The Witcher: Start with the Lord Marrying a Wife.

Chapter 454 Mirror Trial
Deep within the Bloodborne Sanctuary, David and his companions continue their exploration of this mysterious and dangerous place.

Their gaze pierced through the dim light and landed on the center of the temple—an ancient and complex mechanical device.

The device emitted a faint light, as if telling the ancient secrets of the Star-Eyed Clan.

“It seems this is the central mechanism of the temple,” David said in a deep voice, his eyes flashing with curiosity and determination.

The others gathered around, carefully examining the device.

It is made of various unknown metals and runes, and looks both ancient and advanced, full of unknown power.

“We have to find a way to crack it and see what secrets it holds,” Amy said urgently.

Under Liliana's guidance, the group began to carefully study this central mechanism.

They used their knowledge and skills to try to find a way to crack the mechanism.

After some effort, they finally discovered several key runes on the mechanism, which seemed to be the key to activating it.

“Everyone be careful, let’s try to activate these runes together,” David warned.

The others nodded and focused their attention on the runes.

They activated the runes in a specific order and rhythm, and the central mechanism suddenly emitted a dazzling light, as if the entire temple was shaken by this power.

As the light faded, the central mechanism slowly opened a passage, revealing the secrets hidden within.

To their surprise, the group discovered that the passage led to a huge underground laboratory filled with strange instruments and devices, exuding an aura of the unknown and danger.

"This...this is the ancient laboratory of the Star-Eyed Clan?" Cynthia said in shock.

David nodded, his eyes filled with shock and curiosity.

He realized that this laboratory might hold the Star-Eyed Clan's deepest secrets and their connection to the Ancient Gods.

The team members cautiously entered the laboratory and began to carefully search every corner.

They discovered some ancient documents and scrolls that recorded the history and secrets between the Star-Eyed Clan and the Ancient Gods.

It turns out that the Star-Eyed Clan were once an ordinary group of humans, but they longed to gain greater power.

So they found a way—to implant the flesh and blood of ancient gods into human bodies, thus creating a new artificial race—the Bloodline Wizards.

"This...this is unbelievable!" David exclaimed in astonishment. "We...we are actually an 'artificial race' created by the Star-Eyed Clan using this method?"

The other members all looked shocked; they never expected that they had such a peculiar background.

However, what shocked them even more was that the documents also recorded an astonishing secret—the Star-Eyed Clan had experienced a serious failure in the process of creating bloodline wizards.

That failure led to the birth of a bloodline wizard who possessed extraordinary power, but was also filled with evil and danger.

Fearing he would become a threat to the multiverse, the Star-Eyed Clan sealed him away and hid this secret.

“That failed bloodline wizard…could it be David?” Amy asked worriedly.

David was taken aback by what he heard. He hadn't expected that he might be related to that failed bloodline wizard.

However, he quickly regained his composure, knowing that now was not the time to dwell on this issue.

More importantly, they must find a way out of the laboratory and prevent the failed bloodline wizard from threatening the safety of the multiverse again.

Just as everyone was deep in thought, a sudden change shattered the peace.

Otas has suddenly betrayed us! He activated the temple's defense system, trapping everyone in the laboratory.

His eyes were filled with madness and determination, as if he were about to accomplish some nefarious purpose.

"Otas! What are you doing?" David asked in shock.

Ortas sneered and said, "David, you were a failed experiment to begin with."

The Star-Eyed Clan created you to gain greater power, but you have become an uncontrollable factor.

Now, I must reclaim you to prevent you from posing a threat to the multiverse.

David was stunned by what he heard; he never expected that Otas would betray them.

However, what shocked him even more was that Ortas's words seemed to reveal a cruel truth—he might indeed be a failed experiment, a being lurking with immense danger.

"No! I will never be anyone's tool!" David roared, his power surging as he prepared to fight Otas to the death.

However, Otas fearlessly stepped forward.

He activated the temple's defense system, releasing powerful energy fluctuations that forced everyone to retreat.

“David, give up,” Otas sneered. “You can’t defeat me. Come back with me and face the judgment of the Star-Eyed Clan.”

Faced with Otas's powerful offensive, David was caught in a tough battle.

Knowing he couldn't defeat Ortas alone, he signaled to his companions for help.

His companions answered his call, using their skills and wisdom to try to find a way to break through the defense system.

After a fierce battle, the team finally discovered the weakness in the defense system.

They exploited this weakness to successfully breach the defense system and launched a counterattack against Ortas.

Under the combined attack of everyone, Otas finally couldn't hold on and was knocked to the ground.

“Otas, you’ve lost,” David said coldly.

Otas lay on the ground, his eyes filled with resentment and despair.

He never expected that he would be defeated by David and his companions.

“David…I…I was wrong…” Otas said weakly, “I shouldn’t have betrayed you…and I shouldn’t have tried to take you back…”

David looked at Ortas, his heart filled with complex emotions.

He knew that Ortas had once been one of them, but now he was their enemy.

However, he also understood that Otas was being manipulated by some force and was not a true traitor.

“Otas, you should leave,” David said in a deep voice. “I hope you can reflect on your actions and find a path that truly belongs to you.”

Otas was taken aback; he hadn't expected David to let him go.

He gave David a deep look, then silently left the laboratory.

With Ottas's departure, the tense atmosphere in the laboratory finally eased.

His friends gathered around David, asking him about his condition with concern.

"David, are you alright?" Amy asked with concern.

David shook his head and said, "I'm fine. It's just... we need to think carefully about what to do next."

The others nodded in agreement.

They knew that this exploration had given them a deeper understanding of the Star-Eyed Clan's secrets and their connection to the Ancient Gods. However, they also realized that immense danger and challenges lay hidden behind this secret.

“We must find that failed bloodline wizard and prevent him from posing a threat to the multiverse,” Liliana said firmly.

David nodded and said, "That's right. And we also need to find a way out of this lab and continue our adventure."

Led by Liliana, the group began to carefully search every corner of the laboratory.

They discovered some hidden passages and mechanisms that might lead to the laboratory's exit.

After much effort, they finally found a passage to the outside world.

"Is everyone ready?" David asked.

The others nodded in agreement, indicating they were ready.

They took a deep breath and then stepped out into the outside world.

As they left, the truth about the Blood Temple was gradually revealed.

Under the influence of the mysterious power of the Blood Source Temple, David and Lia were suddenly transported to a strange space.

This space was like a mirror world; everything seemed so unreal, yet presented so clearly before their eyes.

"Where...where is this?" David looked around and asked in surprise.

Lia gripped her staff tightly, cautiously observing her surroundings.

She discovered that everything in this space was similar to the real world, yet subtly different.

A strange energy fluctuation permeated the air, making her feel both excited and somewhat uneasy.

“It seems we’ve been transported to a mirror space,” Leah said in a low voice. “Moreover, I sense two powerful forces approaching us.”

David was taken aback when he heard this. He followed Liya's gaze and saw two huge figures approaching them.

One was a war god puppet clad in silver armor and wielding a giant battle axe; the other was a massive and twisted mother tree root system, its surface covered in black, decaying matter, exuding an evil aura.

"This...this is the Star-Eyed Clan's War God Puppet and the corrupted root system of the Mother Tree!" David exclaimed in shock. "Are we really going to face two powerful enemies at the same time?"

Lia nodded, her eyes filled with determination and resolve.

“That’s right, David. This is our trial. Only by defeating both enemies at the same time can we pass through this mirror space.”

David took a deep breath, preparing for the battle to come.

He knew that this battle would be extremely difficult, but he also believed that he and Lia would be able to overcome all difficulties.

As the two enemies drew closer, a battle was imminent.

The War God puppet swung its massive battle axe at David, while the roots of the Mother Tree stretched out twisted branches, attempting to entangle Leah.

David skillfully dodged the attacks from the battle tomahawk while looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

Lia waved her staff, releasing a dazzling light, in an attempt to purify the corrupting substances in the mother tree's root system.

However, these two enemies seemed exceptionally powerful, and their attacks left David and Leah somewhat overwhelmed.

Several cracks appeared on David's armor, and Leah also looked somewhat tired.

“This can’t go on,” David said breathlessly. “We have to find their weakness.”

Lia nodded, closed her eyes, and tried to sense the power fluctuations of the two enemies.

Suddenly, a glint flashed in her eyes, as if she had seen some kind of premonition.

“David, I…I saw it!” Leah exclaimed excitedly. “The War God Puppet’s weakness is at the seventh node of its spine. If we attack that spot, we can disable it!”

David was overjoyed upon hearing this. He immediately adjusted his attack strategy and began looking for an opportunity to attack the seventh node of the War God Puppet's spine.

After a fierce battle, he finally found an opening and delivered a powerful blow that struck the exact spot.

With a crisp "crack," the War God Puppet's body suddenly stiffened and then slowly collapsed to the ground.

Its eyes lost their light, as if it could no longer threaten anyone.

"We did it!" David shouted excitedly. However, he did not forget that there was another enemy to deal with.

He immediately turned to the root system of the mother tree, ready to continue the fight.

However, at that moment, Lia suddenly let out a cry of surprise.

David looked back and saw that the roots of the mother tree had wrapped around Leah's body and were trying to drag her into the ground.

"Leah!" David exclaimed in alarm. He immediately rushed forward to try and rescue Leah.

However, the branches of the mother tree's root system were exceptionally resilient, and his attacks did not seem to cause it much damage.

"David, don't worry about me!" Leah said with difficulty. "Go and find a way to purify the mother tree's root system!"

David gritted his teeth upon hearing this; he knew now was not the time to hesitate.

He immediately turned around to find a way to purify the root system of the mother tree.

After searching for a while, he finally found an ancient runic stone tablet with incantations to purify the roots of the mother tree.

David immediately began to recite the incantation written on the stone tablet.

As the incantation was recited, a warm and pure power surged from his hands and spread towards the roots of the mother tree.

The branches of the mother tree's root system began to soften gradually, and the decaying matter began to fall off.

Finally, thanks to David's tireless efforts, the root system of the mother tree was completely purified.

It regained its original vibrant appearance, as if it had been given a new life.

The twisted branches slowly loosened, allowing Lia to escape.

"Lia!" David rushed forward immediately and hugged Lia tightly.

He could feel Leah's body trembling slightly; clearly, the experience had greatly frightened her.

"I'm alright, David," Leah said, forcing a smile. "Thank you for saving me."

David shook his head and said, "We're husband and wife, this is what I should do."

The two smiled at each other, then faced the mirrored space together.

They knew that although they had defeated these two powerful enemies, the trial was not over yet.

They must find a way out of this space in order to continue their adventure.

However, just as they were about to leave, Lia's expression suddenly changed.

She covered her forehead, as if she felt some kind of intense pain.

(End of this chapter)