A DIVINE FOOL

Chapter 7: Into the Void Realm

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An Unexpected Invitation

Yuki sat cross-legged on a rickety chair in a bustling market square, lazily nibbling on a skewer of grilled meat. Kaida stood nearby, scanning the crowd for any sign of danger. Buzzzy buzzed nervously around Yuki's head, muttering warnings about potential threats.

"Yuki, focus!" Kaida snapped. "We're being hunted by half the cultivation world, and you're sitting here like it's a picnic!"

Yuki waved her off, smiling. "Relax, Kaida. It's not like they're going to drop out of the sky or something."

As if the universe wanted to punish him for his hubris, a massive golden portal materialized in the middle of the square, shimmering with divine energy. Gasps of awe and fear rippled through the crowd as a tall figure in ornate robes stepped through. The man radiated power, his every step causing the ground to tremble.

"Kaida," Yuki whispered, his face pale, "I think this might be one of those 'drop out of the sky' moments."

The figure's voice boomed across the square. "Yuki Morikawa! Bearer of the Divine Artifact! You have been chosen to participate in the Celestial Trial of the Void Realm. Refusal is not an option."

Kaida's eyes narrowed. "The Void Realm? That's a death trap!"

"Uh, excuse me," Yuki called out, raising a hand. "I think you've got the wrong guy. I'm not really into trials or, you know, dying."

The man ignored him, raising a hand to summon a vortex of energy. Before Yuki could protest further, he, Kaida, and Buzzzy were sucked into the swirling void.

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Arrival in the Void Realm

When Yuki opened his eyes, he found himself standing on an endless expanse of glowing, purple-hued sand. Strange, jagged mountains loomed in the distance, and the sky above was a swirling mix of black and gold.

Kaida stood nearby, her hand resting on her sword. "This is bad," she muttered. "The Void Realm is where cultivators go to seek power—or die trying."

Buzzzy hovered above Yuki's head, scanning the area. "Energy levels are unstable. Proceed with extreme caution!"

Yuki scratched his head. "So… what exactly am I supposed to do here?"

A voice echoed through the air, deep and commanding. "Welcome, challengers. The Celestial Trial begins now. Survive, and you may claim the treasures of the Void Realm. Fail, and you will be consumed by the void."

As the voice faded, dozens of portals opened around them, disgorging cultivators from across the realms. Some were clad in gleaming armor, others in flowing robes, but all carried an air of deadly intent.

"Great," Yuki muttered. "It's a battle royale, isn't it?"

Kaida grabbed his arm. "Stick close to me. These people won't hesitate to kill you the moment they realize what you're carrying."

"Fantastic," Yuki said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

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A Fool's Luck

The first trial was announced: "Retrieve a Fragment of the Void Crystal."

The crowd of cultivators immediately scattered, some sprinting toward the distant mountains, others disappearing into the shadows. Kaida and Yuki began walking cautiously, with Buzzzy scanning for threats.

"Stay alert," Kaida warned. "Void Crystals are heavily guarded by beasts. We'll need to be—"

"Whoa, look at this shiny thing!" Yuki exclaimed, picking up a glowing shard from the ground.

Kaida froze. "Please tell me that's not what I think it is."

Buzzzy's sensors beeped wildly. "Confirmed: Void Crystal fragment detected!"

Before Kaida could say anything, the ground beneath them shook violently. A deafening roar split the air as a massive, multi-headed beast emerged from the sand, its eyes glowing with malevolent energy.

Kaida drew her sword. "You just had to pick it up, didn't you?"

"I didn't know it would summon a sand hydra!" Yuki protested, clutching the shard tightly.

The hydra lunged at them, its jaws snapping inches away from Yuki's face. Kaida leapt forward, her blade slicing through one of the beast's heads, but two more grew in its place.

"This thing is invincible!" she shouted.

"Maybe we should run?" Yuki suggested, already backing away.

Before Kaida could respond, Yuki tripped over a rock and fell backward. The hydra lunged toward him, but just as it was about to strike, the ground beneath it crumbled, revealing a pit of glowing energy. The hydra fell in with a screech, disappearing into the void.

Kaida stared at Yuki in disbelief. "Did you just… accidentally kill a hydra?"

Yuki shrugged, holding up the shard. "Does this mean I passed the trial?"

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Allies and Enemies

As they continued deeper into the Void Realm, they encountered other challengers, some of whom were friendly—or at least not immediately hostile. A group of rogue cultivators, impressed by Yuki's "feat" with the hydra, offered to team up with him.

"This guy's got serious luck," one of them said, clapping Yuki on the back. "Stick with us, and we'll all survive this trial."

Kaida crossed her arms. "You don't understand. His 'luck' is more dangerous than any beast here."

Despite her warning, the group insisted on staying with Yuki. They soon discovered what Kaida meant when Yuki accidentally triggered a series of traps that somehow only harmed their enemies, leaving them unscathed.

By the end of the day, Yuki had unintentionally acquired a treasure map, a rare cultivation pill, and a mysterious key—all while narrowly avoiding death multiple times.

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The Artifact's Power

That night, as they rested near a glowing river, Yuki felt a strange pull from within the artifact. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation, and was transported to a vision of the artifact's core.

A voice spoke to him, soft but firm. "You are the chosen bearer, but your journey is only beginning. The Void Realm holds secrets that even the gods fear. Use your luck wisely, for it will guide you to your destiny."

When Yuki opened his eyes, he found Kaida staring at him. "What happened?" she demanded.

"I think the artifact just gave me a pep talk," Yuki said, looking thoughtful.

Kaida groaned. "Wonderful. Let's hope it also gave you some common sense."

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Cliffhanger

As they prepared to move on, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, its presence radiating malice. The other cultivators backed away, fear etched on their faces.

Kaida's grip tightened on her sword. "Yuki, stay behind me. That's not just a challenger—that's a Void Warden."

The Warden's hollow voice echoed across the sands. "The artifact belongs to the void. Hand it over, or face oblivion."

Yuki gulped. "Why does everyone want this thing so badly?"

Kaida sighed. "Because it's the only thing keeping you alive, idiot."

And with that, the next phase of the trial began.