Kael's fist struck like thunder, his qi blazing in a storm of golden light. The force cracked the blackened earth, sending shockwaves rolling through the Ground of Hell.
The Divine Beast didn't flinch.
Its crystal-like hide shimmered faintly, and where Kael's punch landed, only a ripple spread—like tossing a pebble into a vast, endless lake. The beast lowered its head, its molten eyes glowing with cruel amusement.
"That tickles," it rumbled. Its voice shook the marrow in Kael's bones. "You dare raise your hand to me? You, an ant who has not yet stepped into true power?"
Kael gritted his teeth, drawing back, his knuckles throbbing. The Immortal Book's hidden mark pulsed in his core, urging him to stand again. He set his feet.
The beast's laughter echoed across the nine divisions of the Ground of Hell. "So weak. Even with the Book's favor, this is what you amount to? The Immortal Book has chosen poorly. You are a child playing soldier before titans."
---
On the other eight sides, chaos raged.
Screams tore the air as young stars fought desperately against endless Rank Eight beasts. Their qi burned to the last drop, every sword swing growing slower, weaker.
One after another, they fell. Blood stained the black soil.
A genius from the Thunder Clan was torn in half by a beast's jaws. Another from the Jade Clan was pierced through the chest, her light snuffed out instantly.
Only a handful clung to life—Kael's brother Darius among them, his blade drenched in blood, his eyes wild. The air reeked of desperation.
Four remained. Four against the tide.
---
The Divine Beast turned its colossal head, golden fire burning in its gaze. With a flick of its wings, the walls between the divisions trembled, and suddenly Kael saw what the others faced.
Through shimmering veils, the battle unfolded before him—his companions struggling, dying, their lives snuffed out like sparks in a storm.
Kael's chest tightened. His jaw clenched.
The beast's voice slithered into his mind. "Look. Watch how they writhe. Their blood, their screams, their fear. All meaningless. You cannot save them."
Kael's fists trembled. "I could try."
The beast chuckled darkly. "Fool. Even if you leap into their battles, you will die with them. Do you wish to waste your breath so soon?"
Kael's glare cut into the beast's burning eyes. "Then stop it."
"Why should I?" The beast's voice boomed with amusement. "This land devours the weak. That is its law."
"Because it's me you want," Kael said suddenly. His voice was sharp, steady, cutting through the chaos.
The beast tilted its head.
"Since the moment I entered this cursed place," Kael continued, "I've felt it. This is all centered on me. The walls, the traps, the beasts—it's me you want, not them. So let them go."
For a moment, silence reigned. Then the Divine Beast laughed.
A low, thunderous, mocking sound.
"You bargain with me? You think your life is worth theirs?"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "If I'm the prey you seek, then prove it. Take me. Leave them."
The beast's laughter grew louder, echoing like an avalanche. "How amusing. A mortal with the arrogance to bargain with a god's shadow. Very well, child. Let us play your way."
---
The walls split open.
A torrent of golden energy surged forth, sweeping across the eight divisions. The four surviving cultivators—bloodied, battered, barely clinging to life—were engulfed by light.
Their screams echoed as the light lifted them, tearing them from the battlefield.
And in the blink of an eye, they vanished.
---
Far away, in the Mystical Continent's heart, a beam of light cracked the skies. The four survivors collapsed onto marble ground, gasping for air.
"We… we're back?" One of them stammered, clutching his chest. His face was pale with disbelief.
Another clawed at the earth beneath him, weeping. "I didn't die… I didn't die!"
But as their relief grew, realization dawned.
"Wait…" one whispered. "Where's Kael?"
The silence that followed was heavy.
Darius fell to his knees, clutching his chest, his voice raw. "Brother… no… brother didn't make it back…" His words cracked, a perfect imitation of grief.
The others bowed their heads, grief and confusion clouding their faces. None noticed the flicker of satisfaction in Darius's eyes, the hidden smile in his heart.
He's gone. The path is clear. At last, he's gone.
But he buried the thought beneath a mask of sorrow, his hands trembling theatrically. "Why him…? Why did it have to be him?"
---
Back in the Ground of Hell, Kael stood alone.
The Divine Beast's wings spread wide, each feather a blade of fire. Its laughter still echoed. "Now, little bearer. They are safe. But you remain."
Kael exhaled slowly, his stance firm. "That's fine. I wasn't leaving."
The beast lowered its head, eyes blazing with divine malice. "Good. Then understand this—I will not kill you. Not yet. But I will break you. I will grind your spirit until nothing remains. Only then will I decide if you are worthy of the Book you carry."
Kael's qi surged, golden and fierce. His fists clenched.
"Try me."
---
The beast moved first.
In a single motion, its wing swept down. Firestorms erupted, tearing craters in the earth. The force alone hurled Kael backward, his body crashing through blackened stone.
He rolled to his feet, coughing blood, eyes blazing.
Fast… too fast.
He darted forward, qi exploding beneath his feet, his fist crashing upward toward the beast's throat.
The Divine Beast barely shifted. A single claw batted him aside, sending him skidding across the ground like a ragdoll.
"Pathetic."
Kael spat blood, but his eyes never wavered. He leapt again, body twisting, qi condensing into a spear of light. He drove it at the beast's chest with all his strength.
The spear shattered against crystal hide.
The beast chuckled. "You cannot even scratch me."
Kael landed, panting. His body trembled, his arms numb from the recoil.
But he smiled faintly. "Then I'll keep hitting until I do."
The beast's laughter grew louder, shaking the heavens. "Foolish! Struggle, then! Show me if the Immortal Book chose a mistake!"
---
The battle raged.
Kael moved like lightning, striking again and again. His fists, his qi, his spirit—everything he had—thrown against the immovable wall of divinity.
Each strike was met with contemptuous ease. Each blow from the beast shook Kael's body to the core, breaking ribs, bruising flesh, tearing blood from his lips.
Still he stood.
Still he rose.
Again and again.
The beast's amusement grew darker. "Why do you stand, insect? You cannot win."
Kael's chest heaved. His vision blurred. But he grinned through the blood. "Because if I fall… then the Book truly did choose wrong."
The beast paused.
Its laughter faded into silence.
For the first time, the Divine Beast's eyes narrowed—not with contempt, but with faint interest.
"…Very well, child. Then show me how far a mortal's will can carry him."
It spread its wings, and the battlefield trembled.
Kael braced himself, his qi blazing brighter than ever.
The true trial had only begun.