Priyanshu stood before a towering structure that pierced the clouds—the Forbidden Pagoda of Crimson Judgement. Known only in ancient heretic scrolls, this structure was said to be a trial ground for those who defied the heavens. No cultivator had ever come out alive.
The gate itself bled—literally. Crimson fluid seeped from the intricate carvings, and the very air warped with sinister laughter.
[System Warning: The Crimson Pagoda Trial is not bound by the Laws of Reality. Fatality risk: 98.3%. Reward: ??? (Divine Class Unknown Tier)][Only those with a Domain may enter.]
"I'm not entering to survive," Priyanshu muttered. "I'm entering to rewrite the rules."
Alaya and Vanya remained outside. Despite their strength, they weren't qualified yet. Vanya gripped her sleeves tightly. "That place… is older than the heavens themselves."
He walked forward. The gates opened of their own will.
Inside, the world bent into madness.
The first floor: Floor of Mirrors. A thousand versions of himself stood with weapons drawn. Each copy held a different aura—justice, cruelty, despair, innocence.
Then the walls whispered:
"To be the strongest villain, you must conquer every version of yourself."
The clones attacked. Priyanshu moved like lightning, parrying blades with Nemoria. A mirror clone that embodied "Righteous Heroism" struck him with a searing golden fist.
Blood spilled.
But Priyanshu smirked.
"Even righteousness can be a mask," he whispered, igniting Create and Destroy Domain. The entire floor shattered into dust. Only one version of him remained—the one smiling in shadow.
The trial had accepted him.
Second floor: Floor of Lamenting Souls. Here, countless souls cried out—begging, accusing, mocking. A familiar voice broke through.
"Son..." his mother's broken whisper.
"Monster..." his father's cold snarl.
"Brother... why?" his siblings' jeers.
Each voice stabbed like daggers at his heart.
The System chimed in:
[Emotional Stability Below Threshold – Risk of Mental Collapse Imminent]
But Priyanshu didn't scream. He knelt down, touched the floor, and absorbed the pain.
"I don't run from pain. I turn it into power."
The cries faded. His spirit core glowed deep crimson, and Nemoria pulsed in approval.
[New Passive Skill Gained: Soul Devourer – Strengthens host when exposed to grief, betrayal, or hatred.]
He advanced.
Third floor: Crimson Throne Room.
A massive figure sat on a bone-carved throne—its body shrouded in robes made of soul silk. Its face? Priyanshu's. Older. Colder.
"Who dares impersonate me?" the figure growled.
Priyanshu laughed. "I'm not impersonating. I'm just you're beginning."
They clashed. Domain versus Domain. Law versus Chaos. System against Anti-System.
A battle so fierce it tore through time fragments.
Finally, Priyanshu pierced the shadow's chest with Nemoria.
The figure smiled. "You passed."
[Trial Cleared: Forbidden Pagoda – 3/9 Floors Conquered][Reward: Crimson Law Seed (Can plant a new Universal Law within Domain)][Skill Gained: Law Creation – Tier: Ancient Supreme][System Note: You now possess the right to challenge the Will of Heaven.]
As he exited, blood-soaked but smiling, the sky cracked faintly.
And somewhere far above the mortal realm, a celestial eye opened… watching.