The first ray of dawn broke through the shattered window frame, weak yet warm. The air still carried the scent of dampness and decay, but for Chen Shanyi, this moment felt like the beginning of her rebirth. She had no time to indulge in the warmth; the emotions swirling within her left no room for the outside world. The words of the figure from last night still echoed in her ears: "You will face an unprecedented trial."
She knew she could no longer stop. This path, filled with unknown darkness and danger, was one she had to walk. And it all began with her father's death, a death that seemed predestined, as if she had no choice in the matter.
"It's time," Chen Shanyi murmured softly, her eyes gleaming with unwavering resolve. She stood up, adjusted her clothes, and swept a steady glance over the dilapidated room. No one could understand that her determination, at this moment, came from the deepest pain in her heart and her insatiable thirst for the truth.
She knew this trial was not merely about uncovering the mystery behind her father's death, but also about herself—about mastering her fate and emerging from the dark abyss. Even if the road ahead was paved with thorns, she could not retreat.
As she approached the door, her hand froze mid-motion. A sudden question arose in her mind: If her father's death was truly a conspiracy, who was behind it? She didn't know, but she had already made her decision—she would venture into the heart of this darkness and find her own answer.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped outside.
The endless wilderness stretched before her, the sand swirling in the air, as if each gust of wind sought to consume her. She could feel an intense pressure in the atmosphere, as though countless unseen eyes were watching her, waiting to devour her.
Yet, this did not make her fearful. Instead, it ignited a force within her that she could not describe. She lifted her head to gaze into the distance, where her unknown future awaited—where the trial she had to face lay ahead.
Just as she prepared to move forward, a familiar voice suddenly broke the silence: "You haven't stopped after all."
Chen Shanyi spun around, her gaze locking onto the figure emerging from the shadows. He was still dressed in the black robe, wearing an unreadable smile, and his eyes held a deep, detached coldness.
"Are you following me?" Chen Shanyi asked directly, without hesitation.
"Not at all," the man smiled slightly and shook his head. "I don't need to follow you. Wherever you go, fate guides you there. You need not worry."
"Fate?" Chen Shanyi scoffed, "Are you trying to tell me that everything is predestined?"
"Not exactly." The man paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully. "Fate is not entirely fixed, but every choice you make will guide you toward a different outcome. Each path you walk is one you create for yourself."
Chen Shanyi stared at him, feeling her inner turmoil rising. She had once believed that she was merely seeking the truth behind her father's death, but now, she realized that the struggle she was caught in was far more complex than she had imagined. She was slowly beginning to understand that she was caught in a vortex of trials, each layer concealing a new riddle.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Her voice had grown colder, as if she were trying to squeeze more clues from his words.
"I told you, the truth is not simple. You've chosen to continue, and perhaps you will find the answers you seek, but you must also be ready to face all the consequences that come with it." The man's gaze seemed to pierce into her soul. "But I must warn you, the real trial has only just begun."
Chen Shanyi's heart skipped a beat. Those words filled her with an ominous sense of foreboding. She knew she was about to face a far more complicated situation—perhaps not just her father's death, but even everything she believed in would be overturned by the truth she was about to uncover.
"I don't understand what you're saying," her voice remained calm, though doubt and unease churned within her.
"You will understand soon enough," the man said faintly, his expression unreadable. "Remember, no matter where you go, you can never escape your fate."
Chen Shanyi furrowed her brow, but suddenly a strong sense of resolve surged within her. She couldn't fully grasp the meaning of his words, but she knew one thing—there was no turning back now.
"I will continue forward," she said firmly, "Even in the face of unknown trials, I will not stop."
The man looked at her with a hint of admiration in his eyes, but before he could say anything more, he disappeared without a trace.
Chen Shanyi turned once again, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Despite the uncertainty and danger ahead, the obsession with uncovering the truth behind her father's death, and her longing to control her own fate, kept her from turning back.
She took a deep breath and took her first step. With each step she took, every trial and every choice would converge beneath her feet. She had no choice but to keep moving forward, knowing that only by continuing could she confront what lay ahead.