THE BLACK CULTIVATOR

THE COLD MIST TRIAL

"Next City... second trial hall," Chris whispered, steadily rising to his feet. He popped two healing pills into his mouth just in case and stored the rest safely away.

"This Void na proper cheat code, if anyone fit survive am," he chuckled with a mix of awe and amusement. (This Void is a proper cheat code, if anyone can survive it.)

He stepped through the grand door. The glowing bridge lit up brightly under his feet. Just then, a warm golden light enveloped his entire body.

[Notice: Host Body Rapidly Recovering.]

[Host Body Status: Fully Healed.]

---

Outside the Void Mountain, the two suns had slowly begun rising over the horizon, painting the desert in hues of gold and crimson.

"Still no movement inside?" Senior Yang asked. He was a tall, imposing man with a prominent scar across his face, his powerful Golden Core aura radiating outward like an unstoppable force.

"The boy is either dead or trapped in the outer layers," Elder Mia replied, stepping closer to the archway. "Either way, he's no longer a problem for us."

Elder Sung floated cross-legged above the shimmering barrier, eyes closed in meditation as Core Formation energy flowed steadily through his body.

Around the archway, over thirty disciples from the Lion Clan had already set up a disciplined camp, their golden-brown robes fluttering in the morning breeze.

"If he's still alive and our paths cross again, I will personally deal with him," Sung said, his golden eyes opening slightly. "And this time, I'm going to end him for good."

"You may not be a match for him anymore, Sung," Senior Yang observed calmly. "The Void Realm works differently from most secret realms. Time inside may have already stretched into months for him."

"He's still at the Foundation Building realm," Sung fired back. "Breaking into Core Formation takes years, even inside a treasure realm like this. I'm more than a match for him, Senior Yang."

Sung dropped gracefully to the ground. The two men stared each other down, chilling smiles playing on their faces.

The surrounding disciples trembled as both men's powerful auras and raw bloodlust leaked into the air, creating an oppressive atmosphere.

Yang advanced toward Sung, leaving almost no space between them. They stood forehead to forehead, their auras grinding against each other so fiercely that dust rose swirling around their waists.

"You know, Yang, I bet I can still beat you even though your realm is higher than mine," Sung spoke through gritted teeth.

"Really? You think you stand a chance, Sung?" Yang retorted, veins bulging on his forehead. "Just like last time, I can still break you."

"Senior Yang!" Elder Hu approached from behind, his eyes steady and hands clasped respectfully.

"I'm busy now, Elder Hu. Let me finish off this brat first, then we can talk," Yang glared at Hu, his fingers still locked in a fierce tug-of-war with Sung's.

"So now I'm a brat?" Sung's aura flared violently. "Now you've done it, Yang."

"Hahaha, really?" Yang mocked, his golden aura surging like a blazing sun.

Before the disciples could even blink, both men shot into the air and began fighting fiercely.

**Boom!**

The entire mountain vibrated as their fists collided with devastating force.

"Wasn't Yang and his Elite supposed to arrive two days from now?" Mia whispered to Hu, her eyes following the intense aerial battle.

"Yes, they were. But the Grand Elder and the Ancestor didn't want to risk other sects or rogue cultivators arriving first. So they allowed Yang to use the Teleportation Array," Hu replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"So how long do you think this will last?" Mia asked, watching the two powerhouses causing shockwaves across the mountain and sky.

"Probably until that barrier opens in two days' time." A slight grin spread across Hu's face.

"It was supposed to open after one day. Why two days now?" Mia studied the void sparks dancing around the energy barrier.

**Whoosh!**

The clouds around the mountain suddenly vanished.

"The Void has changed a bit from what the old stories say," Hu explained. "The energy is too strong. The research team's results show the barrier will weaken significantly in two days. Anything before then, and it's just dust and ash."

**Bam!**

Mia staggered slightly. When she looked around, Hu was already gone.

---

Chris stepped off the glowing bridge and into the second floating city. The ground cracked instantly the moment his feet touched the polished marble streets. A heavy, oppressive pressure settled over his shoulders—much thicker and more suffocating than what he had felt in the first city.

"Ahhh, this Void wan kill me? Wetin be this one again?" Chris muttered, rolling his shoulders as his vision blurred momentarily. "This pressure dey feel like Lagos traffic on Monday morning." (Ahhh, this Void wants to kill me? What is this one again? … This pressure feels like Lagos traffic on Monday morning.)

"It's like a truck slammed straight into my head." Chris mumbled, dropping to one knee and pressing a hand to his throbbing temple as tears of strain formed in his eyes.

The ground quaked violently. The entire realm—and the space around it—vibrated as ancient buildings stretched upward, some half-collapsed and ruined, others perfectly preserved through the ages. Strange runes pulsed along the walls, and faint whispers echoed in the wind like distant voices arguing in an unknown tongue.

[25x Recovery Engaged.]

[Host Has Entered The Second City Of The Void.]

[Warning: Gravity And Mental Pressure Increased By 25%.]

[Search For The Second Trial Hall.]

[Daily Quest Loading >>>>]

"You no dey tire for this daily quest, System? One day you go bring quest wey go kill me before you go calm down!" Chris's face twisted in frustration. (You're not tired of this daily quest, System? One day you will bring a quest that will kill me before you calm down!)

He pushed himself back to his feet with determination.

[Daily Quest Is Part Of The System, Built To Help Its Host Get Stronger Quickly And Overcome Difficult Situations And Near Death Experiences.]

Chris hissed in annoyance. "God fit punish you for this nonsense talk, System. That Elder nearly killed me. You had the power to help, but you stayed silent and allowed me to chop beating." (God will punish you for this nonsense talk, System… you allowed me to receive beating.)

[The System Wasn't Built That Way, Host.]

[The System Also Gave Warnings, But Host Was Too Proud To Listen.]

"Sharp! You dey try mock me abi?" Chris scanned his surroundings as he marched through the glowing city. "Make I just close my mouth for now." (Sharp! You're trying to mock me, right? … Let me just close my mouth for now.)

[Pressure Of The Void Second City Has Increased By 5%.]

"Pressure? What pressure?" Chris grinned defiantly. "I survived light bills, fuel scarcity, Endsars protest, Aba boys, and even Tinubu. This small pressure na nothing." (This small pressure is nothing.)

He moved through the empty, echoing streets, his white hair swaying behind him. Every step made his muscles burn slightly under the crushing weight.

[Foundation Building Late Stage — 25%.]

[Dense Qi Is Being Absorbed Into Host's Body.]

After nearly four hours of grueling trekking through the sprawling city, he finally saw it.

A massive black pagoda stood imposingly in the center of a vast plaza, surrounded by floating stone lanterns. Unlike the first hall, this one was guarded by giant serpent statues with glowing crimson eyes that seemed to follow his every movement.

He approached cautiously.

"Challenger Has Made It To The Second Hall Successfully."

A deep, resonant voice boomed, shaking the entire realm of the second Void City.

"Rules Remain The Same. Fight Alone. No External Treasures. Defeat All Guardians Within One Hour. Fail And Death Is All That Awaits."

"However, Each Trial Becomes More Difficult Than The Last."

Chris cracked his knuckles loudly. "Oya oh, System. Let's show them why Naija is a different breed in the cultivator world." (Let's gooo, System…)

The pagoda doors slid open with a low, ominous groan. A powerful gush of pure Qi exploded outward, causing fresh sweat to form on Chris's face.

He stepped inside without hesitation. The door sealed shut behind him with a final, heavy thud.

The interior was darker and more foreboding, lit only by floating blue flames. The hall was twice as large as the first one. A thin layer of eerie mist covered the ground, swirling coldly around his ankles.

"This mist feels unnaturally cold," Chris observed.

It seeped through his boots and bit straight into his bones.

[Void Trial 2: Commence.]

[Time Remaining: 59 Minutes 57 Seconds.]

[Daily Quest Activated.]