The forest seemed less oppressive as dawn broke, but the tension among us lingered.
Chen Rui's presence was a reminder of the Shadow Devourer's growing influence.
Yet, his redemption also rekindled our resolve.
Today, we were one step closer to our goal.
The system appeared as we prepared to move out.
[System Notification: New Quest Available – The Trial of the Spirit Guardians.
Objective: Prove your worth by passing the trial of the Spirit Guardians.
Reward: Spirit Channeling Skill – Unlock the ability to control additional spiritual energy, adding up to more energy.
Bonus Reward: 200 Battle Points and 150 Faith Points.
10% of you memory will recover from you past live]
"A trial?" Li Wei raised an eyebrow as he strapped his blade to his side. "
Sounds like another test to slow us down."
"Or an opportunity," I was thinking from my mind, my voice calm.
"Spirit Guardians only test those they deem worthy.
Passing could give us an edge against the darkness."
I nodded, my gaze fixed on the shimmering path ahead.
"We don't have a choice. Let's move."
The trial site lay at the heart of a sacred glade.
Ancient stone pillars inscribed with glowing runes encircled a large, flat platform.
As we stepped into the clearing, a figure materialized in the center.
His presence radiated authority, and the very air seemed to hum with power.
He was clad in resplendent armor that shimmered with an ethereal light, his face hidden behind a helmet adorned with intricate patterns.
"I am Xian Wu," he declared, his voice echoing with a resonant depth.
"The first Spirit Guardian. You seek to prove yourselves?"
"We do," I said, stepping forward.
"We'll face whatever trial you set before us."
Xian Wu's eyes, visible through the slits of his head, glowed faintly.
"Very well. Your challenge is simple: endure."
With a wave of his hand, the runes on the pillars flared to life.
A dome of light enveloped the platform, and the ground beneath our feet trembled.
"Endure what?" Zhang Hao muttered.
Before anyone could answer, the platform erupted with elemental chaos.
Streams of fire, torrents of water, bolts of lightning, and gusts of wind lashed out in unpredictable patterns.
Each strike was swift and merciless.
"Stay together!" I shouted, raising my sword to deflect a lightning bolt.
The energy crackled along the blade, but I managed to redirect it harmlessly into the ground.
Tian Lan's staff glowed, creating a protective barrier around her and Liu Ying.
"I can hold this for a while, but not indefinitely!"
"Let's spread the burden," Chen Rui said, stepping into the fray.
Despite his earlier ordeal, he moved with precision, intercepting an incoming fireball with his shield.
"We'll cover each other!"
The system.
[System Notification: Trial Challenge Detected. Performance Scoring Activated.]
Current Performance:
Li Wei : into the battle Tian Lan : into the battle Liu Ying : into the battle Zhang Hao : into the battle Chen Rui : into the battle
Faith Points Earned: 50 (Team Coordination Bonus)
"Looks like we're being judged," Liu Ying said, her movements precise as she dodged a burst of wind.
"Then let's give them something to judge," Zhang Hao replied with a grin, striking down a bolt of fire with his blade.
As the chaos intensified, I felt a surge of energy within me.
The system's screen resonated in my mind.
[System Notification: Skill Unlock Available.
Use accumulated Faith Points to unlock Spirit Channeling?
Cost: 200 Faith Points.
Current Faith Points: 250]
Should i accumulate it, if i don't i can't defeat this creature.
But for now I should convert it into spirit channeling.
"Yes!" I affirmed, feeling the change immediately.
A rush of power coursed through me, and I could sense the spiritual energy around us more acutely than ever before.
[System Notification: Skill Unlocked – Spirit Channeling.
Effect: Control and manipulate additional spiritual energy, enhancing combat and defensive capabilities.]
"Everyone, hold on!" I shouted, raising my sword.
Channeling the energy I now commanded, I created a barrier that absorbed the incoming elements, giving the others a moment to breathe.
"Li Wei..." Tian Lan's eyes widened in awe.
"You've mastered Spirit Channeling?"
"Just in time," I replied, focusing on maintaining the barrier.
Xian Wu watched silently as the chaos subsided, his expression unreadable.
When the final strike dissipated, he stepped forward, the light of the dome fading.
"You have endured," he said, his tone both approving and stern.
"But this is merely the beginning. The true trial lies in unity and trust."
With a gesture, he produced a crystalline sphere, its surface shimmering with an inner light.
"Take this," he said, handing it to me.
"The Sphere of Resonance. It will amplify your connection to the spiritual realm. Use it wisely."
The system.
[System Notification: Trial Complete.]
[Rewards Earned:
Spirit Channeling SkillSphere of ResonanceBonus: 200 Battle Points, 150 Faith Points]
"Thank you," I said to myself.
"I won't let this gift go to waste." I smiled in a villainous way.
Xian Wu nodded, his form beginning to fade.
"May your resolve remain steadfast.
The Shadow Devourer's reach is vast, but with unity, you may yet prevail."
As we left the glade, the weight of our journey settled over us once more.
But this time, we carried with us new strength and a deeper bond.
"We're making progress," Liu Ying said, a rare smile gracing her lips.
"But we can't let our guard down."
"Agreed," Tian Lan replied.
"Each step forward is another battle won, but the war is far from over."
Chen Rui, walking beside me, seemed more at ease than before.
"Thank you, Li Wei," he said quietly. "For believing in me."
"You're part of this team," I replied, gripping his shoulder firmly.
"And we'll face whatever comes next—together."
The path ahead remained uncertain, but with each challenge, we grew stronger.
The Shadow Devourer would not wait, but neither would we falter.
The trial of the Spirit Guardians was just the beginning.