Chapter 9: The Rise of the Hidden Forces
With the Warden's defeat, the vast plains of the Infinite Realm fell into an eerie silence. The ground still trembled beneath Li Yan's feet, but the air no longer felt oppressive. The once-powerful presence of the Warden had vanished, leaving only the faint remnants of his dark energy. Li Yan stood in the midst of the aftermath, his smile unwavering, as though the battle had been nothing more than a simple diversion.
"Well, that was a nice warm-up," Li Yan muttered to himself, brushing off the dirt from his robes. His body crackled with energy, the sensation of having triumphed over an opponent far more powerful than himself fueling his excitement.
He turned his gaze toward the horizon, where the landscape stretched endlessly. Mountains loomed like silent giants, and far-off forests glittered with an ethereal light. Yet, as peaceful as it appeared, Li Yan could feel that something was stirring in the air—a change, a shift. The defeat of the Warden was not a small event, and the ripple effects were just beginning to take form.
Before he could take another step, a voice echoed from the very fabric of the air itself, a low and melodic hum that seemed to emanate from the realm's core. "You are bold, mortal," the voice said, filled with both curiosity and a touch of disdain. "But your arrogance has stirred the hidden forces of this realm."
Li Yan froze. This was different. The voice was not like the Warden's booming authority, but it carried an unsettling calmness, as though it was an entity who had seen eons pass and had grown weary of the world around it.
"Who's there?" Li Yan asked, his eyes scanning the environment.
The ground rippled before him, and from the earth itself emerged a figure cloaked in shimmering robes. The figure's face was concealed by a veil of energy, but its presence exuded an air of immense power, far surpassing the Warden's. It was a being of quiet authority, like an ancient guardian or a ruler from another age.
"I am Thalira," the figure spoke, and with its voice, the very stars above seemed to dim in reverence. "I am one of the hidden forces that protect the balance of the Infinite Heavens. You have disrupted that balance by defeating one of our Warden guardians. That is not a simple act of bravado—it is a declaration of war."
Li Yan chuckled, unfazed. "War? With me? I've got to say, I'm flattered. But listen, I'm just here to see what this Infinite Heavens place has to offer. If I'm stepping on anyone's toes, well, tough luck. Not my problem."
Thalira's energy flared, momentarily lighting up the sky as the air thickened with pressure. "You do not understand. The Infinite Heavens is not a place for the uninvited. And you—mortal—are neither prepared nor capable of handling the forces you have now set in motion."
Li Yan cocked his head to the side, an amused grin still plastered across his face. "Mortal? You don't really get it, do you? I'm not some puny human anymore. I've got enough power to take on just about anything this place throws at me."
Thalira's form seemed to waver for a moment, as if the being was considering something. "Power alone will not be enough. You may have defeated a Warden, but that victory is but a stepping stone. You are now marked. There are others in the Infinite Heavens who will come for you, and not all of them will be so easily dealt with."
Li Yan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That sounds interesting. So, you're telling me there are people here who might actually be worth my time?"
Thalira's energy crackled, but the figure did not attack. "There are many who will seek your destruction. But there are also those who may try to use you. The powers of this realm are vast, and far more complex than you have realized."
The air around them hummed, and as if responding to Thalira's words, the ground split open in front of them, revealing a glowing portal—an entrance to a deeper part of the realm.
"I will show you the way to the Seven Halls," Thalira said, its tone carrying a finality. "If you wish to survive here, you must first understand what you are up against."
Li Yan's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Seven Halls, huh? That sounds like a fun place to get lost in. Lead the way, then."
With a motion of Thalira's hand, the portal expanded, glowing brighter until it became an open doorway into the unknown. Without hesitation, Li Yan stepped forward, his body radiating confidence. As he passed through the portal, he could feel the weight of something vast and ancient pressing down on him. This was a new level, a place far beyond the simple trials he had already conquered.
---
On the other side of the portal, Li Yan found himself standing in the middle of a grand city, its architecture unlike anything he had ever seen before. Towering spires stretched toward the sky, surrounded by massive floating islands, each one teeming with energy. The city itself was alive, its streets humming with the energy of countless beings, each one radiating power and purpose.
"This is the City of the Seven Halls," Thalira said, its voice echoing in the space around them. "Each Hall represents a different aspect of the Infinite Heavens—power, knowledge, creation, destruction, fate, time, and the unknown. To truly understand the forces at play here, you must visit each Hall and face its trials."
Li Yan looked around with wide eyes, impressed by the sheer scale of the place. "This is more like it! I can feel the power here. But let me guess, each Hall is guarded by some kind of ridiculously overpowered beings, right?"
Thalira remained silent for a moment, its presence casting an almost tangible shadow over the surroundings. "You have much to learn, Li Yan. But one thing is certain: you will not walk away unscathed. Many who have come before you have failed, lost their lives, or their minds. And those who survive are forever changed."
Li Yan's grin never faltered. "Change, huh? I'm already changed. But I'm still me. And I'm going to make sure the rest of this place knows it."
Thalira regarded him silently for a moment, before turning toward the first Hall, which loomed ahead—a massive structure of obsidian, pulsing with an eerie light.
"Your journey begins there," Thalira said. "But do not be too eager. In the Infinite Heavens, the road to power is not a straight one. It is a winding path full of secrets, lies, and those who will not hesitate to bring you down."
Li Yan grinned and waved his hand dismissively. "I'm used to that. Bring it on."
With that, he walked toward the first Hall, his every step brimming with anticipation. The Infinite Heavens had just become his playground, and nothing was going to stop him from making his mark.
---
End of Chapter 9