The forest had quieted, but Lin Feng knew the calm was temporary. The rustle of leaves, the distant hum of Etherion energy, and the faint glow of mana trails all hinted that the night was far from over.
Lunaria hovered slightly above the ground, drones circling her like vigilant sentinels. "The challengers were just a prelude," she said softly. "Etherion always has layers of tests. If you think the forest is quiet, it only means the next one is hiding."
Nyx's shadow eyes glinted. "Then let's find it before it finds us."
Lin Feng nodded, scanning the surroundings. A pulse of energy brushed against the edge of his senses — subtle, almost imperceptible, but enough to make him pause. It was different from the rival team's aura; this one was deeper, older… a trial that existed long before Soren's group appeared.
He led his team cautiously along the narrow path, their steps careful on the moss-covered ground. The Etherion trees above bent slightly, casting shifting shadows that seemed almost like eyes watching their every move.
Then, the ground beneath them trembled.
From the shadows emerged three figures, but unlike the last challengers, their forms flickered — one moment solid, the next nearly invisible. They moved with uncanny precision, their presence almost blending with the forest itself.
"Welcome, rookies," a calm, melodic voice said. "We are the Veilwalkers. Your journey has attracted attention… and only the worthy may pass the Hidden Trial."
Lunaria's drones whirred, forming a protective barrier. "Veilwalkers… these aren't ordinary challengers. They are guardians of the forest, testing those who would grow stronger. This will be dangerous."
Lin Feng clenched his fists, feeling a thrill of anticipation. "Then we'll face them together. No one holds the forest against us tonight."
The Hidden Trial Begins
The Veilwalkers struck in perfect synchronization, their attacks bending light and shadow in ways Lin Feng had never seen. Nyx's shadows darted to meet them, but each strike seemed to phase through the enemy, forcing her to adapt on the fly.
Lin Feng focused his mana flow, combining his elemental and Etherion-tech energies into harmonic pulses, sending waves of force that distorted the battlefield. Lunaria guided the drones to predict the Veilwalkers' movements, forming synchronized attack patterns with Lin Feng and Nyx.
Every strike, every counter, felt like a lesson. The Veilwalkers weren't just strong; they were designed to teach. The forest reacted, shaping barriers, guiding attacks, and sometimes hiding threats in plain sight.
Hours passed like minutes. The team's coordination deepened. Lin Feng noticed patterns in the Veilwalkers' movements — a rhythm to their flickers, a logic to their timing. By the time the trial reached its climax, the rookies were no longer reacting; they were one entity, flowing with the forest itself.
Triumph and Revelation
Finally, with a coordinated strike — Lin Feng's pulse, Nyx's shadows, and Lunaria's drones converging perfectly — the Veilwalkers paused. Their forms solidified, showing approval in their serene, masked expressions.
"You have passed the Hidden Trial," the lead Veilwalker said. "Etherion tests more than strength; it tests unity, perception, and adaptability. Remember this lesson. The forest—and the world—rewards those who act as one."
With a final bow, the Veilwalkers dissolved into the night, leaving behind faint trails of ether crystals. The forest's energy shifted again, subtly stronger, as if acknowledging the rookies' victory.
Nyx exhaled, leaning against a tree. "Well… that was intense. Definitely stronger than Soren and his team."
Lunaria floated beside Lin Feng. "This is only the beginning. The Hidden Trial awakens potential that ordinary battles cannot. Keep this in mind. Your rivals will grow stronger… and so must you."
Lin Feng looked at his companions, the moonlight glinting in their determined eyes. "We've survived the rookies, the shadows, and the forest itself. No matter what comes next, we face it together. Etherion isn't going to make it easy—but neither will we make it hard for ourselves."
The forest whispered around them, alive with energy. Faint glimmers of light hinted at paths yet unexplored. The night was far from over, and somewhere in the distance, greater challenges awaited.