The world had begun to shift in subtle ways since Xiao Fan's slap that reverberated through the heavens. Those who had witnessed the celestial tremor from the Slap Ascension Sect whispered of an unfathomable power, a slap that had struck at the very core of existence. Cultivators from far and wide had come to witness Xiao Fan, some hoping to challenge him, others simply wishing to bask in the radiance of his triumph.
But Xiao Fan, ever restless, could feel the weight of his victory. His hand had touched the heavens, but that was not enough. His ambition, fueled by the power of the slap and the desire to ascend beyond mere mortals, burned brighter than ever.
"I must go further," Xiao Fan said aloud to himself, standing atop the highest tower of the Slap Ascension Sect. The night air was cool, but his body burned with the heat of his unresolved journey. His slap had moved the heavens, but there were still mysteries to uncover, powers to master, and enemies to face.
Fairy Lin Yue, ever at his side, approached him with a thoughtful look. "You've shaken the heavens themselves, Xiao Fan. What more could you possibly seek?"
Xiao Fan turned his gaze to the horizon, where the stars glimmered like jewels strewn across the night sky. "The heavens are vast, Lin Yue. And their slap may only be the beginning. I seek a path that no one has ever walked before—the path of the Eternal Slap."
Lin Yue's eyes widened slightly. "The Eternal Slap? You mean..."
Xiao Fan nodded, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "Yes. To transcend the mortal realm, to slap not only the heavens but the very forces of the universe. To find the power that can reshape everything, to carve my place among the gods themselves."
Fairy Lin Yue stepped closer, her gaze filled with concern. "But even the greatest of immortals fear the power of the Eternal Slap. It is said that those who seek it must face the Three Pillars—the Heart of the Slap, the Soul of the Slap, and the Will of the Slap. Each of these trials is said to be impossible to conquer. Many who sought them have vanished, their bodies broken and their minds lost."
Xiao Fan smirked. "Then I'll be the first to succeed."
---
The journey toward the Three Pillars was one that had been foretold by the ancient sages of the Slap Ascension Sect. Deep within the Forbidden Mountains, where time flowed differently and the laws of the universe grew weaker, the Pillars were hidden. It was a place where only the bravest, or the most foolish, dared to venture.
After days of traveling through dense forests, desolate plains, and ancient ruins, Xiao Fan and Fairy Lin Yue finally arrived at the entrance to the Forbidden Mountains. The air was thick with an eerie stillness, and the distant howls of creatures unknown sent a chill down their spines.
Xiao Fan stood tall, his eyes filled with determination. "This is where my journey truly begins."
Fairy Lin Yue hesitated. "Xiao Fan, be careful. The Three Pillars are not to be trifled with. Many have entered, but few have returned. The trials are not just tests of strength—they are tests of your very being. Are you prepared to face them?"
Xiao Fan nodded firmly. "I was born for this."
They entered the Forbidden Mountains, their steps echoing in the silence. The further they ventured, the more the air grew thick with ancient power. Soon, they reached a massive stone gate, engraved with runes that pulsed with an otherworldly light. The gate seemed to shift before their eyes, as though it were alive, watching them.
Fairy Lin Yue raised her hand, her fingers brushing the air. "This is the Gate of the Pillars. It will not open unless you prove your worth."
Xiao Fan stepped forward without hesitation. "I've already proven my worth."
With a mighty push, he slapped the gate.
The stone trembled, and the air around them vibrated with an immense force. The runes flared to life, and the massive doors groaned open, revealing a vast, swirling vortex of energy beyond. The very fabric of reality seemed to warp as Xiao Fan and Lin Yue stepped into the center of the vortex.
---
They emerged into a strange realm, one unlike any Xiao Fan had ever seen. The sky above was an endless expanse of swirling clouds and shifting colors. The ground beneath their feet was soft and uneven, as though the very earth had a life of its own. Three massive pillars rose into the sky, each one radiating a different kind of energy—one pure and white, one dark and crimson, and one glowing with an eerie, greenish light.
"These are the Three Pillars," Fairy Lin Yue whispered. "Each one represents a different trial. The Heart of the Slap, the Soul of the Slap, and the Will of the Slap. You must face them in order, and survive their trials if you are to continue."
Xiao Fan looked at the three pillars, his heart racing with excitement. He had faced countless trials, but this—this would be the ultimate test. The trial that would determine if he truly had the strength to become more than a mortal, to achieve the power he so desperately sought.
He stepped forward toward the first pillar—the Heart of the Slap.
The moment he touched the pillar, the world around him shattered, and he was plunged into darkness.
---
The Trial of the Heart of the Slap
Xiao Fan found himself in a barren wasteland, the ground cracked and devoid of life. In the distance, he saw a figure standing alone. It was himself—his younger self, standing in the midst of a storm, staring out into the void with a sense of longing.
"You're here," the younger Xiao Fan said, his voice a quiet echo. "But what do you seek? What is it that drives you forward?"
Xiao Fan felt his chest tighten. "I seek strength."
The younger Xiao Fan shook his head. "Strength is not enough. Strength alone cannot fill the emptiness in your heart. What is it that you truly seek?"
Xiao Fan hesitated. The answer was on the tip of his tongue, but he could not grasp it. The question was one that had haunted him for years—what did he truly seek?
"I seek…" he began, but the words caught in his throat.
The younger Xiao Fan smiled sadly. "You cannot move forward until you face your heart. Until you understand what truly drives you."
Xiao Fan closed his eyes, focusing inward. For the first time, he allowed himself to feel the weight of all he had endured, the sacrifices, the battles, and the loneliness. In that moment of stillness, he understood.
"I seek purpose," Xiao Fan whispered. "I seek a reason to exist beyond just power. I seek a reason to live."
The moment the words left his lips, the wasteland vanished, replaced by a field of blooming flowers. The trial was complete.
---
Xiao Fan opened his eyes once more, the energy of the Heart of the Slap surging through him. One pillar down, two more to go. He was closer than ever to reaching his goal, but the trials were far from over.
The path to the Eternal Slap was long, but Xiao Fan was no longer the same man who had entered the Forbidden Mountains. He had found his heart.
And now, there was no turning back.