Chapter 7: The Infinite Beyond
Li Yan emerged from the final trial with the same lazy confidence that had defined his journey so far. The moment his foot touched the ground outside the vast chamber, the world around him seemed to shift. The eerie quiet that had pervaded the trials was replaced by an overwhelming sense of power—something vast, ancient, and all-encompassing.
He took a deep breath and stretched, grinning to himself. "Well, that was fun. But now... it's time to see what's next. No more hiding behind mysterious trials and cryptic tests."
The cloaked figure who had followed him through every challenge appeared beside him, his expression unreadable. "You have completed the trials, Li Yan. But this is only the beginning. The true path to the Infinite Heavens lies beyond, and the forces you will face there are beyond anything you've yet encountered."
Li Yan glanced at the figure, his grin widening. "Oh, I know. And I'm excited. Who wouldn't want to take on the entire universe? But before that, I need to get a little more familiar with this whole 'Infinite Heavens' thing. You know, the lay of the land and all that."
The cloaked figure gave a small sigh, as though he had known this response was coming. "Very well. But understand this: you are no longer just a traveler. You are a force that could shift the very balance of these worlds. There are those who will try to stop you, those who will seek to use you, and those who will simply seek your destruction."
Li Yan chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "I've got all that covered. A few enemies here and there aren't going to slow me down. I've fought gods, remember? What's the worst the Infinite Heavens can throw at me?"
The figure's eyes narrowed slightly. "You underestimate them. In the Infinite Heavens, even the smallest forces can possess power beyond imagination. And once you leave this place, there will be no going back to your old world. Your past will be forever severed from you."
Li Yan's expression flickered for a moment, but his carefree smile quickly returned. "Old world? Nah, that's a thing of the past. I'm not looking back. I've got new worlds to explore. New powers to claim. There's no going back for me, but there's definitely a lot of forward to go."
With a quick motion, the cloaked figure raised his hand, and the very space around them seemed to bend and twist. A portal, glowing with a soft, pulsating light, materialized before them. The very air around it hummed with raw power, and the rift between the worlds seemed to tremble in anticipation.
"This portal will lead you to the first of many realms within the Infinite Heavens," the cloaked figure said, his voice tinged with a solemn note. "From here, you will journey deeper into the cosmos, discovering what lies beyond. But heed my warning—do not take the Infinite Heavens lightly. It is a place of limitless power, but also great danger."
Li Yan stepped forward without hesitation, his grin never faltering. "Danger? I live for danger. Let's see what's out there."
With a final glance at the figure, Li Yan stepped into the portal, and in an instant, the world around him shattered into a thousand lights, each one representing a new possibility. His body felt weightless, as though he were being pulled through the very fabric of reality itself.
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The moment Li Yan emerged from the portal, he found himself standing on the edge of a vast plain. The sky above was a swirling mix of vibrant colors, unlike anything he had ever seen before—twisting nebulae and star formations that shimmered and pulsed with life. The landscape around him seemed to stretch endlessly, with towering mountains, vast oceans, and strange, glowing trees dotting the horizon.
For a moment, Li Yan stood still, taking in the breathtaking beauty of this new world. He could feel the power radiating from the land itself, a raw, untamed force that made his blood hum with excitement.
"This is more like it!" Li Yan said with a wide grin, his hands outstretched as if he could embrace the entire world. "Now this is what I'm talking about. This is the kind of place where I can truly grow stronger."
As he took his first step forward, the air around him seemed to ripple, and several figures materialized from the surrounding landscape. They were humanoid, but their bodies were made of pure energy, their forms shimmering like living stardust. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and their presence exuded an intimidating aura.
"Who dares enter the Realm of the Infinite?" one of the figures intoned, its voice reverberating through the air.
Li Yan glanced at the figure with a lazy expression. "Me, obviously. Who else would it be?"
The figure's eyes narrowed. "You are not of this realm. You should not have come."
Li Yan shrugged, unfazed by the figure's warning. "Well, guess what? I've come anyway. And now that I'm here, I'm gonna make myself comfortable."
The figures surrounding him seemed to tense, their energy flaring up in response to his words. "You dare defy us?" the first figure asked, its voice sharp with anger. "We are the Guardians of the Infinite Realm. No one enters without our permission."
Li Yan's grin widened, his energy flaring up in response. "Guardians, huh? Sounds like fun. But you see, I'm not really here for permission. I'm here to take what's mine."
Without another word, Li Yan launched himself forward, his body moving with the speed of a storm. The Guardians barely had time to react before Li Yan was upon them, his fist crashing through the air with a force that shattered the ground beneath him.
The first Guardian tried to block, but Li Yan's power was overwhelming. A single punch sent the figure sprawling, its energy flickering as it struggled to regain its balance. The other Guardians hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flashing across their faces.
Li Yan laughed, the sound of it echoing through the plains. "Is that all you've got? I was expecting more of a challenge."
With a snarl, the remaining Guardians charged at him, their energy surging with terrifying intensity. But Li Yan, already in his element, moved effortlessly through their attacks, his body a blur of motion. Each strike he landed sent ripples through the air, and one by one, the Guardians were overwhelmed by the sheer force of his assault.
In mere moments, the Guardians were defeated, their forms disintegrating into nothingness. Li Yan stood amidst the remnants of their energy, breathing easily as if it had all been little more than a warm-up.
"Now that's more like it," he said with a satisfied grin. "I was getting bored there for a second."
But as the Guardians faded, the landscape around Li Yan shifted. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and the sky above darkened. From the distance, a massive, dark silhouette began to approach, its form far more imposing than anything Li Yan had encountered before.
Li Yan tilted his head to the side, his grin returning. "Ah, now this is the part I've been waiting for."
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End of Chapter 7