"The second trial tests your perseverance." The Guardian's majestic voice echoed through the vast white space. Before Bai Li, what was once empty now saw a towering peak appear out of thin air. The mountain was steep and treacherous, filled with jagged rocks and shrouded in mist, its summit invisible. Only a winding path led to the top—rugged, overgrown with thorns and gravel, full of danger and challenges. Bai Li could even feel the whistling wind between the peaks, carrying a bone-chilling cold that made her shudder involuntarily. Her two fox tails instinctively wrapped around her, seeking a sliver of warmth.
"Climbing this peak and reaching the summit is your second trial," the Guardian announced. His voice was devoid of emotion, yet it exerted an invisible pressure on Bai Li, like a great mountain weighing on her heart, making it hard to breathe.
Inside the cave, Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo were still blocked by the Golden Light Screen, unable to approach the altar or see Bai Li's situation. Lin Yaoyao paced back and forth, asking anxiously, "How long has it been? Why is there still no movement?" From time to time, she looked up at the light screen, hoping to see Bai Li's figure, only to be disappointed every time. Shen Mo stood aside with a furrowed brow; she was equally worried about Bai Li's safety, but she tried to stay calm, comforting Lin Yaoyao, "Yaoyao, don't worry too much. Since Bai Li passed the first trial, she will surely pass the second." As she spoke, she tried to touch the light screen again, only to be repelled by a powerful force. The light screen was incredibly solid and didn't budge at all.
"But..." Lin Yaoyao wanted to say more when she suddenly felt a fluctuation in the light screen. "Shen Mo, look!" Lin Yaoyao pointed at the light screen, her tone excited. Shen Mo also noticed the change; the once-still light screen was now rippling like water, sending out waves of ripples. They held their breath and watched the changes in the light screen intently, hoping to see Bai Li's figure.
In the vast white space, Bai Li looked at the towering peak before her and took a deep breath, her eyes determined. She understood that this trial was a challenge to her perseverance. She had to persevere to obtain the Legacy and live up to the expectations of Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo. Bai Li set off and stepped onto the small path leading to the summit. Her two fox tails swayed gently behind her like two flags fluttering in the wind, symbolizing her unyielding will and determination.
The mountain path was rugged, covered in thorns and gravel. Every step Bai Li took was difficult, but she did not give up. She gritted her teeth and climbed upward, one step at a time. The mountain wind howled, carrying a piercing chill as if trying to freeze her solid. Bai Li's clothes were thin, and she was soon shivering from the cold, but she still did not stop. Her two fox tails pressed tightly against her back, trying to ward off the biting wind, though to little effect.
Sweat soaked Bai Li's clothes, yet she did not stop. She had only one conviction in her heart: to reach the summit and complete the trial. Every step of her climb was exceptionally hard, but she never gave up. When she fell, she climbed back up; when she was injured, she used her tails to heal herself. Step by step, she climbed toward the summit.
Time passed minute by minute. Bai Li didn't know how long she had been climbing. She only felt her body growing more exhausted and her legs heavier, as if filled with lead, making every step incredibly difficult. But she still did not give up. She gritted her teeth and climbed upward, one step at a time. Her two fox tails trembled slightly due to the consumption of spiritual energy, but she still did not stop. She had only one conviction in her heart: to reach the summit and complete the trial.
After climbing for an unknown amount of time, Bai Li finally reached the summit. Standing at the peak, she looked down at the mist-shrouded mountains below. A sense of accomplishment welled up within her, but she knew this was only the second trial. She had to keep working hard to finally obtain the Legacy.
"Congratulations, you have passed the second trial." The Guardian's majestic voice rang out again, carrying a hint of admiration. "Your perseverance is praiseworthy."
When Bai Li heard the Guardian's words, which sounded like heavenly music, a surge of wild joy erupted in her heart. She knew this meant she had taken another crucial step toward the end. Thus, with utmost reverence, she bowed deeply to the Guardian and said softly, "Thank you for the undeserved praise, Senior. This Junior truly does not deserve such honor."
At that moment, the Golden Light Screen that had enveloped the entire cave and emitted a dazzling light began to recede slowly like a tide. Gradually, Bai Li's petite and agile figure emerged. Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo, who had been waiting anxiously outside, finally felt their hearts drop back into their chests when they saw Bai Li appear safe and sound. They let out a long sigh of relief in unison.
"Bai Li!" Lin Yaoyao called out her name urgently, rushing to her side like the wind. She looked Bai Li up and down carefully from head to toe, asking with a face full of anxiety, "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Let Sister see!" Her voice trembled slightly from excessive tension, and her beautiful eyes were filled with worry and concern.
Facing Lin Yaoyao's urgent concern, a smile as bright as a flower bloomed on Bai Li's face. She shook her head gently and reassured her, "Sister Yaoyao, don't worry. I am perfectly fine and haven't suffered any harm." As she spoke, the two snow-white fox tails behind her swayed joyfully like two white velvet flowers blooming in the wind, looking quite beautiful.
With a calm expression, Bai Li told Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo about the specifics of the second trial. "It was a towering peak that pierced the clouds, so steep and treacherous it was daunting. However, relying on my firm conviction and unyielding will, I climbed up step by step." As she spoke, she slowly reached out her right hand and pointed toward the seemingly unreachable high mountain behind her, her gaze deep and distant.
Lin Yaoyao gently stroked the top of Bai Li's head with pity and affection, saying softly, "You've worked hard, Bai Li. It's hard to imagine the hardships you went through climbing such a high peak alone. But because of that, I admire your perseverance and courage even more."
At this time, Bai Li looked up slightly at the white jade box emitting a mysterious light in the center of the altar. Her eyes showed great expectation as she said firmly, "Alright, let's not waste time. Let's keep moving! There is still a third, even more severe trial ahead waiting for me to conquer." Before her voice even faded, she resolutely stepped toward the altar, her pace light yet steady and powerful, like a snow lotus blooming in the wind, noble and resilient.
Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo followed closely behind Bai Li. On the stone walls around the altar, ancient runes were carved, emitting a faint golden light that illuminated the entire cave. In the center of the altar, the white jade box sat quietly, emitting a soft glow as if containing endless secrets.
Walking to the front of the altar, Bai Li stopped as if a Freezing Spell had been cast on her. She took a deep breath, as if to inhale all the turbid air of the world into her lungs, and then reached out her hands, which were like mutton-fat white jade, to touch the white jade box that seemed to have been slumbering for a thousand years.