After the voice resounded throughout the realm again, Ash was once again teleported.
Through the first eleven trials, he had gone nonstop without pause. Normally, this would've spelled disaster for a cultivator, but after every challenge he was rewarded with elixirs and pills. Some replenished his mana; others forged his body into a more refined vessel. Alchemists across the galaxy labored decades to craft pills like these—and here, they were given like candy.
The realm changed once more, and Ash now stood at the base of a towering, fog-shrouded mountain.
{This trial will focus on awakening. From this point on, trials cannot be failed. They can only be passed. You will remain in this trial... until you awaken.}
"The hell?" Ash muttered, brow furrowed. "Awaken what? I'm already a damn cultivator…"
Still grumbling, he gripped his sword and began to climb.
---
The moment Ash took his first step up the mountain, the world pressed down on him like a collapsing star.
"FUCK!" he roared, dropping to one knee.
It felt as if entire buildings were crashing atop his shoulders. But then, his Recursion activated—light humming around his muscles, bones realigning to handle the weight.
Bit by bit, he rose.
Then he walked.
Each step became a war. The pressure intensified endlessly, like an unseen force trying to grind him down into nothing. Hours passed. And yet—he hadn't moved at all.
----
Eventually, Ash stopped walking and sat cross-legged, panting.
"Shit. I've been walking in circles…"
"Awaken? But what the hell am I supposed to awaken?"
Frustrated, he closed his eyes and began meditating, focusing not on power, but on the concept of awakening itself.
The mountain responded.
RUMBLEEEEE
The very earth beneath him shook. The fog parted. The summit gleamed with ancient light—and five colored paths bloomed before him.
----
His Eyes of Infinity activated instinctively, allowing him to see through the facade and read the true natures of each path.
-Path of Death (Pitch Black)
Users walk the border of mortality, wielding the finality of existence. Gain immense killing power and resurrection-based techniques. But the cost is steep—one's emotions and identity begin to erode over time.
-Path of Tyranny (Crimson Red)
Conquer. Rule. Command. The Path of Tyranny bestows absolute control over others, empowering charisma and domination. However, the soul becomes burdened by endless ambition.
-Path of Serenity (Ocean Blue)
Balance and peace. The user harmonizes with the world, becoming nearly immune to external disruptions. But walking this path dulls aggression—something a true cultivator often needs.
-Path of Genesis (Emerald Green)
The power of creation. From nothing, something. Ideal for pill-makers and artificers. Yet it leads away from martial cultivation, slowing combat growth in favor of invention.
-Path of the Void (Amethyst Purple)
Nothingness. A path of solitude and silence. Wields anti-energy and spatial mastery. Walkers of this path vanish from history—even their victories are forgotten.
Ash frowned.
They were powerful… but none of them felt right.
Each one came with boundaries—limitations.
"Why the hell would I pick a path that puts me in a box?" he said, shaking his head. "Why follow just one? Why not make all of them mine?"
He hadn't meant to speak it aloud. But the realm was always listening.
RUMBLEEEE!
The five paths shattered like glass. In their place, a single rainbow path unfurled itself, leading to the summit.
----
A glowing inscription hovered above the path.
-Path of Becoming — Only one soul has and may ever walk this path.
This is the path of absolute freedom. You are not bound to one principle, one element, or one destiny. You must become everything you desire—ever-changing, ever-rising.
The user of this path is one who is never stagnant, never content, always striving for more.
However,… if you falter in this desire, if you become still even for a moment—your existence will be erased.
Ash smiled, his gaze defiant and proud.
"Now this… this is more like it."
He stepped forward.
And the pressure vanished.
As Ash climbed the rainbow path, visions and insights flowed into his mind—strange, formless knowledge meant for later cultivation stages. His soul felt branded, not by chains, but by a spark of limitless potential.
He reached the peak and sat cross-legged, feeling the Path etch itself deeper into him.
The voice returned.
{The next trial will begin in 6 months. Use this time to strengthen yourself.}
Around him, ten pill bottles shimmered into existence.
-Astral Dantian Elixir – Stimulates the metaphysical core within the dantian, increasing core stability.
-Liquid Essence of Spiral Flame – Temporarily enhances mana absorption by 400% for one hour.
I-ronroot Vein Pill – Reinforces the body's internal pathways to withstand higher mana pressure.
-Celestial Skin Balm – Applied topically; hardens the skin like steel for advanced body tempering.
-Draconic Pulse Capsule – Stimulates internal mana rhythm for smoother energy circulation.
-Voidseed Tonic – Eliminates impurities and "dead" mana from the system.
-Nine-Heaven Flame Infusion – An incredibly rare pill that burns away internal flaws in the core structure.
Ash looked over the pills, then toward the vast sky of the Land of Eternity.
His next steps were clear.
This path was his—and his alone.