Volume 47 — The Challenge of Shadows
The crystalline sigil pulsed, bathing the Core Archives in a soft, ethereal light. Lin Feng's petals of the First Bloom spun steadily, radiating harmony with the palace's energy. Yet the trial of the fourth secret had begun in earnest.
Caiyi glanced around nervously. "Lin Feng… these shadows… they're not just illusions. They feel… alive. Like they're probing us, testing our minds."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "Exactly. This trial doesn't attack the body—it challenges perception, insight, and spirit. Every shadow, every distortion, every reflection is meant to test our understanding of the palace itself. One lapse in awareness… and we fail."
Host, the Peach Spirit whispered, these shadows are fragments of doubt and fear, echoes of past failures, and distortions of reality. Harmonize fully, and they will reveal their truth; falter, and they can consume you.
The shadows shifted violently, forming towering figures that mirrored Lin Feng and Caiyi. They moved with uncanny precision, anticipating every step. Yet unlike previous battles, brute strength had no effect. Lin Feng closed his eyes, letting the palace's energy flow through him. His petals spun faster, each movement synchronized with the rhythm of the surrounding currents.
Caiyi followed his lead, observing patterns in the shadows. "They respond to our perception… not our attacks. We need to see through their illusions, not destroy them."
Lin Feng nodded, focusing intently. He moved in harmony with the palace, anticipating the shadows' transformations and dissolving their deceptive forms with insight rather than force. Every reflection of doubt was confronted and understood, every distortion of reality analyzed and harmonized.
The chamber trembled as the shadows converged into a massive, pulsating entity—the ultimate manifestation of the trial's test. Lin Feng's aura flared, petals forming a blinding storm. "This is it, Caiyi. The true test of perception and spirit. We face it together."
As they advanced, energy pulsed in perfect synchronization with their movements, revealing the shadows' weaknesses. The trial of the fourth secret had begun, and only complete harmony with the palace could lead them to victory.
Caiyi's eyes shone with determination. "Then let's master it… and uncover the fourth secret."