[A Duodecade Of Nomadic Journey] - Maze of Destiny - Val's Perilous Adventure in the Garden of the Immortals

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As Val emerged from the depths of Shou-Lao's cave, his gaze fixated on the breathtaking sunset gracing the horizon. A wistful sigh escaped his lips, accompanied by a murmured reflection, "The Destiny Weaver, The Alchemist Of Fate, hm?"

Immersing himself in the mystical air surrounding him, he contemplated, "If Shou-Lao's words hold true, it signifies that my arrival in this universe is not a mere disruption to its timeline. Instead, it appears that I am seamlessly following the course set by the original timeline, in sync with its path. Therefore, this universe might either be an entirely separate reality with its own distinct timeline, or perhaps I am a Nexus event."

As Val delved into the concept of being a Nexus event, a surge of memories flooded his mind. Contemplatively, he mused, "If I truly am a Nexus event, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) would have undoubtedly intervened and attempted to erase my existence. However, their absence suggests otherwise."

Rubbing his chin in thought, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he concluded, "So, Ms. Baldy must already possess knowledge of my identity, my whereabouts, and the ability to glimpse my future paths using the Time Stone."

With a resigned shake of his head, Val sighed and forged ahead, his murmured words trailing behind, "It matters not, for the inevitability of what is to come remains unchanged."

After a couple of hours had passed, Val made his way into the grand hall of the temple. Positioned before him were the esteemed elders of the Order of the Crane Mother, accompanied by the three formidable Immortal Weapons. Iron Fist, seated on a chair, employed his Chi to mend his injuries. As Val entered, their countenances lit up with anticipation.

Sihing inquired, "Have you vanquished Shou-Lao?"

With a sigh heavy with regret, Val shook his head and replied, "No."

A collective gasp resonated throughout the main hall, accompanied by audible sighs of disappointment. Sihing and Fat Cobra couldn't help but release heavy sighs, acknowledging Val's failure to achieve his objective. Meanwhile, Iron Fist's fists clenched tightly as he abruptly rose from his seat and exited the hall in frustration. Li Hua, too, turned to leave, but Sihing halted her progress, his voice filled with curiosity.

"Where are you going?" Sihing inquired.

With a tinge of dejected anticipation, Li Hua replied, "I was eagerly awaiting the sight of a legendary warrior blessed with the Chi of two guardians. Alas, it appears my anticipation was in vain. I shall now return to my city," she stated, resolute, and departed from the main hall.

Sihing let out a deep sigh, his gaze turned to Val, as he pressed for a thorough explanation. "What transpired? Please, provide us with all the details."

Val began recounting the events. "Upon entering Shou-Lao's cave, I discovered him lying on the ground, weakened. As soon as he caught sight of me, he warned me against absorbing his Chi. It turns out that Chiantang had cunningly infused his own Chi into Shou-Lao's, setting a trap specifically for me."

The mention of Chiantang's name invoked feelings of disgust and hatred, evident from the expressions etched on the faces of Sihing, Fat Cobra, and the Order's elders.

Curiosity brimming, Fat Cobra interjected, "But why would Chiantang target you specifically?"

Val shook his head in bewilderment and replied, "I am uncertain of the exact reason. The motive behind Chiantang's actions remains elusive to me."

Lei Kung, immersed in deep contemplation, finally broke the silence, offering his perspective. "If I may interject, considering Val's unfortunate deprivation of the chance to acquire Shou-Lao's Chi, courtesy of the detestable Chiantang whom we vehemently despise and strive to eliminate, I propose an alternative approach to honor our agreement." All eyes in the hall turned towards Lei Kung, curious about his proposal. A smile curved across his face, hinting at a potential solution.

...

Val trailed behind Lei Kung as they traversed the winding paths of K'un-Lun. Despite his persistent inquiries about their destination, Lei Kung remained tight-lipped, silently leading the way.

After a few minutes of walking, passing through peculiar structures and narrow alleys, they arrived at a door adorned with a peculiar symbol. Its flickering presence seemed to fade in and out, captivating Val's attention.

Stepping aside, Lei Kung gestured toward the door and addressed Val, "Beyond this door lies what you seek. My role is to guide you up to this point."

Curiosity brimming, Val inquired, "And what lies beyond this door?"

Lei Kung responded, "This is the gateway to the Garden of the Immortals. Within, you may discover what you are searching for. However, be aware that the entrance to the garden is guarded by an insurmountable escarpment and an unsolvable maze."

A mischievous smile played across Val's lips as he replied, "An insurmountable escarpment and an unsolvable maze? Let me test that claim."

Val pushed the door open and stepped inside. In an instant, he was whisked away, finding himself immersed within the intricate labyrinth.

A confident smile graced Val's face as he surveyed his surroundings, his mind racing with calculations, analyzing potential paths that could guide him towards the maze's exit.

As Val embarked on his journey through the maze, he swiftly realized that its shape was shifting incessantly, presenting a new challenge with each passing moment. Undeterred, he picked up his pace, relying on his superhuman intelligence to continuously compute the optimal routes leading to the exit.