NOVEL NEXT Chapter 88: Chapter 88: The Final Trial – The Heart of the Labyrinth
The trio stepped forward into the newly revealed path, their footsteps echoing against the ancient stone beneath them. Each step seemed to pull them deeper into the labyrinth, where the air grew heavier and the energy of the Supreme God Realm pressed down on their bodies. The trees, once merely ominous, now seemed alive with an almost sentient awareness, their glowing symbols shifting as if whispering secrets of their own.
Xiao Tian's sharp senses picked up the faint tremors in the air, the subtle pulse of divine energy that seemed to resonate with his soul. His multi-blessings system chimed softly within his mind, bringing up the familiar holographic panel.
---
[System Notification]
Trial Progress: 90%
Next Objective: Survive the Final Trial – The Heart of the Labyrinth.
---
"We're close," Xiao Tian muttered, his eyes scanning the dimly lit path ahead. "But I doubt the final trial will be as straightforward as the others."
Yue'er tightened her grip on her sword, her celestial aura shimmering faintly around her. "It's never straightforward, is it? But whatever comes next, we face it together."
Lian'er nodded, her golden eyes gleaming with determination. "We've overcome everything so far. This won't be any different."
As they approached the heart of the labyrinth, a massive structure came into view—a towering gate of golden light, pulsating with divine energy. It was adorned with intricate carvings of gods and goddesses, their expressions serene yet commanding. The gate exuded an overwhelming aura, one that spoke of untold power and immeasurable wisdom.
Before the gate stood a lone figure cloaked in black, their face hidden beneath a hood. The air around them seemed to ripple, as though the very fabric of reality bent to their presence. When they spoke, their voice was both ancient and chilling.
"So, you've made it this far," the figure said, their tone neutral. "Few have reached the Heart of the Labyrinth. Fewer still have left it alive."
Xiao Tian stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "If you're the final guardian, then we're ready. Let's finish this trial."
The figure chuckled, a low and haunting sound. "Bravery alone will not save you. This is not a trial of strength or intellect—it is a trial of the heart."
The golden gate behind the figure shimmered, and three doors materialized, each radiating a different energy. One was bathed in a fiery glow, its aura wild and untamed. The second shimmered with a cold, crystalline light, serene yet unyielding. The third exuded a gentle warmth, comforting and inviting.
"These doors represent the paths of your souls," the figure explained. "Each of you must choose one and face what lies within. Only by confronting the truth of your heart can you proceed."
---
Xiao Tian's Path
Xiao Tian chose the door of fire, drawn to its fierce energy. As he stepped through, the world around him changed. He found himself standing in the ruins of a battlefield, the ground scorched and littered with broken weapons. The sky was ablaze, and in the distance, he saw a lone figure—himself.
The doppelgänger was clad in dark armor, his eyes glowing with an ominous red light. This was not the Xiao Tian of now, but a version of him consumed by power and ambition, devoid of compassion.
"You think you can master the blessings of the gods?" the doppelgänger sneered. "You think you're worthy of love, of friendship? Power is all that matters."
Xiao Tian gritted his teeth. "You're wrong. Power means nothing without the people you protect with it."
The doppelgänger lunged at him, their clash shaking the ground. Each strike was a test of his resolve, forcing him to confront his fears and insecurities. But with every blow, Xiao Tian's belief in his path grew stronger. He was not the man who would be consumed by power. He was the man who would rise above it.
---
Yue'er's Path
Yue'er chose the crystalline door, stepping into a realm of ice and silence. The world was cold and empty, a vast expanse of frozen wasteland. In the center stood a single figure—a younger version of herself, clutching a small, broken blade.
"You abandoned us," the younger Yue'er whispered, tears streaming down her face. "You left everyone behind to chase power. You'll always be alone."
The words cut deeper than any sword, but Yue'er did not falter. She knelt before the younger version of herself, her voice soft yet firm. "I made mistakes, but I've grown. I'm not that person anymore. I'm fighting not just for myself, but for those I care about."
The younger Yue'er dissolved into light, and the frozen wasteland began to thaw. Yue'er emerged stronger, her heart free of the guilt that had weighed her down.
---
Lian'er's Path
Lian'er stepped through the door of warmth, finding herself in a serene meadow filled with golden light. But the peace was short-lived. Shadows crept across the field, and figures from her past emerged—faces she had lost, people she had failed to protect.
"Why did you let us die?" one of the figures asked, their voice filled with sorrow. "You could have saved us."
Lian'er's hands trembled, but she stood her ground. "I can't change the past. But I can honor your memory by becoming stronger, by ensuring no one else suffers the same fate."
The shadows faded, and the meadow returned to its golden tranquility. Lian'er felt a sense of closure, her resolve strengthened.
---
Reuniting at the Heart
The trio emerged from their respective trials, each of them changed in subtle yet profound ways. The black-cloaked figure stood before them, their hood now lowered to reveal a face of pure light.
"You have faced the truths of your hearts and emerged victorious," the figure said. "You are worthy to pass into the Supreme God Realm."
The golden gate opened, revealing a breathtaking sight beyond—a city of light suspended in the cosmos, where gods and goddesses walked among celestial gardens and crystalline towers. This was the heart of the Supreme God Realm, the pinnacle of divine existence.
Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er stepped through, their journey far from over but their bonds stronger than ever.
---
[End of Chapter 88]