Chapter 566: Perseverance

Chapter 566: Perseverance



The harsh, golden dune sloped gently toward a small pond of crystal clear water. Tall, slender palm trees stood in clusters at the banks of this water body.

A gust of cool wind blew by, causing the vibrant green leaves of the palm trees to sway gently. Surrounding the palm trees were verdant bushes dotted with brightly colored flowers and fruits.

It was a striking contrast with the otherwise barren landscape.

Adam, who was standing atop the dune, gazing at this little paradise, couldn't stop his body from trembling in joy. His eyes teared up involuntarily.

Is this... my reward for having endured for so many months? He thought to himself.

His legs erupted with strength he didn't know he had as he shot down the dune, heading for the beautiful oasis in front of him.

The air was tinged with the rejuvenating scent of fresh water and damp earth. The ground underneath the palm trees was soft, cool sand, mixed with patches of grass.

"Ha... Haha... Hahahaha!" The youth burst into laughter.

He knelt down at the banks of the pond, his mind raging with emotions. He caught a glimpse of himself on the surface of the pond, and for a moment, he couldn't even recognize himself.

But none of that mattered. Without waiting a moment longer, he put his hands inside the water, cupped his palms, and scooped out a large handful to drink.

However, his happiness was short-lived.

Instead of drinking water, he had actually consumed the hot sands of the grueling desert!

At once, he started violently coughing. The feeling of sand touching, or rather grating against the dry insides of his mouth was extremely torturous.

Tears streamed down his face as he tried to reel in from this pit of desperation. He tightly clutched at the sands underneath him and spat through gritted teeth, "Of course...

"Of course, it's an illusion!!"

This chamber weaved an intricate illusion where time felt distorted, and the feeling of hunger, thirst, and exhaustion was heightened.

The only way forward was to remain steadfast, accepting the discomfort and hardship that the trial presented.

But that was easier said than done.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" He screamed at the top of his lungs while continuing to madly punch the ground.

He screamed till his voice gave out and he limply fell face first. Through the slit in his eyes, he saw that the desert stretched on endlessly with no sign of landmarks or an end to the trial.

The psychological weight of feeling lost and trapped in an infinite expanse of sand and time heavily weighed down on Adam's shoulders.

Unbeknownst to him, at some point, his eyelids started feeling heavy and he gradually lost consciousness.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in the same place. Except, he didn't know how much time had passed.

His face was gaunt, hollowed by fatigue and hunger, with a thick beard that grew unevenly. His clothes, once whole, now hung in tattered shreds.

He wore makeshift wraps around his feet and hands to shield himself from the scorching heat

of the sand and sun.

His body was coated in a layer of fine sand, clinging to his sweaty skin, while his hair was matted and tangled from months of windblown grit.

Adam's body was merely a husk at this point. His muscles had long since degenerated, making

him appear extremely emaciated.

Despite all that, his dark pupils flashed with an uncanny light.

It was the light of perseverance!

He knew deep in his heart, that even if his physical body broke down, he would continue to

walk forward.

After another few days of travel, a peculiar scenery unfolded before him.

In front of him, emerged a cave right in the middle of the desert. Inside the cave was a soft

bed made from straw.

Adam walked toward the entrance of the cave, however, unlike the time he had found the

mirage, his face now was devoid of any emotions.

He was now faced with the temptation to lie down and give in to rest and comfort after having

walked for more than a year.

Finally, he could escape the suffering.

The final test of endurance!

Adam's eyes were calm as a still lake, not a ripple of sentiment found in them. He took a step

forward, but instead of entering the cave, he walked right past it.

More than the seeker's physical strength, the Trial of Endurance tested their mental fortitude, patience, and the ability to withstand life's most overwhelming obstacles with calm

persistence.

The moment Adam walked past the cave, his surroundings distorted and the illusion dissipated. Once again, the androgynous voice sounded inside the chamber.

"You have passed the Trial of Endurance!"