Chapter Eleven - The Trial of Ascension
Little One stood motionless, dumbstruck by Luobe's answer.
Beside her, Addo was equally flustered. It was difficult to comprehend that the place they had struggled so desperately to reach might become their grave.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Seeing their bewildered expressions, Luobe shook his head and quietly moved aside. He had said enough for the moment. Perhaps it would be better to give them some time to collect their thoughts before continuing.
Such pitiful children, he thought.
Addo was the first to regain his composure.
He lowered his head and thought about everything Luobe had told them. His body was failing him, and the poison had already taken a terrible toll. There was no denying that his chances of survival were slim.
But did that mean he should simply give up?
After a moment, he turned towards the little girl beside him.
Her head was lowered, and her expression remained grief-stricken. She seemed to have withdrawn into herself, as though the words they had just heard had taken away the little hope she had left.
Addo couldn't help but smile.
This little girl is too kind, he thought.
He had known her for only a short time, yet she had shown him more kindness than he could have expected from someone who had suffered as much as she had.
"Little One."
She slowly raised her head.
"After everything we've been through together, I've come to realise something."
He paused, gathering his strength.
"Even if my body fails me, even if the poison eventually kills me and prevents me from becoming a cultivator, I've made my decision."
He looked at her seriously.
"I will not give up."
His voice was weak, but there was determination in his eyes.
"I don't know how much longer I have, but I intend to fight for every moment. Whether it's a trial or something else, I'll give it my best. Even if I fail in the end, at least I'll know that I tried to change my fate instead of sitting around waiting for death."
He gently squeezed her hand.
"So I want you to do the same, Little One. Let us enter the trial together. And if I fall along the way, I want you to keep going. Don't let my death become the end of your journey. Live, and do everything you can to change your destiny."
He had wanted to say those words for a while.
Addo did not want to die. He was afraid of death, and the thought of never seeing the outside world again frightened him more than he cared to admit.
But he had made his decision.
If he could not remain by her side throughout her journey, then he at least wanted her to have a chance at living.
He wanted her to find happiness, even if he would not be there to witness it.
Of course, it would be wonderful if he could accompany her. He still wanted to see the world beyond the forest, become a cultivator, and discover what lay beyond the limits of his imagination.
But if that was not possible, he wanted her to keep moving forward.
Little One's remaining eye began to glisten.
"Okay, Brother Addo," she replied, sniffing as she fought back her tears. "Let's join the trial and become cultivators."
She forced a smile.
It was not an easy smile. Deep down, she knew there was a very real possibility that both of them might die in this place.
But she had made a promise.
And she would not abandon it.
If Addo was determined to fight for his life, then she would fight alongside him.
"Good!" Addo exclaimed.
Although his voice was frail, there was a hint of excitement in it.
Having reached a decision, the two turned towards Luobe, who had been patiently waiting nearby.
Addo took a step forward.
"Thank you for sharing all this information with us, Brother Luobe."
He cupped his hands in greeting.
"We've made our decision. We would like to participate in the trial. However, we still have much to learn about the preparations required. Could you please tell us more?"
Luobe eyed the two of them for a moment before breaking into a smile.
"Of course. I'll tell you everything I know."
He paused, then added with a teasing smile, "But before that, shouldn't we introduce ourselves properly?"
"Yes, of course. My name is Addo."
Addo cupped his hands once more.
His demeanour seemed noticeably lighter now that they had made their decision, although his frail body swayed slightly as he stood.
Luobe nodded before turning towards the little girl.
"And what about you, little one?"
She hesitated for a moment.
"I don't have a name. You can call me the Nameless One."
Luobe stared at her.
"Nameless? How does someone end up without a name?"
The question escaped his mouth before he could stop himself.
"My mother and father left without giving me one," she replied.
A faint ache stirred in her chest as she spoke, but she kept her expression unchanged.
Luobe immediately realised his mistake.
"Ahem! Forgive me. That was an insensitive question."
He cleared his throat before introducing himself.
"My name is Si Luobe, but you can simply call me Brother Luobe."
He cupped his hands towards them.
"All right, Brother Luobe," Addo replied.
"Brother Luobe," the little girl echoed.
Luobe smiled at their greetings.
"Now, I'm sure you're both wondering who we are and why we're here."
He glanced around the clearing before continuing.
"As I mentioned earlier, most of us came here because we had little choice. The Pathway of Ascension is a famous place in the mortal world for those who wish to become cultivators. Ordinary people who lack the resources, connections, or family background needed to enter the cultivation world often come here to try their luck."
He paused briefly.
"The trials conducted here are designed to give mortals like us an opportunity to take their first steps towards cultivation. They test our abilities, push our bodies and minds to their limits, and determine whether we have what it takes to become cultivators."
His expression became slightly more serious.
"Of course, the trials are extremely dangerous. Many participants lose their lives before completing them. But those who succeed are given the opportunity to become proper cultivators and ascend into the realm where cultivators live."
"Ascend into the realm of cultivators?" Addo repeated.
"Yes," Luobe confirmed.
"The mortal world we live in is separate from the realm inhabited by cultivators."
Silence followed.
Addo and the little girl exchanged glances.
They had never imagined that the world they knew was only a small part of something much greater.
There was another realm?
And it was where cultivators lived?
For a moment, neither knew what to say.
The world suddenly seemed far bigger than either of them had ever imagined.