The cave was dark and silent, wrapped in an eternal night. The only light came from the faint glow of the markings carved into the cave's walls—remnants of the trial Yi Lian had just endured. The air was thick and heavy, carrying the scent of damp stone and the earthy tang of moss that clung to the cracks in the rock. Drops of water occasionally fell from the ceiling, their rhythmic sound the only companion during his solitude. Time had blurred here, stretching endlessly in the shadows.

Yi Lian sat cross-legged in the center of the cave, his body unmoving, eyes closed. His breath was slow and deliberate. His body felt weightless, yet the world seemed to press down on him, wrapping him in a cocoon of silence. After 108 days without food or water, his senses had dulled and adapted to the void around him. His once-sharp gaze was now deeper, distant—eyes that no longer merely looked at the world, but through it, understanding it in ways words could not describe.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. His vision struggled to adjust, and for a brief moment, he forgot what light even looked like. As the dim glow of the cave walls came into focus, he noticed movement at the mouth of the cave. A familiar figure emerged from the shadows—a long, golden-scaled serpent, its body gleaming faintly as it glided toward him.

Baoyu.

Yi Lian's voice was calm and steady as he spoke, though his curiosity was evident. "Baoyu… what brings you here?"

The snake slithered closer, its amber eyes catching the faint light as they locked onto Yi Lian's. The smooth, silent movement of his body gave an almost ethereal quality to his presence.

"You've grown," Baoyu said, his voice deep and measured, carrying an air of ancient authority. "Your gaze is different—clearer, though a little… haunted. The Trial of Will changes everyone. You've done well to endure it."

Yi Lian stood slowly, his body stiff from days of meditation. His movements were deliberate, like one rediscovering his body after a long absence. His eyes remained on Baoyu. "Thank you, Senior. I didn't expect to see you again so soon. What was the reason for your visit?"

Baoyu paused, tilting his head slightly as if studying him. His tone was still formal, yet a faint smile tugged at the edges of his words. "It's rare to meet someone who passes the trial, let alone someone who steps out of it… different. I was curious to see how much you've changed."

Yi Lian frowned slightly, his instincts urging him to maintain respect. "I see. I am grateful for your concern, Senior."

Baoyu chuckled softly. "See? Isn't that much better? I don't care for all those honorifics and lofty titles. Speak to me like we're equals. You've earned the right."

Yi Lian hesitated, his eyes narrowing. "You… want me to speak to you like an equal?" It felt unnatural, almost inappropriate, given Baoyu's ancient presence and power. His instincts told him this was another test.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Baoyu smirked, his tone growing warmer, almost casual. "Yes, exactly. You've passed the trial. It's only fair. Don't make it weird."

Yi Lian remained silent for a moment, processing the sudden change. His thoughts churned—Is this some kind of trick? Or another test?

"You don't have to be so guarded," Baoyu said with a hint of amusement. "Relax. I can hear your thoughts as clearly as if you were speaking them aloud."

Yi Lian's expression hardened as he wrapped his spiritual energy around himself, forming a subtle barrier to block his thoughts from leaking out. His voice was calm, yet firm. "Don't try to pry into my thoughts again."

Baoyu snorted, clearly amused. "Smart. Good. You're learning." He turned, his body coiling slightly before gesturing with his head. "Follow me. There's something you need to see."

Yi Lian's brows furrowed. "Where are you taking me?"

"Does it matter?" Baoyu called back, already moving toward the entrance. "You've been sitting in the dark for long enough. It's time to walk."

The sunlight outside was blinding after so long in the darkness. Yi Lian raised a hand to shield his eyes, allowing them to adjust. When his vision finally cleared, the world before him took his breath away—a vast expanse of lush forest and jagged mountains stretching into the horizon.

Baoyu waited on a large rock at the edge of a cliff, his golden body catching the sunlight like liquid gold. The view was breathtaking, but Yi Lian barely noticed it. His focus remained on Baoyu, who seemed unusually relaxed, basking in the warmth of the day.

"You've changed," Baoyu said, his eyes fixed on the distant mountains. "Not just physically. Something inside you is… different."

Yi Lian folded his arms. "Spending 108 days in darkness can change anyone."

"True," Baoyu admitted. "But that's not what I meant. You've accepted something—something most people spend lifetimes running from."

Yi Lian said nothing, his thoughts guarded. He wasn't ready to reveal what he had come to understand during the trial. Not yet.

"So, what now?" Yi Lian asked, his tone neutral.

Baoyu chuckled, the sound low and almost mischievous. "Now? Now we walk, and I tell you a little more about what's to come. The trial is just a step, not the end. There are things you must see, things you must learn… and decisions you must make. The legacy of those who came before you is still out there, waiting to be discovered."

Yi Lian's expression darkened. "The guardians who came before me… they all fell, didn't they? What caused their downfall?"

Baoyu's eyes turned serious, his playful tone vanishing. "Some were hunted. Others fell to their own desires. The book you carry is a beacon. It draws attention—dangerous attention—from forces you aren't ready to face."

"The Void Cult?" Yi Lian asked.

Baoyu nodded. "Among others. The world is vast, Yi Lian. Not everything in it is your enemy, but not everything is your ally either. Power alone won't be enough to survive what's coming."

Yi Lian absorbed the warning in silence, the weight of it settling heavily on his shoulders.

"Come," Baoyu said, his tone lightening once again. "Let's continue. We've barely begun."

Without waiting for a response, Baoyu moved ahead, his body gliding effortlessly over the uneven ground. Yi Lian followed, his thoughts racing with questions about what lay ahead.

For the first time in a long while, uncertainty didn't weigh him down—it fueled him. He glanced at Baoyu and spoke with a newfound ease, dropping all formality.

"Baoyu, what's the real reason you're here?"

Baoyu smiled, his eyes gleaming with an unreadable light. "You'll know soon enough."

The wind whispered through the trees as they walked deeper into the unknown, leaving the cave—and everything it represented—far behind.