Chen Shanyi stood at the threshold of the broken door, the air thick with the smell of dust. The wilderness outside seemed endless; under the darkened sky, the wind and sand blew ceaselessly, bringing with them a suffocating sense of oppression. The last words of the mysterious figure still echoed in her mind—"The trial has only just begun."
She clenched her teeth, knowing that there was no turning back. Despite facing unknown dangers and the increasingly blurred memory of her father, she could not stop. Every time she thought of her father's death, the pain in her heart surged like a tide, drowning her thoughts. But she knew that only by moving forward could she unravel the fog of mystery and uncover the truth hidden behind her father's death.
"I have no way back," she muttered to herself, her eyes glinting with resolve.
Suddenly, the air in the room grew heavy, as if an invisible force was subtly altering the atmosphere. Chen Shanyi turned warily, but all she saw was the same old window, untouched by a single gust of wind. Just as she was about to turn back and continue, a faint sound of footsteps broke the silence.
Her heart jolted, and she quickly spun around. The figure was walking toward her from the far end of the dark corridor. He was dressed in a black robe, his face still bearing that indifferent expression, as though nothing mattered to him. Yet, in his eyes flickered an elusive gleam.
"What do you want?" Chen Shanyi asked, her tone guarded.
The figure did not answer immediately. He stopped, fell silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "You must understand, the trial is not just about life and death. More importantly, you will face a choice—whether to continue toward the truth or to abandon it, to escape everything."
"Choice?" Chen Shanyi felt a stir in her heart, her gaze locking onto him. "What do you mean?"
He chuckled softly. "You will have to face an unavoidable question. Are you willing to pay any price to uncover your father's secret? Will you give up everything, including your current life, your relationships, even the ones you cherish most?"
These words hit Chen Shanyi like a bomb, exploding in her mind. Her eyes grew dazed, and she could hardly process the impact. She had never considered this question—she had always believed her pursuit of the truth was solely to avenge her father, to uncover the past. But now, the man's words created an invisible pressure, as if some force was pushing her toward an irreversible choice.
"What you say doesn't mean I will give up," Chen Shanyi forced herself to speak, trying to make her voice sound firm.
"You don't understand," the man shook his head. "This is not a simple choice. Your father's death was no accident, and the fate you bear is not something you can control. Every step you take could determine the direction of your future. Each choice could plunge you into an unbearable abyss."
Chen Shanyi's mind was a whirlwind. Everything this mysterious figure spoke of seemed to be trying to uncover some deeper secret, one that might directly concern her own fate.
"What should I do then?" she bit her lip, almost growling the words. "No matter what you say, I can't stop. If my father's death really was part of a conspiracy, I must uncover it. Even if I have to sacrifice everything!"
The man was silent for a while, finally letting out a soft sigh. "Few can maintain a clear mind when it comes to choice and responsibility. You've gone too far to turn back, but you must know this—behind the truth lies an endless struggle."
"I understand," Chen Shanyi took a deep breath, her resolve unshaken. She knew there was no turning back. She could only move forward, searching for the hidden truth from the past.
"Good," the man nodded, finally showing a faint smile. "Since you've made your choice, then continue. The trial you are about to face will be unprecedented and tied to both your past and your future."
Chen Shanyi clenched her fists, lifting her head, her eyes shining with fearlessness. "I am ready to face whatever comes."
Without another word, the man turned and walked to the other side of the room, disappearing into the darkness. Chen Shanyi took a deep breath, then stepped forward, heading toward the crumbling door.
She knew that this choice would determine her fate. The path ahead, though fraught with thorns and dangers, left her with no option but to keep moving forward. All she could do was walk with unwavering determination, ready to face every unknown challenge and every choice that might change her destiny.