NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 24: Chapter 24: The Dance of the Sun and the Moon.
The golden and silver spheres began to spin around Xu Tian and Yue Lian, creating a current of energy that filled the room. The voice from the tower echoed again, but this time it seemed to come from the lights themselves.
"The harmony between the sun and the moon is not simple coexistence. It is a delicate dance, where balance becomes strength and strength becomes unity. Those who fail to understand this will be consumed by the power they seek."
The lights split apart, one towards Xu Tian and one towards Yue Lian. The golden sphere floated before Xu Tian, while the silver one positioned itself in front of Yue Lian. Both of them felt a warm, enveloping force, but also a growing pressure.
"This is... different," Yue Lian murmured, raising her bow and aiming at the silver sphere, which seemed to challenge her.
Xu Tian nodded, unsheathing his sword. "It's as if they are testing our will."
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The Challenge of Duality
Suddenly, the spheres transformed. The golden one took the form of a solar beast: a majestic lion with a coat made of golden fire, its eyes radiating power. The silver one turned into an ethereal wolf, its form looking like it was made of moonlight, its movements fluid and graceful.
Both creatures roared in unison, and the ground shook. Without warning, they charged at Xu Tian and Yue Lian.
Xu Tian blocked the lion's first attack with his sword, but the impact sent him back several steps. The heat was unbearable, as if his entire body was being tested by fire itself.
Yue Lian dodged a leap from the wolf, firing an arrow of lunar energy that pierced the air accurately. However, the wolf vanished like a mirage, reappearing behind her and forcing her to quickly spin around to defend herself.
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"We can't face them separately!" Xu Tian shouted as he exchanged blows with the solar lion. "The sun and moon don't fight against each other. They work together to maintain balance."
Yue Lian, dodging another attack from the wolf, looked at it with determination. "Then, we have to synchronize ourselves. If they represent duality, we must act as one."
Xu Tian nodded. "Trust me."
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Xu Tian felt the lion's heat and channeled it into his sword. The metal shone with a golden glow, intensifying each movement. For his part, Yue Lian allowed the moon's energy to envelop his bow, his arrows now glowing with a silver sheen.
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As the lion and wolf charged forward again, Xu Tian and Yue Lian began to move in perfect synchrony.
Xu Tian deflected the lion's flames back at the wolf, creating a flash of light that forced the creatures to momentarily retreat. Yue Lian took the opportunity to fire an arrow of lunar energy at the lion, weakening its glow.
"Keep it up!" Xu Tian shouted, lunging forward. With a quick swing of his sword, he directed a slash of golden light towards the wolf, while Yue Lian covered its flanks with precise shots.
Each attack seemed to bring them closer to the balance that the tower demanded. The creatures began to lose their form, gradually fading into golden and silver lights.
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As the last trace of the beasts disappeared, the golden and silver spheres reappeared, floating in the air. Now, both emitted a soft, peaceful light.
The voice of the tower echoed once more: "You have proven that you understand the essence of balance. Sun and moon are not opposites, but complements. Your hearts beat in the same rhythm. Advance."
The spheres merged, creating a key of pure energy that floated towards Xu Tian and Yue Lian. Both of them took it together, and in that moment, an invisible connection seemed to form between them.
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The Path to the Unknown
The door at the end of the hall slowly opened, revealing a completely new landscape. Fields of flowers glowed with golden and silver light, as if the sun and moon coexisted in perfect harmony in that place.
"It's beautiful," Yue Lian murmured, marveling at the sight.
Xu Tian nodded, but his gaze was fixed on the horizon, where a familiar figure was beginning to appear.
"This isn't over," he said, his voice filled with determination.
In the distance, a powerful presence was approaching. The figure carried an unmistakable aura, a mix of majesty and menace. It was Bibi Dong, the Empress of the Hall of Spirits.
"Welcome, chosen ones of the sun and moon," Bibi Dong said, her voice booming like thunder. "You have passed my first test. Now we shall see if you are ready for what comes next."