Chapter 4: The Threshold of Reality and Illusion
A brilliant radiance enveloped Li Wei as his hand pressed against the Celestial Portal's shimmering surface. The energy was neither warm nor cold, but it resonated deep within his being, as if testing his very soul. A moment later, the world around him twisted, the temple chamber dissolving into an expanse of endless light.
Then—silence.
Li Wei felt weightless, suspended in an ethereal space where time itself seemed meaningless. His consciousness wavered as visions flickered before him—glimpses of ancient cultivators mastering the heavens, of cosmic forces weaving through the flow of Qi, and of a boundless energy linking the virtual and real worlds. It was as though the portal was revealing the hidden truths of Celestial Ascension Online… and something far beyond.
Then, a voice, soft yet commanding, resonated within his mind.
**"You who seek the path beyond the mortal shell, are you prepared to bear the burden of ascension?"**
Li Wei barely had time to process the words before his body was thrust forward. The light shattered, and he plummeted through the void, his form twisting through layers of space until—
**Boom!**
He landed hard, but instead of pain, he felt the pulse of Qi stabilizing his body. His surroundings came into focus—an ancient courtyard bathed in moonlight, surrounded by floating islands suspended in the air. Gigantic celestial pillars stretched into the heavens, inscribed with shifting golden runes. At the center of it all was a grand jade platform, upon which stood a single figure.
An old man in flowing silver robes, his eyes like twin stars, gazed down at Li Wei with unreadable depth.
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## **The Celestial Guardian's Trial**
"You are not the first to step through the Celestial Portal," the old man said, his voice carrying a weight that pressed against Li Wei's soul. "Many have come seeking the truth, but few have withstood the trial."
Li Wei straightened, his breath steady. "Who are you?"
"I am Shen Wujian, the Guardian of the Celestial Path," the old man declared. "And this… is the **Trial of Transcendence.**"
Before Li Wei could respond, the ground beneath him trembled. From the surrounding mist, three figures emerged—faceless humanoid constructs, each radiating a distinct aura. One burned with searing fire, another moved like flowing water, and the third exuded an unshakable solidity.
"The **Triad Spirits of the Dao**," Shen Wujian intoned. "Defeat them, and you shall step further into the mysteries of the Celestial Portal."
Li Wei's grip tightened around his sword as the fiery figure lunged toward him.
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## **Clash Against the Dao Spirits**
**The Spirit of Fire** moved like a raging inferno, its every strike leaving trails of embers in the air. Li Wei barely managed to dodge as flames seared past him. With a sharp inhale, he activated **Moonlit Step**, his body flickering out of harm's way just as the spirit's blazing fist crashed into the ground, leaving a scorched crater.
Li Wei countered swiftly. His sword arced through the air, channeling **Whispering Gale Slash**—a technique he had refined in the Verdant Labyrinth. The wind-imbued strike cut into the fiery spirit, causing its flames to flicker violently.
But it didn't fall.
Instead, it **absorbed** the energy of the wind, its flames growing more intense.
Shen Wujian's voice echoed in the air. "You cannot defeat fire with mere wind. Understand its nature. Adapt."
Li Wei's mind raced. Fire feeds on wind… but what smothers fire?
**Earth!**
He pivoted just as the **Spirit of Earth** charged forward with heavy, unyielding steps. Seizing the moment, he dashed toward the stone giant, forcing it to attack. As its massive fist came crashing down, Li Wei sidestepped—letting the blow land directly onto the fiery spirit.
**Boom!**
A burst of flame erupted, but the fiery spirit's essence dimmed upon impact with the solid force of earth. The reaction weakened it just enough for Li Wei to strike. With a precise movement, he delivered a **Piercing Star Thrust**, his blade cutting through the spirit's core.
With a final flicker, the Spirit of Fire shattered.
One down.
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## **The Flow of Water, The Unyielding Earth**
The **Spirit of Water** wasted no time. It moved like a stream, weaving through the air with fluid grace. Each attack was unpredictable—sometimes striking like a crashing wave, other times retreating like a receding tide. Li Wei's sword barely managed to parry its swift blows.
Water had no form—it adapted, it flowed.
Li Wei took a steady breath, calming his movements. Instead of attacking wildly, he mirrored the spirit's motions, letting his body flow with the rhythm of its strikes. He became like water itself.
Then, he saw the opening.
With a sudden shift, he reversed the flow—guiding the spirit's own momentum against it. The spirit faltered, and in that moment of imbalance, Li Wei struck with **Silent Current Slash**, a technique designed to disrupt internal Qi flow.
The spirit rippled… and then dissolved into a mist.
Two down.
The **Spirit of Earth** remained, standing firm like an immovable mountain.
Unlike the others, it did not attack first. It simply stood, waiting.
Li Wei understood. This was not an enemy that could be felled with mere swordplay.
This was a trial of **resolve**.
Sheathing his sword, he took a deep breath. Instead of attacking, he **stood his ground**.
The spirit's eyes glowed.
The ground trembled.
A massive force descended upon him, pressing against his body like an avalanche. The weight was overwhelming, as if the heavens themselves sought to crush him.
But he did not kneel.
He endured.
His spirit burned, his will unyielding.
Moments passed. Then, the pressure lifted.
The Spirit of Earth, acknowledging his resolve, bowed—and dissolved into dust.
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## **A Step Beyond the Mortal Shell**
Shen Wujian's gaze softened as the last spirit faded. "You have understood the essence of the Dao—**adaptability, flow, and unwavering resolve.**"
Li Wei's breathing was heavy, but his eyes shone with newfound clarity.
"You have passed the first trial," Shen Wujian continued. "Beyond this lies the true threshold—the point where the virtual and the real converge. But be warned, Li Wei… the deeper you tread, the greater the consequences. You have already sensed it, haven't you?"
Li Wei clenched his fists. He had. Each battle, each moment spent immersed in Celestial Ascension Online… he could **feel** something changing within him. His Qi in the game wasn't just numbers—it resonated with something deeper, something real.
Shen Wujian extended a hand, a swirling portal manifesting beside him. "Step forward, and claim the next piece of your destiny."
Li Wei exhaled sharply.
Then, without hesitation—he stepped into the light.
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