Volume 38 — The Trial of the Second Secret
The massive chamber pulsed with energy, the glowing sigil at its center radiating a rhythm that seemed almost alive. Lin Feng hovered, petals of the First Bloom spinning with focused intensity, while Caiyi followed closely, her sword reflecting the pale light.
Caiyi's voice trembled slightly. "Lin Feng… this energy… it's unlike anything we've felt before. It's almost suffocating."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "It's a test. The second secret is more than just power—it's designed to test your mind, your spirit, and your ability to harmonize with the palace itself. One mistake… and the trial could overwhelm us."
Host, the Peach Spirit whispered, this trial will push you beyond your limits. The illusions, the energy currents, the constructs—they are all part of the palace's test. Only by achieving complete harmony can you awaken the second secret.
Suddenly, the chamber shifted violently. Shadowy constructs arose, each shaped like a twisted echo of Lin Feng's past battles. They attacked with blinding speed, combining brute force with intricate illusions meant to confuse and mislead him.
Caiyi leapt into action beside him. "These aren't just physical threats! They're probing your mind, trying to find weaknesses!"
Lin Feng clenched his fists. "Exactly. But I've learned to flow with the palace… to anticipate, not just react."
The First Bloom responded, petals splitting into countless spirals, striking and weaving independently while harmonizing perfectly with Lin Feng's movements. Each illusion that attacked him was analyzed and dismantled in real-time, energy flowing seamlessly between him and the palace.
The chamber quaked as the trial intensified, the sigil's light brightening with each challenge overcome. Lin Feng's focus sharpened, petals spinning faster, energy coursing through every fiber of his being.
Finally, after relentless waves of illusions and constructs, the chamber fell silent. The glowing sigil pulsed one final time, then expanded into a radiant orb that hovered before Lin Feng.
He reached out, and the palace itself seemed to flow into him, integrating the second ancient secret—power, wisdom, and spiritual resonance all merging into his being.
Caiyi stepped forward, awe in her eyes. "You… you've unlocked it. The second secret…"
Lin Feng's aura flared, petals spinning in a brilliant storm. "This is only the beginning. The Obsidian Root Palace still holds far more mysteries, and I intend to uncover every one of them."