The third gate loomed before them, its surface gleaming with radiant sigils that pulsed like a heartbeat. Each symbol seemed to resonate with the Genesis Core within Jin Long, sending waves of energy that made his blood hum in response.
Yue Lan reached out, her fingers tracing one of the intricate symbols. "This gate... it's different."
Jin Long nodded, his gaze fixed on the sigils. "It's not just a door. It's a seal."
"A seal?"
"Yes. A seal meant to test our resolve, our very willpower," Jin Long said, feeling the intense pressure emanating from it. "If we're not prepared, it will crush us."
Yue Lan took a deep breath, her jaw setting in determination. "Then let's do it together."
They stepped forward in unison, placing their palms against the gate. The sigils flared to life, engulfing them in a blinding light.
When the light receded, they found themselves standing in a vast expanse of nothingness—a void of endless white. The ground beneath their feet was smooth and cold, reflecting their images like a mirror.
"What is this place?" Yue Lan whispered, her voice echoing infinitely.
Before Jin Long could answer, a gust of wind roared through the void, and the white space twisted, forming into a grand hall of crystalline pillars and celestial light. At the center of the hall stood a colossal throne, and upon it sat a figure clad in golden armor, eyes blazing like twin suns.
The figure rose, each step echoing like thunder. His presence was overwhelming, his aura suffocating. He wielded a spear of divine energy, its edge crackling with celestial lightning.
"Who dares enter the Celestial Hall?" the figure's voice boomed, shaking the very ground beneath them.
Jin Long stepped forward, his gaze steady. "I am Jin Long, the inheritor of the Genesis Core."
The figure's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing Jin Long as if looking into his very soul. "The Core? That power is not meant for mortals. To claim it is to defy the heavens themselves."
Jin Long's jaw tightened. "I did not ask for this power. But now that I have it, I will use it to protect those I care about."
"Protect?" The figure's laugh echoed like a storm. "You cannot even protect yourself."
Without warning, he lunged forward, spear thrusting toward Jin Long with blinding speed. Jin Long barely had time to react, raising his sword to block. The impact sent a shockwave through the hall, forcing Yue Lan back.
The force of the strike reverberated through Jin Long's bones. The figure's strength was monstrous, each blow threatening to shatter his defenses.
Yue Lan clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with determination. "I won't stand by and watch!"
She darted forward, her palms surging with concentrated energy. With a fierce cry, she unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, each one striking the figure with explosive force.
The figure staggered, his armor cracking slightly. But instead of retreating, he grinned, a wild, maniacal grin. "Good! Show me your resolve!"
He raised his spear high, and from the heavens above, countless lightning bolts descended, crashing down like divine judgment. Jin Long gritted his teeth, summoning the Genesis Core's power to shield himself and Yue Lan.
But the lightning kept coming, each strike more powerful than the last. Jin Long's knees buckled under the weight of the assault, his vision blurring.
"You are weak," the figure's voice boomed, echoing like the voice of a god. "You are unworthy of the Core!"
Jin Long's heart pounded, sweat pouring down his face. The words struck deep, a cold blade piercing through his resolve. Was he truly unworthy?
"Jin Long!" Yue Lan shouted, her voice a lifeline in the chaos. "Don't listen to him! You've come too far to give up now!"
Jin Long's eyes snapped open. The Genesis Core pulsed within him, its energy rising like a tidal wave. He gripped his sword tightly, feeling its weight become one with his arm.
"No," Jin Long said, his voice firm, unwavering. "I am not weak."
He surged forward, his blade cutting through the lightning, each strike fueled by his newfound resolve. With a powerful roar, he swung his sword, unleashing a torrent of energy that clashed with the spear, sending the figure flying back.
The figure crashed into the throne, the hall quaking with the impact. Smoke and dust filled the air, obscuring the figure from view.
Jin Long and Yue Lan stood side by side, their breathing heavy but their gazes fierce.
The smoke cleared, revealing the figure slumped against the throne, his armor shattered, his spear broken. Despite his defeat, he managed a weak, satisfied smile.
"Well done," he said, his voice softer now. "You have proven your resolve."
Jin Long frowned, stepping closer. "Who are you?"
The figure's form began to dissipate, his golden light fading. "I was once like you—a bearer of the Genesis Core. But I failed to protect it. Now, I am but a guardian, a test for those who seek to wield its power."
His body dissolved completely, his final words hanging in the air. "Remember, Jin Long, power alone is not enough. Strength of heart, strength of will—these are the true keys to ascension."
The hall began to crumble, the white void swallowing them once again.
When the light faded, Jin Long and Yue Lan found themselves standing before the third gate, its sigils now dark and lifeless.
Jin Long exhaled, his body trembling from exhaustion. "Three gates down."
Yue Lan squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with pride. "And one step closer to ascension."
Ahead, the path stretched into darkness, the final gate looming in the distance—a gate that pulsed with an ominous, foreboding energy.
And beyond it, Jin Long could feel the presence of Zhan Wuhen waiting, his dark power radiating like a black sun.