The collision of Lin Xuan’s Golden Tyrant Palm and the guardian’s blazing fist sent ripples through the dark void. The golden flames surrounding the towering figure flickered violently, but it remained standing, its crimson eyes locked onto Lin Xuan with newfound intensity.
Lin Xuan’s arms tingled from the force of the impact, but unlike before, he no longer felt overwhelmed. Instead, a deep sense of control settled within him.
So this is the true power of the inheritance…
The battle scripture’s movements felt natural, as if they had always been part of him. Each breath synchronized with the energy coursing through his body, and each motion carried an instinctive precision.
The guardian let out a deep, resonating hum, lifting both hands as the golden monument behind it shone brighter.
“Trial of the Abyss: Second Phase—True Combat.”
Lin Xuan’s eyes narrowed.
That wasn’t even the real trial?
Suddenly, the space around them trembled, and chains of golden light erupted from the ground, twisting and coiling in mid-air. The guardian raised its arm, and in a flash, the chains surged forward—
Straight toward Lin Xuan.
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A BATTLE OF WITS AND STRENGTH
Clang! Clang!
Lin Xuan leaped back, narrowly avoiding the first chain, but the second one curved mid-air, striking toward his leg.
Boom!
A powerful burst of qi erupted from his feet as he pivoted, deflecting the attack at the last second. However, the chains were relentless, moving as if they had a mind of their own.
These chains… they don’t just attack randomly. They’re adjusting to my movements!
The realization came just in time. More chains surged forth, this time with a perfectly calculated pattern, aiming to restrict his movement.
Lin Xuan gritted his teeth.
Then I just have to be faster.
Golden energy surged through his veins as he executed the Heavenly Origin Battle Scripture’s next stance—
"Second Stance – Phantom Mirage Steps!"
His body blurred, leaving behind afterimages as he weaved through the golden chains like flowing water.
The guardian’s eyes flickered in response, its posture shifting subtly. It was observing. Learning.
Lin Xuan landed on solid ground again, his breath steady. He could feel it—this guardian wasn’t just testing his strength. It was adapting to his fighting style.
He clenched his fists, determination flashing in his gaze.
"If you’re learning from me, then let’s see if you can keep up."
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BREAKING THE GUARDIAN’S DEFENSE
Lin Xuan didn’t wait. The moment his feet touched the ground, he shot forward like a golden comet. The chains reacted instantly, closing in from all directions.
But this time—
He was ready.
His right palm glowed with brilliant golden light, the runes on his skin shining brighter than ever before.
“Third Stance – Tyrant Sky Strike!”
A single, devastating palm strike shot forth, carrying pure, condensed force. The nearest golden chain shattered instantly, unable to withstand the attack.
Before the guardian could react, Lin Xuan’s figure flickered again. He was already above it—his hand raised for another strike.
Boom!
His palm crashed down on the guardian’s flaming shoulder, sending a shockwave rippling through its massive form. The golden flames flickered wildly, cracks forming on its body.
Lin Xuan landed smoothly, exhaling as he prepared for another attack.
But then—
Something changed.
The guardian stepped back.
The space around them shuddered, and the golden monument behind it split apart, revealing a glowing inscription of ancient text.
The guardian’s crimson eyes dimmed, its voice echoing in the empty space—
“Trial complete. Inheritor, you have passed.”
Lin Xuan’s eyes widened.
It was over.
The golden flames surrounding the guardian faded, and its massive form slowly dissolved into scattered motes of light, drifting toward Lin Xuan.
As the energy seeped into him, a sudden wave of information surged into his mind.
Techniques. Battle insights. Lost knowledge.
It wasn’t just power—it was understanding.
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THE INHERITANCE’S TRUE PURPOSE
Lin Xuan stood in silence, absorbing the newfound knowledge. The techniques engraved into his mind weren’t just random martial arts—they were part of something greater.
The Heavenly Origin Sect’s lost heritage.
This trial wasn’t merely a test of strength.
It was a restoration.
A faint hum resonated through the void as the golden monument’s inscription completed itself, its meaning now clear to Lin Xuan.
“The one who overcomes the trial shall awaken the forgotten path.”
Lin Xuan clenched his fists, his heart pounding.
Awaken… the forgotten path?
Before he could dwell on it further, the space around him shifted again.
The void collapsed inward, and in an instant—
He was pulled out of the ruins.
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REUNITING WITH ZHAO FENG AND XIAO LING
Light exploded around Lin Xuan as he landed on solid ground.
The air felt crisp and real, unlike the suffocating pressure of the trial. Looking around, he realized he had returned to the ruins’ entrance, where he had first stepped into the abyss.
A loud groan caught his attention.
"Ugh… What the hell just happened?"
Zhao Feng sat up, shaking his head, while Xiao Ling steadied herself, her expression grim.
Lin Xuan turned to them. "You two… were sent to different trials?"
Xiao Ling nodded. "Yes, but the details were… strange."
Zhao Feng huffed. "I had to fight off some weird shadow creatures. Thought I was gonna die." He then paused, narrowing his eyes. "But forget that—what about you? You look… different."
Xiao Ling frowned, studying Lin Xuan carefully.
Now that he thought about it, he did feel different.
Stronger. Sharper. As if the power within him had fully synchronized.
Before he could respond, the ruins behind them rumbled.
The golden monument inside the ruins had begun to sink into the earth, its inscription fading. Within moments, the entrance to the ruins sealed shut, as if it had never existed.
A chilling realization set in.
This inheritance… had recognized its successor.
Lin Xuan’s expression turned serious.
This wasn’t just any trial… It was the key to something much bigger.
Zhao Feng stretched, rolling his shoulders. "So, what now? We head back to the sect?"
Lin Xuan exhaled. "Yeah… but something tells me our troubles aren’t over yet."
Xiao Ling’s eyes darkened. "You’re right. Something… felt off in my trial. As if someone was watching."
A cold breeze passed through the ruins.
Zhao Feng groaned. "Great. Just what we needed—more mysterious enemies."
Lin Xuan looked into the distance, his mind racing.
If this trial was truly part of a forgotten path, then it meant only one thing—
The real battle had yet to begin.