Xiao Fan stood at the edge of the world, where the fabric of the universe itself seemed to ripple like the surface of a vast, endless ocean. He could feel it—every pulse of the cosmos, every shift in the stars. The energy of the Eternal Slap thrummed within him, but it was more than just power. It was a part of the universe itself now, a force he could command. Yet, something lingered in the air, something unseen, something that even his sharpened senses could not fully grasp.
Fairy Lin Yue stood by his side, her expression calm, though there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. "The trial you have passed was one of the most difficult in existence," she said softly. "But I fear that your journey is far from over. There are forces that move behind the scenes, shaping the world in ways even the most powerful cannot perceive."
Xiao Fan's gaze turned inward, feeling the pulse of the cosmos around him. "I've transcended the Void. I've shattered the darkness, the nothingness. What more is there for me to face?"
Lin Yue's eyes flickered with a hidden concern. "There is always more. The universe is an ever-changing, ever-evolving force. And there are those who watch from the shadows, waiting for the one who would dare challenge the heavens. They are the unseen hands that move the pieces of fate."
Xiao Fan frowned. "Unseen hands?"
Lin Yue nodded gravely. "In the vastness of this world, even the greatest beings are not always in control. There are ancient powers that influence everything—the very flow of destiny itself. And you, Xiao Fan, have attracted their attention."
Xiao Fan's fists clenched, the familiar weight of his willpower settling over him like an unshakable mantle. "I've faced the Void. I've defeated the Herald. If there are forces hidden in the shadows, then I will face them as well."
Lin Yue's lips curved into a wry smile, though there was no humor in it. "It is not so simple. The powers that watch are not of this world. They are ancient, and they have their own designs. You may not even see them coming."
---
The air around Xiao Fan shifted suddenly. The fabric of space seemed to stretch and bend, pulling in on itself like a twisted coil. The ground beneath his feet began to crack, and the stars above flickered uncertainly.
"Xiao Fan…" a voice echoed, deep and resonant, like thunder rolling across a vast emptiness. "You have made your mark on the universe. But you have not yet understood the true nature of your power."
Xiao Fan turned, his gaze steely. "Who dares to speak to me like this?"
From the darkness, a figure emerged, its form shifting and shimmering like liquid night. Its face was obscured, a mere shadow in the endless abyss, but its voice carried a weight that made the very air tremble. It was neither human nor beast, but something older, something born of the void itself.
"We are the Architects," the figure intoned. "We have watched the universe for eons. We are the hands that move the threads of fate, the ones who shape destinies and ensure the balance is maintained."
Xiao Fan's eyes narrowed. "So, you are the ones who control fate?"
The figure's form flickered, but its voice remained steady. "Control is a crude term. We simply… guide. We ensure that the cycle of creation and destruction continues as it was meant to. But now, you have disrupted the balance."
Lin Yue stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she regarded the shifting figure. "The Architects? I've heard rumors of such beings… They are said to be the overseers of all that is, but they are not known to interfere directly."
The figure's voice turned colder, its presence even more oppressive. "You have entered a realm beyond the comprehension of mortals. Your victory over the Void was impressive, but it was not without consequence. You have altered the flow of the universe, and now the Architects must intervene."
Xiao Fan took a step forward, his aura flaring with the power of the Eternal Slap. "I don't care for your designs. I have surpassed all that you claim to control. The universe is mine to shape. If you stand in my way, I will break you."
The figure's laughter echoed, deep and foreboding, as though the very fabric of reality trembled in response. "You may have power, Xiao Fan. But power alone is nothing. You cannot defy the Architects. We are the beginning and the end. We are the ones who watch over the cosmic balance. Without us, there would be only chaos."
Xiao Fan's eyes burned with determination. "I have seen chaos. I have faced it, and I have triumphed. There is no force in this universe that can bind me. If your balance is one that stands against my will, then I will shatter it just as I shattered the Void."
The figure's form rippled, its presence twisting and contorting as if it were attempting to bend the laws of reality itself. "You are a fool, Xiao Fan. You think yourself above the heavens, above fate, above the will of the Architects. But there are consequences for such arrogance. Even you will fall before us."
Xiao Fan's body crackled with energy, his aura erupting in a burst of brilliance that lit up the entire expanse around him. "Then let us see what happens when the heavens tremble before my slap."
With a single, swift motion, he raised his hand, the power of the Eternal Slap surging through him. His hand became a blinding beacon of force, crackling with energy that distorted the very air. The space around him seemed to fracture as he prepared to unleash the greatest slap the universe had ever seen.
But before he could strike, the figure's voice rang out, cold and commanding.
"Enough."
The energy in the air froze, and for a moment, everything went silent. The very cosmos seemed to hold its breath.
"You have chosen your path, Xiao Fan," the Architect said, its voice no longer mocking but filled with a strange reverence. "You are truly a force to be reckoned with. But remember, even the greatest slap can be undone."
Xiao Fan's eyes narrowed, but he lowered his hand, still radiating power. "If you think you can stop me, then try. But know this—whatever consequences you threaten, they will never stop me. I will break through them all."
The figure seemed to waver, as if contemplating his words. "Perhaps… you will. Perhaps you are more than we anticipated. But know this: the path you walk is fraught with peril, Xiao Fan. You may have shattered the Void, but there are forces far greater than the Void itself. There are powers that exist beyond even the reach of the Architects."
With that, the figure dissolved into the air, leaving behind nothing but a cold, oppressive silence.
Xiao Fan stood alone once again, his eyes burning with an unshakable resolve. "Then I will face them all. I will break the heavens if I must."
Lin Yue, who had been watching the exchange in silence, finally spoke. "Xiao Fan, do you truly understand what you are up against? These forces are not to be underestimated. They have existed for eons, shaping the very fabric of reality. And yet…"
Her voice trailed off, and she turned her gaze to the horizon, where the stars hung like distant beacons in the endless night. "Yet, I believe in you. The universe has never seen anyone like you. You will do what others cannot."
Xiao Fan turned to face her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Then let them come. I will show them the true meaning of power. No force, no being, no Architect can stop me. The universe is mine to shape."
And with that, he turned his eyes toward the endless expanse of stars, the cosmos stretching out before him, ready to challenge whatever gods or forces lay in his path.
The true trial was just beginning.