Eternal charm: The Rise of a Divine Hero from Douluo

The dawn broke with golden rays stretching across the horizon, casting a serene glow over Shrek Academy. Lin Tian stood in the courtyard, his Divine Celestial Sword strapped to his back and his robe fluttering in the gentle breeze. Beside him, Yue'er held a small bag, her expression calm but alert.

"Master, I've gathered all the essentials for the journey," Yue'er said.

Lin Tian nodded. "Good. The Celestial Temple is no ordinary place. If the system marked it as our next destination, there's more to it than meets the eye."

Behind them, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing approached.

"You're leaving already?" Ning Rongrong asked, a trace of disappointment in her voice.

Lin Tian turned to her with a faint smile. "This is something I need to handle personally. The Celestial Temple holds answers I need to uncover."

Zhu Zhuqing's calm gaze met his. "Just don't forget to come back in one piece. We'll be waiting."

Lin Tian chuckled. "I'll return stronger than ever. That's a promise."

With that, Lin Tian and Yue'er set off, their path leading them deep into the heart of the Soul Beast Forest, where the Celestial Temple was rumored to lie.

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The Enchanted Forest

The Soul Beast Forest seemed darker and more foreboding than before. Towering trees with gnarled branches loomed overhead, and the air was thick with the energy of powerful soul beasts.

As they ventured deeper, Yue'er's hand instinctively rested on her sword. "Master, the energy here feels… unnatural. It's as if something is watching us."

Lin Tian activated his spiritual awareness, his senses expanding outward. "You're right. We're not alone."

Just as the words left his mouth, a massive Shadow Panther emerged from the underbrush. Its sleek black fur glistened in the dim light, and its eyes glowed a menacing red.

Without hesitation, Lin Tian summoned his Crimson Flame Phoenix, its fiery wings illuminating the forest. The Shadow Panther snarled, leaping toward him with incredible speed.

"Stay back, Yue'er!" Lin Tian commanded as he clashed with the beast.

The battle was fierce, with the Shadow Panther's agility making it a challenging opponent. But Lin Tian's precise attacks and mastery of his martial spirits proved superior. He delivered a final blow with Thunder Strike, the electric energy coursing through the beast and bringing it down.

As the Shadow Panther's body dissipated into energy, Lin Tian absorbed its soul ring, feeling a surge of power. A new skill, Phantom Step, awakened within him, granting him unparalleled speed and agility.

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The Celestial Temple's Gate

Hours later, Lin Tian and Yue'er reached a clearing where the ancient Celestial Temple stood. The structure was grand and imposing, with towering pillars covered in intricate carvings. Its surface shimmered faintly, as if alive with divine energy.

"This place…" Yue'er whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Lin Tian stepped forward, his hand brushing against the temple's gate. As he did, the system's voice echoed in his mind:

"Quest Update: The Celestial Temple is guarded by three trials. Pass them to retrieve the Celestial Core."

The massive doors creaked open, revealing a dark corridor lit by an otherworldly blue glow. Lin Tian turned to Yue'er. "Stay close. This place is bound to be dangerous."

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The First Trial: The Hall of Illusions

The corridor led them to a vast hall filled with shimmering mirrors. As Lin Tian stepped inside, his reflection moved independently, stepping out of the mirror and drawing a weapon identical to his own.

"This is the trial of illusions," Lin Tian muttered.

The reflection attacked without warning, mirroring Lin Tian's movements with uncanny precision. Each strike was met with an identical counter, creating a stalemate.

"Master, be careful!" Yue'er called out as she fended off her own reflection.

Lin Tian quickly realized the key to victory. He closed his eyes, calming his mind, and relied on his spiritual awareness instead of sight. By focusing on his opponent's energy, he found openings in its attacks and struck decisively.

With a final slash of his sword, the reflection shattered, and the hall began to dissolve.

---

The Second Trial: The Beast's Lair

The next chamber was a cavern filled with jagged rocks and a glowing pool of energy at its center. From the shadows emerged a towering Three-Headed Hydra, its scales glistening like polished stone.

"This must be the guardian of the second trial," Lin Tian said, gripping his sword tightly.

The Hydra roared, each head launching a different elemental attack—fire, ice, and lightning. Lin Tian dodged the onslaught with his newly acquired Phantom Step, moving like a blur across the cavern.

"Yue'er, aim for the heads while I distract it!" Lin Tian ordered.

Yue'er nodded, her movements swift and precise. She managed to sever one of the Hydra's heads with a powerful strike, but the beast quickly regenerated, growing two new heads in its place.

"It regenerates?" Yue'er exclaimed.

Lin Tian's mind raced. "The glowing pool—it's the source of its power!"

He activated his Starfire Domain, creating a fiery barrier to hold the Hydra back. Then, with a leap, he plunged his sword into the pool, disrupting its energy. The Hydra shrieked in agony as its body began to disintegrate.

The cavern trembled, and a hidden door appeared, leading to the final trial.

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The Final Trial: The Celestial Core

The last chamber was unlike anything they had seen before. It was an open space filled with stars, as if they were standing in the cosmos itself. At the center floated the Celestial Core, a radiant orb pulsating with divine energy.

But as Lin Tian reached for it, a voice echoed through the chamber.

"You have proven your strength, but do you possess the resolve to wield such power?"

A figure materialized—a warrior clad in golden armor, his eyes blazing with divine light. He was a manifestation of the Celestial Core's will.

"Only by defeating me can you claim the core," the warrior declared, drawing a massive sword.

The battle that followed was unlike any Lin Tian had faced. The warrior's movements were swift and precise, his attacks carrying the weight of divine power. But Lin Tian fought with unwavering determination, using every skill and technique at his disposal.

With Yue'er's support and the power of his martial spirits, Lin Tian unleashed his most powerful attack yet—a fusion of Thunder Strike, Starfire Domain, and his Divine Celestial Sword's energy. The warrior faltered, his form fading.

"You have passed," the voice said. "The power of the Celestial Core is yours."

As Lin Tian absorbed the core, his body was enveloped in radiant light. New abilities awakened within him, and he felt closer than ever to his ultimate goal.

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A Glimpse of Destiny

Exiting the temple, Lin Tian and Yue'er stood under the starlit sky. Yue'er looked at him, her eyes filled with admiration. "Master, your power grows with each step. The world won't be able to ignore you for long."

Lin Tian's gaze was firm. "Let them watch. This is only the beginning."

To Be Continued...