Chapter 12: The Trial of Will
Li Yan stepped through the portal and found himself standing on a vast, barren plain. The wind howled around him, carrying with it a strange sense of isolation. The sky above was a dull gray, swirling with dark clouds that seemed to press down upon him, suffocating the air with an oppressive heaviness.
"Alright, what kind of trial is this?" Li Yan muttered, glancing around. The emptiness of the landscape was unsettling. He could feel the weight of something unseen pressing down on him, an invisible force that made every movement feel sluggish.
"The Trial of Will," the deep voice echoed, reverberating through the air. "This trial will test your resolve, your determination to carry on in the face of overwhelming odds. In this trial, only those with unyielding willpower may succeed."
Li Yan raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Willpower, huh? That's my strong suit. Bring it on."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the ground beneath him trembled. The sky above split open, and from the dark rift descended a giant, monstrous figure. It was a hulking beast made of shadows, its eyes glowing with an unnatural, fiery intensity. Its very presence seemed to distort the world around it, warping reality itself.
"Well, that's a little dramatic," Li Yan remarked dryly, cracking his knuckles. "But whatever. It's not like I haven't fought things worse than this."
The beast roared, a deafening sound that shook the very air, and charged toward Li Yan with terrifying speed. It was as if the very fabric of space bent under the force of its charge.
Li Yan took a deep breath, his body instinctively ready for the incoming assault. He raised his hand, summoning a burst of energy, and with a single movement, he hurled the energy blast at the creature. The force of the attack sent a shockwave across the barren plain, but the beast barely flinched. Instead, it continued its charge, its massive form closing in on Li Yan in an instant.
"Hmm, looks like it's not that easy," Li Yan mused. With a grin, he teleported behind the beast just as it swung its massive claw in his direction. He delivered a swift punch to its side, but the creature simply absorbed the blow, its shadowy body flickering momentarily before reforming.
The beast turned its fiery gaze toward Li Yan, its voice booming as it spoke in an unnatural tone. "Your strength is impressive, mortal. But it is not enough to defeat me. Your will is weak. You fight only because you must, not because you truly desire victory."
Li Yan paused for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. "Oh? So, you think I'm just fighting out of obligation?"
The creature's form shifted, becoming even more monstrous. "Your heart is clouded by doubt. You do not fight for yourself, but for something else. That is your weakness. You will never defeat me if you do not understand your own desires."
Li Yan's expression shifted as the beast's words struck him with unexpected force. For the first time since entering the Infinite Heavens, a sliver of doubt crept into his mind. What was he truly fighting for? Was it to prove his strength? To escape from the shackles of his past life? Or was it something else entirely?
The creature's voice echoed in his mind. "You were born without purpose, without destiny. You seek power, but you do not know why. Your will is not your own; it is a shadow of your uncertainty."
Li Yan clenched his fists, shaking his head. "No, that's not true."
The beast's form shifted again, this time becoming a reflection of Li Yan—his own face, twisted into a cruel and mocking version of himself. "You are nothing. A forgotten soul, born of nothingness. You cannot escape your past. You cannot escape your weakness."
Li Yan staggered back, a wave of memories flooding into his mind—the orphaned child, the endless struggles, the feeling of being abandoned by fate. He had always felt like an outsider, like he didn't belong, like there was always something missing. Was that his weakness? Was that why he fought?
His eyes hardened. "You don't know me. I don't need a reason to fight. I fight because I want to. I fight because it's the only thing I've ever known. And I'll keep fighting until I find my own path."
With those words, a surge of energy erupted from within Li Yan, blasting away the shadowy reflection of himself. The beast let out a roar, but Li Yan didn't stop. His energy surged again, flowing like a tidal wave, overwhelming the creature's form.
As the creature faltered, Li Yan's voice rang out, filled with unwavering resolve. "I may not know my purpose yet, but I know this: I will carve my own path, no matter how uncertain or painful it may be."
The beast writhed, its form shuddering under the weight of Li Yan's words, as though the sheer force of his will was enough to break it apart. Finally, with a thunderous crash, the creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into nothingness.
The wind stilled. The oppressive pressure that had weighed down on Li Yan lifted, and the sky began to clear.
A soft voice echoed through the air, now filled with a sense of approval. "You have passed the Trial of Will, Li Yan. Your resolve has been tested, and you have proven yourself worthy. The path ahead is now open to you."
Li Yan grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Was that it? That was a little more philosophical than I expected. But hey, I guess I passed the test."
The landscape around him began to shift, the barren plain transforming into a verdant meadow filled with flowers and lush greenery. The oppressive atmosphere was replaced with a peaceful calm, a reflection of the inner clarity Li Yan had achieved.
"Well, that was... refreshing," Li Yan said with a sigh. "Now, time to move on. The fun's just getting started."
As he stepped forward, the next trial awaited him. But for now, Li Yan's mind was clear. The doubts that had once plagued him were gone, replaced by an unshakable resolve.
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End of Chapter 12