Chapter 15: Trial of the Celestial Warrior
A suffocating aura pressed down on Bai Yuan as the celestial warrior raised his blade, a shimmering weapon forged from condensed starlight. The battlefield pulsed with ancient energy, resonating with the memories of countless battles fought here before.
Ling Xi gritted her teeth. "Bai Yuan, I don't think talking our way out of this is an option."
Bai Yuan smirked, his eyes burning with determination. "Then we fight."
The warrior moved. His blade tore through the void, leaving behind a trail of pure sword intent. Bai Yuan barely had time to react, twisting his body as the attack brushed past his shoulder, slicing the very air apart. The sheer force sent him skidding back, his feet carving trenches into the cracked ground.
[Danger level: Extreme. Adapting combat strategy.]
The nanobots in Bai Yuan's body surged, enhancing his reflexes as information flooded his mind. His instincts sharpened, calculating the warrior's movements. The celestial warrior did not hesitate, closing the distance with terrifying speed. His next strike descended like divine judgment itself.
Bai Yuan raised his hand, channeling his Qi into his palm. Waning Moon Palm! His counterattack met the warrior's blade, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. But Bai Yuan knew he couldn't rely solely on Qi techniques—he had to combine them with the knowledge he had just absorbed.
A flicker of insight flashed through his mind. The celestial warrior is not an ordinary opponent. He is a remnant, a being of pure will and intent. Defeating him requires more than brute strength.
Ling Xi dashed forward, her twin daggers gleaming as she struck from the side. The celestial warrior barely turned, yet with a casual flick of his wrist, he parried her assault effortlessly. The sheer force sent her flying, though she twisted in midair, landing gracefully on her feet.
"I think I just figured something out," Bai Yuan muttered as he observed the warrior's movements. "He's not just attacking—he's testing us."
Ling Xi wiped a trickle of blood from her lips. "Testing what, exactly?"
"Our comprehension of battle."
A knowing glint appeared in Bai Yuan's eyes. He took a deep breath, calming his Qi. If this was a trial, then brute force wasn't the answer—understanding was. He recalled the celestial visions from the Shadowmoon Pavilion, focusing on the rhythm of battle, the essence of combat itself.
The celestial warrior paused for a brief moment, as if acknowledging Bai Yuan's realization. Then, with the flick of his wrist, his stance changed. His blade no longer carried the crushing pressure from before. Instead, his movements became fluid, almost like a dance.
Bai Yuan mirrored him. He took a step forward, his stance shifting to match the warrior's. The next exchange was different. Their blades clashed, not as foes locked in a desperate struggle, but as two warriors sharing knowledge through combat. Each strike carried understanding, each block refined Bai Yuan's comprehension of the Dao of Battle.
The longer he fought, the clearer his mind became. Every movement, every subtle shift in stance, all carried profound meaning. The celestial warrior's presence no longer felt suffocating. Instead, it felt like guidance, like an ancient master revealing long-lost truths through the language of battle.
Then, suddenly, the celestial warrior stopped.
The battlefield trembled as his sword dissolved into light, his body slowly fading. His burning gaze met Bai Yuan's one final time, and he nodded—a silent acknowledgment of Bai Yuan's growth.
"You have passed."
A brilliant surge of energy engulfed Bai Yuan. Information flowed into him, merging with his mind and body. His meridians expanded, his Qi deepened. The trial had not only tested him but had elevated his comprehension to an entirely new level.
When the battlefield dissipated, Bai Yuan found himself standing back in the chamber with Ling Xi beside him. The hooded figure was waiting, a knowing smirk on his lips.
"So, you glimpsed the path, didn't you?" he asked.
Bai Yuan clenched his fist, feeling the newfound power within him. "Yes. And I'm only getting started."