Xu Wang followed Zhu Sun through the winding corridors of the Sun Cn’s inner sanctum. The torches lining the stone walls flickered with an eerie golden glow, casting long shadows that danced with every step.

  His heart pounded in his chest.

  [New Mission: Overcome the Trial of Earth]

  He clenched his fists. Every trial so far had tested him, pushed him beyond his limits. This would be no different.

  Zhu Sun finally stopped before a towering stone gate engraved with intricate carvings of mountains, rivers, and roots intertwining like veins of the earth itself. At its center was an ancient inscription.

  _"Only those who become unshakable may cim the strength of the nd."_

  Zhu Sun turned to Xu Wang, his sharp gaze unreadable. “The Mudhara Qi you’ve awakened is only the beginning. To truly master it, you must survive the Trial of Earth.”

  Xu Wang exhaled, steeling himself. “What’s inside?”

  Instead of answering, Zhu Sun pced his palm against the gate. A deep rumble shook the chamber as the stone doors groaned open, revealing a dark, cavernous expanse beyond. A powerful energy surged from within, thick and suffocating, as if the earth itself was alive.

  Zhu Sun gestured forward. “Go.”

  Xu Wang took a final breath before stepping into the darkness.

  ---

  The Depths Below

  The moment Xu Wang entered, the stone doors smmed shut behind him. The silence was overwhelming. He blinked, adjusting to the dim light. The walls pulsed with a faint, golden glow, like veins of living rock.

  He moved forward cautiously.

  Then, the ground trembled.

  A deep growl resonated through the cavern, vibrating in his bones. The earth beneath him cracked, and from the dust emerged a massive figure—a hulking stone golem, its body carved from ancient rock, glowing with molten veins of Qi.

  Its eyes burned like twin suns as it raised a massive fist.

  BOOM!

  Xu Wang barely dodged as the ground where he stood exploded into debris. He rolled to the side, nding in a crouch.

  [Warning: Trial Guardian Activated]

  His mind raced. This wasn’t just a simple test—it was a battle for survival.

  The golem charged, each step shaking the chamber. Xu Wang gritted his teeth and pnted his feet, calling upon his Mudhara Qi.

  Feel the earth. Become the earth.

  The moment the golem swung again, Xu didn’t retreat. Instead, he grounded himself, letting the force flow through him instead of resisting it. The impact sent shockwaves through his body, but he absorbed the energy, redirecting it into his stance.

  And then—he struck back.

  His fist, empowered by the stability of the earth, collided with the golem’s arm. A sharp crack echoed as fractures formed along its stone limb.

  Xu Wang’s eyes widened. It worked.

  But the trial was far from over.

  The golem roared, the ground beneath it shifting. Suddenly, jagged stone pilrs shot up from the floor, forcing Xu Wang to leap between them. His breath was ragged, his Qi reserves burning.

  Then, the system window fshed.

  [Mudhara Qi: 60% Proficiency]

  Not enough. He needed more.

  His mind raced, recalling Yang Shen’s lesson. Mudhara Qi wasn’t just about strength—it was about flow. Stability, adaptability, endurance.

  Xu Wang shut his eyes for a fraction of a second, feeling the energy beneath his feet. He let go of fear.

  When the golem attacked again, Xu Wang didn’t just dodge—he moved with the earth. Each step was an extension of the terrain itself, every strike perfectly timed.

  Then, he saw his opening.

  A crack at the golem’s core.

  Gathering every ounce of Qi, he lunged forward and smmed his palm against the fracture.

  The chamber erupted with light.

  The golem let out a final roar before its body crumbled, its Qi dispersing into the air like golden dust.

  [Trial Guardian Defeated]

  [Mudhara Qi: 80% Proficiency]

  Xu Wang staggered, panting. He did it.

  Then, the cavern shifted once more. The floor beneath him glowed as ancient symbols ignited.

  A voice, deep and resonant, filled the space.

  "You have passed the first threshold. Prove yourself once more, and the foundation of the earth shall be yours.”

  Before Xu Wang could react, the ground colpsed beneath him.

  He fell into the abyss below.

  ---

  To Be Continued…..