Chapter 11: The Trial of Knowledge
Li Yan stood at the threshold of the second Hall, the Trial of Knowledge. Unlike the first Hall, which had been a test of power, this one seemed quieter, more subtle. The air was thick with the weight of ancient wisdom, and the walls of the Hall appeared to be covered in shifting runes and symbols, constantly rearranging themselves as if alive. It was as though the Hall itself was a living library, brimming with the knowledge of countless realms.
"Well, this looks like my kind of place," Li Yan muttered, looking around with interest. "I may not be the brightest, but I can sure learn a few things. Maybe even make a few friends."
The deep voice from the previous trial echoed once more, its tone now tinged with anticipation. "Li Yan, you have passed the Trial of Power, but knowledge is a different beast. To gain power, one must understand the forces that govern the Infinite Heavens. To succeed in this trial, you must solve the riddles of the universe itself."
Li Yan snorted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Riddles, huh? I'm no philosopher, but I'm sure I can handle whatever you throw at me."
As if in response, a series of floating stones materialized in front of him, each one inscribed with glowing symbols. The stones hovered in mid-air, and one by one, they began to rearrange themselves, forming intricate patterns and complex diagrams.
"First, the riddle of the universe," the voice intoned. "Solve it, and you will earn the knowledge to unlock the secrets of this realm."
A deep breath escaped Li Yan as he examined the floating stones. This was different from anything he had encountered before. It wasn't a test of raw power or combat prowess—it was a test of his mind. He didn't need brute strength here; he needed understanding.
The symbols on the stones shifted again, this time forming a sentence, but it was incomplete. The floating stones displayed a puzzle: "What is the key that unlocks the path to eternity? What force governs the passage of time, and where does true power lie?"
Li Yan stared at the stones, his brow furrowing. Time, eternity, and power… it was like a puzzle with no clear solution. But as he focused, he realized something. The runes on the stones weren't just random—they were connected, each one reflecting a different aspect of the universe. He recognized a few symbols from his travels through the Infinite Heavens, and something clicked in his mind.
The answer was right in front of him, he just needed to trust his instincts.
"Time is the key," Li Yan said aloud. "Time shapes everything, but true power doesn't lie in controlling time. It lies in understanding it, transcending it."
As the words left his mouth, the stones began to glow brighter, their light intensifying. The symbols on them rearranged once more, but this time, they formed a complete sentence: "The key to eternity lies not in the past, nor the future, but in the present moment."
A soft chime echoed through the Hall as the stones disappeared into thin air, and the walls shifted, revealing a new path. The voice spoke again, this time with a hint of approval. "You have solved the riddle, Li Yan. Your understanding of time and power has unlocked the next step in your journey."
Li Yan grinned, satisfied with his success. "That wasn't so hard. I mean, I'm more of a fighter than a scholar, but I've got a knack for picking up on these things."
As he moved forward, the atmosphere in the Hall shifted again. The walls parted to reveal a massive library, stretching as far as the eye could see. Rows upon rows of shelves were filled with ancient tomes, scrolls, and manuscripts—each one containing secrets from realms long forgotten.
Li Yan's eyes widened at the sight. He had heard of such places before—libraries that contained the entire history of a universe, archives of knowledge that could shape worlds. The Hall had transformed into a repository of untold wisdom, and it was now his to explore.
He wandered through the aisles, his fingers brushing the spines of the books. Some were made of materials he had never seen before—strange metals and crystals that pulsed with energy. Others were inscribed with symbols that shifted, almost as if the knowledge within was alive, waiting to be unlocked.
One book caught his eye. It was a small, leather-bound tome, its cover embossed with a strange symbol—a swirl of energy that seemed to spiral inward. The moment his fingers made contact with the book, it opened on its own, the pages flipping rapidly until it settled on a specific section.
The words on the page were not in a language he recognized, but as he read them, they began to make sense. The meaning flowed into his mind as if the book itself were communicating directly with him.
"The origin of the Infinite Heavens," Li Yan murmured, his eyes scanning the text. "So this is where it all began…"
The pages revealed a history so vast it nearly overwhelmed him. The Infinite Heavens, the origin of all things, the three thousand avenues, and the rules that governed everything. The world of endless realms, where the cycle of creation and destruction had been ongoing for eons. It was a story that stretched back to the very dawn of time, a tale of gods, mortals, and forces beyond comprehension.
Li Yan flipped through the pages, absorbing as much as he could. His understanding of the Infinite Heavens deepened with every word, every concept that unfolded before him. But just as he was about to delve deeper into the text, the voice of Thalira interrupted his thoughts.
"You have gained much knowledge, Li Yan. But remember, wisdom is not only the accumulation of facts. It is the understanding of how to apply that knowledge."
Li Yan looked up from the book, a mischievous grin on his face. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Don't just read—do. But I've got to say, this place is amazing. It's like a treasure chest for the mind."
Thalira's voice grew quieter, almost wistful. "Many who enter this Hall come seeking knowledge, but few are ready for what they learn. The more you understand, the greater the weight of your actions. Remember, knowledge alone is not power—it is the wisdom to use it that makes all the difference."
Li Yan's grin softened as he thought for a moment. "I get it. Power isn't just about being strong. It's about knowing when to use that strength. But I won't be held back by what I learn. I'll use everything to my advantage."
"That is your choice," Thalira said, its voice fading. "But remember this: Knowledge can be as dangerous as power. Use it wisely."
The walls of the Hall began to shift again, and a new portal appeared before Li Yan. It was time to move on, to the next trial.
"Thanks for the heads up," Li Yan said with a wink, stepping toward the portal. "But I've got things to do. Let's see what's next."
With one last glance at the vast library, he stepped through the portal, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
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End of Chapter 11