As the trio descended the crystalline stairway beneath the Crimson Lake, a wave of searing heat met them—followed by a bitter, cutting cold. The tunnel opened into a dual-realm chamber: the left half bathed in blazing magma, the right side encased in ice that shimmered like glass.
An inscription hovered in the air, etched in ancient script:
"Trial of Balance—Walk the path of dual extremes. Flames shall temper your soul; frost shall seal your weakness."
Tianming narrowed his eyes. "It's not just about resisting fire or ice. It's about maintaining internal harmony while walking between them."
Suddenly, the ground cracked. Two guardian beasts emerged—each the size of a small hill.
On the left, from molten ground, a Flameborn Tyrant Serpent surged forth, its scales glowing like burning iron.
On the right, from frozen mist, an Icehowl Direwolf leapt out, its fur like diamond frost and eyes gleaming with primal cunning.
Tianming didn't hesitate.
"Destruction Sword Art—Seventh Form: Abyssal Sundering!"
He cleaved the air with Voidpiercer. The seventh form unleashed a slash so heavy it fractured space itself, sending a void shockwave toward the serpent. But the beast coiled, resisting with magma