The stone staircase seemed endless.
Each step was carved from smooth black rock, worn by the passage of countless ages. Strange silver flames floated along the walls, casting pale light over the ancient passage.
No one spoke.
Ahead, the Eclipse Court descended cautiously.
Behind them, Lin Mo, Chen Yu, and Han Qiu followed at a distance, careful not to reveal their presence.
Even the air felt heavy.
It was as if the tomb itself was watching every intruder.
After what felt like an hour, the staircase finally ended.
Before them stood a pair of colossal stone gates over a hundred meters high.
Twelve enormous statues surrounded the entrance.
Each statue held a different artifact.
A sword.
A mirror.
A lantern.
A scroll.
A bell.
A watch...
Lin Mo immediately recognized the silver watch.
"It really existed..."
One of the statues depicted the very same pocket watch he carried.
Beneath the statues were ancient words carved into black stone.
> **"Only those acknowledged by Time may pass."**
The crimson-eyed man laughed.
"Legends always enjoy making things difficult."
He raised his hand.
"Break the gate."
Immediately, dozens of Eclipse Court cultivators unleashed their techniques.
Fire dragons roared.
Sword Qi flashed.
Lightning struck the gates repeatedly.
The mountain trembled.
Yet...
The gates remained perfectly still.
Not a single scratch appeared.
The traitorous Elder Zhao stepped forward.
"There must be another way."
He examined the ancient runes before noticing twelve shallow indentations.
"These are seals."
"But what opens them?"
At that moment...
The silver watch beneath Lin Mo's robe began to glow.
His heartbeat quickened.
"No..."
The Guardian's voice echoed faintly in his mind.
*"Go forward."*
Before Lin Mo could stop himself, his body moved on its own.
He stepped out from hiding.
The Eclipse Court immediately turned toward him.
"So..."
The crimson-eyed man smiled.
"Our guest has arrived."
Chen Yu whispered urgently,
"Lin Mo, what are you doing?"
"I... don't know."
Something inside him was calling.
The statues.
The gates.
The tomb itself.
Everything seemed to recognize him.
Lin Mo walked toward the enormous gates.
Every step caused another rune to illuminate.
When he reached the center...
The silver watch floated from his neck once again.
It slowly drifted toward the statue holding the watch.
**Click.**
The watch settled perfectly into the statue's palm.
The entire tomb shook violently.
One by one...
The eyes of all twelve statues opened.
Silver light filled the chamber.
A deep, ancient voice echoed throughout the tomb.
> **"Verification initiated."**
Everyone froze.
The voice continued.
> **"Bloodline confirmed."**
> **"Successor of the Chrono Heart recognized."**
> **"Opening the First Trial."**
The gates slowly began to open.
The Eclipse Court erupted in laughter.
"We don't even need to force him anymore."
"The tomb itself is opening!"
The crimson-eyed man looked at Lin Mo.
"You've been very helpful."
He stepped toward the opening.
But before he could enter—
A silver barrier appeared across the entrance.
The ancient voice spoke again.
> **"Unauthorized existence detected."**
The barrier flashed.
A terrifying force blasted the Eclipse Court backward.
Several cultivators were thrown dozens of meters through the air.
Even Elder Zhao coughed blood.
The crimson-eyed man's smile disappeared.
"What?"
The voice repeated calmly.
> **"Only the Successor may begin the Trial."**
The barrier rippled.
Then...
It separated into three openings.
The voice continued.
> **"The Successor may choose two companions."**
Lin Mo looked back.
Without hesitation, he chose Chen Yu and Han Qiu.
The barrier welcomed them.
The opening behind them closed instantly.
The Eclipse Court could only watch from outside.
The crimson-eyed man slammed his fist against the barrier.
"No!"
"We waited ten thousand years!"
His roar echoed throughout the chamber.
Inside the tomb, the gates closed behind the three friends.
Silence returned.
Before them stretched an immense underground world.
An artificial sky shimmered overhead.
Ancient forests covered the landscape.
Crystal rivers flowed between ruined temples.
In the center stood a towering black palace.
Above it floated a single silver star, even though there was no night.
Chen Yu stared in amazement.
"This... is inside the mountain?"
Han Qiu slowly shook his head.
"No."
"I don't think we're inside the mountain anymore."
Lin Mo could feel it too.
The spiritual energy here was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
Every breath strengthened his cultivation.
The silver watch returned to his hand.
This time, a new hand had appeared on its face.
Not the hour hand.
Not the minute hand.
A thin silver needle marked with a single Roman numeral.
**I**
The Guardian's voice echoed softly.
> "Congratulations, Lin Mo."
> "You have unlocked..."
> "**The First Hour.**"
Before Lin Mo could ask what it meant, the ground trembled.
From the palace ahead came a slow, thunderous sound.
**...Step...**
**...Step...**
**...Step...**
A giant figure emerged through the palace gates.
It was over thirty meters tall, clad in weathered silver armor.
Its eyes burned with pale blue flames.
In one hand it carried a massive stone halberd.
The giant looked directly at the three disciples.
Then, for the first time in ten thousand years...
It spoke.
> **"I am Arcturus, Guardian of the First Trial."**
> **"Defeat me... or remain here forever."**
The giant lowered its halberd.
The First Trial of the Twelve Keepers had officially begun.