Legend of the Divine Archer

Luo Li's roots surged forward again, faster this time, crisscrossing in an intricate web designed to trap him. But Yan Jin remained focused, his every movement precise. He rolled under one root, flipped over another, and fired another shot mid-spin. The arrow grazed Luo Li's cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.

Her eyes flashed with irritation. She summoned more of her power, and the ground beneath them rumbled. The lotus roots tore through the floor, multiplying as they spread in all directions, turning the battlefield into a living maze. Yan Jin was running out of space to maneuver.

But instead of retreating, he advanced.

He leapt into the air, high above the twisting roots, and fired three arrows in rapid succession. Each arrow split into multiple projectiles, raining down on Luo Li from all angles. She summoned a dome of lotus petals around her, blocking the barrage, but cracks appeared in her defense. Yan Jin's power was relentless.

He landed softly a few feet away, drawing yet another arrow. This one glowed brighter than the rest. His halos pulsed, and the energy in the room shifted, as if the entire tower was holding its breath. "Let's end this," he said, his voice low but resolute.

Luo Li narrowed her eyes, recognizing the danger in his words. She poured more of her energy into her roots, but Yan Jin was faster. His arrow shot forward, its glow turning into a blinding light as it tore through the air, too fast to dodge.

There was a loud crack, followed by a blinding flash. Luo Li's barrier shattered, the lotus roots crumbling to dust as the arrow struck her squarely in the chest. She gasped, her body frozen as the energy surged through her, paralyzing her movements.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, Luo Li collapsed to one knee, her breathing heavy, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You… you're stronger than I thought."

Yan Jin walked toward her, his bow lowered but his gaze sharp. "How long are you going to play games?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

Luo Li coughed, her lips curving into a small smile. "You are sharper than I expected." Before Yan Jin could reply, her figure flickered, and then she vanished. In her place, a delicate lotus flower bloomed from the ground. As it opened, her body reappeared within its glowing petals, seemingly renewed.

"This is my atavistic technique—Lotus Blossom," she said calmly. "It allows me to create multiple clones at once. This is the first time someone has been able to spot the real me so quickly."

Yan Jin remained unfazed, his eyes narrowing. "I'm not stupid. No one stays in this golden cage willingly. What do you want?"

Luo Li tilted her head, intrigued by his directness. "You're right. This is the last floor of the middle levels. Only two people have ever crossed it."

"He Chen and Nie Yang," Yan Jin said, filling in the blanks.

"Exactly." Luo Li nodded. "I've been trying to pass the next door for a long time, but it's impossible to do alone. And I know you're running out of time."

Yan Jin's brow furrowed. "What do you suggest?"

"I'll share some critical information about the final level," Luo Li offered, her expression serious. "In exchange, you'll give me something in return."

"What do you want?"

"The last level splits your soul into fragments," Luo Li began, her tone lowering. "Each fragment represents a different aspect of yourself—rage, wisdom, fear, compassion. You must conquer and reunite these aspects to gain spiritual wholeness. If you succeed, the tower will reward you with two powerful items. One of those is the Sacred Lotus Seed. I want it. In return, I'll offer you something of equal value."

Yan Jin stared at her, measuring her intentions. "Why are you so confident I'll succeed?"

"When I first met you, I could have crushed you under my foot like a bug," Luo Li said bluntly. "Now, you're fighting me on equal ground without even being at my level. That tells me you're far more talented than I am. And these trials aren't about brute strength—they're about talent."

Yan Jin smirked slightly, his eyes still cold. "You're taking this awfully well."

Luo Li let out a soft laugh. "When you live in a generation filled with monsters like He Chen and Nie Yang, you learn to accept things as they are."

Yan Jin stood there for a moment, processing Luo Li's words. The offer intrigued him, but he had learned never to trust anyone too quickly, especially not in a place like the tower.

"What happens if I refuse?" he asked, his voice low but firm.

Luo Li's smile faded slightly, though she didn't seem surprised by his skepticism. "Then you'll face the final trial alone," she said. "Without any guidance, you'll be walking into it blind. You might succeed, or you might not. The last floor isn't like the ones you've faced before. It tests more than just your strength or skill with a bow."

Yan Jin crossed his arms. "You said only two people passed through this floor. He Chen and Nie Yang—what did they face?"

Luo Li's eyes darkened. "They faced themselves, just like you will. Every hidden fear, every doubt, every suppressed emotion comes to life. You must fight them, conquer them, or be consumed. It's not a battle of fists and weapons; it's a battle of spirit. And the stronger your mind, the harder the challenge."

Yan Jin nodded slowly, understanding the weight of the trial ahead. "And you want the Sacred Lotus Seed because…?"

Luo Li's gaze flickered with something he couldn't quite read. "The Sacred Lotus Seed is the only thing that can restore my cultivation to its peak. Without it, I'll remain stuck in this place, unable to move forward. The tower demands strength, and without that seed, I'll never reach my full potential."

Yan Jin studied her for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. I'll agree to your deal—but I need your word that this information you're offering is real, and not just some way to manipulate me."

Luo Li nodded solemnly. "You have my word. The trial will break you if you're not prepared. I don't want to see someone with your potential fail, not when you're this close."

Yan Jin exhaled sharply. "All right then, what's your advice?"

Luo Li stepped closer, lowering her voice. "When you enter the final trial, you'll feel your soul begin to fracture. It's disorienting, and you'll struggle to control it at first. Don't fight it. Let it happen. Each fragment that splits off will take on a life of its own, but they're still you. The trick is understanding that each one is a reflection of who you are—and who you're meant to be. Don't try to destroy them; you need to reunite them."

"And if I fail to reunite them?" Yan Jin asked.

Luo Li's eyes grew cold. "Then you'll be stuck in that floor forever, lost in your own mind. And the tower will claim you, just as it has claimed countless others."

Yan Jin's jaw clenched, but he nodded. "Understood."

Luo Li turned to leave, but paused at the doorway, glancing back at him. "One more thing. Be careful with the aspect of rage. It'll be the hardest to control—and the most dangerous."

Without another word, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Yan Jin alone in the vast chamber.

Yan Jin stared at the door to the final floor, his heartbeat steady but the weight of the upcoming trial pressing on him. He had faced countless enemies, defeated powerful foes, but this was something entirely different. He wasn't just facing a battle—he was facing himself.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and pushed the door open.

The air inside was heavy, thick with an almost tangible energy that made his skin prickle. As soon as he entered, he felt a strange pull, like something was tugging at his very essence. His vision blurred, and suddenly, it was as if the ground beneath him dissolved.

Yan Jin tried to regain his balance, but before he could, he felt his mind begin to fracture. A sharp pain split through his head, and he collapsed to his knees, clutching his temples. His vision went dark, and when he opened his eyes again, he wasn't alone.

Standing before him were four figures, each one a perfect replica of himself. But they were more than just copies—they were distorted versions, their expressions cold, angry, twisted.

The first figure was filled with unbridled fury, its eyes burning red, its fists clenched tightly. It radiated raw anger, and Yan Jin could feel the heat emanating from it.

The second was cold and calculating, its eyes devoid of emotion, its stance rigid and controlled. It represented every logical decision Yan Jin had ever made, every cold calculation he had used to survive.

The third was trembling, its eyes wide with fear. It looked small, weak, like the version of himself that had been unsure, scared, lost.

The fourth stood tall, its face calm and serene. Compassion radiated from it, but there was a deep sadness in its eyes, a reflection of all the empathy Yan Jin had buried.

They were all him, every piece of his soul fragmented and brought to life. Now, he had to bring them back together—or be destroyed by them.

Yan Jin rose to his feet, his gaze locking onto the first figure—rage. "Let's get this over with," he muttered, as the embodiment of his anger charged toward him, fists blazing.