Chapter 25: The Path of Thorns

Ye Dahai and Ye Lian stepped out of the station, greeted by the towering skyline and bustling crowds of Star Dome City in the central district.

They did not linger amidst the city’s brilliance, but went straight to their destination—the Central Temple.

The majestic silhouette of the Central Temple soared above the heart of Star Dome City, not only a symbol of faith but also a place where knowledge and power converged.

Upon arrival, Ye Dahai and Ye Lian found the temple already crowded with people from all directions, each gaze alight with yearning for divine arts and the hope of becoming a disciple of the High Priest.

Seeing this sea of people, Ye Dahai could not help but feel a touch of worry.

The competition was fierce, and anxiety began to stir in his heart.

Yet Ye Lian remained unusually calm. She said to her father, “Dad, don’t worry.”

“Even if I don’t pass the test this time, it’s not a big deal.”

“I am still young, and there will be more chances.”

“Besides, even if I don’t become a disciple of the High Priest, I can still study at university and become a scientist, contributing to humanity’s progress.”

The selection for inheritors of divine arts was restricted to those aged eighteen to twenty-five; even if she failed this time, she could participate again in the coming years.

Ye Dahai was touched by his daughter’s optimism and resilience, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

He knew that, whatever the outcome, Ye Lian was already his greatest pride.

“Ye Lian, you have always been our pride. Our whole family’s faith in the Star Father is unwavering, and I believe he will watch over you.”

“No matter whether you pass the test, I will always be proud of you.”

“Even if you don’t succeed, you can still become a scientist. Your intelligence and talent will surely be recognized and admired by the High Priest and the whole society.”

Father and daughter walked side by side into the Central Temple, ready to face the coming trial.

Since the day that awe-inspiring proclamation was issued, registration had begun; today was the second day, and the crowds before the Central Temple remained immense.

Ye Lian and her father, Ye Dahai, collected their registration forms at the temple, filling in every detail with utmost care, as if scripting their own destinies.

Once the forms were submitted, they received important news:

In three days, the first test would be held here.

…

Three days slipped swiftly by. When the day of the test arrived, the square before the Central Temple was filled with countless youths, hearts brimming with dreams.

The square pulsed with the noise of crowds, hurried footsteps, and low, anxious conversations.

On every face were written expectation and tension, for they understood this was not merely a test, but a chance to prove themselves.

Ye Lian stood within the line, her gaze firm, her heart full of hope for the future.

She knew, regardless of the outcome, this would be one of the most precious experiences of her life.

Ye Lian took a deep breath, calming her mind, ready to meet the challenge ahead.

The first test arrived as scheduled.

It was very simple, meant to probe each soul’s depth and purity of faith in the Star Father.

The tool for the test was a crystal crafted by Shen Xing himself.

These crystals were said to see into the heart, discerning the truest faith and the purest souls.

The process was swift; each participant needed only to gently place their hand upon the crystal.

If the crystal remained silent, it meant the tester had failed.

If it shone with dazzling light, their faith was acknowledged.

The university students in the long queue, hailed as the pride of their generation, entered the temple with hope, each in turn placing their hand on the crystal.

Yet most often, the crystal stayed mute, dashing many hopes, and those who failed could only leave in disappointment.

As time passed and the crystal continued to stay dark, murmurs of doubt began to ripple through the crowd.

“Is there something wrong with the crystal?”

A priest of the Star Dome Church interrupted these doubts with a stern voice.

“To question a holy relic crafted by the High Priest himself is disrespectful to faith! If you harbor doubts in your heart, how could you possibly pass this sacred trial?”

The church’s enforcement team maintained order nearby, their expressions growing colder with each word of doubt.

The atmosphere within the hall turned solemn, and those who had doubted quickly quieted their stray thoughts.

In the hush, the test proceeded.

Many faltered before the crystal, feeling disappointment and frustration.

But then, a beam of light pierced the silence.

A student’s hand touched the crystal, and it suddenly radiated dazzling brilliance, illuminating every face.

“He passed! He passed the test!”

Someone could not contain their joy, and admiration and envy swept through the crowd.

The successful student’s face glowed with irrepressible happiness.

A priest from the Central Temple smiled at him approvingly and announced, “Please prepare to attend the next round of testing the morning after tomorrow.”

This unexpected success brought a glimmer of hope to all.

Though the High Priest’s trial was arduous, it was not insurmountable, and everyone present rekindled the fire within their hearts.

They knew that, so long as they maintained sincere faith in the Star Father, one day, they too might advance to the next trial like that fortunate soul.

By noon, only a handful had succeeded—seven or eight at most.

This pass rate, less than one in ten thousand, made every participant increasingly anxious.

They began to realize that what they had thought would be easy was nothing but a foolish assumption; the severity of the test far exceeded their initial expectations.

Those who failed to light the crystal sighed in disappointment, their spirits heavy as if a boulder pressed upon their chests.

Yet the rare few who succeeded could not restrain their exhilaration and joy—their laughter and cheers echoed across the plaza, a bright note amid the tense atmosphere.

This sharp contrast revealed the true purpose of the trial set by High Priest Shen Xing.

It was not only a test of faith, but also a tempering of will and spirit.

Those who passed would earn the right to continue, while those who failed must reflect, seeking out the deficiencies in their path of faith.

Despite the many challenges, the hearts of these young people did not falter.

They knew every challenge was a chance to grow, every failure a step toward success.

They believed that, so long as they held fast to their devotion to the Star Father, one day they would reach the purity within and pass the High Priest’s test.

As time ticked by, it was soon Ye Lian’s turn.

Having waited at the back of the line for a long time, Ye Lian had already prepared herself mentally. She quietly summoned her courage and stepped forward…