"Junior disciple Li Xuan of Heavenly Yi Pavilion's Wood Pavilion, requests an audience with Senior Wanfeng Elder!"
The clear voice rippled like water waves towards the Wanfeng Forest Cave. After Li Xuan shouted three times consecutively, an immense aura slowly rose from the ground.
A colossal face emerged, etched with the marks of time and hardship.
"Disciple of Heavenly Yi Pavilion… what business do you have here?" The giant face shifted, and a hoarse voice devoid of emotion echoed through the sky.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan and his companions showed a flicker of surprise. Though a voice had sounded, they couldn't pinpoint its origin. The mystery of Elder Wanfeng deepened Li Xuan's apprehension.
However, having received a response, Li Xuan dared not delay. He cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Senior, we three juniors have been dispatched to visit you. We humbly request permission to undergo some trials here."
Li Xuan's words hung in the air, and there was no immediate reply. Qiu Jiujian and Gong Hanfeng, though puzzled why Li Xuan hadn't revealed their true intentions, respected his leadership and remained silent. The three stood as if on thin ice, offering their junior salutes, their heads bowed low, not daring to look around.
"In over ten thousand years, Heavenly Yi Pavilion has never dispatched disciples to my Wanfeng Forest Cave. To speak of trials, I suspect there are other motives," Elder Wanfeng's voice finally drifted down after a full three minutes of waiting.
Hearing this, Li Xuan raised his head, looking at the colossal face, and then spoke, "Senior is being overly cautious. We three juniors are indeed here for trials. If we have been presumptuous, we beg Senior's forgiveness."
"Of course, we juniors also understand that disturbing Senior's peace without reason is improper, but this is a mission assigned to us, and we dare not disobey."
"Perhaps Senior would be willing to set a test? If we three juniors can pass your test, we implore Senior to allow us to complete this trial. If we fail, we can at least return with a report."
"A sharp-minded young one indeed. In that case, I must agree."
As Li Xuan finished speaking, Elder Wanfeng's voice echoed again, "Very well. For over ten thousand years, Heavenly Yi Pavilion and I have maintained a respectful relationship. Since you three young ones have been sent, it implies you are valued. You mentioned a test, so a test it shall be."
"If you succeed, you are free to train within the Wanfeng Forest Cave. Should you fail, do not blame me for not showing Lin Yi face."
"Thank you, Senior!" Li Xuan's heart soared with joy, and he bowed deeply towards the colossal face.
"Don't thank me yet. I've only agreed to give you a test. If you fail, your very lives could be in danger. With that in mind, are you still willing to proceed?" The giant face contorted, its hoarse voice reverberating through the heavens.
"Commander Li…" Gong Hanfeng whispered urgently to Li Xuan.
Qiu Jiujian, standing nearby, also showed a solemn expression. After all, they were facing an unfathomably mysterious entity.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then sighed, his gaze firm as he looked at the colossal face. "If it is our destiny, junior will have no regrets!"
"Excellent! If that is the case, then let us begin."
As Li Xuan spoke, the colossal face in the sky instantly vanished. The wisps of clouds that had surrounded the Wanfeng Forest Cave also disappeared.
With the dissipation of the clouds, Li Xuan and his companions felt the oppressive weight lift from their hearts. A straight path, extending from beneath their feet, led deep into the Wanfeng Forest Cave.
Seeing this, the three of them descended. After a brief exchange of glances, Qiu Jiujian and Gong Hanfeng, with determined expressions, followed Li Xuan.
"This path is called the Ascension Path. On this heavenly path, trials will manifest based on your own experiences. I shall not make it difficult for you; if even one of you can pass three consecutive trials, I will consider you successful."
As Li Xuan and his companions stepped onto the Ascension Path, Elder Wanfeng's voice sounded again. The three of them slowed their steps. The mountain ranges on either side of the Ascension Path began to move rapidly. In the next instant, the figures of Li Xuan and his companions vanished simultaneously.
On a mountain peak within the Wanfeng Forest Cave, a figure sat in meditation, gazing at the heavenly path before slowly closing their eyes.
Gales, rain, and howling winds assailed them. Fog swirled, obscuring vision beyond ten meters. Not only that, Li Xuan discovered his own Spiritual Sea had been sealed. Clearly, upon entering the Ascension Path, their spiritual energy had been suppressed by Elder Wanfeng.
Observing the suddenly altered scene, Li Xuan remained rooted to the spot, unmoved. Since Elder Wanfeng had stated that the Ascension Path would manifest trials based on each individual's circumstances, the best course of action was to remain steadfast and adapt.
Simultaneously, Li Xuan felt a flicker of curiosity, wondering what kind of trials the so-called Ascension Path would conjure based on his experiences.
The torrential rain poured down. After Li Xuan stood still for several minutes, a dim oil lamp appeared in the distance. Li Xuan glanced towards the approaching light, and as it drew nearer, his pupils contracted sharply. The figure holding the oil lamp was none other than his father, 'Li Jun'!
However, Li Xuan knew that the person before him was not his real father. This manifestation, though, stirred a sense of reluctance within him. But having chosen to accept the trials, Li Xuan could only face it.
At some point, the downpour quietly ceased. With a yellow paper umbrella and an oil lamp, 'Li Jun' slowly approached Li Xuan. Having been away from the Five-Dimensional World Continent for some time, Li Xuan felt a surge of emotion upon seeing his father again.
Just as he was about to speak, 'Li Jun' paused.
"Young man, could you do me a favor?" 'Li Jun' looked at Li Xuan, his eyes filled with a plea for help.
Li Xuan nodded. Though he remained silent, he had a strong premonition that the first trial would be what 'Li Jun' was about to say.
"I've fallen for a woman, but my family is poor and I cannot afford the betrothal gifts. Young man, could you help me by accompanying me to the cliff ahead to pick that white orchid?" 'Li Jun' spoke.
"Yes," Li Xuan replied with a nod. Knowing that the 'Li Jun' before him was not his true father, the momentary disturbance in his heart subsided.
'Li Jun' beamed upon hearing this and bowed to Li Xuan. "Thank you, young sir! To be frank, you are the first person to agree to help me. This way, please."
As 'Li Jun' finished speaking, he put away his umbrella and quickly strode towards the cliff. Li Xuan followed, his curiosity piqued about this 'white orchid' his father had mentioned.
In less than ten minutes, Li Xuan and 'Li Jun' arrived at the edge of a cliff.
The sky was faintly dawning. Under 'Li Jun's' direction, Li Xuan spotted a delicate, dew-kissed white flower. About ten meters below the cliff's edge, though small, it stood resilient and upright.
"Young sir, look, this white orchid is so beautiful. If sold at the market, it would fetch a good price. My betrothal gifts would be secured," 'Li Jun' exclaimed with excitement.
Li Xuan offered a slight nod, his gaze shifting back to 'Li Jun'.
"Young sir, could you hold onto me from above? I will go down to pick it, and then you can pull me up." 'Li Jun' requested.
"Alright." Although Li Xuan could have easily descended and retrieved it himself, since this was a trial, there was no need to deviate.
At this moment, 'Li Jun', having received Li Xuan's consent, quickly set down the bamboo basket on his back. A hemp rope, as thick as a thumb, appeared before Li Xuan's eyes.
"Young sir, I'm going down now," 'Li Jun' said to Li Xuan after securing the rope. With a nod of assent from Li Xuan, 'Li Jun' began to slide down the cliff.
Time trickled by. Five minutes later, 'Li Jun' finally reached the location of the white orchid. Li Xuan, holding the rope above, felt a pang of surprise. Was this the entirety of the first trial?
ROAR!
At that very moment, a heaven-shattering roar erupted. Li Xuan turned his head and saw a massive, spotted tiger appearing behind him. Judging by its posture, it clearly saw Li Xuan as prey.
"So, this is the true test."