The Void Hunting Grounds stretched endlessly before Xiao Tian, the swirling mist obscuring the jagged terrain. His body trembled slightly from the earlier battles, but his silver eyes burned with determination. The faint glow of his Void Core pulsed within him, a steady reminder of his progress.
Elder Taixu floated nearby, his spectral form partially concealed by the mist. He regarded Xiao Tian with an unreadable expression, his voice breaking the silence. "You've proven you can handle the Void Wraiths, but survival against simple beasts is not enough. Your next trial will test your instincts, cunning, and ability to adapt."
Xiao Tian wiped the sweat from his brow. "What must I do?"
Taixu's lips curved into a faint smile. "Enter the Shadow Labyrinth."
---
The Shadow Labyrinth
With a wave of Taixu's hand, the mist around them began to shift. The ground trembled, and the air grew colder as a towering structure emerged from the darkness. The labyrinth's black, obsidian walls shimmered faintly, as if alive. The entrance loomed before Xiao Tian, a gaping maw of darkness.
"This labyrinth was created by the Void itself," Taixu explained. "Inside, the shadows will hunt you. They will test your resolve, your intelligence, and your ability to fight without relying solely on sight. The goal is simple: survive and reach the center."
Xiao Tian stepped toward the entrance, his small frame casting a faint shadow against the labyrinth's shimmering walls. "And if I fail?"
Taixu's smile vanished. "You won't leave the labyrinth alive."
The boy didn't flinch. Without hesitation, he stepped into the darkness.
---
Inside the Labyrinth
The air inside was oppressive, the silence almost deafening. Xiao Tian's footsteps echoed faintly as he navigated the narrow corridors, his senses heightened. The walls seemed to shift as he moved, the shadows flickering and twisting unnaturally.
Suddenly, the temperature dropped, and Xiao Tian froze. From the corner of his eye, he saw movement—shadows coalescing into a humanoid figure. Its featureless face and elongated limbs made it appear otherworldly.
"A Shadow Wraith," Xiao Tian murmured to himself, recognizing the creature from Taixu's earlier teachings. "Fast, silent, and deadly."
The Wraith lunged without warning, its claw-like hands slicing through the air. Xiao Tian activated Void Steps, flickering out of its path and reappearing behind it. He channeled Void Qi into his hand, forming a blade, and slashed at the creature's back.
The Wraith dissolved into the darkness before his strike could land, reforming a few paces away.
"They're harder to kill than Void Wraiths," Xiao Tian muttered, adjusting his stance.
---
The Hunt Begins
The Shadow Wraith lunged again, and this time Xiao Tian didn't dodge. Instead, he activated Void Chains, sending shimmering tendrils of spatial energy to wrap around the creature. The Wraith thrashed violently, its body flickering as it tried to escape, but Xiao Tian held firm.
With a swift motion, he thrust his Void Qi blade into the creature's chest. The Wraith let out a guttural hiss before disintegrating into black mist.
The labyrinth fell silent once more, but Xiao Tian knew the trial was far from over. He pressed forward, navigating the shifting corridors with caution.
As he turned a corner, the shadows around him began to writhe. This time, three Shadow Wraiths emerged, their featureless faces turning toward him in unison.
Xiao Tian gritted his teeth. "So, it's a pack now."
The Wraiths attacked simultaneously, their movements swift and coordinated. Xiao Tian activated Void Steps to avoid the first strike, reappearing atop a nearby wall. From his elevated position, he unleashed Void Chains to restrain one of the Wraiths, pulling it into the ground.
The second Wraith lunged, and Xiao Tian countered with a swift slash of his Void Qi blade. The third creature circled around him, its claws aimed for his back. Sensing the attack, Xiao Tian flickered again, his small frame barely avoiding the strike.
He fought with precision, using the labyrinth's narrow corridors to limit the Wraiths' movements. One by one, the creatures fell, their bodies dissolving into the shadows.
---
Reaching the Center
Hours passed as Xiao Tian battled his way through the labyrinth. Each encounter tested his endurance and ingenuity, but his movements grew sharper, his attacks more refined.
Finally, he reached the center of the labyrinth—a vast chamber illuminated by a single, glowing crystal suspended in the air. The crystal radiated a faint silver light, its energy resonating with Xiao Tian's Void Core.
As he stepped into the chamber, a massive figure emerged from the shadows. It was unlike the other Wraiths—taller, stronger, and radiating a palpable killing intent.
"A Shadow Lord," Taixu's voice echoed faintly in Xiao Tian's mind. "The final guardian. Defeat it, and the trial is complete."
The Shadow Lord roared, its voice shaking the chamber. Xiao Tian took a deep breath, his silver eyes narrowing. He knew this battle would push him to his limits.
---
The Final Battle
The Shadow Lord lunged, its massive claws tearing through the air. Xiao Tian activated Void Steps, flickering out of its path and reappearing behind it. He struck with his Void Qi blade, but the creature's shadowy form absorbed the attack, barely flinching.
The Shadow Lord retaliated with a swipe of its arm, the force of the blow sending Xiao Tian crashing into the wall. Gritting his teeth, Xiao Tian rose to his feet, his Void Core pulsing with energy.
"Think, Xiao Tian," he muttered to himself. "It's stronger, but strength isn't everything."
He activated Void Chains, binding the creature's limbs, but the Shadow Lord broke free with a roar. Switching tactics, Xiao Tian used Void Steps to confuse the creature, attacking from multiple angles in quick succession.
Finally, he spotted an opening. Channeling all his remaining Void Qi, he formed a concentrated blade of energy and leapt toward the Shadow Lord. With a single, precise strike, he drove the blade into the creature's core.
The Shadow Lord let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body disintegrating into black mist.
---
Aftermath
Xiao Tian fell to one knee, his breathing ragged. The glow of his Void Core flickered faintly, but it pulsed stronger than before.
"Well done," Taixu said, appearing beside him. "You've proven yourself capable of surviving the shadows. But remember—this is only the beginning. The trials ahead will make this look like child's play."
Xiao Tian stood slowly, his silver eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll be ready."
Taixu chuckled softly. "We'll see."
The labyrinth began to dissolve, and Xiao Tian found himself back in the temple. The next stage of his journey awaited, and he was ready to face it.