[Scene: Ruins Beneath Misty Hollow – Midnight]
Luo Chen led Ye Tianfeng through a narrow path behind a waterfall, revealing a cracked stone gate sealed with glowing glyphs. Vines wrapped around its frame like sleeping serpents.
> "This is the only legacy my sect left behind," Luo Chen whispered. "A trial chamber… created by the founder of the Lost Sect himself."
Tianfeng stepped forward, sensing ancient pressure from behind the stone. His soul trembled, not in fear—but in recognition.
> [Heavenly Engraving Panel Detected Legacy Source]
Initiating Optional Trial...
Engraver's Trial: Soul Synchronization Path
Difficulty: Intermediate
Reward: +1 Engraving Slot
Do you wish to proceed? [Y/N]
He didn't hesitate.
> "Yes."
The glyphs ignited. A pulse of golden light enveloped him.
---
[Scene: Engraver's Domain – Dreamlike Space]
Tianfeng opened his eyes to find himself standing on a floating platform in a void of swirling clouds. Runes spun around him like clockwork.
A figure materialized ahead—half-spirit, half-machine. Its voice echoed like thunder trapped in stone.
> "To engrave what is not yours, you must first withstand what was never meant for mortals."
> "Pass three tests. Fail, and your soul will scatter."
---
[Trial One: Will of the Storm]
Wind roared. The clouds above split open, sending down spears of lightning.
Tianfeng sprinted forward, activating Gale Step.
His body blurred—dodging, weaving, nearly cleaved in half. One misstep, and death would be immediate.
But he adapted. With each strike, he moved faster, the wind becoming an extension of his limbs.
> [Trial One: Passed]
Reflexes and elemental synchronization confirmed.
---
[Trial Two: Soul Reflection]
A mirror of himself stepped from the mist.
It spoke with his voice. Moved with his stance.
> "You want power? You killed for it. You'll kill again."
They clashed—blade against fist, technique against instinct. The mirror was fast, ruthless, unrelenting.
But it lacked one thing: growth.
Tianfeng absorbed every pattern, learned, evolved mid-battle.
He struck the final blow through the reflection's chest.
> [Trial Two: Passed]
Adaptive cognition confirmed.
---
[Trial Three: System Stability]
The world trembled. His panel cracked.
A message appeared:
> Error: Core Slot Unstable. Risk of system breakdown. Do you wish to proceed?
Tianfeng gritted his teeth. "Proceed."
His soul burned. The engraving symbols wrapped around his body, carving lines of light across his skin.
He screamed—but stood firm.
> [Trial Three: Passed]
Core Soul Stability Confirmed.
+1 Engraving Slot Unlocked
---
[Scene: Ruins Beneath Misty Hollow – Dawn]
Tianfeng collapsed back onto the moss-covered stone. Luo Chen knelt beside him, stunned.
Then he saw it: a new engraving—etched in light—burned across Tianfeng's chest.
> [Engraving Slot 2/2 Active]
System Upgrade: Talent Scan (Unlocked)
You may now scan enemies within 10 meters for talent affinity.
Tianfeng opened his eyes, voice hoarse but steady.
> "Now I don't have to wait for talent to come to me…"
> "I'll hunt it down myself."
---
[End of Chapter 8]