Throughout the wild, untamed wilderness, everyone remained on high alert, scanning their surroundings with narrowed eyes. No one dared to stay close to another; even if they tried, those abyssal black shadows would force them apart, isolating them in the dark.

  Gu Zong had reached a rocky plateau where the dense forest finally began to thin out. Yet, the shadows were relentless. He had intentionally moved into the open, sun-drenched area, theorizing that the darkness of the shadows would dissipate in the light. He was wrong. Suddenly, from the gloom of the tree line, two shadows lunged toward him.

  Once more, Gu Zong’s blade became a blur of silver. He struck both shadows simultaneously, but the result remained unchanged: two shadows became four.

  Gu Zong stopped, his breath hitching. He stood perfectly still. To his surprise, the shadows stopped as well. A fleeting moment of silence washed over the plateau. Gu Zong watched them, his eyes working to solve a puzzle that seemed to have no logic. He tentatively took a step back. The shadows instantly moved one step forward.

  A realization began to dawn on him. He took a bold step forward; the shadows retreated exactly one pace. As long as he remained stationary, they stood like sentinels. Gu Zong finally understood the nature of this trial. Without warning, he sheathed his sword and sat down on the hard ground, closing his eyes in meditation.

  The Inner Abyss

  When Gu Zong opened his eyes again, he was standing under a vast, empty sky. There were no trees, no houses only an infinite void. Then, he heard a voice from behind. He turned to find his mother and father standing there, their arms outstretched, calling him home with loving smiles.

  As Gu Zong ran toward them, their forms flickered and distorted. Suddenly, they were gone. In their place stood Han Juan Hao. Gu Zong’s blood boiled with a murderous rage. But as he lunged to kill the man, heavy iron chains erupted from the ground, binding him tightly. He couldn't move an inch.

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  Suddenly, Gu Zong’s eyes snapped open in the real world. He was gasping for air, his heart hammering against his ribs. He looked ahead the shadows were gone. The rocky plateau was empty.

  "What was that?!" he whispered to himself, trembling. "What just happened?!"

  He scanned the area again, but he was truly alone. At that exact moment, the red silk band around his wrist unraveled and slid off, fluttering to the ground like a dead leaf.

  The silence now felt as deep as the ocean floor. Still lost in thought, trying to process the vision, he began to walk. His steps felt heavy, burdened by the weight of what he had seen. The surrounding peace felt like a threat in itself.

  After walking for some time, he reached the main gates of the Lanyue Pavilion. But the moment he set foot on the threshold, a shoe flew through the air and struck him squarely in the face. The impact was so sudden and forceful that Gu Zong tumbled backward, landing hard on his rear.

  His nose throbbed with a dull ache and turned a bright, angry red. Seething with fury, he scrambled to his feet and roared:

  "Who is responsible for this idiocy?!"

  As the words left his mouth, he saw Grandmaster Kang Jue standing before him, holding his other shoe in his hand. The Grandmaster stepped closer and asked flatly:

  "What are you doing here?"

  Gu Zong’s eyes widened as he thrust his bare wrist forward.

  "I completed the trial! I’ve come back!"

  The Grandmaster looked annoyed.

  "I’m not talking about that. Where is Han Wuang Shi? Until you return with him, you are not permitted inside. And neither is he."

  Gu Zong felt the world spin. His eyes bulged, and his blood began to simmer. He made a sour face and hissed under his breath,

  "I don't know what kind of curse I’m stuck with..."

  Just then, other students began to arrive. They passed by, snickering at the sight of his bright red nose. Zhuang Hue and Jun Wan were among them. Zhuang Hue shook his head as he walked past, whispering mischievously,

  "Brother, there’s truly no hope for you."

  Jun Wan followed, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. Gu Zong’s expression soured even further. He gave the Grandmaster a dejected look and turned to leave. But then, the Grandmaster’s voice drifted from behind:

  "Gu Zong? What did you see? Did you face your fear? Were you able to defeat it?"

  Gu Zong froze. His ears perked up, and his eyes filled with astonishment. The very question he had been wrestling with in his mind had just been voiced by the Grandmaster. In an instant, his doubts cleared like a fog-covered mirror being wiped clean.

  He didn't turn back, but he felt it the Grandmaster wasn't looking at him with anger, but with an expectant gravity.

  With a renewed sense of purpose, Gu Zong took his first step back into the wilderness.