From the sides of three figures in a narrow passage, several stone lamps- its light generated by shinning or glowing stones put into a transparent globe-like material, lit up like magic sequentially from the first one beside the figures to the last one in front where the passage ends.
Another sophistication, where is the sensor...
Skylar one of this figures looked around the passage illuminated with blue lights. He looked at the white glossy floor, then the painted walls illustrating monkeys living happily on clouds and finally the white and bare ceiling about three hundred mitas from the floor.
It should be the work of a glyph on one of the walls, roof or floor. So what about the stones that lit up in the lamp. Or the gimmick is in the material the lamps are made from...
Thoughtfully Skylar trailed behind the two monkeys and not long after just like the two before him, he entered into the space the passage leads to.
"..." Jaw dropped and stunned Skylar behold the ridiculous sight in front of him.
It was a heavenly chamber, one on another scale and dimension. Its animated wall and its animated floor blended perfectly together with its inner heaven to create a different world. A world of clouds that accommodate millions of monkeys meditating on floating clouds arranged in floors above one another. And the arrangement encircles around a colossal statue standing at the center of the huge chamber.
"That statue is kind of familiar, like i have seen it before" Skylar finally stepped into the chamber from the exit of the narrow passage connected to the heavenly chamber- which seem like a blue portal in the heavenly chamber when looked at from inside the heavenly chamber.
(Chatter "That's our primogenitor") Karo enlightened, then he and the golden monkey bowed to the silver statue of a monkey several kilometers tall- just its toe alone make the trio look like ants.
(Chatter "Idiot.") Karo turned behind, facing the figure of Skylar straining his neck to get the view of the face of the monkey statue which seems to be out of sight. And with a jovial expression of pity and disappointment in his eyes and tone she questioned Skylar. (Chatter "How do you know you have seen someone before? When you can't even see their face.")
What are you talking about, its just a feeling and this guy should be a very annoying guy, just like that golden guy...
The thoughtful Skylar beamed at Karo-patiently waiting for an answer, and then turn to look at the golden guy at the side.
"Guy, what's your name?"
(Chatter "Why are you asking? He doesn't have one yet") Karo glared at the annoying Skylar.
"That's good i have a name and something for you as a thank you gift." Though i couldn't beat you and i don't think i will be able to anytime soon. You helped me a lot... Skylar smiled and then move closer to the golden monkey. "You should like it."
The golden monkey collected the carved golden staff Skylar stretch out to him expressiolessly.
Don't sulk. I have dumped all the carvings i made at the entrance of your room you will never let me enter, and i am sure you will be thrilled when you find out... Skylar looked at Karo.
(Chatter "What about the name") Karo looking enviously at the masterfully carved staff questioned the thoughtful Skylar looking in his direction.
"The name will be Sun Wu"
Skylar declared as he looked at the golden monkey who is lifting the staff up at the supposedly animated monkeys meditating on the golden clouds.
Its better like that. The other players won't have to make fun of me in the future if they find out about my plagiarism... He chuckled.
"Wait, shouldn't that your primogenitor be also holding a staff?" Prompted by Skylar's observation after he saw Sun wu's action; both monkeys look up simultaneously at the stretch out hand of the monkey statue which seem to be holding something that's no longer there.
And at the same time, Skylar caught a group of white monkeys in a section amongst the animated monkeys stare at him very briefly as they open their timeless eyes they closed very quickly.
"..." This guys opened their eyes just now right? Is it perhaps part of the programming encoded in the glyph or something else...
... But at that time they seem very real, like they were really staring at me somehow...
(Chatter "Fellow where did you get this staff?") Sun wu with a grave look on his face turned to Skylar.
At the side, Karo squinted his eyes at the staff in the golden monkey's hand. Wait, that staff is just like the one that should be up there, the same shine, the same pattern. But how, this one is clearly tiny compares to the real one... Thoughtfully he shifted his focus to Skylar, his eyes clearly harboring suspicion concerning the situation.
"Do you like it?" Skylar chuckled "I thought of carving it and i did." Then he shrugged.
Sun wu threw Karo a knowing glance the other didn't catch, then turned around.
(Chattered "We should set out.") He instructed.
Skylar who find the situation quiet amusing as reflected by the smile on his face followed Sun wu.
Also, the slightly disoriented Karo who moved closer to Skylar side with an obvious look of perplexity in his eyes did the same.
Not long after, the three figure reached the center of the cloud world where the colossal statue stands. And In front of them, in particular at the feet of the statue is a lake-size pool of glittering blue water reflecting the animated world{Something unusual}.
(Chatter "To get to the first floor of the trial we jump inside this pool") Not waiting for those behind to process his information, the golden monkey jumped into the pool which unusually did not make a splash as it swallowed his figure instantly.
This guy is annoying as always... Skylar, after coating his luggage with natural energy also dived into the pool of water that did not make a splash.
(Chatter "Idiot, he didn't have to do that") Karo who remained in the world of clouds muttered.
***
In a large hall of black floors, black wall and a black vault. Very large in size- about a hundred football stadium.
A figure encased in a blue water bubble falling down a cylindrical waterfall, fell into a pool at the edge of this circular hall reeking of a staled aura of battle.
"Karo is taking time" Skylar the figure muttered, after getting out of the pool and as he moved past Sun wu standing steadfastly while he also stare at the center of the spacacious and stark hall.
Not long after, Karo with his two sacks landed in the pool in the same manner as Skylar, then swam out of the pool, dragging his sacks on the floor as he approached the others.
This carved pillars in the middle above are strategically placed and given all the things i have learned so far they must serve a particular function...
The two monkeys moved closer to Skylar who is looking up at several inverted pillar, attached to the vault of the hall, and positioned to encicle a large space with correspondent on the black floor which is outlined by a boundary of white circle.
This place is really made of black gold...
Beside the thoughtful and focused Skylar who has is palm on the floor, Sun wu arrived and pointed at the center of the white circle in front if him. (Chatter "That's where the trial will take place.")
Karo moved closer to them. (Chatter "You will battle a random creature that will appear when you enter that circle and if you win, an exit will appear below it that will lead to the next floor")
(Chatter "There are a total of a thousand floor, and at the end of the last floor is a door that leads to the base of the mountain outside.") Sun wu added.
A thousand floor, maybe i should just drill a hole in this black gold floor... Skylar rubbed his chin. Nah, that's not a good idea, they clearly want me to take this test, and who knows what their reaction will be when they see me do that... Then he stood up and stretched his muscles.
"Okay then, let's not waste time." He walked towards the circle and entered it.
After a couple seconds in the center of the circle, the world around him changed.
I guess as much. So this is the famous formation of the east... Skylar inhaled deeply. It feels like home...
The view around him was of a vast golden desert. Extremely foggy due to the saturated fine sand particles in the air.
He could see nothing and he could hear nothing for the sound of the winds were deafening.
Suddenly, he jumped into the air, avoiding a very large golden pair of shears coming from underneath the sandy ground.
Intetesting, the creature is the stealth type and its got an incredible speed and reach to boot. I just don't know how fast it reacts and how tough it is... With a green spiritual glow highlighting his figure, he descended slowly then rapidly as he nears the surface where he previously stood and the intensity of the natural energy on his left leg multiplied by many folds.
Can you take a hit... He chuckled.
(Boom, Boom....)
Followed by a loud deafening sound like several bombs going off and in a crater several meters deep, he landed with a bright smile on his face. "What three methods down the mountain." This was clearly prepared to help polish all that i have learned so far... This he concluded as he looked at the destruction around him.
(Chuckle) "This trial will be very interesting..." He muttered and his smile rekindled as the world around him vanished.
***
Floor 100;
"So, you guys are saying i have mastered stealth to a degree."
(Chatter "Idiot, you should be proud, mastering stealth is not an easy feat.")
Then that means i have mastered stealth, hyperfocus, sixth sense, spirit vision, instinct and anticipation, and one of the flows...
"Karo, what about that sheathing you talked about"
(Chatter "How strong do you think my nephew is.") (Chuckle)
The golden guy... "I sincerely have no idea."
(Chatter "That's sheathing. It is when you present a false perception or scrambled perception of your capabilities to others. And as you can see, even with your formidable sixth sense you can't piece together the signals my nephew has scrambled... ")
"You are saying he has mastered sheathing to a level that surpass my sixth sense?"
(Chatter "Exactly!") How smart of you...
***
Floor 501,
All the guys i have been fighting so far has had at most two surprises, but now it seems their level just leaped a couple times...
You are clearly battered and you are still smiling... (Chatter "Idiot, have one fruit, it will help settle your mind.")
"Thank you... But what's in that other sack of yours if the first one has fruits."
(Chatter "Its none of your business")
"What about your nephew, i have never seen him eat."
You ask too many questions... (Chatter"He eats when he wants to")
"Oh" so its like the daoist at his level... Nice one, guy...
***
Floor 901,
"Fighting this guys have become boring. They no longer pose any threat."
(Chatter "You really have it easy... When i had my trial i had a lot of trouble passing this level.")
(Chatter "This is the beginning of the levels that truly test one's mastery of combat. Aunt... He finds it easy because fellow here is the instinctive type unlike...")
(Chatter "Just shut up, who ask you.")
(Chatter "I saw in my dream a black castle floating atop the cosmic sea...")
"You!..."
(Chatter "I saw my dearest riding a weird celestial claqrion come for me and take me into the black castle...")
(Chatter "Sun Wu, shut your mouth...")
(Chatter "His back as he leads me was like the heaven and earth...")
(Chatter "Sun Wu, do you want to die?")
"Hmm" there dynamic is very interesting. And wait, did he say aunt that time. Nah, maybe i heard wrong. This karo is very ugly, and manly, and brutish. There is absolutely no way...
***
Floor 999,
Skylar after defeating his opponent that vanished along with the world generated by the formation on the vault of the hall, same as the first floor; left its circle and approach the two monkeys.
Karo though hiding it, has a kind of teary eyes that stare at the figure coming towards them.
(Chatter "Do you have to go?") She asked or pleaded.
"Yes, i have to." I am way far behind the others... Skylar responded as he came closer to the duo. He picked up his stuff lying on the black floor and faced the duo. "Let's go, the exit has appeared."
At his words, the Sun wu sighed. (Chatter "Fellow, this is where we part ways.")
"Oh" Skylar whose eyes dilate in realization caught Karo's last surviving sack he threw at him.
The atmosphere at this point became a bit strained. It was a time of parting.
A pair of eyes had in it emotions words couldn't express.
The Golden monkey had a look that express his helplessness.
But Skylar like a forlorn wanderer in a foreign land turned his back finally, and forever it may be.
(Chatter "She has done it") The golden monkey muttered as he watch the mummy figure beside him appeared like a ghost behind their guest departing.
Having untied the mummy wrapper covering his feminine and glossy lips. He or she suspended mid air to match Skylar in height, kissed Skylar on the cheek from behind.
"You! You are definitely a girl." Before Skylar could turn back to assert his claims with his eyes, he was kicked successfully into the exit from behind.
"Idiot" This human voice of many meanings, he heard as he fell into the pool which has occupied the space in the center of the circle- where the trial actually takes place and where the entrance to the next floor which is the last floor is.
Shortly after Skylar was swallowed by the pool, Sun wu turned to the figure removing all the mummy attire. (Chatter "Aunty when you plan to sneak out, let me know. I will help you.") Then he turned around, not waiting for a reply, and vanished.
***
She didn't have to kick me, and why did she even keep her gender a secret. Wait, was she wearing a monkey mascot costume that time... Encased in a bubble, and sinking below the pool, Skylar through a waterfall reached the next floor in the same manner just like the other floors before this.
"This is just an underground cave." He swam out of the pool of the last floor he fell into. And the space happened to be an extremely large cavern, way larger than the other floors above it, and white all round.
Standing with the pool behind him, he looked around at the lifeless cavern containing a stream of blue water that feeds the pool behind him, then at the bright light in the distance in front of him.
"The light ahead should be an exit... So, there is no challenge on this floor..." He muttered, then set foot in the direction of the bright light far ahead.
And as he navigates the hilly ground of the white cavern, he smiled, and the light of the blue crystals hanging under the roof of the cavern highlighted his figure dragging a sack behind.
"Bye bye Flower moutain..."
"Bye bye, everyone"
Not long after, he entered the white light, blended with it, and exit the mountain after which silence return to the desolate and ancient cavern that probably just saw out her first guest in thousands of years.