The illusory world faded.
Golden fire flickered around Su Yang as he stood at the threshold. Beyond the final illusion was a wide, glowing platform shaped like a lotus—ethereal, weightless, suspended in the air. It pulsed with the residual pressure of countless wills and failed attempts.
This was not part of the Seven Illusions.
This was the true final step—a test not of illusions, but of Dao Heart.
At the center of the lotus platform was a single step made of translucent crystal. Words etched in ancient runes hovered above it:
"Those who endure the Seven Heavens must now face the Self Beyond Self. To ascend, you must step without hesitation. One wrong thought, one flicker of doubt, and the lotus shall reject you."
Su Yang narrowed his eyes. He could feel it—the step wasn't testing power, talent, or even cultivation. It was testing the firmness of one's Dao.
In the world of cultivation, everyone had a Dao—their path. It was formed not from martial skills but from who they were, what they believed in, and what they wished to become.
Su Yang placed one foot on the edge of the glowing lotus.
"If I hesitate… I'll fall."
But he didn't.
Not this time.
Not after all he had survived.
Su Yang took a deep breath. Max's companionship. Lu Ying's sacrifice. Jin Hao's laughter. His promise to survive and grow stronger.
His desire… to choose his life.
He stepped forward.
The lotus flared.
Waves of pure spiritual pressure slammed into him, far beyond anything he'd experienced—even in the illusion. It was the lingering Dao pressure of thousands of cultivators who had walked this trial in the past. Only a few had succeeded. Most had failed—some broken, some even dying from rejection.
Thud.
Su Yang's foot touched the crystal step.
For a moment—just a moment—time stood still.
Then came the whispers.
From the edge of the lotus, ghostly silhouettes emerged. One by one, they circled him. Some looked like men, others like beasts, some like flames or clouds. These were fragments of Dao from past cultivators who had tried and failed to step through.
"You are not worthy," they said in unison.
"You borrowed your body… You borrowed your system… You are not real."
Su Yang stood firm.
"Maybe so," he replied. "But everything I've done… I did with my own hands."
He summoned his Karma Fire Body, the golden lotus with sixteen glowing petals behind his back. The figures screamed in fury, attempting to push him off the step.
But instead of resisting, Su Yang closed his eyes and took a second step forward.
The figures burst into flames—cleansed by his Will.
The lotus platform trembled.
Then…
A chime rang out. Clear, pure, eternal.
It was not from the array.
It was from the Heavenly Dao itself.
[Congratulations. Host has passed the Seven Heavens Trial.]
[Final Stage Complete: Soul Pressure, Dao Intention, and Willpower recognized.]
[Special Reward Granted: Talent Rating Adjusted → "Exceptional."]
[Hidden Bloodline Trait Resonance Detected — Awakening Delayed.]
[You have earned the acknowledgment of the Path.]
Light descended.
From the skies of the array world, a ray of golden energy surged downward, piercing through Su Yang's body, soul, and spirit.
His body shook violently, but he did not cry out.
Instead, he smiled.
"Finally…"
The golden light infused into his meridians and sea of consciousness.
[Ding!]
[Cultivation Base Breakthrough Detected!]
[Blood Tempering Realm (low) → Blood Tempering Realm (peak)]
Suddenly, the weight of his body vanished—then returned with strength.
Veins across his arms pulsed with crimson energy as blood began to carry spiritual power more efficiently. His internal organs grew tougher, more refined. His senses sharpened. His spirit core rotated faster.
At the same time, his Karma Fire Body adapted itself to the new strength. The sixteenth petal folded slightly inward, hiding its full power—but Su Yang knew. It was there, waiting for its time.
Max barked joyfully from beyond the array.
From the viewing platforms, elders and sect masters stared with stunned faces.
"That boy…" murmured one elder from the Iron Sword Sect. "He passed the entire Seven Heavens trial… alone."
"And he advanced realms inside the trial," another said, eyes narrowing. "He was at Blood Tempering(low), and now he's at Blood Tempering(peak). In the middle of a Dao Illusion!"
"Who is he?"
A cold voice came from a man in silver robes—Sun Xiyan's elder.
"Hmph. This boy… we underestimated him. But he will not escape us forever. The moment he leaves this trial…"
But another elder nearby added, "Be careful. Didn't you see the lotus? … That's not normal. And the Heavenly Dao itself responded."
The silver-robed elder's gaze flickered.
"So he's not just some talented brat… There's something deeper here."
---
Back on the Platform…
As Su Yang stepped off the lotus platform and the illusionary space dissolved, he reappeared at the edge of the arena.
All around him, stunned participants watched as he exited the array formation. Even Jin Hao, who had passed the illusion test moments before, stared at him wide-eyed.
"Su Yang… you… You didn't just pass, did you? You crushed it."
Su Yang gave her a tired but genuine smile.
"I'm still standing, aren't I?"
Then his knees buckled—but Max rushed forward and supported him with his little body, barking in excitement.
Jin Hao laughed, shaking her head. "I don't know what monster left you behind, but I'm glad you're on our side."
Su Yang just chuckled faintly.
But in his heart… he knew this was only the beginning.
---