THE BLACK CULTIVATOR

THE TWELVE FLAMES

"Fourth Trial Hall."

Chris muttered, his eyes surveying the massive dark doors engraved with coiling dragon markings. He wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped closer. Visible spiritual pressure spilled out from within like thick mist.

*The spiritual force coming from inside is incredible. I would have retreated if I was still the same person I was before meeting Livya.*

"Challenger has reached the Fourth Trial. Difficulty has risen significantly. Twelve Flame Guardians await. All possessing mid-level techniques. One-hour limit. Fight alone. Survive the Flame Heart."

[Void Trial 4: Commence]

[Time Remaining: 59 Minutes 57 Seconds]

[Daily Quest Activated]

[Daily Quest: Defeat the Twelve Flame Guardians + Endure the Flame Hearts]

[Rewards: +40 Healing Pills, +12,000 System Points, +1 High Grade Core Formation Technique, +1 Flame Essence Core Crystal]

He marched toward the door, then suddenly halted.

"Twelve flaming guardians?" Chris sighed deeply. "At this point, I don't even know why I'm doing this. I could've just joined an expedition team, hunted beasts, struck gold, and lived a sweet life with a harem. But I guess the road to godhood doesn't come through senseless fun. It doesn't come to weaklings either. It comes to those willing to do whatever it takes."

He grinned, cracking his neck as his knuckles turned white.

With determined steps, he advanced forward. His robe fluttered violently under the immense spiritual pressure, while his white hair shone like a shooting star.

The temple doors erupted in flames as they swung open. Twelve towering humanoid guardians materialized, each wreathed in different colored eternal flames — crimson, azure, violet, and many more. They stood imposingly at the center of the massive hall.

*System, is this really a hall? Because as far as my eyes can see, e dey resemble a very large city.*

["System, is this really a hall? Because as far as my eyes can see, it resembles a very large city."]

[Notice: Each hall becomes bigger and more spacious with every level, depending on the challenger's power and the strength of what awaits inside.]

[This hall is 5km wide, and I guess you already know how tall it is.]

*That's insane! And so are these guardians. They look majestic… sadly, I have to break them all.*

Using Void Step, Chris instantly closed the long distance. He stopped a few feet away from the flames and looked upward. A smirk formed on his face as he clenched his fist tightly.

"Challenger, surrender while you still can, or face your demise," the crimson flame guardian thundered. "Only a small number have ever defeated the Twelve Guardians."

The guardian gripped his burning spear firmly.

"No be lie, una sabi talk oh!" the Naija youth exclaimed.

[(You people really know how to talk!)]

"Another weird and stupid one," the violet guardian spoke from the side.

"Do you surrender, challenger?" the golden flame guardian boomed.

Chris laughed softly, tears forming in his eyes.

"Yeah, this one is crazy," the violet flame mocked.

"The boy mocks us. Let's be done with him. I need my beauty sleep," the azure flame said, taking two heavy steps forward. The ground shook under his intimidating physique.

"Hold on, guardians," the crimson flame ordered, pressing a hand against the azure guardian's chest.

The crimson flame stepped forward, his voice deepening as the ground vibrated. "Mortal, do you truly believe you can defeat us?"

"Sorry, I laughed, guardians," Chris said, wiping the tears from his eyes. "But it's funny how you all look down on me. I won't surrender. I won't yield. I… will… break you all."

Chris's face darkened. His aura surged violently. Cracks spread across the tiles beneath his feet and around the guardians. Slowly, the entire hall began to shake.

"I like him already. He possesses the same spirit as the dark-haired cultivator from a thousand years ago," the golden flame acknowledged with a soft laugh, his eyes glowing.

"We will send you to the hottest part of hell within the void," the crimson flame roared, swinging his massive flaming spear, "just like all the challengers before you!"

Boom!

The hall vibrated violently as the ground shattered. All twelve guardians accelerated toward the Naija youth at terrifying speed.

[Rhythmic Combat Intuition Activated]

[Undying Courage Engaged]

Chris stood still, watching them close in.

"Core Qi Blast!"

A powerful golden beam tore through the crimson spearman and the azure archer. Their flames scattered momentarily before reforming.

*What the f**k…*

The spearman reached him first, thrusting forward with explosive speed. The tip of the spear left a trail of scorching air that burned Chris's cheeks as he barely dodged.

*I see.*

Chris stepped into the guardian's face and threw a powerful punch toward the flaming head. The air around his fist solidified as he infused it with Core Qi.

The crimson guardian easily evaded.

*He's fast. I understand now. If shattering your bodies won't work, then breaking your cores should do the trick.*