118: Stargazing Trial 2

Xing Lan pointed at the seven Star Pillars: "The real test is just beginning. Each Star Pillar represents a type of Star Law, and only by passing the test can the Legacy Pavilion be activated." She looked at Xiao Yan, "You must enter alone. We will maintain the Star Array outside."

Xiao Yan nodded and walked towards the center of the Star Pillars. The moment he stepped into the Seven Star Array Eye, the seven Star Pillars lit up simultaneously, enveloping him in dazzling starlight. All sounds and sights from the outside world disappeared, leaving only an endless sea of stars.

"Xiao Yan, descendant of the Star Clan." A grand voice resounded, "The triple trial will determine whether you are worthy of the Star Lord's Legacy."

The surrounding starlight condensed into a blurry human figure, whose outline bore some resemblance to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan's heart quickened: "Father...?"

"Just a pre-recorded consciousness." The figure replied, "Before the trial begins, you may ask one question."

Xiao Yan did not hesitate: "What happened back then? Did you truly disappear?"

The Star Lord's image flickered: "I voluntarily merged into the Chaos Devourer's interior." This answer exploded like a thunderclap, "The Flame Lord's fire, the Ice Lord's ice, and my star, none could completely destroy it. So I chose to restrain it from within, to buy time for you all."

The image expanded, revealing a scene from the Chaos Devourer's core—a cage made of starlight, imprisoning a constantly deforming mass of darkness. Cracks had already appeared in the cage, and the darkness was slowly seeping out.

"Time is running out." The Star Lord's image said, "The true vessel for the fusion of the three spirits is not a person, but the Chaos Furnace itself. Remember this." With that, the image dissipated, and the surrounding stars began to rotate, forming a vortex.

The first Star Pillar glowed with a dazzling blue light, and Xiao Yan's vision blurred. He found himself standing on the training ground of the Xiao Family in Utan City. The surroundings were familiar, but all the clansmen looked at him with fear and disgust.

"Trash is Trash, get out of the Xiao Family!" A clansman cursed.

"A bastard who defiled the Star Clan Bloodline!" Another spat.

Xiao Yan was shocked to find that these voices came from his closest relatives—Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding, Xiao Li... even Xun'er and Yao Lao stood in the crowd, their eyes full of disdain.

"This is an illusion..." Xiao Yan told himself, but the heartache was real.

"Not entirely." The Star Lord's voice echoed in his ear, "The Star Bridge shows possible futures, while the Mirror Heart Hall reflects your inner fears. What you fear most is not death, but being denied by your loved ones."

Xiao Yan clenched his fists: "Because I've experienced it... I know how much it hurts."

"The way to pass the trial is to accept this fear, not to overcome it." The Star Lord guided.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and walked towards "Xiao Zhan" in the crowd, kneeling down amidst everyone's surprised gazes: "Father, even if you deny me, I am still your son."

The scene rippled like water, twisting and dissipating. The second Star Pillar then lit up.

This time, Xiao Yan stood on a scorched earth, with a sickly dark red sky. Countless corpses lay at his feet, and he recognized each one in horror—Yao Lao, Xun'er, Xiao Bing, Ling Xiao, Xing Lan... and even Nalan Yanran and the Little Fairy Doctor. There was a charred palm print on everyone's chest, clearly caused by his flames.

"Did I... do this?" Xiao Yan trembled as he looked at his hands, which were covered in blood.

"Everything you would do if the seed of chaos fully controlled you." The Star Lord's voice resounded again, "Your second greatest fear—becoming the person you hate most."

Xiao Yan knelt on the ground, tears splashing onto the scorched earth: "Then I'd rather die..."

"Death is not the solution." The Star Lord said, "Accepting this possibility, and resolving never to fall into darkness, is the way to pass."

Xiao Yan wiped away his tears and gently closed the eyes of each "deceased" person: "I swear, I will never let this future come true."

The second Star Pillar glowed brightly, and then the third lit up.

The final scene was a pure white space, with three orbs of light suspended in the center, just as he had seen on the Star Bridge—Yao Lao, Xun'er, and Xiao Bing and Ling Xiao (the two combined into one orb). A cold voice rang out:

"Choose one person to sacrifice, and the others can live. You have ten breaths to decide."

Xiao Yan was struck by lightning: "No... this is impossible..."

"Nine..."

"There must be another way!"

"Eight..."

"Father! This isn't a real test, is it?"

"Seven..."

The Star Lord's voice carried compassion: "Sometimes sacrifice is necessary..."

"Six..."

Xiao Yan shook his head wildly: "I won't choose! I'd rather die myself!"

"Five..."