Before him, the tapestry bore a single character: “War.” At first glance, it seemed commonplace, yet a closer inspection revealed a torrent of unimaginable, murderous intent. In an instant, it surged forth from the character, crashing upon Wang Lin like a collapsing mountain!

A trick of the eye, perhaps, but at that moment, Wang Lin felt the very heavens about to crumble and shatter before him. The world vanished – the thousand-foot bluestone, the surrounding cultivators, even the Thunder Immortal Temple itself dissolved into nothingness. Only the character “War” remained.

A tremor ran through Wang Lin as he teetered on the brink of oblivion. A force, born from the character’s depths, exploded into existence, descending upon him with a thunderous roar. It seized his mind, cleaving his spirit from his flesh, leaving them estranged and disconnected.

An all-consuming aura of death enveloped him. Wang Lin felt like a mortal, stripped bare in the heart of winter. The biting cold seeped into his bones, threatening to extinguish the very flame of his life.

In a fleeting vision, he was transported back to the days when the Celestial Bead reached its zenith. The Gates of its Inner World materialized, and as they swung open, a surge of primal energy erupted forth!

Upon his brow, the Third Eye manifested, opening slowly, though devoid of its usual crimson glow. Wang Lin stood motionless, yet within his mind, a tempest raged. He was once again confronted with the sensation of the Celestial Bead’s grand portal!

Yet, compared to that earlier encounter, this was but a pale imitation. Long ago, a single glance had nearly shattered him. Now, while the character “War” evoked awe, he was able to endure.

It was clear that the origin essence held within the character could not compare to the mystique of the Celestial Bead. The Bead was beyond comprehension, while this “War” could be fathomed.

All this transpired in the blink of an eye, a mere instant from the moment Wang Lin raised his gaze.

Lie Yunzi had held little hope for Wang Lin. In his estimation, this Xu Mu, though capable of battling Luo Su, would ultimately fall without the aid of Qing Shui. His consumption of the Thunder Spirit in the second trial was a stroke of luck. In essence, fortune played the greatest part. Lie Yunzi, who had climbed the Dao’s path through his own merits, held little regard for those who relied on luck. In his eyes, Xu Mu was such a man.

However, in this instant, Lie Yunzi’s eyes blazed with unimaginable light. He took three steps forward, his gaze riveted upon Wang Lin, a roar echoing within his mind.

“One breath! Xu Mu attained stillness in a single breath!” Even Lie Yunzi’s composure faltered. For generations, no member of the Zhan family had achieved stillness so quickly. Even their gifted ancestor had required two breaths!

Lie Yunzi instantly banished his prior impression of Xu Ting. All his attention now rested upon Wang Lin!

He was not alone. The ancient beings seated upon their cushions were likewise struck with awe. Like Lie Yunzi, they had dismissed Wang Lin’s performance in the prior trials as mere amusement. Now, they regarded him with genuine respect.

Xue Shenzi’s eyes narrowed, fixing upon Wang Lin. Shock mingled with a renewed desire for his demise.

“This child achieved stillness in a single breath! He cannot be allowed to live!” As the thought formed, he sensed a killing intent lock upon him. Turning, he saw Qing Shui, his gaze icy and unforgiving.

Xue Shenzi snorted, suppressing his urge for violence, burying it deep within his heart.

Aside from Xue Shenzi, the patriarchs of the other immortal-descended clans watched with rapt attention.

The Xiang clan elder’s appreciation deepened. The more he looked at Wang Lin, the more pleasing he found him. Within his heart, he mused, “This one is destined for greatness!”

Yan Leizi’s lips curved into a subtle smile as he watched the flustered Lie Yunzi, his amusement growing.

Zhan Konglie, privy to his family’s secrets, gasped upon witnessing Wang Lin’s feat. He stood there, stunned. As for Xu Ting, a frown etched his face, his heart in turmoil. He had been hailed as a favored son, yet Xu Mu had stolen the limelight in the Trial of Man. The Trial of Earth had been no better. And now, in the Trial of Heaven, Lie Yunzi’s praise had vanished in an instant, as if Xu Mu was a karmic nemesis!

Wang Lin, with a divided focus, immersed his mind within the character “War.” Instantly, he sensed a sliver of primordial energy flowing from the character into his body. It spiraled within him, and as he was about to withdraw it, it paused abruptly. With lightning speed, the sliver of energy surged towards Wang Lin’s brow.

Within the Third Eye, the crimson light intensified instantaneously.

As the wisp of primordial energy flooded in, Wang Lin’s Third Eye blazed with an almost blinding brilliance. Ten breaths elapsed, and as Wang Lin regained consciousness in the tenth, the light within his Third Eye exploded forth in a fan-like burst, as if after prolonged suppression!

The crimson light swept outwards, causing those who witnessed it to gasp in astonishment. The fan-shaped beam engulfed the tapestry of “War.”

In a fleeting vision, Wang Lin glimpsed a strange scene upon the tapestry. It was a distant starfield where an old man, clad in white robes, traced a character in the sky with his index finger – the very character of “War!” The character shimmered, dividing into six fragments, becoming six tapestries.

A wave of pure origin essence emanated from the old man. With a hint of sorrow, regret, and unyielding will, he gazed upon the character one last time, before lifting his head towards the starry void. His eyes widened in disbelief.

Wang Lin shuddered as the crimson light vanished from his Third Eye. He regained his senses, and the recent vision, whether a hallucination or a reality, felt utterly real.

As the crimson glow faded, Wang Lin’s Third Eye slowly closed, yet it did not disappear. Instead, it hardened into a crimson line upon his brow – a mark of permanence. Wang Lin radiated an eerie aura.

“Did you see it?” Lie Yunzi asked, stepping forward and standing directly before Wang Lin, his voice filled with excitement.

Wang Lin nodded. He could sense the terrifying power contained within the crimson line upon his brow. A power that yearned to be unleashed.

Lie Yunzi stared at Wang Lin before bursting into laughter. “Good, Xu Mu! Seek me out after the Immortal Sealing. I will show you the remaining two War tapestries!”