Chapter 30: Labyrinth of Shadows.
Part 1
Li Wei stood at the entrance to the inner court tournament's labyrinth, his heart pounding in sync with the resounding gongs announcing the trial's start. Stone arches, etched with runes, loomed over the sandy arena, and spiritual energy emanating from the labyrinth made the air quiver. Lin Xue, sword at her belt, checked her gear, her gaze sharp but trusting. Chen Yu, nervously clutching last year's maze map, whispered directions, his eyes darting across the crowd of disciples. Lin Hao and his Heavenly Wings—Su Mei, Yan Feng, and Luo Zhi—stood nearby, their Mortal Realm, Stages 6 and 7 auras forming an invisible barrier. The Heavenly Shard under Li Wei's robe warmed, sensing danger. The System displayed: Energy: 20%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 4, 0%. Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 80%. Chance of ambush: 70%.
Lin Hao turned to Li Wei, his cold smile hiding a threat. "Li Wei, stick to the plan," he said, voice even but commanding. "We block Wei Long, you and Lin Xue strike. But remember: I expect your ruins secrets after the tournament."
Su Mei, beside him, snorted, her daggers glinting. "Don't fail, newbie, or I'll carve out your artifact myself."
Lin Xue stepped closer to Li Wei, whispering sharply, "Watch Su Mei. If Lin Hao betrays, we leave first. Chen Yu's map is our trump card."
Li Wei nodded, gripping the map in his belt beside the Blade of Heavenly Flow and Stellar Wind Flow scrolls. The System highlighted: Chance of Lin Hao's betrayal: 60%. Recommendation: Use the map for maneuvering, avoid activating the shard. He whispered to Chen Yu, "Guide us with the map, but quietly. If you spot Wei Long, signal."
Chen Yu swallowed, nodding, his fingers trembling on the map. The judge, an elder with a Spiritual Realm aura, raised a hand, and the gong sounded again. The labyrinth entrance opened, releasing a wave of spiritual energy, and disciple teams rushed inside.
Li Wei, Lin Xue, Chen Yu, and Heavenly Wings entered the dark corridors, where rune-covered walls faintly glowed. The map pointed to the first trap—a pressure plate triggering spikes with excess spiritual energy. Li Wei signaled a halt, and Chen Yu, creeping forward, bypassed the plate, confirming the path. The System updated: Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 85%.
But then the air trembled, and a spiritual beast—a Mortal Realm, Stage 5 stone wolf with glowing green eyes—burst from a side corridor. Su Mei charged, her daggers spinning, but Li Wei noticed Lin Hao holding back, watching him. Lin Xue whispered, "He's testing us. Strike, but don't use the artifact."
Li Wei summoned Blade of Heavenly Flow, water-like streams lashing the wolf, slamming it into a wall. Lin Xue added a sword strike, finishing it. Li Wei's energy dropped to 18%, and the System highlighted: "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 82%. Su Mei snorted, but Lin Hao nodded, eyes narrowing.
"Not bad, Li Wei. But this is just the start. Wei Long's ahead."
The group pressed deeper, but Li Wei felt the Heavenly Shard tremble harder. In the corridor's shadows, red eyes flickered, and a faint whisper, like in his vision, echoed: "The key calls…" The System blared: Chance of shadow emergence: 50%. Recommendation: Suppress the shard, avoid cultivation. Li Wei clenched his fist, realizing the labyrinth was not just a tournament trial but a test of his control over a secret that could doom them all.
Part 2
Li Wei led the group through the labyrinth's narrow corridors, his gaze darting between Chen Yu's map and the shadows where red eyes flickered more frequently. The Heavenly Shard under his robe burned, as if straining to break free, and Li Wei gripped it, suppressing its energy to avoid summoning shadows. Lin Xue, walking beside him, held her sword ready, her Mortal Realm, Stage 4 aura taut like a string. Chen Yu, whispering map directions, pointed to a fork leading to a beast zone. Lin Hao and his Heavenly Wings—Su Mei, Yan Feng, and Luo Zhi—followed, their gazes heavy, especially Su Mei's, whose daggers gleamed with each step. The System showed: Energy: 18%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 4, 0%. Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 85%. Chance of shadow emergence: 50%.
Chen Yu whispered, voice trembling, "Brother, the map shows a beast zone here. Two paths: left to traps, right to the maze core. But I heard growling from the right. Which way?"
Lin Hao, overhearing, stepped closer, voice cold, "Li Wei, the core's our goal. A beast's no issue for Heavenly Wings. Or are you scared, newbie?"
Su Mei smirked, eyes narrowing, while Yan Feng and Luo Zhi exchanged glances, ready for a fight. Lin Xue whispered to Li Wei, "He wants you to show your strength. The core risks Wei Long waiting. The left path's safer but slower."
Li Wei glanced at the map, then at Lin Hao. The System highlighted: Chance of Wei Long's ambush: 75%. Recommendation: Take the left path, conserve energy. He decided to outsmart Lin Hao, saving strength for the core.
"Left path," Li Wei said, voice firm. "We'll bypass the beasts and reach the core without losses. If Wei Long's there, we'll be ready."
Lin Hao's eyes narrowed but he nodded. "Fine. But don't dawdle, Li Wei. The core waits."
The group veered left, where rune-covered walls emitted faint spiritual energy pulses. Chen Yu pointed out a trap plate, and Li Wei skirted it, leading the way. But the Heavenly Shard flared with heat, and a red-eyed shadow materialized at the corridor's end, its Mortal Realm, Stage 5 aura making the air tremble. Lin Xue raised her sword, and Su Mei growled, "What's that thing? Li Wei, is this your trick?"
Lin Hao stared at Li Wei, suspicion flashing in his eyes. The System blared: Chance of shadow emergence: 60%. Recommendation: Suppress the shard, distract Lin Hao. Li Wei gripped the shard, quelling its energy, and shouted, "It's a maze guardian! Strike, but save strength—the core's priority!"
Lin Xue charged, her sword slashing the shadow, splitting it into fragments that dissolved. Li Wei added Stellar Wind Flow, star-like threads distracting the shadow as Lin Xue finished it. His energy dropped to 16%, but the shadow vanished. Su Mei and Heavenly Wings watched without acting, and Lin Hao said, voice icy, "Convenient, Li Wei. These 'guardians' appear when you're around. Don't forget our deal."
Li Wei stayed silent, but Lin Xue whispered, "He knows it's tied to you. If shadows strike again, Hao will betray before the core."
The group moved on, but a loud roar from the right corridor signaled Wei Long's team battling a beast. Li Wei felt Wei Long's Mortal Realm, Stage 8 aura flare, realizing an ambush was near. The System highlighted: Chance of combat with Wei Long: 80%. Recommendation: Prepare for ambush, use the corridor as cover. Li Wei gripped the shard, knowing the maze core was his goal, but shadows and Wei Long could make this path his last.
Part 3
Li Wei froze in the narrow corridor, listening to beast roars and spiritual energy bursts from the right passage, where Wei Long's team fought. Runes on the walls pulsed, amplifying the pressure, and the Heavenly Shard under his robe trembled, as if sensing a storm. Lin Xue, gripping her sword, stood beside him, her eyes darting between the corridor and Lin Hao, whose cold smile promised trouble. Chen Yu, clutching the map to his chest, whispered, voice shaky, "Brother, Wei Long's close. If he beats the beast, he'll come for us. The map shows the core two turns away, but there's a trap!"
Lin Hao stepped forward, his Mortal Realm, Stage 7 aura flaring, demanding attention. "Li Wei, stop stalling," he said, voice sharp as a blade. "The core's our goal. If Wei Long's coming, we meet him there. Or do you want to run?"
Su Mei smirked, her daggers glinting, while Yan Feng and Luo Zhi tensed, ready for combat. Lin Xue whispered to Li Wei, "Hao wants you to exhaust yourself against Wei Long. If we burn energy, he'll betray at the core. What's the plan?"
The System showed: Energy: 16%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 4, 0%. Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 85%. Chance of Wei Long's ambush: 80%. Chance of Lin Hao's betrayal: 65%. The System highlighted: Recommendation: Lure Wei Long to the core's trap, save the shard for the core.
Li Wei gripped the map, thoughts racing. The core's trap, marked on the map, activated with spiritual energy—perfect for weakening Wei Long without expending strength. He looked at Lin Hao, voice firm, "We head to the core but use the trap. Wei Long's strong but reckless. Let him trigger it, then we strike."
Lin Hao's eyes narrowed but he nodded. "Fine. But don't play tricks, Li Wei. I'm watching."
The group advanced to the core, bypassing another trap plate thanks to Chen Yu's map. The corridor widened into a circular chamber, where a spiritual crystal—the tournament's prize—floated above an altar. But runes on the floor emitted an ominous aura, and Chen Yu whispered, "That's the trap! Approaching the crystal triggers spiritual chains!"
Before Li Wei could respond, the air quaked, and Wei Long emerged from a side corridor, his Heavenly Lightning Sword glowing, his Mortal Realm, Stage 8 aura overwhelming like a storm. Two disciples, both Mortal Realm, Stage 6, followed, their eyes burning with malice. Wei Long grinned, pointing his sword at Li Wei. "Li Wei, your path ends here. Hand over the artifact, or I'll cut you and your friends down."
Lin Hao stepped forward, voice mocking, "Wei Long, you're late. The crystal's ours. Want a fight, let's start."
Li Wei noticed Lin Hao edging toward the altar, ready to lure Wei Long into the trap, but his glance at Li Wei promised betrayal. Lin Xue whispered, "Let them fight. We strike when the trap triggers."
Wei Long charged the altar, his sword unleashing lightning aimed at Lin Hao. Lin Hao dodged, and the bolt hit the runes, activating the trap. Spiritual chains erupted from the floor, binding Wei Long and his disciples. Lin Hao laughed, but the Heavenly Shard flared, and a red-eyed shadow materialized at the altar, its Mortal Realm, Stage 6 aura flooding like poison. The System blared: Chance of shadow emergence: 70%. Recommendation: Suppress the shard, retreat to the crystal.
Su Mei growled, her daggers aiming at Li Wei. "Your trick, Li Wei? You set us up!"
Li Wei gripped the shard, realizing its proximity to the core had summoned the shadow. He shouted to Lin Xue, "Grab the crystal! I'll hold the shadow!"
The labyrinth became chaos—Wei Long strained against the chains, Lin Hao prepared to betray, and the shadow lunged at Li Wei, its red eyes blazing with hunger. The tournament had become a battle for survival, and Li Wei knew his next move would decide everything.
Part 4
Li Wei dodged the shadow's claws, its red eyes blazing in the core's dim light. Its Mortal Realm, Stage 6 aura lashed like a toxic wind, and the Heavenly Shard under his robe burned, trembling through his body. Lin Xue dashed to the altar, where the spiritual crystal glowed, her sword flashing to fend off Wei Long's second disciple. Chen Yu, hiding behind a pillar, shouted directions, clutching the map. Wei Long, bound by the trap's spiritual chains, roared, his Heavenly Lightning Sword slicing through the bonds, while Lin Hao, at the core's edge, watched with a cold smirk, his Heavenly Wings—Su Mei, Yan Feng, and Luo Zhi—poised to strike. The System showed: Energy: 16%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 4, 0%. Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 85%. Chance of Lin Hao's betrayal: 70%. Chance of shadow emergence: 70%.
Lin Xue shouted, parrying the disciple's attack, "Li Wei, hold the shadow! I'm taking the crystal!"
Li Wei unleashed Blade of Heavenly Flow, water-like streams lashing the shadow, slamming it into a wall. His energy dropped to 14%, but the shadow hissed, its form shimmering, reforming. The System highlighted: Recommendation: Use a technique combo, suppress the shard. Li Wei added Stellar Wind Flow, star-like threads binding the shadow, slowing it, but the Heavenly Shard flared brighter, and a second shadow began forming at the altar.
Su Mei, spotting this, charged Li Wei, her daggers aimed at his back. "You summoned them, Li Wei! Hand over the artifact, or die!"
Lin Hao raised a hand, halting Yan Feng and Luo Zhi, but his voice was icy, "Li Wei, that's your key, isn't it? Give it to us, or Heavenly Wings end this here."
Lin Xue, seizing the crystal, knocked back Wei Long's disciple with a sword strike and shouted, "Li Wei, Hao's betraying! Hit Su Mei, I'm coming!"
Li Wei dodged Su Mei's daggers with Wind Step and unleashed Vortex of Heavenly Light, combining it with Blade of Heavenly Flow. The vortex of water streams hurled Su Mei into a pillar, her daggers falling, her aura weakening. Li Wei's energy dropped to 10%, and the System updated: "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 85%.
Wei Long, breaking free from the chains, charged the altar, his sword unleashing lightning at Lin Xue. Chen Yu, panicking, threw a rock, distracting him, and Lin Xue dodged, clutching the crystal. Li Wei, seeing the chaos, gripped the Heavenly Shard, trying to suppress it, but the shadows intensified, their red eyes encircling the core. The System blared: Chance of survival: 30%. Recommendation: Flee with the crystal, use shadows as a distraction.
Li Wei shouted to Lin Xue, "Run to the exit! I'll hold them!"
He unleashed a final wave of Blade of Heavenly Flow, targeting the shadows and Wei Long. The streams slowed the enemies, but Lin Hao, seizing the moment, lunged at Li Wei, his aura-enhanced fist aiming for his chest. Li Wei dodged, but the blow grazed his shoulder, pain searing through him. Energy dropped to 8%. Lin Xue, fending off Wei Long's attack, grabbed Chen Yu and sprinted to the exit, shouting, "Li Wei, follow me!"
Li Wei, staggering, ran after her, shadows pursuing, while Lin Hao and Wei Long, exchanging glances, united against him. The System highlighted: Chance of Lin Hao's betrayal: 90%. Recommendation: Use the corridor for maneuvering, reach the exit. The maze core had become an arena of betrayal, and Li Wei knew the crystal in Lin Xue's hands was his only chance to secure his place in the inner court, but the shadows and enemies were too close.
Part 5
Li Wei raced through the labyrinth's narrow corridor, his breathing ragged, his shoulder throbbing from Lin Hao's blow. The Heavenly Shard under his robe burned, trembling through him, but he suppressed its energy to keep the shadows at bay. Lin Xue, clutching the spiritual crystal, ran ahead, her sword reflecting the faint glow of wall runes. Chen Yu, gasping, kept pace, the map lost but shouting directions from memory. Behind, Wei Long's and Lin Hao's roars echoed, their Mortal Realm, Stages 8 and 7 auras roaring like a storm, while red-eyed shadows pursued, their sinister whispers reverberating. The System showed: Energy: 8%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 4, 0%. Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 85%. Chance of survival: 30%.
Lin Xue glanced back, voice hoarse, "Li Wei, the exit's near! Hold the shadows, or they'll tear us apart!"
Li Wei nodded, his gaze flicking to the shadows, their claws scraping walls. The System highlighted: Recommendation: Use "Blade of Heavenly Flow" for distraction, run to the exit. He summoned the technique, water-like streams lashing the shadows, slowing them, but his energy dropped to 6%, and the System updated: "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 87%.
Wei Long, bursting through the corridor, unleashed Heavenly Lightning Sword, a bolt striking the ceiling, collapsing stones. Lin Hao, close behind, shouted to him, "Li Wei's ours! Take the crystal, I'll handle him!"
Li Wei realized their temporary alliance against him was a ruse to split the spoils. Chen Yu, stumbling, pointed to a turn, "Brother, the exit's there! Trap plate ahead, skirt right!"
Li Wei sprinted to Lin Xue, dodging falling stones. He shouted, "Trigger the trap! Lure them in!"
Lin Xue, grasping the plan, hurled a rock onto the plate, and runes flared, releasing spiritual chains. Wei Long, unable to stop, was caught, chains binding his legs, his disciples collapsing behind him. Lin Hao, faster, dodged, but Su Mei, trailing, was snared, her scream echoing. The shadows, seizing the chaos, lunged at Heavenly Wings, their claws tearing Yan Feng's and Luo Zhi's robes.
Li Wei, strength fading, grabbed Lin Xue's arm, helping her run. The Heavenly Shard flared, and a new shadow materialized at the exit, its red eyes locking onto Li Wei. The System blared: Chance of survival: 25%. Recommendation: Use the shard for a breakthrough. With no other choice, Li Wei channeled the shard's energy into Vortex of Heavenly Light, combining it with Blade of Heavenly Flow. The vortex of water streams shredded the shadow, clearing the path, but energy plummeted to 3%, and Li Wei collapsed to his knees, gasping.
Lin Xue hauled him up, dragging him to the exit. Chen Yu, reaching the arch, shouted, "We're out! The judge is here!"
Arena light flooded the corridor, and the elder judge, with a Spiritual Realm aura, raised a hand, halting the fight. Lin Xue, clutching the crystal, handed it to the judge, and Li Wei, swaying, stood, feeling the crowd's stares. Wei Long and Lin Hao, emerging from the labyrinth, glared with hatred, their teams battered, the shadows vanishing as if absorbed by the runes.
The judge declared, "Li Wei, Lin Xue, Chen Yu—victors! The spiritual crystal is yours!"
The System updated: Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 90%. "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 90%. Li Wei exhaled, but Lin Hao, stepping closer, whispered, "This isn't over, Li Wei. Your artifact's mine."
Lin Xue, gripping her sword, stood between them, voice cold, "Try it, Hao. We're ready."
Li Wei knew the maze victory secured his place in the inner court, but the shadows, Lin Hao, and Wei Long promised a new war. The Heavenly Shard was his strength but also a poison, and the temple's core, whispered by the shadows, beckoned him forward.
Notes on Part 5 and Story Progression
Part 5 Design: I crafted Part 5 to resolve the maze battle with high stakes, emphasizing Li Wei's desperate use of the Heavenly Shard to escape, which both saves the group and escalates the shadow threat. The victory is hard-won, reinforcing Li Wei's growth (advancing to Mortal Realm, Stage 4, and improving Blade of Heavenly Flow to 90%) while setting up future conflicts with Lin Hao, Wei Long, and the temple's mysteries.
Acceleration Toward Arc Conclusion: Per your note about accelerating toward the second arc's end by Chapter 35, this chapter establishes the tournament as a turning point. Li Wei's victory elevates his status but makes him a bigger target for the Jin Clan, Heavenly Wings, and the temple's shadows. The Heavenly Shard's connection to the "Temple's Heart" is now explicit, paving the way for the ruins exploration in upcoming chapters.
Lin Hao's Betrayal: I amplified Lin Hao's betrayal to be overt but strategic, aligning with his cunning nature. His alliance with Wei Long is temporary, foreshadowing a larger power struggle in the next arc.
Shadow Role: The shad