In the shattered ruins of the city hospital, Lin You collapsed to his knees beside the dying glow of his Tree Spirit. The summoned guardian flickered once, then crumbled into green motes, fading like dew under flame.
Smoke hung in the air. Blood pooled under the fallen Light-Earth Faithholder—her armor cracked, her breathing still. Light-Water knelt beside her, desperately channeling a cleansing wave, while Light-Fire patrolled the outskirts, putting out residual blazes with grim precision.
The system prompt slid into view like a whisper:
> **[Your faith intensity has exceeded the divine threshold.]**
> **[Detected traits: "Willing Sacrifice · Core Support Anchor · Devotion to Alignment"]**
> **[Special Condition Met: You are eligible for Tiered Trial Access.]**
> **[Trial Invitation: Instance – Gate of the Fallen God]**
> **[Accept / Decline]**
Lin You stared at the screen, his breath ragged.
There was no hesitation.
> **[Accept Selected.]**
A beam of light speared down from the clouds above, wrapping around his body. As the world dissolved again, the system's voice echoed cold and divine:
> **[Matchmaking for Tiered Trial...]**
> **[Trial Name: Gate of the Fallen God]**
> **[Mode: Forced Light vs Dark Faction Clash · Squad Format · Weighted by Elemental Restraint]**
> **[Victory Condition: Survive until the end or complete divine mission]**
> **[You have been selected as: Light-Faction Godmandate Executor]**
> **[Warning: Death results in immediate trial failure]**
When Lin You opened his eyes, he stood within the ruins of an ancient temple.
Floating runes shimmered in the air, broken pillars circled a cracked platform, and the sky itself had split—one side burning with radiant gold, the other steeped in endless shadow.
In the center stood a massive gate—black and white halves twisting together like a locked seal. Ten divine emblems spiraled across its surface: five for Light, five for Dark—locked in eternal struggle.
> **[Instance: Gate of the Fallen God – Commencing]**
> **[Light-Faction Team Identified:]**
> – **J3115 (Light-Metal): Arbiter · Faith: Judge-God**
> – **L3284 (Light-Fire): Gunner · Faith: Blazing-God**
> – **Y2189 (Light-Water): Medic · Faith: Clear-God**
> – **E1127 (You): Forest Warden · Faith: Qingshen (Light-Wood)**
>
> **Role: Godmandate Executor · Special Perks Activated:**
> – **Guardian's Seal ×1**
> – **Light-Wood Enhancement ×1**
From across the platform, five dark silhouettes emerged—each cloaked in twisted power.
Their presence was oppressive—calculated and cold.
At their center stood a Dark-Fire Faithholder with molten runes carved across his arms and a burning mark upon his brow. His aura pulsed like volcanic breath—barely restrained.
> **[Enemy Team Identified:]**
> – **Dark-Fire ×2** *(One is Executor)*
> – **Dark-Earth ×1**
> – **Dark-Water ×1**
> – **Dark-Metal ×1**
>
> **Core Threat:**
> **Y0711 (Dark-Fire): Godmandate Executor · Faith: Scorch-God**
Lin You's gaze narrowed.
"A dark executor..."
Y0711 smirked, his eyes locking onto Lin You.
"Well, if it isn't the tree boy again. I was hoping you'd make it to the big leagues."
He cracked his neck. "Time to burn a mandate."
The air thickened, scorched and volatile.
Behind Lin You, his teammates snapped to attention.
The Light-Metal Arbiter raised his shield, stepping forward. "Protect E1127. I'll take the first impact."
Light-Fire clicked his weapon into place. "As long as he stands, we have a chance."
Lin You didn't speak. He walked calmly toward the front lines, holding the seed of his Tree Spirit between his palms.
This wasn't just a battle.
It was a declaration.
Opposite him, fire twisted into shapes—blades, whips, spears—divine judgment made flame.
Lin You closed his eyes.
"I am Light."
> **[God War Commencing]**
The ground trembled.
The Dark-Fire Executor moved first.
> **[Skill Activated: Infernal Chainlock]**
Twin fire chains exploded from his arms, snaking across the platform like red serpents, searing paths into the stone.
"Front wall, now!" the Arbiter shouted.
> **[Skill: Judgment Wall]**
A radiant gold barrier surged upward, absorbing the chains' initial impact.
**Boom!**
Metal clashed with flame. Sparks screamed in all directions.
"I've got this!" Light-Fire yelled, unleashing his **"Sunburst Lance"**—a three-phase plasma blast that tore through the incoming flame and scattered the chain's trajectory.
Behind them, Light-Water initiated **"Spring Ring"**, flooding the arena with a healing pulse.
Lin You unleashed his Tree Spirit.
But this time—it changed.
Enhanced by Light-Wood resonance, the spirit grew vines like wings, its roots weaving through teammates, automatically shielding the wounded and purifying dark burns.
> **[Buff Active: Light-Wood Domain]**
> – Heals and protects up to three allies per turn
> – Grants one Cleanse per round
Lin You's gaze sharpened.
He directed the vines to intercept the approaching Dark-Metal assassin—snagging its wrist mid-leap and halting its stealth rush.
> **[Skill: Entangling Thorns · Critical Intercept]**
On the front, Light-Metal staggered back under the brute force of Dark-Earth's quake slam.
"They're using Fire–Earth pressure! I can't hold this!"
"I'm here!" Light-Fire blinked behind him, releasing a solar barrage that forced the attacker back.
Lin You slid into the midline and repositioned the Tree Spirit, pulsing a wide-area shield.
Then came silence.
"Where did he go?" someone whispered.
"Above!"
Lin You looked up—
The Dark-Fire Executor now stood atop the fractured temple dome, blazing sigils consuming his body. Flames writhed from his fingertips like divine serpents.
> **[Godmandate Skill: Scorching Rite]**
> – **Effect**: Area Suppression
> – **Target**: Godmandate Executor (Lin You)
> – **Modifiers**: Burn Stack · Faithfire Corrosion · Inverted Healing
>
> **[Warning: Incoming Divine Execution]**
Lin You didn't move.
He summoned a second Tree Spirit. He wove vines into a dome, wrapped himself in bark and shield layers, layered purification over his chest.
He was the target.
He would not yield.
The fire fell like a meteor.
**BOOOOM!!**
The center of the temple ignited.
Lin You was hurled backwards, smashing into a broken pillar. His health plummeted. His Tree Spirit was obliterated.
> **[Status: Severe Burn ×2 · Shields Shattered · Health: 35%]**
> **[Divine Impact Triggering: Faith Core Surge]**
> **[Guardian's Seal Available · Use Now?]**
"Yes."
A glowing emerald seal bloomed across his chest. A massive Light-Wood vine burst outward, wrapping him in a shimmering cocoon of bark and light.
The Dark-Fire Executor narrowed his eyes.
"You survived that?"
"Let's see you last another."
He raised his hand, preparing another divine burst.
Lin You rose, blood at his lips, bones screaming.
But he smiled.
"As long as I stand, your victory is just a trailer."
The Tree still lived within him.
And Light... did not kneel.