As the two conversed, the scene before them suddenly transformed, revealing a vast expanse of stars and galaxies, with dazzling starlight cascading down, as if they were standing in the midst of the universe.
At the center of this starry sea floated a pearl emitting a soft, warm, and pure glow—the very Light of Abundance they had been searching for.
"We've finally found it!" Zi Yan exclaimed with excitement, about to step forward to retrieve it, when an unexpected barrier blocked her path.
A ethereal voice echoed in their ears.
"To claim my radiance, you must first prove the light within your hearts."
Xiao Chong stepped forward, facing the invisible barrier.
"We are willing to accept the trial! Please tell us, how can we prove it?"
"Prove your trust and sacrifice for one another" the voice gradually faded, and within the illusion, two identical Zi Yans appeared—one real, one fake, indistinguishable in form and action.
Only the unspoken connection between hearts could reveal the truth.
Xiao Chong took a deep breath, looking at the two Zi Yans, and already had a plan in mind. He slowly walked toward the Zi Yan on the left, extending his hand, gentle yet resolute, and said.
"Whether you are real or not, I am willing to trust you and face whatever comes next together."
The Zi Yan on the right trembled, her eyes reddening, before dissolving into specks of starlight. The Zi Yan on the left, her eyes filled with gratitude, took Xiao Chong hand.
At that moment, the barrier shattered, and the Light of Abundance flew into Xiao Chong palm, transforming into a warm surge of energy that flowed into his body.
"We did it…" Zi Yan whispered, her eyes brimming with emotion.
Xiao Chong smiled and handed the Light of Abundance to Zi Yan.
"No, we did it together."
As Xiao Chong and Zi Yan stepped out of the illusion, the scene before them changed once more.
The once hazy starlight was replaced by an endless desert, bathed in the blood-red hues of the setting sun, casting a dark crimson over the golden sea of sand.
The two exchanged a smile, their tightly clasped hands conveying their mutual trust and strength.
"This must be the world outside the illusion. It seems our trials are not over yet" Zi Yan said softly, her eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance, sensing the uneasy atmosphere in the air.
As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of rapid footsteps on sand approached from the distance, quickly surrounding them.
From the swirling sand, pairs of glowing green eyes, filled with greed and ferocity, emerged. Dozens of large, grayish-yellow sand wolves revealed themselves, their low growls threatening as they closed in, clearly drawn by the radiance of the Light of Abundance.
"Ready? Their target is the treasure in our hands" Xiao Chong analyzed calmly, while secretly gathering his inner strength, preparing for battle.
"Fight side by side, just like in the illusion" Zi Yan responded firmly, her hands moving gently as a faint light emerged from her palms, forming a crystalline sword that shimmered with a captivating glow.
"Let's go!" Xiao Chong shouted, his inner energy surging as he leapt forward like a soaring eagle, charging straight at the lead sand wolf.
His fists clenched, and the air seemed to tear apart as a powerful shockwave followed his punch, crashing toward the enemy.
The battle erupted in an instant.
The sand wolves attacked ferociously, their sharp claws and fangs glinting coldly under the sunlight.
Yet, Xiao Chong and Zi Yan moved in perfect harmony, one attacking while the other defended, like seasoned warriors who had fought countless battles together.
They deftly countered every assault from the wolves.
"Be careful, there are too many of them!" Zi Yan warned as she fought, her light sword tracing brilliant arcs in the air.
Each strike was precise and deadly, clearing a path through the relentless onslaught.
"We need to find a way out of this" Xiao Chong panted, his eyes scanning their surroundings. Suddenly, his gaze lit up.
"Over there! Look at that boulder—it can serve as cover."
The two swiftly moved toward the massive rock, using the terrain to their advantage and temporarily holding off the encircling wolves.
Xiao Chong pulled a crystal from his robe, channeling his energy into it.
The crystal glowed brightly, forming a protective barrier that momentarily halted the wolves' advance.
"This won't last long. We need a permanent solution" Zi Yan said, her voice tinged with urgency but her eyes still resolute.
At that moment, Xiao Chong had an idea.
"Since the Radiance of Light guided us through the trials, perhaps it can also help us resolve this crisis." As he spoke, he raised the Radiance of Light high above his head.
Its glow intensified, radiating a soothing aura that seemed to calm the surroundings.
The sand wolves, sensing this power, gradually slowed their frenzied attacks.
One by one, they lowered themselves to the ground, the hostility in their green eyes fading away.
"They… seem to have been pacified?" Zi Yan exclaimed in astonishment, slowly sheathing her light sword.
"Yes, the Radiance of Light not only possesses the power to heal and purify but can also touch the inner peace within all living beings" Xiao Chong said softly, his hand gently caressing the artifact, his voice filled with emotion.
Just as they thought the crisis had been averted, a deep, resonant voice broke the brief tranquility.
"Oh? So the 'Radiance of Light' can tame the wild nature of the sand wolves. How unexpected." A mysterious figure cloaked in black stepped out from the shadows, a curious smile playing on his lips.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Xiao Chong demanded, stepping protectively in front of Zi Yan and clutching the Radiance of Light tightly.
The man chuckled.
"Who I am is unimportant. What matters is my interest in the 'Radiance of Light' you hold. If you're willing to hand it over, perhaps we can strike a deal."
"Sorry, but the Radiance of Light was hard-earned through countless trials. We won't give it up so easily" Zi Yan replied firmly, gripping Xiao Chong's hand to show their united stance.
"Then don't blame me for what comes next" the man tone turned icy.
A flash of light emerged from his sleeve, signaling the start of a new confrontation…
The black-robed figure shifted, the darkness around him solidifying. The space twisted as chains, black as ink and exuding a bone-chilling cold, shot forth with a piercing whistle, aiming directly at Xiao Chong and Zi Yan.
"Watch out!"
Xiao Chong shouted, his body twisting sharply as he pulled Zi Yan with him. They moved like serpents through the narrow space, narrowly evading the chains that seemed capable of ensnaring their very souls.
A glint of determination flashed in Xiao Chong's eyes, his palm growing warm—a sign that the power within him was surging.
Zi Yan followed closely, her eyes shimmering with an unusual purple light, clearly mobilizing her abilities in secret.
"Chong, we can't just keep dodging. We need to find a chance to counterattack," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with unwavering determination.
"I understand" Xiao Chong responded, his sharp eyes catching the subtle gaps between the chains as a plan formed in his mind.
Suddenly, he halted, pulling Zi Yan's hand and swiftly spinning her around. Their positions shifted instantly, cleverly using a blind spot in one of the chains to temporarily evade the attack.
The black-robed man sneered.
"You can hide for a moment, but not forever. Hand over the 'Radiance of Light,' and I might consider sparing your lives."