"So, this is the true trial."
With the appearance of the spotted giant tiger, Li Xuan instantly understood what the first trial was about.
On one side was his 'father,' and on the other was the outcome of his own life and death. After entering the Sky Ascension Path, the strength of Li Xuan and his two companions was sealed.
Even though their physical bodies were strong, they were no different from ordinary people now. The spotted giant tiger before him was not something that could be easily killed. Moreover, Li Xuan was currently holding onto 'Li Jun,' who was picking white orchids at the cliff edge, severely limiting his movements.
How to choose had become a difficult problem for Li Xuan.
Li Xuan still remembered that Elder Wan Feng had said that there was a risk of losing one's life in the Sky Ascension Path trials.
If he let go of the rope, Li Xuan was confident he could fight the spotted giant tiger with his physical body. However, if he chose to continue holding onto this 'Li Jun,' who was not his father, he might be torn to death by the spotted giant tiger. Neither he nor 'Li Jun' would be able to escape.
"Forget it, even if you are not my true father, I still cannot choose to give up. If I truly have to die, then so be it." Looking at the spotted giant tiger rapidly approaching, Li Xuan sighed slightly, his gaze firm as he tightly gripped the rope.
Even if he knew that 'Li Jun' in this illusion was not his real father, or even just a figment of imagination, so what? If one could abandon familial affection, how could they be called human?
"Come on!" Li Xuan roared, leaning forward and gripping the rope with both hands. As the spotted giant tiger pounced, Li Xuan's face showed no trace of fear.
*Whoosh!*
The spotted giant tiger leaped up, its gaping maw lunging directly at Li Xuan. But as it touched Li Xuan's body, it transformed into a wisp of breeze and dissipated. The scene where Li Xuan was also changed, and he returned to the Sky Ascension Path.
"What is this?" Li Xuan was still astonished, his brow furrowed, clearly not understanding this series of changes. Was his choice the one determined by Elder Wan Feng?
"The character 'ren' (人 - person) seems simple, a stroke and a dot. But to truly be a person, the path is extremely difficult and long. On this path, we can give up many things and gain many things. But at a critical moment, how we choose depends on our hearts."
"If one has no worries or attachments, and no emotions. How can a person without emotions be called a person? You have passed this first trial."
Just as Li Xuan was puzzled, Elder Wan Feng's voice slowly echoed in his mind. Hearing Elder Wan Feng's words, a hint of understanding gradually appeared in Li Xuan's eyes.
*Boom!*
Just as Li Xuan was about to speak, a booming sound suddenly rang out. In the next instant, the scene around Li Xuan's body changed again. Seeing this, Li Xuan instantly understood that the second trial had arrived.
A desolate desert, with dust flying.
Under the scorching sun, it felt even more stuffy and lonely.
Looking at the suddenly changed scene, Li Xuan's expression was calm, but a trace of vigilance still flashed in his eyes. Although he had passed the first trial, Li Xuan knew that Elder Wan Feng would not let him pass so easily.
Otherwise, there would be no need for three trials.
The evolution of the Sky Ascension Path also filled Li Xuan with a sense of curiosity and anticipation.
*Rustle, rustle.*
Amidst the howling wind, a rapid rustling sound suddenly arose. Li Xuan looked in the direction of the sound, and a bulging mound of earth on the ground was rapidly approaching him.
A sense of crisis surged within Li Xuan. Judging by the appearance, a powerful entity was approaching.
*Bang!*
Li Xuan leaped into the air. The bulging mound of earth beneath him suddenly let out a bang, and then a giant scorpion, entirely brown, brandishing its two large claws, pounced directly at Li Xuan.
"Mid-stage Divine Transformation Realm aura! Is this trial asking me to defeat this giant scorpion?!" As the giant scorpion appeared, Li Xuan's pupils suddenly constricted.
The giant scorpion, nearly ten feet in size, exuded an extremely powerful aura. Its two scissor-like claws, each over six feet long, gleamed with golden light. If one were to be caught by them, they would likely be severely injured, if not killed. Furthermore, the massive tail dragging behind it occasionally flashed with a cold glint, clearly another potent weapon of this giant scorpion.
Although Li Xuan's physical body had been cultivated to the peak of the Myriad Manifestations Realm, he dared not risk his life against this giant scorpion, which possessed the strength of the mid-stage Divine Transformation Realm.
Not only were scorpions inherently strong in defense and skilled in close combat, but their cultivation level also far surpassed Li Xuan's. For Li Xuan to win this battle, he would undoubtedly need to exert his full strength.
"Since we've met, let's fight!" Although the strength difference seemed considerable, Li Xuan showed no fear. After battling Commander Zhang Xu, Li Xuan had also come to understand his own limits.
If he were to fully utilize the Stellar Spirit Pearls, Li Xuan was confident he could contend with one or two ordinary mid-stage Divine Transformation Realm spiritual masters.
Coupled with a month of subsequent cultivation, the Stellar Spirit Pearls within Li Xuan's body had now increased to two thousand three hundred. His strength, naturally, was far greater than before.
"Tai Xu Thunder Art, Thunder Burst!"
Li Xuan rapidly formed hand seals. Instantly, a pillar of lightning, as thick as a waist, appeared between heaven and earth. With a flick of Li Xuan's finger, the lightning pillar shot down towards the leaping giant scorpion.
*Boom!*
With a rumbling sound, the giant scorpion's massive body was instantly blown away. However, the giant scorpion rolled upon landing and immediately stood up, pouncing at Li Xuan again. The previous strike had caused it no apparent damage.
"Such powerful defense!" Li Xuan's brow furrowed as he saw this, then with a thought, he instantly activated his physical strength. Clenching his fists slightly, his figure moved, and he also lunged towards the giant scorpion.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Terrifying impact sounds reverberated. In just over ten seconds, the ground below was filled with rolling sand, obscuring the sky. In close combat, Li Xuan discovered the terrifying defense of this giant scorpion. Even with his current physical strength, he could not break through its defenses.
This battle, the two were surprisingly evenly matched!