...
Looking around, he noticed that all his friends and family around him were lying down; everyone was breathing steadily as they slept deeply.
"Congratulations." A voice rang out from the side. Yan Xiaobao looked over and saw Bull standing a distance away, arms folded behind his back, smiling gently.
"You managed to pass the decision trial quickly," he comnted. Although Yan Xiaobao was fast, he was not the fastest Bull had ever seen, but he was still in the upper half. His performance was not bad.
"The trial of determination is also known as the trial of the mind. Only by testing one's willpower and seeing if they have an unwavering militant spirit can they awaken. Everyone enters a dream world and sees various things. As for this dream world, no one will know except the one being tested. Rember, you can never tell anyone what you saw or talk about it."
"If you do, no one will co to judge you, but it is about the essence of your mind. If others understand this, then it becos much easier to harm you. While you might think only your friends will hear it, no one knows who might be listening, so it's best to keep it to yourself."
Bull's words made perfect sense, and Yan Xiaobao, who was influenced by seeing his loved ones die, nodded to Bull before sitting down to start cultivating. Although he knew what was real, he still needed to remain calm before the final trial ti.
A few days later, Yan Xiaobao found that he had been unconscious for a full week, and another week passed before the next person woke up.
The second person to wake up was Wang Julong. The mont she opened her eyes, tears could be seen in them, and when she saw Yan Xiaobao, she threw herself fully into his embrace. She kept murmuring her heartfelt thoughts like "I will never let it happen," "Over my dead body," "This isn't real."
Yan Xiaobao never asked her what she had experienced; all he did was hold her tightly and gently stroke her to make her feel more comfortable.
It took her several hours before she finally cald down. Just like that, she fell asleep in Yan Xiaobao's arms as if her life depended on it.
"Young people these days are certainly beautiful," Bull remarked with a smile as he paced up and down the floor. His pace wasn't a sign of haste; rather, it was a habit ford after being alone in this realm for so many years.
The person awakened as expected was Cai Jie. Cai Jie looked pale, but his countenance wasn't too bad. After taking a few deep breaths, he looked almost normal.
"The trial of determination this ti was truly ruthless," he murmured, and Yan Xiaobao could only agree, though he said nothing. Wang Julong was improving with each passing day, but she refused to let go of Yan Xiaobao's hand. Even during cultivation, she would hold onto his hand as if afraid to let him go.
After Cai Jie, the next to awaken was Lao. He seed shaken to his core, but unlike Wang Julong, he did not break down and cry. What he did was stand up tall and sit by his side. With eyes narrowed at his father, he spoke in a voice that didn't suit his age. "Father, you gave a new life, and everything I have is because of you. In this life, no one will ever say the things to that you and Qiao have. Even if I must give my life, I will ensure you are always safe."
Upon hearing these words, Yan Xiaobao was shocked. He gently patted his son's head with a smile on his face. "Though you say such grown-up words, do not forget you are my son. Who would want their son to die for them?" he asked softly. Lao's image replayed in his mind; recalling the scene, his heart trembled, growing cold. He would never again let those he loved die before him. It would never happen again!
Listening to Hui Yue's words, Lao's love for his father was clear in his eyes, yet his resolve remained firm. It was evident he had no intention of risking his father's life thinking for him.
Yan Xiaobao didn't know what others had experienced in the decision trial, but seeing the many grave expressions, he could understand that they did not have a better ti than he did.
Soon a month passed, but the last three had not yet awakened. By now, even Yan Xiaobao started to feel a bit worried, but whenever his mood felt unsettled, he would look at the sleeping faces and find comfort in the fact that they were still breathing. He truly believed they would wake up soon.
Yan Xiaobao and his awakened friends had been cultivating the whole ti. The days passed in a blur. Outside this strange realm, the seasons changed, but within, everything remained the sa. They all stayed in the sa place, the Cold Stone Mansion never changed because no one had left what they placed in their hall.
As the seasons changed, the mansion's cold air neither ward nor beca icy; it stayed the sa. Likewise, the sun outside never set. No matter how many days passed, it simply lingered in the sa place in the sky.
Soon three months went by, but there were no signs of the last three sleeping people waking up. While Yan Xiaobao and his friends were confident they would eventually awaken, though a bit worried, none of them ntioned the possibility of moving on.
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