Certainly! I'll adjust the
Li Tian's thoughts raced as he walked down the sterile corridor of the massive spaceship. The hum of the engine reverberated through the walls, the only sound accompanying him as he followed the soldiers who had brought him aboard. Their footsteps were synchronized, echoing in the otherwise quiet hall. Li Tian couldn't shake the feeling that they were preparing him for something far more dangerous than he initially anticipated. The moment they had set foot on the ship, the air had grown heavy with anticipation, and now he was about to face the trials that would determine his fate.
The scarred man who had led him from the planet's surface glanced over his shoulder. "Get ready. You'll be joining a new era. The Galactic Human Empire's reach is vast, but only those strong enough will have a place within it."
Li Tian didn't answer, his mind occupied with something else entirely—the system. The mysterious force that had made him more than human, that had granted him abilities and skills beyond anything a regular human could possess. The system was a constant, silent presence in his mind, guiding his every move, but it was also his most closely guarded secret. No one, not even the soldiers around him, would ever learn of it. Revealing such a power could easily make him a target, and he had learned to trust no one but himself.
They reached a large observation deck, the walls lined with sleek panels showing distant stars and galaxies beyond the ship's reinforced hull. Li Tian could feel the weight of his decision pressing on him. This was the heart of the Empire's recruitment program, and he had to prove his worth.
The scarred leader stopped at the edge of the deck, where several other recruits were already gathered. A mix of different races and species filled the space, each with an air of determination. Some were human, others appeared to be hybrids, and there were even a few non-humanoid figures who stood motionless, eyes glowing with an inner fire. This was where the strongest beings from the galaxy came to test their abilities, and only the best would pass.
The leader addressed the group, his voice booming over the quiet murmurs of the candidates. "The Galactic Human Empire seeks to recruit those with strength, intellect, and potential. You will be tested, and only those who pass the Trials will be granted the opportunity to serve in the Empire's ranks. Failure means you will be cast aside—become nothing more than fuel for the stars."
Li Tian's heart raced at the words, but he kept his composure. His eyes scanned the group. Everyone here seemed to carry a sense of power, but there was something else in the air—an unspoken tension, a collective fear of failure. They were all here to prove themselves.
The leader continued, "You will each face three trials. The first will test your physical prowess. The second will challenge your mental acuity. The third will determine your resolve and ability to survive under extreme pressure. Only those who succeed in all three will earn a place in the Empire."
Li Tian remained silent as the soldiers began to usher the recruits toward a series of advanced training pods in the center of the deck. These pods were a marvel of engineering, their sleek surfaces gleaming in the light of the ship's artificial sun. Li Tian had no idea what they did, but he could sense the power they contained. This was the first stage of the Trials, and he had to be ready.
The scarred leader gave a sharp nod, signaling for the recruits to step into the pods. Li Tian followed the others, though his mind remained focused. The system within him hummed softly, as if sensing the challenge ahead. He wasn't sure what was coming, but he knew one thing for certain: He was going to survive, no matter what.
Once inside, the pod sealed around him with a soft hiss, and the space around him transformed. Suddenly, he was no longer standing on a spaceship. The environment around him shifted as a digital projection created the illusion of an expansive, hostile battlefield. The ground beneath him was cracked and scarred, and massive creatures moved through the environment, their eyes glowing with malice.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
---
[System Notification]
First Trial: Physical Prowess Initiated.
Objective: Defeat the creatures of this simulated world.
Time Limit: 10 minutes.
Failure to Complete the Trial will result in elimination.
---
Li Tian wasted no time. The creatures were monstrous—hulking, heavily armored beasts that towered over him, their claws the size of his torso. His first instinct was to run, but he quickly realized that wouldn't work. The creatures were fast, their massive forms moving with deadly precision. The ground shook with every step they took.
He raised his hands, focusing on his physical abilities, tapping into the power the system had unlocked for him. His body was already stronger than any normal human's, but the system allowed him to push past his limits, amplifying his strength and agility.
With a burst of speed, Li Tian dashed forward, dodging the swipe of one creature's claws as he closed the distance. He aimed for its exposed underbelly, where the armor didn't cover as well. His hand shot out, grasping a jagged shard of metal from the shattered ground. Using it like a makeshift blade, he slashed at the creature's soft flesh. It let out a howling screech and staggered back, but it wasn't finished.
The system's notifications flashed quickly in his mind.
---
[System Notification]
Combat Skill Unlocked:
Skill Name: Undead Agility
Description: Increases movement speed and reaction time by 30%. Improves combat efficiency.
Current Level: 1/10
---
Li Tian felt the surge of power coursing through his veins. His movements became even faster, his strikes more precise. He was no longer merely fighting for survival—he was dominating the battlefield.
One by one, the creatures fell, their roars echoing through the simulated world. Within moments, the battlefield was silent, the beasts lying motionless at his feet.
---
[System Notification]
First Trial Completed: 100 XP Gained.
Physical Prowess Test Passed.
Next Trial: Mental Acuity.
---
The world around him shifted again, returning to the sterile, high-tech interior of the spaceship. Li Tian stepped out of the pod, his breathing steady despite the intensity of the battle. He had passed the first trial. But he knew this was only the beginning. The second trial was about to begin, and it would be a challenge unlike anything he had faced before.
---
To be continued...