The ancient ruins were steeped in silence, save for the faint hum of energy that resonated from the carvings on the walls. Tang Xiu and Lei Xian stepped cautiously through the crumbling corridors, their senses sharp.
"Boss," Lei Xian whispered, his voice echoing slightly in the vast chamber, "are we really sure about this? That beast outside was bad enough. What if there's something worse waiting for us?"
Tang Xiu's gaze swept over the surroundings. The walls were etched with symbols of an ancient language, faintly glowing as if reacting to their presence. "If something worse is here," he said calmly, "it's likely protecting something valuable."
The chamber opened into a large hall, its ceiling so high it was swallowed by shadows. In the center, an altar made of black stone stood ominously, surrounded by crumbling statues of robed figures. Each statue held an object—a blade, a book, a crystal orb—but all were cracked and broken, their power long gone.
Tang Xiu approached the altar with deliberate steps, his every movement calculated. Lei Xian hesitated, his eyes darting nervously to the dark corners of the room. "Boss, this place feels cursed," he muttered.
"Cursed places often hide the greatest treasures," Tang Xiu replied, his voice steady. He stopped before the altar, his eyes narrowing as he studied the intricate patterns carved into its surface.
The carvings told a story—of a great war between immortals, of betrayal, and of a sealed power too dangerous to be left unchecked. At the center of the altar was a shallow depression, as if it were meant to hold something.
Tang Xiu reached out, his fingers brushing the smooth surface of the stone. The moment he made contact, the air in the room shifted. The faint glow of the carvings intensified, and a low rumble echoed through the chamber.
Lei Xian stumbled back, his hand on his sword. "What did you do, Boss?"
Before Tang Xiu could answer, a blinding light erupted from the altar. The glow coalesced into a humanoid figure, translucent and shimmering like a ghost. The figure was clad in ancient armor, its face obscured by a helmet.
"Who dares disturb the Sanctum of Eternity?" the figure demanded, its voice deep and resonant.
Tang Xiu remained calm, his hands clasped behind his back. "I am Tang Xiu. I seek the secrets hidden here."
The figure's glowing eyes focused on him, its presence radiating power. "The secrets of this place are not for the unworthy. Prove your strength, or perish."
Without warning, the figure raised its hand, and a blade of pure energy materialized in its grasp. It lunged at Tang Xiu with lightning speed, the force of its attack shaking the ground.
Tang Xiu moved just as quickly, his body a blur as he sidestepped the attack. The blade struck the ground where he had stood, leaving a deep gash in the stone.
Lei Xian watched in awe as the two clashed, their movements too fast for him to follow. Tang Xiu's hands glowed faintly with a golden hue as he countered the figure's strikes, his every move precise and deliberate.
The figure pressed its attack, its energy blade slicing through the air with deadly intent. But Tang Xiu was unyielding, meeting each strike with a counter of his own. The air crackled with energy, and the chamber shook with the force of their battle.
"You fight well," the figure said, its tone almost grudgingly respectful. "But skill alone is not enough. Do you have the resolve to claim what lies here?"
Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. "I have the resolve to face anything."
The figure stepped back, its blade dissolving into particles of light. "Then face this!"
With a wave of its hand, the room transformed. The walls dissolved into darkness, and the floor beneath them vanished. Tang Xiu and Lei Xian found themselves standing in a void, surrounded by swirling lights and shadows.
The figure's voice echoed around them. "This is the Trial of Eternity. To pass, you must confront the weight of your own soul."
Before Tang Xiu could respond, the void shifted again. Images began to form—scenes from his past life as the supreme Immortal. He saw the faces of those he had defeated, the allies he had lost, and the betrayal that had led to his fall.
Lei Xian's voice called out from somewhere in the distance. "Boss! What's happening? I can't see you!"
Tang Xiu ignored him, his focus on the images before him. The memories were vivid, each one a reminder of the choices he had made and the price he had paid.
The voice of the figure rang out again. "Do you regret the path you have walked? Would you change it, if given the chance?"
Tang Xiu's expression was unreadable, his eyes fixed on the swirling memories. "Regret is a poison," he said finally. "I do not regret my choices, only that I allowed my enemies to exploit them. If I could change anything, it would be to destroy them before they had the chance to act."
The void shuddered, and the images dissolved. The figure reappeared before him, its glowing eyes studying him intently. "Your resolve is clear. But resolve alone will not carry you forward. Show me your strength!"
The figure lunged at him again, its energy blade reforming in its hand. But this time, Tang Xiu didn't dodge. Instead, he raised his hand, summoning his own energy. A golden light erupted from his palm, clashing with the figure's blade in a brilliant explosion of power.
The force of the clash sent ripples through the void, and the figure was thrown back. Tang Xiu stood firm, his golden aura radiating strength.
"You underestimate me," he said coldly. "I am Tang Xiu, the one who will defy the heavens themselves. No trial can stop me."
The figure slowly rose, its form flickering as if struggling to hold itself together. "You have proven your worth," it said, its tone heavy with respect. "The secrets of this place are now yours to claim."
The void dissolved, and they were back in the chamber. The altar glowed brightly, and a small, intricate box appeared at its center.
Tang Xiu stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he reached for the box. The moment his fingers touched it, a surge of energy flowed through him, and the box opened, revealing a glowing crystal.
"This," Tang Xiu said, his voice low, "is only the beginning."