"Heart of the World: The Rise of the Eternal Guardian"

The swirling portal of light beckoned Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er forward. The air around them hummed with immense power, the very fabric of the Supreme God Realm seemingly alive, responding to their presence. Every step they took felt heavier, as if the weight of the entire realm was bearing down upon them. The divine energy was palpable, pressing against their skin, vibrating through their bodies, urging them to ascend higher.

Xiao Tian could feel the immense power around him, a tingling sensation that coursed through his entire being. It was unlike any energy he had encountered before, a pure and untainted force that resonated with the core of his existence. His Blessings pulsed with the same rhythm, an inner synchronization between his divine gifts and the raw essence of the Supreme God Realm.

"Are you ready?" Yue'er's voice was soft, her eyes reflecting both awe and determination. Her usual calm demeanor was now tinged with the excitement of their triumph. She had never imagined they would be able to reach this point—let alone stand before the threshold of ascension.

Xiao Tian nodded, his eyes fixed on the glowing portal. "We've come this far. There's no turning back now."

Lian'er stood silently beside them, her expression unreadable, yet her aura pulsed with a quiet strength. She had long known that their path would not be easy, but this was the culmination of all their efforts. The gods were watching, and the fate of their journey would now be determined.

Without another word, the three of them stepped forward, crossing the threshold of the portal. The light enveloped them, consuming their senses, and for a moment, they felt as though they were floating in an endless void. Time and space seemed to lose all meaning as they traversed through the divine gateway.

When they finally emerged, they found themselves in a vast and ethereal realm. The sky above was a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, swirling in patterns that seemed to defy reality. The air itself shimmered with divine energy, and the ground beneath their feet was made of radiant crystal, pulsating with a soft, rhythmic light.

"This is the Divine Hall," a voice spoke, reverberating through the air. The voice was deep and powerful, filled with an aura of ancient wisdom. "Welcome to the heart of the Supreme God Realm."

A figure appeared before them, clothed in robes of pure gold, the material flowing like liquid light. The being's face was obscured by a mask, but its presence radiated immense authority and divinity. It was neither male nor female, neither young nor old, but an entity that seemed to transcend time and space.

"You are the first mortals to reach this stage in millennia," the figure continued. "The Trial of the Divine Ascendant was but the first test. Now, you will face the true trial—the Trial of the Divine Sovereigns."

Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er exchanged glances. The weight of the being's words was not lost on them. This was not merely another challenge—it was the defining moment of their journey.

"Who are you?" Xiao Tian asked, his voice steady, though he could feel the reverberations of power all around him.

The figure's mask seemed to shimmer as it turned toward him. "I am the Guardian of the Divine Hall, the Keeper of the Ascendant Path. It is my duty to test those who seek to ascend to the ranks of the gods."

A wave of energy surged from the figure, enveloping the trio. Xiao Tian felt his body stir with an unfamiliar sensation, as though the very core of his being was being evaluated. His Blessings reacted, their power amplifying in response, but it was not enough to break free from the force that held him.

"You will face three trials," the Guardian continued, its voice now imbued with a sense of finality. "The Trial of Strength, the Trial of Wisdom, and the Trial of the Heart. Each trial will test one aspect of your being, and only those who pass all three will be deemed worthy to ascend to godhood."

Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er nodded in unison, their determination unwavering. They had faced countless trials before, and they were ready to face these new challenges, no matter how daunting they seemed.

The Guardian raised a hand, and a burst of divine light shot into the sky. "The first trial begins now."

The sky above them darkened, and the ground beneath them shifted. The radiant crystal underfoot cracked, revealing a vast arena that stretched beyond the horizon. Massive, towering stone columns rose from the ground, each one inscribed with ancient symbols. The air grew heavy, and the temperature dropped as if they had entered the heart of a storm.

Before them, an enormous beast appeared. It was a massive, winged creature, its body covered in shimmering scales that reflected the light of the Divine Hall. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly intelligence, and its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the entire arena.

"This is the Trial of Strength," the Guardian's voice echoed across the arena. "Defeat the Divine Beast, and you will pass."

The beast roared, its voice like thunder, and charged toward them with incredible speed. Its wings flapped, sending shockwaves through the air, and its claws glowed with divine energy as it aimed for the trio.

Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed as the beast charged. His muscles tensed, and he drew on the full power of his Blessings. With a roar, he dashed forward, his body moving faster than ever before. He could feel the divine energy coursing through him, but this was no ordinary challenge. The beast before him was a manifestation of pure power.

Yue'er and Lian'er were not far behind. Yue'er summoned her Spirit Domain once more, the translucent shield of energy forming around her as she rushed to meet the beast head-on. Lian'er's martial arts flowed like water, her body shifting and weaving as she launched a series of powerful strikes.

The beast swiped at them with its massive claws, each strike powerful enough to tear through mountains. Xiao Tian dodged, narrowly avoiding the attack, and retaliated with a flurry of punches that landed on the beast's body. Each blow caused the creature to stagger, but it quickly recovered, its regenerative abilities more than a match for Xiao Tian's strength.

Yue'er's Spirit Domain expanded, creating a barrier around them, but the beast's attacks seemed to grow stronger, more chaotic with each passing moment. It unleashed a barrage of energy blasts from its wings, forcing the trio to separate and evade.

Xiao Tian's mind raced. He could feel the power of his Blessings building within him, but it wasn't enough to defeat the beast. The key to this trial wasn't just brute strength—it was understanding the nature of their opponent.

With a sudden flash of insight, Xiao Tian realized that the beast was not merely a physical manifestation. It was a trial of endurance and will, a reflection of their own strength and inner resolve. They needed to work together, to synchronize their attacks and exploit the weaknesses they had learned from each other's abilities.

"Yue'er, Lian'er, focus on its wings!" Xiao Tian called out.

Together, the trio launched a coordinated assault. Yue'er's Spirit Domain shielded them from the beast's most devastating blows while Lian'er struck at its wings with pinpoint accuracy. Xiao Tian, empowered by the Blessings, focused on the creature's heart, aiming his strikes to penetrate the beast's defenses.

After a long and grueling battle, the beast let out a final roar before crumbling to the ground in a burst of divine energy. Its body dissolved into ethereal particles, leaving behind a faint glow of light that lingered in the air.

The arena fell silent.

"You have passed the Trial of Strength," the Guardian's voice echoed once more. "But you still have two trials to face. Prepare yourselves."

Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er stood panting, their bodies bruised and battered, but their spirits unbroken. They had taken the first step toward godhood, and they would not falter now.

The next trial awaited them.

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[End of Chapter 86]