Jian stepped through the newly revealed doorway, his body tense but his mind clear. The battles within the chamber had left him physically drained, yet the fragment in his hand radiated a strange warmth. It was as though the Abyss itself was acknowledging his strength, urging him to press forward.
The new corridor was vastly different from the oppressive darkness he had left behind. Smooth, gleaming walls of obsidian stretched endlessly, etched with intricate lines of silver that pulsed faintly with energy. The air hummed with power—alive, aware. Jian felt a faint tug at his core, his Abyssal Resonance reacting to the environment.
He paused, his hand brushing against the wall. The silver etchings seemed familiar, though he couldn't recall why. Before he could dwell on it, a soft voice echoed in his mind.
"Welcome, Challenger. You stand at the threshold of the Nexus."
Jian stiffened, his eyes darting around. The voice was calm, almost soothing, but it carried a weight that demanded attention.
"Nexus?" he murmured. "What is this place?"
The voice continued, ignoring his question. "You have proven yourself to the Abyss. The path forward demands not only strength but understanding. Do you seek to unlock the Nexus and wield its power?"
Jian hesitated. He had heard of the Nexus in whispers from other challengers—a mythical system said to exist within the Tower, granting unparalleled abilities to those deemed worthy. But like all things in the Tower, it came at a price.
"I seek the truth," he said finally. "And the strength to uncover it."
"Very well," the voice replied. "The Nexus judges all who approach. Prepare yourself."
The silver lines along the walls flared to life, flooding the corridor with blinding light. Jian shielded his eyes as the ground beneath him dissolved. He fell into an endless void, his body weightless, the sensation disorienting.
When the light faded, he found himself standing in an expansive, white space. It was featureless save for a massive, crystalline structure hovering in the center. It pulsed with energy, its surface shifting between solid and liquid, light and shadow. This was the Nexus.
The same voice spoke, now emanating from the crystal itself. "To claim the Nexus, you must prove your will. Three trials await you: Mind, Body, and Soul. Succeed, and the Nexus will become yours. Fail, and your existence will be consumed."
Jian clenched his fists. There was no turning back now. "I'm ready."
Trial 1: The Mind
The space shifted, and Jian found himself in a small, dimly lit room. A single table stood at the center, with a set of chess pieces arranged atop it. Across from him sat a figure cloaked in shadows, its face obscured but its presence overwhelming.
"The mind is a labyrinth," the figure said. "Navigate it, or be lost within."
The chess pieces moved on their own, the shadow figure making the first move. Jian realized immediately that this was no ordinary game. Each piece radiated energy, and as they shifted, the room around him changed. The air grew colder, the shadows darker.
He sat down, his eyes scanning the board. The figure played aggressively, sacrificing pawns to trap his stronger pieces. Jian countered with caution, analyzing every move. He began to notice patterns in the figure's strategy, a rhythm that he could disrupt.
As the game progressed, the shadows around the room thickened, pressing in on him. The pressure on his mind was immense, but he refused to falter. With a final, calculated move, he cornered the figure's king, ending the game.
The figure dissolved, its voice echoing in the room. "The labyrinth bends to your will. The first trial is complete."
Trial 2: The Body
Jian's surroundings changed again, this time to a dense jungle. The air was humid, and the sounds of unseen creatures filled the space. He felt the ground tremble beneath him, and moments later, a massive beast emerged from the foliage.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen—a fusion of flesh and metal, its body covered in glowing runes. Its eyes burned with intelligence and rage as it roared, shaking the ground.
"The body is a vessel. Prove its strength, or be broken."
The beast charged, its speed belying its massive size. Jian leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding its claws. He activated Abyssal Resonance, his body surging with energy, and struck back. His blade connected, but the beast's hide was tougher than steel, deflecting the attack.
It retaliated with a swipe that sent him flying into a tree, the impact leaving him momentarily stunned. Jian forced himself to his feet, blood trickling from his lip. This wasn't a battle he could win with brute force alone.
He focused on the runes covering the beast's body, noticing how they flickered with each movement. They weren't just decorations—they were its power source. Targeting them would be key.
Dodging another attack, Jian maneuvered behind the beast, striking at one of the glowing symbols. The rune shattered, and the beast let out an enraged howl, its movements becoming more erratic. He pressed his advantage, dismantling the runes one by one until the creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash.
The jungle faded, and the voice returned. "The vessel endures. The second trial is complete."
Trial 3: The Soul
The final trial was the most unsettling. Jian stood in a void, his reflection staring back at him. But this reflection wasn't a simple copy—it was darker, more sinister, with crimson eyes that burned with malice.
"The soul is eternal. Face it, or be consumed by it."
The reflection stepped forward, its movements mirroring Jian's. Without warning, it attacked, wielding an identical blade. Jian blocked the strike, the force rattling his arm. The reflection fought with ruthless efficiency, exploiting every weakness in his technique.
"This is your greatest enemy," the voice said. "Yourself."
The battle was grueling, each strike forcing Jian to confront his own fears and doubts. The reflection whispered his insecurities, using them as weapons. But Jian refused to yield. He had faced the Abyss, conquered its trials, and come this far. He would not let himself be his undoing.
Summoning all his strength, Jian broke through the reflection's guard, driving his blade into its chest. The dark figure dissolved into light, and the void around him vanished.
Jian stood once more before the Nexus, the crystalline structure now glowing brighter than ever.
"The Nexus has chosen you," the voice declared. "Wield its power, and shape your destiny."
The crystal shattered, its fragments embedding themselves into Jian's body. A surge of energy unlike anything he had ever felt coursed through him, and his status window appeared.
[Nexus System Activated]
New Ability Unlocked: Nexus Forge
Allows the creation of unique skills and enhancements by combining existing abilities.
New Passive Unlocked: Nexus Adaptation
Enhances resistance to environmental effects and adjusts abilities to counter challenges.
Jian exhaled, his body trembling from the overwhelming power. He had passed the trials, but the journey ahead was only beginning. With the Nexus now a part of him, the Tower's secrets felt closer than ever.
End of Chapter 22