Chapter 136: Legacy and next Trial
Each step was not stone, but trial.
As Tian Lei ascended the Soaring Dragon Stairway, the weight pressed upon him—not on his body, which was already tempered like divine steel, but on his soul. Each step struck at his spirit, his will, his very essence. Where a weaker cultivator would have crawled, bleeding from orifices, Tian Lei’s stride only grew steadier.
One step. The weight of a mountain.
Another step. The burden of a sea.
Ten steps. A storm of heaven and earth upon his back.
Yet his eyes never wavered. His spear never left his hand. He walked as if climbing to his own throne.
By the time he reached the summit, the world of the trial had shifted.
Before him stood three pedestals, each crowned by relics that seemed to breathe with eternity.
On the first pedestal lay what looked like a broken piece of an jade, Tian lei confused touched it as suddenly a message appeared in his head.
’To claim the treasure of the Myriad Heaven Sect, Complete other trials perfectly too’
"Hmm, I see, so to get the hidden treasure I need to rank first in all phases of each Trial door." Tian lei nodded and then looked at other pedestals.
On the second pedestal rested a jade scroll, sealed in bands of emerald qi. The aura of technique radiating from it was sharp, endless, like spears piercing through the heavens themselves. The scroll bore four words: Divine Dragon Spear Art.
On the third pedestal floated a spear. Long and radiant, its shaft was deep green, veined with silver streaks like flowing rivers. Its blade was double-edged, like twin dragon fangs, and once in a while, it releases silver light. This was no ordinary weapon—this was a Divine-Grade Spear, crafted for one worthy of the Soaring Dragon legacy.
Tian Lei only nodded, taking everything in. And in that instant, a white light overwhelmed him—when his vision cleared, he was already back outside, his hand still brushing the door.
"Are you done?" a sudden voice asked.
He turned. Haiyun was looking at him calmly.
"Yes," Tian Lei replied, then tilted his head. "How much time did I take?"
Haiyun gave a faint smile. "Just a moment."
Elder Lin added from the side, his tone solemn, "In that trial world, time flows differently. What may have been a hundred years for your soul... was but a blink of an eye for us."
Tian Lei nodded lightly at that.
"So," Haiyun continued, her gaze lingering on him, "is it enough? Or will you try to enter another?"
"I will attempt another one," Tian Lei murmured, already turning his gaze toward the other sealed doors.
Haiyun’s eyes followed Tian Lei as he turned toward the row of sealed trial doors.
"Which one next?" he asked, his voice deep and steady, though a flicker of curiosity shone in his gaze.
Tian Lei’s steps slowed before the third door on the right. His fingers brushed against its ancient surface, etched with faded engravings of anvils, hammers, and rivers of molten metal. His voice came quiet but certain:
"The Forging Trial."
Haiyun’s brows lifted, a hint of surprise softening the usual sternness in his features. "So you’ve chosen the path of the smith," he rumbled. After a moment, he gave a firm nod. "Fitting. Forging is no less of a battlefield. But do not underestimate it—many geniuses failed here, not for lack of strength, but lack of spirit."
Elder Lin added, his tone measured, "This one tests more than qi. It tests patience, creation, and the weight of your will against fire and steel."
Tian Lei inclined his head, eyes unwavering. "Then I will see it through."
The moment his palm pressed fully against the door, white light surged, pulling him in.
—
When his vision cleared, Tian Lei found himself standing in a cramped forge hut. Heat pressed against his skin; the air itself shimmered with molten intensity. The crackling roar of a furnace filled the chamber, its mouth glowing like the eye of a beast.
As he was wondering, memories appeared in his mind along with a message:
[Phase 1 — Remain in the Sect]
The body he now inhabited belonged to a man who had failed to craft a Spirit-Rank treasure for the past two years. In the sect, if an outer disciple cannot forge a Spirit-Rank weapon within three years, they will be expelled.
Thus, it fell to Tian Lei to craft and present a Spirit-Rank treasure within one month—or else this trial would fail.
"So, this is Phase 1 of the Trial of the Forging Door," Tian Lei muttered. His current body was bulky, like a gym brute pounding weights. "Damn, so clumsy," he frowned, feeling the stiffness of this vessel. It lacked the finesse he was used to, but the raw strength would have to suffice.
"I guess I’ll just adapt," he sighed.
He looked at the two forging arts etched into his mind.
’Heavenly Mountain Hammer Art’ — a technique to gather and temper materials, purifying them while making them stronger.
’Crimson Flame Art’ — another forging art, this one controlling purification flames to smelt and refine with precision.
"Not bad," Tian Lei thought, "these arts may be simple, but with my foundation as an elite-grade forger, they’ll be more than enough."
He set to work, forging with steady rhythm. Though his movements lacked elegance, they carried immense power. His first test was to craft a Spirit-Rank weapon. Choosing a dagger as the vessel, Tian Lei combined the arts skillfully, hammer ringing, flames refining.
When he quenched the final piece, a faint spiritual glow emanated from the blade.
"Spirit-Rank dagger, done," Tian Lei muttered. But he didn’t relax. His goal was no longer to simply pass the trial—he had resolved to take first place in every phase. And a mere Spirit-Rank weapon would never guarantee that. To secure the top, he needed to forge at least an Earth-Rank, perhaps even a Heaven-Rank weapon, within the month.
"I should have studied more about forging," he grumbled under his breath. But there was no point crying over spilled milk.