Chapter 19: The Final Trial
Li Wei stood firm, his gaze locked on the massive fiery creature before him. Its glowing red eyes radiated menace, and its entire body pulsed with a heat so intense it warped the air around it. Despite the danger, he felt an unshakable resolve growing within him.
The fiery lion, now in human form, appeared beside him. "Master, this creature's energy will destabilize the space. We must move it elsewhere."
Li Wei nodded. "Then take us somewhere it can't harm anything else."
The lion raised a hand, summoning a vortex of flames that engulfed both Li Wei and the creature. Lin Yue, watching from a distance, remained calm, her eyes sharp as she took in every detail. She knew Li Wei could handle himself, but she silently resolved to intervene if needed.
In a flash, they were transported to a barren wasteland. The air shimmered with heat, the ground cracked and lifeless. It was a desolate realm, perfect for their confrontation.
The creature roared, shaking the ground. Li Wei didn't flinch. He stepped forward, his fists igniting with golden flames.
The creature lunged, its massive claws tearing through the air. Li Wei dodged, countering with a precise blast of fire. But instead of harming the creature, the flames seemed to fuel it, making it grow larger and more aggressive.
The lion's voice echoed in his mind. "Master, brute force will not work. It feeds on fire. You must outthink it."
Li Wei adjusted his stance, narrowing his eyes. He dashed forward, weaving around the creature's attacks, targeting its legs with well-placed strikes. Each hit destabilized it, forcing it to stumble.
The battle raged for hours. The creature grew more ferocious with each passing moment, but Li Wei refused to give in. His body screamed for rest, but he pushed through, his focus unwavering.
Finally, he paused, sensing an opening. Closing his eyes, he drew on the energy of the Tree of Life, letting its power flow through him. The mark on his forehead glowed brighter, and a golden flame shaped like a lotus flower formed in his hands.
The creature lunged again, but Li Wei stood his ground. At the last moment, he unleashed the lotus flame. The golden fire enveloped the creature, not consuming it but purifying it. Its roars turned to whimpers as it dissolved into a shimmering wisp of golden energy.
Li Wei fell to one knee, his chest heaving. The wisp floated toward him, merging with the fiery mark on his forehead. A surge of power coursed through him, reigniting his energy and enhancing his fire abilities.
The lion approached, a proud smile on his face. "You've done it, Master. That was the final remnant of my former master's spirit. By defeating it, you've proven yourself as the new guardian of the Tree of Life."
As he spoke, the barren wasteland around them began to transform. Golden light erupted from the ground, and lush greenery spread outward. A massive tree grew in the center, its branches glowing with an ethereal light.
"The Tree of Life…" Li Wei whispered, awe-struck.
The lion nodded. "Its power is now yours to wield."
With a wave of the lion's hand, they were transported back into the space. Lin Yue was waiting, her expression steady but her eyes warm with relief.
"You're back," she said simply.
Li Wei nodded. "It's done."
Ren An, still pale from his earlier effort, approached hesitantly. "Father, did you win?"
Li Wei knelt, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "Yes, and it's because of you. You saved me, Ren An."
The children gathered around, their gazes fixed on the enormous tree now standing in the center of the space. Its golden leaves shimmered, radiating peace and vitality.
"What is that?" Lin Yue asked, her tone calm but curious.
"The Tree of Life," Li Wei replied. "A gift… and a responsibility."
Fei Feng landed lightly on Lin Yue's shoulder, his feathers bristling. "Victory always comes with a cost. You've won today, but this is just the beginning."