Volume 48 — Mastering the Shadows
The massive shadow entity loomed before Lin Feng and Caiyi, its form constantly shifting, pulsating with chaotic energy. Every movement seemed to defy logic, twisting reality itself. The trial of the fourth secret had reached its first true challenge.
Caiyi's grip tightened on her sword. "Lin Feng… this isn't just a battle. It's… testing our minds, our perception. If we hesitate, we'll fall into its illusions."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed, petals of the First Bloom spinning faster than ever, energy harmonized perfectly with the palace. "Exactly. Physical attacks won't work. We need to understand it, anticipate it, and act in complete harmony with the palace's flow. Peach Spirit… guide us."
Host, the Peach Spirit whispered, the shadows feed on doubt and hesitation. They can only be dismantled through insight and alignment. Focus, observe, and act as one with the palace.
The shadow entity surged forward, splitting into multiple forms, each reflecting fears and failures from Lin Feng's past. Memories of near-defeats, illusions of weakness, and echoes of enemies long gone were all projected in terrifying clarity.
Caiyi's eyes widened. "Lin Feng… they're trying to break us mentally, not physically!"
Lin Feng's petals flared, slicing through the deceptive forms. But this time, he didn't merely strike—he observed patterns in the shadows, noting the pulse of energy beneath them, the subtle shifts in their forms. Each movement of the petals was calculated, anticipating the next transformation.
"Every shadow has a rhythm… a flaw," Lin Feng murmured. "We just need to harmonize perfectly with it, not force it."
As he synchronized fully with the palace, the shadows began to shatter, dissolving into harmless energy streams. Caiyi followed suit, her movements precise, her perception heightened. Together, they dismantled the entity piece by piece, using insight and intuition rather than brute force.
Finally, the massive shadow collapsed entirely, leaving the chamber glowing with calm, ancient energy. The crystalline sigil pulsed brighter than ever, acknowledging their victory.
Caiyi exhaled in awe. "We did it… we actually mastered it."
Lin Feng hovered, petals spinning in perfect harmony, aura resonating with the palace. "The shadows were only the first test. The fourth secret is awakening… and our true journey is just beginning."