BXBX NOVEL Chapter 128: Last Trial (1)
It\'s a complex mix of emotions—a bittersweet cocktail of nostalgia, yearning, and even a touch of melancholy.
Imagine waking up in a world where a significant part of your daily routine is suddenly absent. It\'s like a puzzle with a missing piece—a feeling of incompleteness that colors even the brightest moments.
You might find yourself looking for them in crowded places, their absence creating a noticeable void that your eyes instinctively search to fill.
Memories of shared laughter, conversations, and even quiet moments flood your thoughts, making their absence all the more poignant.
The places you used to visit together seem to hold echoes of their presence, and you can almost hear their voice in the rustling of leaves or the distant sounds of a song.
It\'s a paradoxical emotion, in a way. While it\'s a testament to the depth of your connection, it can also leave you feeling somewhat vulnerable.
There\'s a vulnerability in the realization that a part of your happiness is tied to someone else\'s presence.
And when they\'re not around, there\'s a sense of emptiness that\'s hard to ignore.
That\'s exactly how Su Bingxin had been feeling in these recent days.
For some inexplicable reason, she found herself unable to dispel the overwhelming sense of emptiness that enveloped her.
The absence of Chen Tian had left a void in her heart, and she found herself yearning for his presence.
Every passing moment felt like an eternity, as she longed for the sound of his voice or the touch of his hand.
She didn\'t know why; she wasn\'t supposed to feel this way.
They barely knew each other for a month, but Su Bingxin couldn\'t forget the way he made her feel.
For the first time, Su Bingxin had someone to talk with as everyone in the sect started mocking her or criticizing her for not being able to summon her partner.
She was abandoned and left in solitude; her only comfort came from the presence of the children.
Without them and her master, Su Bingxin, would have faced intense isolation.
Had Su Bingxin been in a different continent, she might not have been subjected to such severe scrutiny.
However, within the Tevat Continent, she was persistently confronted with reminders of her solitary status and her diminishing ability to practice cultivation effectively.
That\'s why Su Bingxin had some insecurities about herself for not being able to someone her Dao partner for 4 years, which had done a great blow to her.
But then he came into her life, bringing warmth and companionship that she had been yearning for.
Their first encounter wasn\'t the most pleasant. He appeared disheveled, with tattered clothes and unkempt hair.
The dao companion she had visualised didn\'t turn out how she expected, but in the end, everything underwent a great change.
Their connection grew deeper with each passing day, leaving Su Bingxin with an indescribable longing for his presence.
Despite the short amount of time they had spent together, Chen Tian had managed to see beyond her flaws and insecurities, making her feel seen and understood.
The longing only grew stronger with each passing day, leaving Su Bingxin questioning the nature of her feelings and wondering if it was possible to fall in love so quickly.
After embracing for some minutes, Chen Tian and Su Bingxin both reluctantly break away from each other, their smiles lingering on their faces.
Su Bingxin had a blush on her cheeks as she tried to hide her growing affection for Chen Tian.
She couldn\'t deny the warmth that filled her heart whenever they were together, and she secretly hoped that he felt the same way.
"Attention!"
Suddenly, Long Wei\'s thunderous voice interrupted the tender moment between Chen Tian and Su Bingxin.
They both turned to see Long Wei standing tall and commanding attention.
Every participant on the platform looked toward Long Wei with curiosity.
Seeing that everyone was looking in his direction, Long Wei nodded and opened his mouth to speak.
"It\'s now time for the final test of the fire and ice trial, where only two participants will be selected—one for the fire inheritance and one for the ice inheritance.
Throughout this journey, each of you has shown exceptional dedication and perseverance.
You\'ve faced challenges that pushed you to your limits, and you\'ve grown stronger as a result.
This final test will be the culmination of your efforts."
Long Wei explained, his voice filled with authority. He looked at each participant, his gaze conveying both pride and anticipation.
"Remember, this test will not only determine who will inherit the inheritance of fire and ice, but it will also shape your future and your destiny.
Show me your true potential, and may the best among you rise to the occasion." As his words echoed in the air, the participants exchanged determined glances, ready to give it their all and prove themselves worthy of their respective inheritances.
"Su Linhua, could you please provide an overview of the final test\'s rules?" Long Wei inquired, seeking Su Linhua\'s assistance in explaining the rules concisely.
Su Linhua nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded to clarify,
"The rules are quite straightforward. You\'ll notice those two prominent staircases." Su Linhua gestured towards a pair of sizable staircases positioned at the arena\'s center.
"Each participant will need to climb one of these stairs," Su Linhua continued.
"The catch is that each step on the stair is enchanted with a unique magical effect.
With each step, the pressure on your soul will intensify. As you ascend, the weight upon you will grow stronger, testing your determination and inner strength.
There are a total of 100 steps to climb, with each step presenting a new challenge that will push you to your limits.
The first one to reach the floating platform at the top of the stairs will be declared the winner and will receive the inheritance." Su Linhua concluded with a mischievous smile.
As she finished explaining the rules, a hush fell over the participants, with anticipation and determination radiating from every participant.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention," Su Linhua chimed in, her smile mischievous.
"Those who took part in the fire test are eligible for the red staircase."
She continued, "Similarly, those who cleared the ice test can only access the blue staircase."
The participants exchanged glances in response.
The rules were simple enough.
It wasn\'t like the first test where we had to find our way out of a maze or the second test where they had to fight against other participants.
This time it seemed like they were being given a fair chance.
However, as they looked at the two staircases in front of them, doubts started to creep in.
Was it that easy?
The answer, naturally, was no. This staircase was far from ordinary.
"With that, the final test officially began," announced Su Linhua, her voice echoing through the place.
Hearing that the test had started, some participants exchanged nervous glances while others tightened their grips.
The anticipation in the air was palpable—a mixture of excitement and apprehension as they prepared to face whatever challenges awaited them.
The participants started approaching the stairs that led to the stairs that loomed ahead.
"Are you going?" Su Bingxin asked Chen Tian.
Observing everyone heading towards the stairs, Chen Tian nodded in affirmation and responded,
"Yes, I\'m going too.
You should also start making your way up. You don\'t want to fall behind." Su Bingxin hesitated for a moment, her eyes fixed on the daunting staircase.
Taking a deep breath, she mustered up her courage and began to follow Chen Tian towards the towering steps, determined to face whatever obstacles lay ahead.
Facing the two sets of stairs, Chen Tian and Su Bingxin exchanged another glance and then nodded in unison.
"See you at the top," Chen Tian said with a reassuring smile.
Su Bingxin returned the smile, feeling a surge of determination.
With that, they both took their first steps, slowly ascending the stairs together.
Chen Tian ascended the red staircase, while Su Bingxin took the blue one.
As Chen Tian\'s feet made contact with the first step, he sensed a pressure attempting to intrude into his mind and weigh down on his soul.
The atmosphere seemed to grow dense, and an unusual feeling surrounded him, almost as if an unseen energy was attempting to open the doors of his consciousness.
His step momentarily wavered, yet it was just a brief pause before Chen Tian continued towards the second step.
This sort of soul pressure posed no challenge for him.
Similarly, Su Bingxin demonstrated her resiliency. Swiftly, she rose to her feet and proceeded towards the second step.
Each step had enough space to accommodate as many as 50 participants, so it wasn\'t an issue for several participants to share the same step.
However, as Chen Tian and Su Bingxin ascended, the air became denser, burdened by the intensifying but imperceptible pressure.
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