Chapter 71 - Heart of the Labyrinth
Silver light faded.
Kai opened his eyes.
He stood atop a massive stone platform suspended above an endless forest.
Far below, the Labyrinth stretched to every horizon like a living ocean of emerald.
At its centre...
A colossal tree pierced the heavens.
Its trunk was wider than an entire city.
Golden rivers flowed through its branches.
Ancient beasts rested peacefully beneath its canopy.
The Heart of the Labyrinth.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
Location Discovered
World Tree Sapling
Classification:
Sacred Sanctuary
Access:
Restricted
Current Contestants Remaining:
184 / 512
---
Kai frowned.
"Only one hundred and eighty-four?"
The tournament had eliminated more than three hundred contestants within hours.
"It was never meant to be easy," murmured the Crimson Flame Fox.
---
A stone bridge extended from the platform.
As Kai crossed it, dozens of eyes watched from the shadows.
A majestic white tiger stepped onto the path.
Behind it appeared a sapphire stag.
A crimson eagle.
A jade tortoise.
None attacked.
Instead...
Each lowered its head.
The Medallion of the First Sovereign glowed warmly.
The beasts recognised its authority.
---
A gentle voice echoed from beneath the great tree.
"You carry his promise."
Kai looked up.
An elderly woman sat upon a root as thick as a castle wall.
Her silver hair reached the ground.
Tiny glowing butterflies rested upon her shoulders.
Beside her lay a magnificent silver wolf.
Its golden eyes held the wisdom of countless ages.
The Book trembled.
---
Ancient Beast Identified
Lunara
Title:
Guardian of the Labyrinth
Rank:
Mythic
Age:
Over 12,000 Years
Threat Level:
Unknown
---
Kai respectfully bowed.
"It is an honour."
Lunara smiled.
"It has been a long time since someone remembered respect."
---
She extended her hand.
A wooden chessboard appeared between them.
Thirty-two crystal pieces rested upon it.
Kai blinked.
"A chess match?"
Lunara chuckled.
"The strongest Beast Tamers all wished to prove their strength."
"Only one asked me what I wished to play."
Kai smiled.
"So..."
"You enjoy chess?"
"I enjoy patience."
---
For the next hour...
Neither spoke.
Only the soft click of crystal pieces echoed beneath the ancient tree.
Kai realised something strange.
Lunara never tried to win quickly.
She tested his decisions.
His willingness to sacrifice.
His ability to think several moves ahead.
Finally...
Kai deliberately gave up his queen to save two smaller pieces.
Lunara smiled.
"There."
"You finally understand."
---
She tipped over her own king.
"I lose."
Kai looked surprised.
"You could have won."
"Yes."
"But so could you."
She looked into his eyes.
"A true Sovereign knows that victory without trust is merely another defeat."
---
The Book glowed brightly.
Hidden Trial Completed
Trial of Wisdom
Rewards:
- Ancient Beast Token ×10
- Reputation with Ancient Beasts:
Revered
---
Suddenly...
The peaceful atmosphere shattered.
A deafening explosion echoed through the forest.
Smoke rose beyond the trees.
The Book reacted immediately.
Emergency Alert
Contestants in Combat:
17
Location:
Eastern Grove
Probability of Casualties:
High
---
Kai stood instantly.
Lunara remained seated.
"You intend to help them."
"It would be faster to ignore them."
Kai nodded.
"I know."
"But that's not who I am."
Lunara closed her eyes.
"Go."
"The Heart of the Labyrinth will wait."
---
Kai sprinted through the forest.
Minutes later...
He emerged into a ruined clearing.
More than twenty contestants surrounded a glowing crystal altar.
Ancient Beast Tokens were scattered across the ground.
Several injured Beast Tamers lay unconscious.
At the centre stood Darius.
His corrupted Silver Wolf had evolved.
Black armour now covered its body.
Its crimson eyes burned with hatred.
Around Darius stood six powerful contestants.
All had formed a temporary alliance.
Bjorn Ironhide.
Aria Windwhisper.
A swordsman from the Desert Kingdom.
Twin sisters from the Frost Isles.
And a masked monk wrapped in white robes.
Yet all six were wounded.
Darius stood alone.
Smiling.
"You all disappoint me."
The Silver Wolf growled.
Dark chains erupted from the ground, binding the contestants.
Bjorn struggled against them.
"They drain spiritual energy!"
Aria's tiny Emerald Sky Hummingbird darted through the air, slicing several chains apart with invisible blades.
But new ones immediately replaced them.
Darius laughed.
"Resistance is pointless."
---
Kai stepped into the clearing.
"Then why don't you try someone who'll resist a little harder?"
Every head turned.
Darius smiled wider.
"I was wondering when you'd arrive."
The corrupted Silver Wolf bared its fangs.
The Crimson Flame Fox stepped beside Kai, its nine tails igniting with crimson-gold flames.
The Book of Infinite Beasts opened.
Special Match Triggered
Round One Boss Encounter
Opponent:
Darius of the Eclipse Court
Status:
Active
Restriction:
No outside interference.
The crystal altar rose into the air.
A transparent barrier surrounded the clearing.
Bjorn slammed his fist against it.
"It won't break!"
Lunara's voice echoed from the heavens.
"Only one challenger may face the Boss of the Labyrinth."
Darius slowly drew a jet-black spear.
At the same moment, Kai summoned his Star-forged spear.
The two rivals stared at each other.
Neither smiled.
Neither spoke.
For the first time...
The future of the Celestial Tournament would be decided by a duel between two young legends.