Li Yuan stood, gripping his sword tightly, watching as the shadows slowly closed the circle around him. Each step brought the creature closer, its fiery eyes blazing like two burning suns. The sounds, reminiscent of ice cracking, echoed throughout the enclosed space. "I cannot retreat," he thought, feeling adrenaline boiling in his blood. The panel flickered, confirming his choice:
Choice accepted: combat. Event activated: Guardian's Trial.
The shadows began moving faster, their forms distorting and stretching as if breaking apart. Li Yuan took his first step forward, raising his sword. He felt the crystal in his hand glowing brighter, filling him with energy. The first creature lunged at him, its claws of darkness like blades. Li Yuan dodged, feeling the cold wind of the strike burn his cheek. At that moment, he countered with a strike of his own, his sword slicing through the shadow, leaving a glowing tear in its wake.
System Tip: Use spiritual energy to enhance your attacks.
As if in response, the crystal radiated light, and Li Yuan felt a wave of power course through his body. He focused, channeling the energy into his sword. The next strike was powerful, cutting the nearest shadow in half. It let out a low hissing sound before dissipating into ashes that vanished into the air.
The battle grew increasingly challenging. The shadows attacked from all sides, their movements chaotic, but Li Yuan began to realize they reacted to his spiritual energy. The more he used it, the stronger they became. He had to adapt his tactics, moving faster and combining strikes with dodges. At one point, the largest shadow landed a blow that sent him crashing against the wall. Li Yuan felt blood rushing to his head but managed to rise, clutching his sword.
"If I fall here, I won't get back up," he thought. In a final effort, he poured all the remaining energy of the crystal into his sword. The blade glowed with blinding light, and he delivered a decisive strike to the largest shadow. A deafening roar echoed as the creature exploded into thousands of sparks.
The light dispelled the remaining darkness, and Li Yuan felt the weight lifting from his body, though not from his mind. The cave's silence was deafening after the thunder of battle. He breathed heavily, his body wracked with exhaustion and pain from his wounds. Each breath felt like a victory, but a growing fear gripped him: if this was only the beginning, what awaited him next? His hands trembled, and his thoughts raced like crows over a battlefield. "I survived, but will I have the strength for the next step?" The relief of survival was tempered by a gnawing dread: "Each fight brings me closer to the edge." Slowly, fear gave way to resolve, though the realization that such battles might become a constant weighed heavily on his mind. His hands shook, and every movement was accompanied by pain. He sank to his knees, leaning on his sword. The realization of how close he had come to defeat hit him like a wave. "I survived... but how much longer can I keep going?" At that moment, the crystal in his hand began emitting a soft light, gradually restoring his strength and easing some of the physical burden. The panel lit up:
Event complete. Reward: increased spiritual energy. New skill available.
Li Yuan felt a wave of warmth course through his body, filling him with renewed strength. But before he could fully process what had happened, a figure began to take shape before him. The shadow he had just destroyed was transforming. From the chaos of light and darkness emerged a being resembling a spirit. Its eyes burned, not with malice but with ancient wisdom.
"You have proven your strength," the Guardian spoke, its voice a blend of wind's whisper and thunder's roar. "Now you are worthy of forming a pact. But remember: every step in this world comes at a cost. Are you ready to accept what lies beyond the obvious?"
Li Yuan rose, still feeling the weight in his body. "A pact? What kind of pact?" he asked, looking at the being. The Guardian pointed at the crystal:
"This power belongs to the ancient path. It is not given freely. You may use it, but it requires a price: a portion of your energy or the fulfillment of tasks I assign."
The system panel flickered, displaying a new message:
Guardian's Pact: enhances power and skills. Risks: increased energy expenditure, obligations.
Li Yuan hesitated, feeling an internal conflict ignite within him. "How many times have I made deals in the past? How many times have I paid a price that turned out to be too high?" Memories of his previous life flashed before his eyes—instances when seemingly advantageous agreements brought only pain and betrayal. "But what if this time is different?" he tried to convince himself. "The system... this world... maybe I have to take the risk." He remembered the compromises he had made in his past life, which often led to disappointment and heartbreak. "But this is different," he reassured himself. "The system... this world... I have no choice if I want to survive." His heart pounded in his chest. The pact could be his salvation—or his curse. Darkness and light surrounded him, as though the very forces of this world were watching his decision. He tightened his grip on the crystal, feeling its warmth like a smoldering ember. The pact could either save him or burden him. "If I refuse, will I have another chance? But if I agree, what price will I pay?" Doubts burned within him, but intuition told him this was the only path. He gripped the crystal, looking at the Guardian:
"I accept your terms."
The Guardian extended its hand, and for a moment, the crystal's light became blinding. A mark appeared on Li Yuan's palm—a symbol of the ancient pact. "We are now bound," the Guardian said. Its voice grew softer, almost a whisper: "Do you think this is just a pact? Time will reveal the role you are destined to play. The path you embark on will lead you to power, but each step will be a trial. Remember, sometimes victory demands a greater sacrifice than defeat. Even light can blind, and darkness conceals not only fears but also answers. Not everything in the system is what it seems. You see only a part of it; the other layers are hidden behind the veil of time. The valley is just the beginning of your journey."
The light in the cave began to fade. The Guardian pointed to an exit that had been hidden before. "This path will lead you out of the valley and to the next stage. Remember, not all answers will come at once."
Li Yuan stepped forward, feeling the mist around him begin to dissipate. The air grew cleaner, and the environment less hostile. Soon, he reached gates leading to a settlement. They were massive, made of black wood carved with scenes of battles and meditation. Li Yuan paused before them, sensing his intuition telling him that beyond them lay not only safety but also challenges he could not yet imagine. The scent of burning torches mixed with the aroma of herbs and water, amplifying the impression of comfort. Yet deep inside, he felt a strange chill, as though the gates not only welcomed him but also warned him of the unknown future. The gates exuded an ancient aura: the scent of wood blended with the aroma of burning torches. The faint sound of running water suggested a stream nearby, and the warmth of the torches softened the valley's chill, as if inviting him inside. Li Yuan froze, struck by the contrast: the wild, dangerous valley was behind him, while before him lay a world that seemed both mysterious and majestic. For a moment, he thought the carvings on the black wood began to subtly move, forming living images depicting scenes of struggle and triumph. A faint whisper of wind beyond the gates sounded like voices beckoning him inside. He thought he saw eyes watching him from the depth of the gates. Or was it just a trick of the light? The carvings on the gates seemed to come alive, reflecting scenes of struggle and triumph. A faint whisper of wind beyond the gates sounded like voices beckoning him inside. For a moment, Li Yuan felt the weight of an unseen gaze settle on his shoulders, as though the very world was watching his step. "I'm ready," he said, more to himself than anyone else. Through the slightly open gates, he saw the soft light of torches, and from within came the sounds of voices and faint music. But the sense of caution lingered. "Safety? Or a new threat?" he thought, taking his first step forward