Lin Xia's words rang out like a great bronze bell, crashing thunderously into Lou Gao's heart and soul!
Lou Gao had never imagined that, in his disciple's eyes, he would be held in such towering regard!
Those words about "metal meeting fire to become an artifact," "a craftsman's heart like iron," and "using a divine hammer to reforge dormant potential" struck like bolts of lightning, cleaving apart the haze of confusion and senescence that had weighed on his heart for decades!
An indescribable surge of heat, mixed with overwhelming emotion, bitterness, and a long-extinguished yearning suddenly reignited, rushed straight to his chest, instantly reddening his eyes!
The Phoenix God fell silent.
The colossal flame phoenix hovered in midair, the molten golden radiance flowing around Its body seeming to slow.
Those eternally burning phoenix eyes, for the very first time, settled upon Lou Gao with genuine scrutiny and contemplation.
No longer the indifferent gaze of judgment but one of… reassessment.
Indeed, Lin Xia's words had stirred It.
This youth possessed not only astonishing courage, but a mind of piercing clarity.
The very reasons for rejection had been precisely grasped and forcefully rebutted.
Especially his arguments about "potential being awakened," "the primacy of will and perseverance," and "inheritance not being limited by Martial Soul attributes." Though not entirely accurate, they struck at the very core of the true essence behind divine trials
A divine trial was never about smooth selection. It was a path of defying fate, of turning the impossible into reality!
If one judged only surface-level potential, how would that differ from mortal evaluations?
Lou Gao… this human craftsman.
The Phoenix God could sense it, the obsession buried deep within his soul, refined over decades: an unwavering devotion to "tempering refined metal with fire," a relentless pursuit of perfection. That craftsman's resolve had been forged into something as unyielding as the Chisel in his hands.
Such a state of mind was exceedingly rare among mortals.
As for potential…
It lay dormant like dead ash but beneath that ash, could there truly be embers not yet extinguished, embers that divine fire might reignite, as Lin Xia claimed?
The Phoenix God's gaze returned to Lin Xia.
This youth… whose attributes were mismatched, yet who dared to risk angering a god to secure a slim chance for the teacher who had guided him.
Such sincerity.
Such responsibility.
Such insight.
And within his body, after being reforged by the Sun Essence and divine power, there existed an extraordinary foundation where sandstorms and flame intertwined, harboring limitless possibilities…
Within the Phoenix God's heart—silent for countless ages, the surface of that ancient lake stirred for the first time, rippling because of a mortal's resolve.
Was it admiration?
Was it helplessness?
Or perhaps… curiosity, newly awakened?
Time seemed to freeze once more.
Within the mine, only the crackling of flames and the heavy heartbeats of three beings—two humans and one Pokémon, remained.
At last, that vast and majestic voice rang out again, carrying an unprecedented weight, as if echoing through eternity itself:
"Human… your words have stirred a fragment of My will."
The Phoenix God's voice flowed like molten lava, carrying a chill that froze the soul:
"Since you persist so stubbornly… since you believe this man deserves a chance…"
Its colossal flaming form leaned slightly forward. Boundless divine pressure crashed down like a tangible tsunami, causing Lin Xia, Lou Gao, and Larvitar to instantly feel as though they were bearing the weight of an entire volcano!
Bones creaked violently. Even breathing became agonizingly difficult!
"…Then I shall grant you this opportunity!"
"However, the path of the divine trial is one of defying the heavens! Thorns everywhere, nine deaths for one chance of survival! Only those with supreme resolve and supreme perseverance may tread it!"
"My trial is no child's play, it is a true… trial of life and death!"
The Phoenix God's eyes suddenly erupted with golden light that pierced straight through the soul. Its voice roared like heavenly punishment, echoing within every spirit—every soul.
"I will ask only once are you… truly… prepared?!"
"Prepared to face terror far beyond your imagination? Prepared to be reduced to ashes at any moment, your soul scattered, never to reincarnate? Prepared to wager your lives, your souls, and everything you are… for this one-in-ten-thousand—no, one-in-a-million, slim chance?!"
"Answer Me!"
The terrifying pressure descended like countless world-shattering hammers!
The rock walls of the mine silently crumbled into powder beneath divine might!
The molten earth below boiled violently!
The air ignited completely, transforming into a vast sea of golden-red flame!
Before this heaven-destroying divine presence, before this interrogation that pierced straight to the heart.
Lin Xia suddenly straightened his back, which was on the verge of collapsing!
Dark-gold eyes blazed fiercely with flame—no hesitation, only unwavering resolve!
With every ounce of strength in his body, he let out a thunderous roar:
"I am ready!"
"Larvitar!!!"
Sensing Lin Xia's resolve, Larvitar erupted with an unprecedented roar of fighting spirit!
Its small body trembled violently beneath the divine pressure, yet the runes on its armor blazed with dazzling brilliance!
Through its actions, it declared its choice—
to advance and retreat together with Lin Xia, until death itself!
Lou Gao!
This aged divine craftsman under Lin Xia's fervent defense, beneath the Phoenix God's world-destroying pressure and soul-piercing interrogation, felt every trace of fear, hesitation, and the weariness of age within him completely ignited and burned away!
A pride and passion that had lain dormant for decades, nearly forgotten, the blood and arrogance of a Divine Craftsman, erupted like a volcano!
Lou Gao's clouded old eyes instantly turned blood-red. His calloused hands clenched tightly into fists, veins bulging, as the Soul Saint–level soul power within him surged with a madness never before seen!
His hoarse yet resolute roar, like the final unyielding piece of stubborn iron bellowing beneath a heavy hammer in the furnace exploded through the silent, scorching mine.
"I am ready! I accept your trial! Life and death without regret!"
That shout drained every last breath from the old divine craftsman's chest. It carried a desperate resolve, a determination to burn the bridges behind him, and echoed small yet extraordinarily tenacious, beneath the boundless divine might of the Phoenix God.
The tightly drawn string in Lin Xia's heart suddenly loosened, only to be seized again by even deeper tension.
He stared unblinkingly at the Phoenix God formed of eternal blazing flames, dark-gold pupils reflecting the light capable of incinerating souls.
Yet the Phoenix God's reaction was unexpectedly calm.
That massive head, flowing with molten Sun Essence, seemed to give an almost imperceptible nod. Its indifferent gaze swept over the three beings below, two humans and one Pokémon, as though the soul-shaking interrogation moments ago and Lou Gao's oath just now were nothing more than insignificant ripples.
There was no praise.
No encouragement.
Only an absolute indifference that looked down upon life and death alike.
The Phoenix God did not speak another word.
Instead, the burning phoenix eyes flickered faintly, and a stream of crimson-gold radiance far more condensed, restrained, and yet far more intense than the one bestowed upon Lin Xia and Larvitar, poured forth from the tip of Its wings like a river of molten gold descending from the heavens!
This radiance was not violent. On the contrary, it carried a strange warmth, as though it could permeate all things. In an instant, it crossed space, ignored Lou Gao's tattered clothing and bodily defenses, and silently sank into his chest!
"Urgh—!"
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