Transmigrating into a dragon clan experimental subject, is that even possible?

"One more time!" Caesar's runic sword crackled with lightning as he swiftly circled to the other side of the dragon shadow. The blade flashed a blinding blue light, striking the dragon shadow squarely in the abdomen. The intense burst of energy caused the dragon shadow to roar once more, its illusory form growing increasingly blurred.

Lu Mingfei stood on the sidelines, gripping his short knife tightly, gritting his teeth as he charged forward. Lu Mingze's whisper echoed in his mind: "Seize the opportunity, Mingfei, this is your moment to shine."

"Shut up!" Lu Mingfei roared, swinging his short sword. The runes on the blade suddenly burst forth, briefly resonating with the core of the Dragon Shadow. At that moment, the Dragon Shadow's movements paused slightly. Chu Zihang seized the opportunity, unleashing another Dragon Slash, flames shooting towards the core like a meteor.

The dragon's shadow let out a deafening roar, and its entire illusory body began to disintegrate, scattering blue light specks into the air. The violent energy in the trial arena gradually subsided, and the flames in the cracks slowly died down.

"Did it work?" Lu Mingfei asked, panting, his whole body soaked in sweat.

Tian sheathed his rune gun and calmly said, "The core power of the Trial of Conflict has been weakened, but this is only the first trial. Next, we will face even greater challenges."

Caesar chuckled and patted Lu Mingfei on the shoulder: "Don't worry, Mingfei, there are still twelve more to go. This is just the beginning."

Lu Mingfei rolled his eyes, both amused and exasperated: "You people are all crazy."

Chu Zihang wiped away the flame marks on the Dragon Cutter, his gaze sharp as he looked ahead: "Where is the next trial?"

A deep dragon's roar echoed through the air, its faint voice reverberating from the void: "The victor of the conflict, step forward... to meet the battle for truth."

The four exchanged a glance, and despite their exhaustion, they simultaneously began to walk toward the next stage of the trial.

Gray clouds churned, and the recently calmed training ground was once again shrouded in an ominous aura. The four followed the deep voice's guidance forward. The cracks in the ground gradually closed, but with each step, they could feel a faint tremor beneath their feet, as if some enormous power was lurking underground.

"A war for truth?" Caesar raised an eyebrow, a playful smile playing on his lips. "That sounds even more troublesome than the Trial of Conflict."

While rapidly analyzing the data on the rune gun, Tian said in a deep voice, "The Trial of Truth involves judgment and choice. According to records, this is Nidhogg's test of the challenger's mind and soul. Any wrong decision will trigger devastating consequences."

Lu Mingfei shuddered immediately: "Mental state? Soul? Can't we change to a more normal trial, like running or skipping rope?"

Chu Zihang gripped the Dragon Cutter tightly, his eyes blazing: "These kinds of trials are often more dangerous than pure combat, but we have no other choice."

They arrived at a massive stone gate, its surface covered in intricate runes. At its center was a dragon's eye, inlaid with a blue crystal, gleaming with an eerie light. The air was thick with the oppressive aura unique to dragons, making it feel suffocating.

"This is the entrance to the next trial," Tian analyzed. "Once inside, each person will face an individual test and will not be able to interfere with each other."

Lu Mingfei's face paled upon hearing this: "Alone? You mean we have to separate?"

“That’s right.” Tian nodded, his tone heavy. “These are the rules of the Nidhogg Trials—any form of dependence will be stripped away. Only those who truly pass the test independently are qualified to continue.”

"It sounds fair, but it's also cruel." Caesar shrugged and looked at Lu Mingfei. "What? Scared?"

"Who's afraid!" Lu Mingfei gritted his teeth, his voice trembling slightly, but he still gripped the short knife tightly. "Anyway, running won't help, right?"

Chu Zihang didn't say much, only nodded slightly, and took a step forward. His figure was resolute, as if no threat could shake his will. He looked up at the sky: "How do I activate the entrance?"

The Heavenly General aimed the rune spear at the center of the stone gate. The blue beam resonated with the dragon's eyes, and the stone gate emitted a deep rumble before slowly opening. Behind the gate lay endless darkness, unfathomable, with only a faint light guiding the way to the unknown.

"Go in." Tian put away his rune gun and stood aside. "Each person's trial is independent. I will monitor the progress from outside to ensure your safety."

Caesar was the first to walk towards the stone gate. He glanced back at Lu Mingfei and said with a smile, "Don't be too nervous, Mingfei. You are our secret weapon. Don't let Nidhogg look down on you."

Lu Mingfei took a deep breath and followed Chu Zihang through the stone gate. His heart pounded like a drum, and he seemed to hear Lu Mingze's whisper in his ear: "The trial of truth cannot be passed by courage alone. I hope you will not disappoint me."

As darkness faded, Lu Mingfei opened his eyes again to find himself standing in a familiar schoolyard. The familiar wind rustled the leaves of the trees along the edge of the playground, and sunlight streamed into every corner. This was the place he had returned to countless times in his dreams—the playground of Shilan Middle School.

"How did I end up here..." Lu Mingfei murmured, his hand gripping the dagger trembling slightly. He knew very well that this was an illusion from the trial, but the sight before him made him stop in his tracks, unable to resist.

Suddenly, a familiar figure approached from afar. It was Chen Wenwen, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, a bright smile, and eyes as bright as stars. She waved to him as she walked, her voice clear and crisp: "Mingfei, what are you daydreaming about? Come here, the homeroom teacher is taking attendance today."

Lu Mingfei stood frozen, his heart clenching. He stared at the face that had appeared countless times in his dreams, his throat dry, unable to utter a word. He knew it was all fake, yet he couldn't suppress the pounding in his heart.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Chen Wenwen walked closer, tilted her head and smiled, "It's been so long, and you're still the same, so silly."

Lu Mingfei squeezed his eyes shut, trying to calm himself down. He murmured, "No... this isn't real... this is an illusion."

"An illusion?" Chen Wenwen chuckled softly, her tone gentle yet tinged with disappointment. "Mingfei, don't you even want to talk to me anymore? This place is so nice, no dragons, no battles, no things that suffocate you. Why don't you stay?"

Lu Mingfei's heart trembled violently. He knew that everything before him was a trick of the Nidhogg Trial, but he had never been in such pain. On one side was the cry of reason, and on the other was the tug-of-war of emotion. Past regrets, shame, and resentment seemed to be magnified to the extreme, pressing heavily on his chest.

"Mingfei, I know you like me." Chen Wenwen lowered her head slightly, her voice soft and dreamlike. "But why did you never say it? If you had told me sooner, perhaps we would have had a different future."

Lu Mingfei gritted his teeth, a flicker of pain in his eyes. He gripped the short knife tightly, his voice trembling: "I... I certainly want to say... but that's all in the past. I have more important things to do now."

Chen Wenwen's smile faded slightly, and her eyes gradually turned cold: "More important things? What could be more important than your own happiness? Mingfei, stop lying to yourself. Stay here. This is where you truly belong."

"No!" Lu Mingfei roared, the blue light on his short sword suddenly blazing, his voice resolute, "This is not a place for me! Chen Wenwen... no matter if you are an illusion or what, I cannot stay here!"

"So, you choose to leave?" Chen Wenwen's figure slowly retreated, the surrounding campus scene began to crumble, the sunlight gradually dimmed, replaced by endless darkness. Her voice lowered, carrying an unfathomable emotion: "Do you really think that by running away from your own feelings, you can find so-called truth?"

Lu Mingfei, panting heavily, looked up and stared directly at her figure, his voice filled with unprecedented determination: "I'm not running away, I just know that some things can't be changed. But there are still people who need me, and I can't stop here."

Chen Wenwen's figure vanished completely, leaving behind her last words: "I hope you can withstand the trials to come, Lu Mingfei. You are carrying more than just yourself on your shoulders."

Darkness enveloped him once more, and Lu Mingfei knelt on the ground, sweat streaming down his face. His hand, gripping the dagger, was still trembling slightly, but the runes on the blade shone even brighter, as if responding to the realization within him.

He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I don't know what will happen next, but whatever it is, I will keep going."

In the darkness in the distance, a faint light seemed to appear, guiding him in the direction he was heading.

Lu Mingfei raised his head, took a deep breath, and his grip on the short knife gradually steadied. He knew that the trial he had just endured was only the beginning, and the trials to come would be even more difficult. The faint light in the darkness gradually became clearer, like the only way forward to guide him.