The deafening explosion from Li Shen, Mei Lin, and Zhao Wei's clash shook the Labyrinth of Shadows to its very core. Stones rained from the ceiling, cracks raced along the walls, and the ground quaked as though it were about to collapse. The suffocating mist that once dominated the labyrinth swirled chaotically, like a living thing spiraling out of control.
Then, a voice echoed—not human, not beast, but something far older. Its resonance struck their very souls:
"Three paths converge upon the altar of legacy. From this point forth, the fate of the world shall be set."
The ground split open beneath them. From the abyss burst forth golden light entwined with pitch-black shadows. The two opposing forces whirled together, devouring yet unable to destroy one another, until they formed a colossal vortex.
The mist was pulled into the maelstrom, unveiling a hidden chamber deep within the labyrinth.
Li Shen, bloodied yet unyielding, was the first to step inside. His breath caught at the sight before him.
Within the chamber stood two colossal statues.
The first, a man draped in black robes. His eyes were empty voids, his face etched with fury and hatred, radiating an aura that seemed capable of consuming worlds.
The second, a woman robed in radiant gold-white. Her expression was calm and tender, yet her gaze carried an unshakable authority, like sunlight that no darkness could extinguish.
Between them rose an ancient altar, its surface carved with countless symbols glowing faintly—some shimmering gold, others pulsing with obsidian black.
As they approached, the voice returned, deeper and more commanding:
"Their blood is the key. The legacy shall fall only to the true heirs."
Li Shen staggered, his body trembling as if something within his blood was being summoned.
Mei Lin froze, her face paling, her sword hand shaking uncontrollably. Her eyes widened with the same recognition, her very blood resonating with the altar's call.
Their gazes met, the undeniable truth reflected between them.
"Mei Lin…" Li Shen whispered hoarsely. "You feel it too, don't you?"
She nodded slowly, her lips trembling. "Yes… my blood burns as though it wishes to leave my body. The altar… it's calling me. Just as it calls you."
Li Shen's mind flashed to the vision the labyrinth had shown him—the black-robed man and the golden-robed woman, two opposing forces… and from them, two bloodlines.
Before he could speak further, mad laughter shattered the air.
"Hahaha! So it's true! You two… are the cursed heirs!"
Zhao Wei emerged, black flames writhing violently around him, devouring the very air. His face twisted with hatred, his eyes crimson with madness.
"In that case," he roared, his voice cracking with insanity, "all I need to do is destroy you both here! If your blood is the key, then erasing you means erasing the legacy forever. And if I'm the last one standing, the altar will have no choice but to submit to me!"
The talisman in his hand pulsed, releasing surges of searing black fire. The aura of hatred was so overwhelming that the ground beneath him began to melt.
Mei Lin stepped forward, her sword glowing with radiant light, her voice sharp with urgency. "Zhao Wei, you don't understand! This altar isn't just power—it's a trial! If you keep feeding that hatred, it will consume you entirely!"
But Zhao Wei only laughed louder, his eyes glowing like blood-soaked suns. "If hatred consumes me but gives me strength enough to destroy this world, then so be it! All I care about is watching Li Shen die before my eyes!"
Li Shen clenched his fists, fire burning in his gaze. "Then there's no other choice."
In an instant, the three clashed.
Zhao Wei unleashed a colossal black dragon of fire from his talisman, roaring as it surged forward. Mei Lin swung her sword, light bursting forth to form a radiant shield. At the same time, Li Shen summoned both light and darkness, spiraling together in his hands with newfound stability, hovering on the edge of unity.
The first impact erupted before the altar. The explosion shattered the chamber, cracking the ancient statues as a torrent of energy devoured the mist across the labyrinth.
Li Shen soared forward, breaking through the dragon's flames, and slammed Zhao Wei with a strike of fused light and shadow. Zhao Wei was hurled back, but he rose again, laughing madly.
"Good, Li Shen! The harder you fight, the deeper my hatred grows! And with it, my power!"
But then—the altar itself began to stir.
Its symbols glowed brighter, spewing golden radiance and black shadow across the chamber. From it, the ancient voice thundered, shaking their souls:
"Three paths converge upon the altar of legacy. From this moment, only one shall be set—Light, Darkness, or Hatred."
Li Shen, Mei Lin, and Zhao Wei all staggered as an invisible force pulled at their very souls, drawing them toward the altar.
Li Shen's chest burned, his blood boiling. Within his mind, the voices of light and darkness screamed louder than ever—one urging him to protect, the other commanding him to destroy. Yet this time, both voices trembled with fear, as if something far greater loomed beyond them.
Mei Lin clutched her sword, tears streaming down her cheeks without reason. Her blood carried memories she did not know, yet her soul wept as though recalling a truth long lost.
Zhao Wei, however, only grinned wider, his flames raging higher. "Hahaha! The world itself will choose! And I will crush anyone who stands in my way!"
The first step toward the altar opened before them. Ancient energy swirled, waiting to devour those who dared tread upon it.
Li Shen, Mei Lin, and Zhao Wei stood at the threshold, their auras clashing violently.
The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting—
to see who would step forward first.