
[Hint: Trust your instincts and recall your bond with Liu Ying.
Wisdom will light your path.]
"Wisdom, huh?" Zhang Hao said, eyeing me.
"So, what's the plan?"
I closed my eyes, focusing on the fragmented memories of Liu Ying.
She had always been quick-witted, relying on strategy rather than brute force.
If this was her trial, then it would test my ability to think like her.
"We follow the light," I said, pointing to a faint glow at the edge of the maze.
We moved cautiously, each step bringing us closer to the light.
But the maze wasn't just a test of navigation. Creatures emerged from the shadows, their forms twisted and unnatural.
The first one lunged at us, its claws gleaming.
I summoned the ethereal lotus, its radiant petals shielding us.
Zhang Hao charged forward, his sword cutting through the creature with precision.
"These things are relentless," he said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"They're distractions," I replied.
"Stay focused on the goal."
After what felt like an eternity, we reached the center of the maze.
A clearing awaited us, bathed in golden light.
At its heart stood a figure, her presence commanding and serene.
Liu Ying.
She was exactly as I remembered her—tall and poised, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight.
Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.
"You've come," she said, her voice calm but laced with an edge of suspicion.
"But are you worthy?"
Before I could respond, she raised her hand, and the ground trembled.
A massive golem emerged, its body composed of stone and vines.
"This is your final trial," Liu Ying said.
"Defeat the Guardian, and prove you have the strength to fight alongside me."
The golem roared, its voice a deep rumble that shook the air.
Zhang Hao swore under his breath, gripping his sword tightly.
"Any bright ideas?" he asked.
I summoned the ethereal lotus, its petals glowing brighter as I channeled my energy.
"We take it down together. Aim for its joints—slow it down."
The battle was brutal.
The golem's massive fists crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves that nearly knocked us off our feet.
Zhang Hao darted around its legs, slashing at the vines that held it together, while I focused on its core.
As the fight dragged on, memories of Liu Ying flooded my mind.
I remembered her teaching me how to exploit an enemy's weaknesses, how to use strategy over brute force.
"Zhang Hao, distract it!" I shouted.
He nodded, hurling a stone at the golem's head.
The creature turned toward him, giving me an opening.
I surged forward, my blade slicing through its core.
The golem let out a final roar before collapsing into rubble.
[System Notification: Trial Complete.
Liu Ying's Sanctuary Unlocked.
Reward: Cultivation Boost – Spirit Ascension Stage, +10% Strength.]
I felt a surge of energy course through me, my cultivation leaping to the next stage.
The ethereal lotus pulsed brighter, its petals now tinged with gold.
Liu Ying approached, her expression unreadable.
"You've proven yourself, Li Wei. But strength alone isn't enough.
What is your purpose?"
"My purpose," I said, meeting her gaze, "is to stop Wu Shang and restore balance to this world.
But I can't do it alone. I need allies—friends like you."
Her eyes softened, and a faint smile graced her lips.
"You haven't changed, have you? Always the idealist."
I frowned.
"You remember me?"
She nodded.
"I was a Guardian in your past life, just as you were.
We fought side by side against the darkness.
And now, it seems, fate has brought us together again."
Zhang Hao cleared his throat.
"Uh, hate to interrupt, but what's our next move?"
Liu Ying's expression grew serious.
"There's no time to waste.
The Blood Sect's influence is spreading, and the Celestial Gate's seal is weakening.
If we're to stand a chance, we need to gather the other Guardians."
[System Notification: New Ally Acquired – Liu Ying.
Objective Updated: Locate the Remaining Guardians and Prepare for the Final Battle.]
As we left the sanctuary, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.
The path ahead was fraught with danger, but with Liu Ying by my side, the odds felt less insurmountable.
"Let's move," I said, determination burning in my chest.
"We have a world to save."