NOVEL NEXT Chapter 87: Chapter 87: The Trial of Wisdom
As the divine glow from the defeated beast slowly dissipated, a calmness swept over the arena. The once chaotic atmosphere of the battle transformed into an eerie silence. Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er stood together, their breathing steadying after the intense combat. They knew that this was only the beginning, and the next trial awaited them.
The Guardian's voice resonated once more, echoing through the vast expanse of the arena. "You have passed the Trial of Strength. Now, you must face the Trial of Wisdom."
The ground beneath their feet trembled, and the arena shifted once again. The brilliant stone columns that had surrounded them faded into nothingness, replaced by towering trees whose branches stretched into the sky. The air grew thick with the scent of ancient, untouched forests, and the surroundings now resembled a labyrinth.
The Guardian's voice continued, "You must navigate through the Labyrinth of Knowledge. In this place, your intellect will be tested. The path forward is hidden, and only those who can solve the riddles of the gods will be allowed to proceed."
Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed as he scanned the new surroundings. The trees seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, their trunks etched with symbols that appeared to be alive. They glowed faintly, their inscriptions seeming to shift and change as the trio stepped deeper into the labyrinth.
"I have a feeling this will be more than just physical," Yue'er said, her eyes glimmering with the same intensity she always displayed during trials. "Our minds will be tested here, not just our bodies."
Xiao Tian nodded. "Stay alert. The answers may not be as straightforward as we expect."
As they ventured deeper into the labyrinth, the air grew thick with a strange presence. The trees loomed like ancient guardians, their eyes gleaming from within the bark. Suddenly, a voice boomed from the center of the maze.
"To proceed, you must solve the Riddle of the Gods," it declared. "Fail, and you shall be trapped here for eternity. Answer correctly, and you shall find the way forward."
The voice was not the Guardian's—it was something older, ancient beyond measure. It resonated with the power of the cosmos itself.
The trio halted, their eyes shifting toward each other as the voice continued.
"The Riddle of the Gods is as follows: I am not alive, yet I grow. I do not have lungs, yet I need air. I do not have a mouth, yet water kills me. What am I?"
A cold silence followed as the three of them pondered the riddle. Xiao Tian's mind raced as he tried to decipher the meaning behind the cryptic words.
Yue'er closed her eyes for a moment, her brow furrowing in concentration. "It's a living contradiction. Not alive, but it grows. Not breathing, but it needs air... and water kills it."
Lian'er, usually calm and composed, looked pensive. Her voice was a soft murmur. "It sounds like fire. Fire needs air to burn, yet it dies in water."
Xiao Tian's eyes widened. "That's it! The answer is fire. It's the only thing that fits all the clues."
The labyrinth suddenly rumbled, and a large stone door appeared before them. It creaked open, revealing a shimmering path that led further into the unknown.
"We've done it," Yue'er said, her voice filled with relief.
But as they continued down the path, Xiao Tian couldn't shake the feeling that the riddle was only the beginning. The Guardian's words had warned them that only wisdom would carry them forward, and the trials were far from over.
Suddenly, a second voice echoed through the labyrinth, colder and more imposing.
"You have passed the first trial, but do you believe that your wisdom is enough to overcome what lies ahead? The Trial of the Gods is not easily conquered."
A figure materialized in front of them—a floating entity, its body composed of pure energy. It was a being of light, but its form was constantly shifting, as though it was not bound by the laws of reality.
"This is the Trial of Knowledge," the entity declared, its voice reverberating in their minds. "Your minds must be sharp, your answers true. But the price of failure is dire."
The entity extended its hand toward them, and in an instant, a book appeared, floating before them. The cover was adorned with symbols that seemed to change as they gazed upon it.
"Open it, and answer the questions within," the entity commanded. "You have one chance, one question. Choose wisely."
Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er exchanged glances. This was not a challenge of strength. It was not a simple riddle, nor a fight to the death. This was a test of their very understanding of the universe.
Xiao Tian stepped forward, reaching out to open the book. The pages within shimmered with a divine glow, each one more radiant than the last. As he turned the pages, he saw the questions written in languages unknown to him, yet they made sense deep within his mind.
The first question appeared in bold letters:
"What is the origin of all things? What is the true source of the universe's power?"
Xiao Tian's mind raced. The answer was not immediately obvious. He had studied the ancient texts, read the scriptures of the gods, and even absorbed knowledge from his Blessings. But this question was different. It asked for the essence of existence itself.
Yue'er stepped closer, her eyes focused on the question. "This is more than just knowledge. It's the heart of creation. The answer must come from within."
Xiao Tian closed his eyes, his mind calming as he reached into his soul. He could feel the energy of his Blessings aligning with the question, guiding him toward the truth.
"Everything originates from the Void," he said finally, his voice steady. "The Void is the source of creation. From the Void, all things emerge. It is both nothing and everything, the birthplace of all that exists."
The entity nodded, its form flickering as if pleased with the answer.
"You have answered correctly. Proceed."
The book flipped open to the next page, and the second question appeared:
"What is the greatest force in existence?"
Xiao Tian took a deep breath. He knew that this question, like the first, demanded a profound answer.
"Love," he said without hesitation. "Love is the greatest force. It binds everything, transcends time and space, and unites all beings, regardless of their power or station. It is the essence of life."
The entity paused for a long moment, its light intensifying. Then, it spoke, "You are correct. Love is the force that transcends all. The universe itself is shaped by it."
The book closed, and the entity dissolved into the air, its form vanishing like smoke. A new path opened up before them, leading deeper into the labyrinth. The first two trials had been passed.
But Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er knew that the final trial was yet to come, and this would be the most challenging one of all.
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[End of Chapter 87]