The day was silent, the kind of silence that felt like the world was holding its breath. Xu Tian continued through the dense forest, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. That mysterious figure from before lingered in his mind. Who were they? What did they mean by "You may be the last one who can defy the Dao?" And, more importantly—what price would he have to pay for daring to walk a path no one had walked before?
The further he traveled, the more the forest seemed to press in on him, as though it was alive, watching him, waiting for something. He didn't know how far he had walked or how many hours had passed. All he knew was that the deep, foreboding feeling in his chest wasn't going away.
His footsteps crunched softly in the underbrush, and with every step, the air felt heavier. There was no sign of life—no animals, no birds in the trees, no rustling leaves. It was as if the forest had gone completely still. Even the wind refused to move.
Xu Tian's instincts told him that something was off, but he pressed on. There was no turning back now. His resolve had solidified the moment he stepped into the Forbidden Cavern. The voice had told him he would face consequences, but he would endure them. He had to. He couldn't go back to the life he had left behind, the life of being weak, discarded by fate, and forgotten by the heavens.
The trees slowly began to thin, and Xu Tian found himself standing before a massive cliffside. The rocks were jagged and weathered, yet there was an aura about them—an ancient, unyielding force that sent a shiver down his spine.
At the foot of the cliff, there was a narrow path, barely visible through the thick brush. Something about it felt...wrong. It beckoned him, but it also felt like a warning.
Suddenly, the voice spoke again.
> "The path you walk is not meant for mortals. Are you truly ready to face what lies beyond?"
Xu Tian paused. The voice felt different this time, more forceful, almost... warning him. But in his heart, Xu Tian knew this was the moment he had been waiting for. The moment of no return. If he turned back now, he would never be free.
"I've come this far. I won't stop now," Xu Tian said aloud, his voice firm.
> "Then face the trial," came the reply. The voice faded, leaving only the sound of his own breath.
With a deep breath, Xu Tian stepped forward, the narrow path leading him deeper into the heart of the mountain. The air grew even colder, and the oppressive silence settled around him once more. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of destiny itself was pressing down on his shoulders.
The path twisted and turned, but no matter how far he walked, he couldn't see the end. His legs were aching, and his breath came in labored gasps. But he kept moving. He couldn't afford to stop. Not now.
Then, as he rounded a sharp bend, he saw it. A massive stone archway, ancient and weathered, standing in the middle of the path. The stone was covered in deep, intricate carvings—symbols that pulsed with a faint, eerie glow.
He approached the archway slowly, his heart racing. The carvings seemed to shift and change as he neared, as if alive. The moment he stepped underneath it, the air around him crackled, and the ground beneath his feet trembled.
Suddenly, a voice, cold and imperious, filled the air.
> "Who dares to enter the Trial of the Dao?"
Xu Tian's heart skipped a beat. The Trial of the Dao? Was this the test he had been warned about? But there was no turning back now. He had to face whatever lay ahead.
"I am Xu Tian. I seek the strength to defy my fate," he said, his voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at his insides.
The air grew still, and for a long moment, nothing happened. Then, the stone archway began to glow brighter, and the ground beneath Xu Tian's feet shook violently. The voice spoke again, this time colder than ever.
> "The Trial will test your very soul, Xu Tian. If you fail, you will be destroyed."
Xu Tian stood his ground. He had already accepted the consequences. There was no turning back.
With a deafening roar, the stone archway collapsed, and a blinding light erupted from the ground. Xu Tian felt his body being pulled into the light, his vision blurring as the world around him seemed to dissolve. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a moment, he thought he might lose consciousness. But through the chaos, one thought rang clear in his mind.
He was ready. He had to be.