The portal's light faded, and the group found themselves standing amidst a barren wasteland. The ground was cracked and dry, with mist swirling ominously around them. Shadows danced across the valley, and the air was heavy with a palpable sense of dread.
"This place…" Lei Chen muttered, rubbing his arms to shake off the chill. "It feels… wrong."
Yue Lan's eyes darted around, her senses on high alert. "This is no ordinary valley. The air is thick with resentment and sorrow."
Xue Lian appeared beside them, her silver robes flowing like liquid light. "You are now in the Valley of Forgotten Souls—a realm where lost spirits wander aimlessly, forever trapped between life and death. This is where the First Seal is located."
Jin Long stepped forward, eyes scanning the desolate landscape. "Where do we begin?"
Xue Lian pointed to a towering structure in the distance. It was a colossal stone fortress, its walls inscribed with ancient runes that pulsed with an eerie red glow. "The Guardian of the First Seal resides there. But reaching it won't be easy. The spirits here are restless, and they will try to drag you into the Abyss."
"The Abyss?" Xiang Wei asked, his grip tightening around his spear.
Xue Lian's expression darkened. "A place where lost souls are devoured and turned into mindless husks. Stay together and do not let them touch you."
Jin Long nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "Let's go."
They moved as one, navigating through the valley. The mist grew thicker, and whispers echoed around them—faint, mournful voices calling out in anguish. Shadows flickered in the corner of their vision, but when they turned, nothing was there.
Lei Chen shivered. "Are these the spirits?"
"Yes," Xue Lian said softly. "They're watching us, waiting for us to make a mistake."
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. The group spun around to see a figure emerging from the mist—a woman with hollow eyes and a twisted, sorrowful expression. Her body was translucent, and her hands clawed at the air as she wailed.
"Help me…" she cried, her voice echoing with despair. "Please… save me…"
Before Jin Long could respond, Xue Lian grabbed his arm. "Don't listen to her. She's not real."
But the spirit's eyes locked onto Jin Long's, and suddenly, her form shifted. She now resembled his mother, her face contorted in pain. "Jin Long… why did you leave me to die?"
Jin Long's heart pounded, his breath hitching. "Mother…?"
"Jin Long!" Yue Lan's voice snapped him back to reality. The spirit lunged at him, her hollow eyes now burning with hatred. Jin Long drew his sword, slashing through her form. She let out a blood-curdling scream and dissipated into black mist.
Xiang Wei cursed under his breath. "This place is a nightmare. They can read our memories."
Xue Lian nodded grimly. "That's the Valley's curse. It feeds on your fears and regrets. Stay focused, or it will consume you."
They pressed on, the fortress looming closer. The air grew colder, and the whispers grew louder, like a chorus of lost souls. More spirits appeared, each taking the form of someone from their past—friends, family, enemies—each blaming them, cursing them, pleading for help.
Yue Lan gritted her teeth, tears streaming down her face as she fought off the illusions. "This isn't real… it's not real…"
Jin Long tightened his grip on his sword, eyes blazing. "Ignore them. Keep moving!"
They finally reached the entrance of the fortress—a massive stone gate inscribed with runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. Standing before it was a lone figure—a woman clad in black armor, her eyes cold and unyielding.
Xue Lian's eyes narrowed. "Be careful. That's the Guardian of the First Seal."
The Guardian's gaze fell on Jin Long, and a sinister smile curved her lips. "So, you've come to claim the Seal of Judgment. But are you worthy?"
Jin Long stepped forward, his stance firm. "I will prove it."
The Guardian chuckled darkly, raising her sword. "Then show me. If you can survive the Trial of Memories, the First Seal is yours."
Before Jin Long could react, the ground beneath them split open, and the world around them shattered like glass. They were plunged into darkness, the echoes of their pasts swirling around them.
Jin Long found himself standing alone, surrounded by memories—each more painful than the last. The faces of those he had failed, the voices of those he had lost—all of them accusing him, dragging him down.
But Jin Long gritted his teeth, the Genesis Core pulsing within him. "I am not who I was. I will not be chained by the past!"
The darkness trembled, and the ground beneath him solidified. The Guardian's voice echoed around him. "You think you can conquer your fears? Prove it."
A wave of shadowy figures rushed toward him, each one bearing the face of someone he had lost. Jin Long raised his sword, eyes blazing with determination.
"It's time to let go."
And with that, he charged forward, ready to face the Trial of Memories and claim the First Seal.