The observers' whispers grew louder, but strangely, this time their gazes didn't show strong doubt, but rather a hint of agreement.

The runic light on the scales gradually stabilized, and a deep voice echoed in the air: "You have passed the first step. But fair measurement requires not only rules, but also the determination to enforce them. The next part will test your adherence to your own rules."

The scales began to slowly turn, and the whole scene seemed to come alive, as a new challenge was brewing.

As the scales slowly turned, the surrounding scenery began to change. The previously still observers gradually emerged from their blurry figures, transforming into a group of creatures of various shapes and sizes. Some wore tattered clothes and looked haggard; others wore magnificent golden armor and had sharp eyes; still others resembled monsters, their greed undisguised. Each observer looked at the four people standing before the scales with surging emotions.

Tian took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "The first part of the rules has been established. Next, the trial will test our determination and our ability to deal with specific conflicts."

“What do you mean by specific contradictions?” Lu Mingfei’s voice trembled slightly. He gripped his short knife tightly and subconsciously took a step back. “These observers look like they could pounce at any moment.”

Caesar glanced at the observers around him, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Don't be nervous, Mingfei. These 'people' seem more like they're here to cause trouble. The trial probably means we have to confront different demands and solve their problems."

As soon as he finished speaking, an old man wearing a tattered cloak came out, leaning on a rough wooden cane. His voice was hoarse but firm: "We don't have enough food to get through this winter. Your rules say that food should be given to the poorest people first, but why do we villagers in the border areas receive less than the beggars in the city?"

Then, a young nobleman dressed in a magnificent robe stepped forward and said with a sneer, "Because they are inefficient. Our industries are the backbone of the entire kingdom's economy, yet your rules restrict our right to access resources. Without our contributions, your balance is a joke."

The third observer emerged from the shadows, his body twisted beyond recognition, his voice low and hoarse: "What about the distribution of power? You say it's for maintaining order, but those so-called parliaments are nothing but puppets of the powerful! Fairness? It's just another lie."

The three voices surged forth like a flood, filled with skepticism and provocation. Their gazes were like daggers piercing the four, especially Tian, ​​who clearly regarded him as the primary decision-maker.

“This is the crux of the trial.” Tian’s voice was deep and calm as he looked at the other three. “Our rules have been established. Now we need to make decisions based on those rules and persuade these observers to accept them.”

"Persuade? That sounds like just arguing." Lu Mingfei chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Maybe I should just do the knife. I'm really not good at this kind of debate."

“If you’re not good at it, then listen to me.” Caesar stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the three observers, his tone calm yet tinged with contempt. “Gentlemen, the rules have already been explained clearly. The priority of food distribution is based on the need for survival; beggars in the city and villagers in the outskirts will be given priority in emergencies. As for your so-called ‘efficiency,’ we certainly acknowledge the importance of industry, but that cannot be a reason for you to deprive others of their right to survival.”

The young nobleman frowned and scoffed, "Deprive someone of their right to life? You're really exaggerating. Without us, resources simply cannot circulate. Isn't that a fact?"

Caesar narrowed his eyes, his smile deepening. "Circulation is indeed important, but you've overlooked one point—if the foundation of survival is destroyed, your circulation becomes a tree without roots. Fair distribution is not about weakening industry, but about ensuring the most basic social stability. Do you really want to develop an economy in a kingdom where only corpses remain?"

The nobleman's face turned ashen, but he was unable to refute it for a moment. He gritted his teeth and stepped aside.

Tian took over the conversation, looked at the old man in the cloak, and said in a low but powerful tone: "As for the villagers' problems, we will strengthen the distribution network to ensure that resources are accurately delivered to those who truly need them. This will take time, but the rules will allow everyone to see the results."

The old man gazed at the sky, a flicker of doubt crossing his aged eyes: "What you say sounds reasonable, but can it really be done? Every king has said similar things, but in the end, they were just empty words."

Tian looked directly into the old man's eyes, calm and resolute: "Our rules are not empty words. They rely not only on the system itself, but also on the determination to enforce them. If anyone violates the rules, we will use our power to punish them. If there are loopholes in the rules, we will use our wisdom to improve them."

The whispers of the surrounding observers gradually subsided, and the light on both sides of the scales stabilized. However, the distorted figure remained standing, letting out a cold laugh: "That sounds like a perfect answer. But who decides the regulation of 'power'? And will the rule-makers become the new oppressors?"

“No,” Chu Zihang said, his voice as cold as a blade, “because we will prove it with our actions. Any behavior that violates fairness and justice will be judged immediately. Including ourselves.”

The distorted figure stared at Chu Zihang, remained silent for a moment, and then retreated.

The runes on the scales suddenly burst forth with light, and a deep voice rang out: "You have demonstrated your resolve to uphold the rules, but there remains an insurmountable chasm between the ideal of fairness and reality. Remember, this is only the beginning."

The scales slowly disappeared, the surrounding scenery gradually faded, and they stood once again in the trial grounds, the road ahead reappearing. A sense of unresolved tension filled the air, as if the trials to come would be even more brutal.

"Every step feels like it could crush you," Lu Mingfei gasped for breath, unable to help but complain. "Can't the next trial be a little easier? Like, maybe with some food?"

Caesar laughed and patted him on the shoulder: "Stop complaining, Mingfei. The path of a hero is not so easy."

Tian said in a low voice, "Get ready, the next trial is just ahead."

They strode forward, their figures disappearing into the mist deep within the training grounds.

The four walked along the new path extending from the trial grounds. The air grew increasingly stuffy, and a thin layer of gray mist gradually enveloped them. The ground beneath their feet began to transform into a road paved with ancient stone slabs, each slab engraved with intricate runes and patterns, as if countless people had left their mark here.

The scene before them slowly unfolded—a vast hall appeared before them, its walls and dome soaring into the clouds, the entire space filled with a mysterious and oppressive aura. In the center of the hall was a huge circular platform, around which stood hundreds of doors, each different in shape, material, and decoration; some were carved with exquisite patterns, while others were covered with mottled cracks.

"This trial is a 'gateway'?" Lu Mingfei stood at the edge of the platform, looking at the various doors, his face full of confusion. "Let me guess, is there one door that leads to the exit, and the rest are all traps?"

Tian glanced at the rune gun and said in a low voice, "Not entirely. The spaces behind these doors aren't random; they're structures based on specific rules. We need to find a door that truly leads to the core of the trial."

Caesar crossed his arms, surveying the doors with a meaningful smile: "What about the rules? What are the rules this time? You should at least give me some hints, right?"

Just then, a complex rune array lit up on the floor in the center of the hall, and a text appeared:

"Countless doors lead to countless possibilities. The only correct door lies hidden between rules and wisdom. Only by passing through layers of trials can one find the path to the core. Remember, wrong choices will trigger a backlash."

Chu Zihang coldly surveyed his surroundings, gripping the Dragon Cutter tightly: "The rules are simple—find the right door, but there are no explicit hints. The key to the trial lies in how to deduce the rules."

"This looks even more troublesome than the previous trials," Lu Mingfei sighed. "Just counting these doors will take half a day, won't it?"

Ignoring his complaints, Tian picked up the rune gun and scanned the hall. He said in a low voice, "These doors all have unique runic markings on their surfaces, but not all of them are related to the core rules."

Caesar raised an eyebrow: "So, we have to filter out the irrelevant doors first?"

“That’s right.” Tian nodded. “The first step is to eliminate the interfering runes and find the core clue.”

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