Heavenly destiny? How can someone with heavenly destiny be born on barren land? This is just the prison realm..."
Lian Yao muttered slowly, her breathing growing heavier. She couldn't comprehend it. Her thoughts tangled like vines, the confusion thick in her mind. Everything she believed in was trembling.
On the other hand, Ren, who stood at the center of the ancient altar, felt an indescribable energy stir around him. The nine dragon pillars that surrounded the space were glowing with celestial might. Thunder rumbled within the secret realm, resonating deep in his bones.
He didn't understand what exactly was happening. But when Lian Yao's words reached his ears, he began to grasp a fragment of the truth — he was someone with a heavenly destiny.
"Heavenly destiny?" he thought, eyes narrowing. "I don't understand what that even means... but judging by everyone's reaction, it must be something extraordinary."
Yet, a gnawing doubt clawed at his heart. "Why would I have a heavenly destiny? I'm just... a clone."
His thoughts spiraled, unease blooming. His cautious nature made him question everything. Could Lian Yao be lying? Was this a trap? Or did she have her own motives for acknowledging him like this?
The air around them began to heat up. Crimson energy shimmered faintly in the distance. A moment later, Lian Yao blinked out of her daze and composed herself. Even with a calm face, her beauty remained radiant, almost divine.
She took a slow breath and said, "Congratulations. You've passed the first trial. Now, you may proceed to the second."
Ren looked at her, hesitating slightly.
She asked, "Do you want to rest?"
He nodded. "Yes, I'll rest a little."
After taking a moment to recover, Ren walked toward Lian Yao. His voice was soft, hesitant.
"Miss Lian," he asked, "may I ask you something?"
Lian Yao, caught in thought about the Nine Dragon Pillar, was slightly startled. Her brows raised subtly.
"You may ask. If you're qualified to hear the answer, I will tell you."
Ren hesitated for a moment, then spoke: "What is... heavenly destiny?"
Lian Yao's expression shifted. Her lips pressed into a thin line. But instead of answering directly, she replied, "If you can pass the second trial, then perhaps... you'll earn the right to know."
Her tone was cold, almost stern.
Ren nodded, sensing her unwillingness to speak further. He wouldn't push it. Answers would come in time — if he survived.
Soon, Lian Yao turned and said, "If you're ready, we can proceed."
Ren inhaled deeply and replied, "Yes, let's move on."
They made their way toward the second trial's location. It was a mystical pond, but the water didn't appear normal. It shimmered faintly with a violet hue. In its center blazed a purple flame, hovering above the water. Near it stood a jagged stone pedestal.
Ren's eyes narrowed. Something about the flame felt... alive.
Lian Yao spoke. "This is your second trial. Here, your aptitude will be tested. You must cross the pond and reach the flame. Once there, you must control it."
Ren stared at the flame. Even from a distance, he could feel its blistering heat. It was no ordinary fire.
"Is there something special about this flame?" he asked.
"Figure it out yourself," Lian Yao replied calmly. "That's the point of this test. But I will give you one piece of advice — be extremely careful. Three people have reached this stage before you. Two died here. Their deaths were... terrible."
With a graceful hand gesture, she signaled him to begin.
Ren took one last look at the pond, then stepped forward.
The moment his foot touched the water, a crushing pressure bore down on him.
His knees buckled. Bones groaned. Skin split under his robes.
"This is just the first step?" he thought, teeth clenched. "It feels like my body's about to shatter. How am I supposed to make it across?"
He had always been strong — stronger than most at his level — but now he felt like a fish facing a crocodile.
His mind raced. There was only one way.
"Infinity Heal."
He activated the technique. Golden light shimmered across his torn skin. Muscles stitched themselves back. Bones reformed.
But under the pressure, they cracked again. And again.
Yet, with every repetition of destruction and healing, his body slowly adapted. His bones hardened. His muscles toughened. He endured hundreds of cycles of pain and regeneration.
Eventually, he could stand firm in the pond.
Lian Yao, watching from afar, remained calm. But she couldn't hide the flicker in her eyes.
"So this is a person with heavenly destiny... There's no way he would die here. He must have some hidden trump card."
She turned her gaze away slightly.
Far away, in the slums — inside a dimly lit room — Shen Yue was completing his calisthenics training.
Sweat glistened on his brow. He checked his progress, and his brows furrowed in surprise.
"Huh?"
He stared at the stats floating before him.
Calisthenics - 23% (Great Success)
"That's impossible... My progress jumped like a soaring eagle. Just yesterday, it was crawling like a snail."
He focused, trying to sense what his clones were doing. Clone 1 was in a tavern, reading and watching the Cao family's movements.
Clone 2... was in the secret realm.
He thought about checking in on him but stopped. Lian Yao, the guardian of the trial, was a powerful entity. Probing could be dangerous.
"Whatever the reason," Shen Yue muttered, "it's a good thing for me."
He resumed his training. Smooth, flowing movements followed one another like a graceful dance.
Meanwhile, back in the secret realm — Ren stood, unaware of what was happening outside. His focus was total.
He had taken the first step, but eleven remained.
"Just eleven more..." he whispered.
He stepped forward.
Crack.
Muscles tore. Bones splintered. His organs twisted violently.
He screamed inwardly, but his face remained stone-like.
His fists clenched. Teeth ground together.
Again, the cycle continued. Infinity Heal. Pain. Growth.
With every step, his body evolved. What was once unbearable became tolerable.
Ten steps. Nine. Eight...
Time became meaningless. Every second was filled with pain, but he never stopped. Never paused.
After what felt like an eternity, he reached the final step.
His mind was a blank canvas. Eyes dull. Limbs trembling. His soul burned with exhaustion, but his will remained.
He stepped onto the final stone.
Suddenly, his body relaxed. The pressure vanished. Air filled his lungs more freely. His eyes shone, a renewed spark igniting within.
"I made it," he whispered.
Now came the final challenge — controlling the flame.
But as he gazed at it, lost in thought, the purple fire surged toward him. Its movement was swift, almost sentient.
Blazing heat consumed the air. The flame wrapped around him.
"AHHHHHH!!"
A bone-chilling scream echoed through the secret realm.
His figure disappeared within the purple blaze.