Chapter 21: The Trial of the Buried Sun
The System flickered faintly in his vision:
[Location Confirmed: Sunken Shrine of the Buried Sun]
[Relic Trial Initiated – Completion Mandatory]
[Warning: External Forces Detected Interfering with Trial Sequence]
Li Yuan's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"So… you're already waiting, Harrower."
The Ruins Awaken
The canyon walls split open without warning, revealing a vast underground hall. Shafts of pale light streamed from cracks in the ceiling, illuminating massive stone pillars entwined with roots. At the far end stood an ancient altar, its surface glowing faint gold, where the third relic pulsed faintly—an ornamental seed-shaped stone wrapped in old vines.
But as soon as Li Yuan stepped forward, the floor shifted.
Roots shot upward like serpents, weaving into giant wooden guardians, their hollow eyes glowing crimson instead of gold.
The System flashed again:
[Corruption Detected – Trial Sequence Compromised]
[Source: External Manipulation of Ancient Threads]
Li Yuan exhaled slowly, gripping his Hoe.
The Harrower's Interference
A familiar voice echoed faintly, distorted but clear.
"I told you, Farmer. Your planting attracts weeds. Let me help remove them."
Crimson threads snaked down from cracks in the ceiling, wrapping around the wooden guardians. Their movements turned sharp, unnaturally fast, each strike filled with killing intent instead of testing intent.
Li Yuan swung his Hoe, a simple yet perfect arc—roots burst from the ground, intercepting the first guardian's strike. He spun gracefully, sweeping the Hoe in a circular motion, cutting through two corrupted vines.
But more came, faster than before, their numbers multiplying unnaturally. The Harrower wasn't testing him; he was forcing him to fight for real.
Ashborne in the Shadows
Far above, perched silently on one of the cracked pillars, Ashborne watched. His amber eyes tracked every move, his soot-colored robes blending with the darkness.
He pressed his fingers into the stone, murmuring under his breath.
"You're pushing him too far, Harrower. He's not ready to fight like this—not yet."
He drew a faint symbol in the dust with one finger. Immediately, a small ember of golden light rippled across the battlefield. The corruption on one of the guardians flickered, weakening slightly.
Li Yuan glanced up briefly, sensing the shift, but said nothing. His golden eyes softened, just for a heartbeat, as if acknowledging the silent help.
Ashborne whispered, almost to himself.
"You better not make me regret this, old friend."
Battle of Roots and Fire
The guardians lunged all at once.
Li Yuan leapt, spinning mid-air as his Hoe struck the ground—roots exploded upward, blooming instantly into thorned vines. Golden spores shimmered in the air, forming tiny vine-whips that lashed at corrupted wood.
One guardian's arm was severed cleanly, another pinned to the ground by thick roots. But three more slammed down, forcing Li Yuan to slide back, his boots carving lines in the soil.
The Harrower's voice came again, colder this time.
"This isn't a field, Farmer. This is war. Stop planting, and start cutting."
Li Yuan's golden eyes sharpened. His calm tone, however, didn't change.
"War ends when someone plants first. Not when everyone cuts."
The Hoe glowed faintly gold as he slammed it down again. This time, a massive golden root tore through the ground, lifting an entire guardian into the air and slamming it into another, splintering them both.
The Relic Responds
As the fight continued, the ornamental seed-shaped relic began to glow brighter. Vines extended from it, curling toward Li Yuan, almost as if answering his call.
The System flickered again:
[Relic Resonance Detected]
[Warning: Xiao Tianmie Essence Overlap – Suppression Risk 65%]
[Choice: Maintain Farmer Suppression or Access Full Power?]
Li Yuan hesitated for a breath, then pressed his palm to the soil.
"I don't need to be him to do this."
The ground trembled. From the cracks, golden sprouts erupted, blooming into massive flowers that released glowing pollen. The pollen turned into spectral hands, grabbing corrupted threads and tearing them apart.
The Harrower's voice went silent for a long moment.
The Final Guardian
Only one corrupted guardian remained, larger than the rest, its crimson eyes burning brightly. It lunged, its massive wooden fist swinging downward.
Li Yuan crouched low, spinning his Hoe once more.
The strike was so simple—a single, clean farmer's swing—but the force of it split the guardian clean in half, its pieces falling apart into harmless roots.
The air calmed.
Claiming the Relic
Li Yuan approached the altar slowly. The seed-shaped relic floated into his hands, glowing warmly.
The System chimed:
[Relic Acquired: Seed of Buried Sun]
[Ability Unlocked: Growth of Eternal Dawn – Allows Seeds to Bloom Even in Dead Soil]
He closed his fingers around it, whispering softly.
"Another tool to plant with. That's enough."
The Harrower's Warning
The air shimmered faintly, and for a brief moment, The Harrower's form appeared in the fractured space above.
His crimson gaze locked with Li Yuan's.
"You're getting stronger. Good. Because when you stop pretending to be a farmer, I'll cut you myself."
Li Yuan looked up, his golden eyes calm.
"Then you'll wait forever. Because I'll always plant first."
The Harrower's form vanished.
Ashborne's Departure
Ashborne remained hidden as Li Yuan left the ruins, his amber eyes thoughtful. He muttered softly to himself:
"You're still the same stubborn fool. And that's why I…"
He stopped, tightening his grip on his blade.
"That's why I might have to choose soon."
End of Chapter 21