Wu Chen's heart raced as the voice's final words echoed around him.
The glowing sea of light and colors around him started to swirl violently, as if reality itself was breaking apart.
Suddenly, he felt a powerful force pulling him forward, and the ground disappeared beneath him. He was hurled through a whirlwind of blinding light and deafening noise.
When the chaos faded, Wu Chen found himself standing on a narrow stone bridge over an endless abyss.
The bridge vanished into thick fog, and the air was eerily silent except for the faint sound of dripping water below.
He looked down and instantly regretted it.
The abyss seemed bottomless, a dark void threatening to consume him.
"Cross the bridge," the voice commanded coldly. "But beware, the path is not what it appears."
Wu Chen took a deep breath, his throat dry, and stepped forward cautiously. The bridge felt solid, but something about it made him uneasy.
As he moved, the stones began to shift and rearrange, creating a confusing, ever-changing path. He froze, his breath catching.
"Focus," he whispered to himself. "This is the test. I can do this."
Determined, Wu Chen pressed on, his eyes locked on the path ahead.
The bridge twisted and turned, its stones shifting unpredictably, but he adapted quickly, moving with agility and precision.
He realized the bridge was testing his ability to think on his feet and stay focused despite the uncertainty.
As he advanced, the fog grew thicker, and strange whispers rose from the void below. "You'll never make it," one voice hissed. "You're just a nobody," another sneered.
Wu Chen clenched his fists, refusing to let the taunts shake him. He had faced adversity his whole life and wasn't about to give up now.
Suddenly, the bridge ended, leaving him at the edge of a massive gap. The other side was barely visible through the fog, too far to jump.
Wu Chen noticed glowing symbols on the stones at his feet, forming a puzzle. He crouched to examine them, tracing their grooves.
When he pressed one, it lit up, and a section of the bridge extended slightly.
He realized the symbols were the key to rebuilding the bridge. Carefully, he pressed them in a specific sequence, each one lighting up and creating a new section of the path.
It was slow work, but Wu Chen stayed patient and focused.
Finally, the bridge was complete. Wu Chen stepped onto the new path, his heart pounding.
As he reached the other side, the fog lifted, revealing a grand, ornate door covered in intricate carvings of celestial beings and mythical creatures. At its center was a glowing emblem.
A triangle inside a circle.
The voice spoke again, "The trial is not yet over. Continue."
Wu Chen took a deep breath and pushed the door open. A blinding light engulfed him, and when it faded, he stood in a vast circular chamber.
Towering statues of warriors, scholars, mystics, and rulers lined the walls. At the center stood a pedestal holding the gold ring he had stolen.
The voice echoed through the chamber, "The ring is no ordinary object. It is the Key of Eternity, a relic of immense power. But power comes at a price. To claim it, answer this: What is the true nature of power?"
Wu Chen stared at the ring, thinking about his life, his struggles, and the choices he'd made. He thought about those who had looked down on him, tried to control him, or shown him kindness.
Finally, he answered, "Power is not about control or dominance. It's about understanding. Understanding oneself, others, and the world. True power comes from knowledge, compassion, and the ability to use that knowledge to make a difference."
The chamber fell silent. Then, the statues began to glow, their eyes lighting up with golden light.
The voice spoke "You have passed the trial, Wu Chen. The Key of Eternity is yours. Use it wisely, for the path ahead is one of great responsibility."
The voice added, "But the trial is not over. Beyond this door lies the final challenge. Enter, and face your destiny."
As the light faded, Wu Chen felt a surge of energy.
He picked up the ring and slipped it onto his finger, feeling a strange connection to it. He knew his life would never be the same, but for the first time, he felt ready for whatever lay ahead.
With newfound purpose, a blinding light enveloped him, and Wu Chen was teleported away.
plunged into a dense, impenetrable darkness. Wu Chen felt as though his senses were enveloped in a thick fog, each thought muddled and vague.
Moments later, a different voice stirred within him, distinct and intimate, almost as if it was a subconscious whisper.
If it weren't for the faintly glowing, translucent screen floating before him, he would have assumed he was merely conversing with himself.
[ TRIAL INITIATED ]
The words resonated sharply in his mind, vivid and compelling, while radiant lights flickered and swirled on the screen.
Suddenly, a mechanical hum resonated through the air, as a system came to life with a series of notifications.
[ POWER GENERATING.... ]
[ POWER GENERATED ]
[ POWER TYPE: SUPREME INTELLIGENCE ]
[ POWER RANK: GODLY ]