LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Light and Shadow at the Top of the Tower.
Xu Tian and Yue Lian arrived at the top of the Tower of Balance. The space that greeted them had no walls or roof, only an endless horizon where the sky was a mix of golden light and silver shadows. In the center, a pedestal stood with two floating spheres, one radiant like the sun and the other bright like the moon.
Guang Tian appeared beside them, his expression solemn. "You have passed the tests of the soul and the heart, but now you will face the final test: the judgment of your martial souls. The very essence of the Sun and Moon will evaluate you."
Yue Lian looked at the spheres cautiously. "What does this mean? What should we do?"
"Each of you must choose a sphere," Guang Tian explained. "It will not be an ordinary choice. These spheres will transport you to a spiritual plane where you must prove that your will can transcend your own limits. Only then will your martial souls reach their true potential."
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The Spiritual Plane of the Sun
Xu Tian reached out his hand towards the golden sphere. As soon as he touched it, a blinding light enveloped him. When he opened his eyes, he was in a vast desert, the hot, dry air burning his skin. Above him, a scorching sun seemed to watch him, judging him.
"Xu Tian," a deep voice echoed. "Why do you think you deserve the power of the Sun? This power is not for the faint of heart. It is a fire that consumes everything, even those who possess it."
Xu Tian stood up straight, despite the pressure he felt on him. "I do not seek this power to dominate, nor to destroy. I want to protect those I love and those who trust me. If the fire of the Sun is a sacrifice, I am willing to accept it."
The sand beneath his feet began to tremble, and a gigantic creature emerged: a golden phoenix wreathed in flames. Its eyes burned with devastating intensity.
"Show your resolve," the phoenix roared, lunging towards Xu Tian.
Xu Tian activated his martial soul and enveloped himself in a golden armor of light. Each strike of the phoenix was like a falling meteorite, but Xu Tian did not retreat. With each movement, the balance of his will and power grew, until he finally managed to hold the phoenix with both hands.
"Your spirit is worthy," the phoenix said, fading away in a burst of light that merged with Xu Tian.
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The Spiritual Plane of the Moon
Yue Lian touched the silver sphere, and her surroundings immediately changed. She was in a forest covered in a silver mist. The shadows of the trees cast eerie shapes, and the only source of light was the full moon in the sky.
"Yue Lian," a melodious voice whispered. "The moon reflects the secrets of the heart. Do you have the courage to face your deepest fears and desires?"
Yue Lian moved forward cautiously, feeling that each step brought her closer to something unknown. Suddenly, the mist parted, and in front of her appeared a figure identical to herself, but with empty eyes and a dark aura.
"I am what you fear to be," the figure said. "Weak, dependent, unable to protect anyone. How can someone like you withstand the power of the moon?"
"I am not weak," Yue Lian replied, firmly. "My fears do not define me. They are a part of me, but they are not everything. The moon is not only shadow; it is also light."
The dark figure transformed into a silver wolf that attacked her ferociously. Yue Lian summoned her martial soul, creating a shield of moonlight that repelled each attack. Finally, she channeled all her energy into a single attack that dispelled the wolf.
"Your heart is pure," the voice said, as a silver glow enveloped Yue Lian, fusing with her.
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The Union of the Sun and Moon
Both of them returned to the pedestal at the same time, their bodies radiating new energies. Guang Tian watched them with a satisfied smile.
"You have passed the final test. You are now true inheritors of the Sun and Moon. Your martial souls have reached a higher level, and the balance between the two is stronger than ever."
Xu Tian and Yue Lian exchanged a glance. They could feel the connection between their souls, deeper than ever. The power of the Sun and Moon flowed in perfect harmony.
"This is not the end," Yue Lian said. "It is only the beginning of what we must face."
"It is," Guang Tian confirmed. "You are now ready to face the world, but remember that with this power comes great responsibility. The story you are destined to write is just beginning."