The air was still recovering from the collapse of the literature hall.

The last remnants of drifting scripture faded like dying fireflies, leaving only the stone corridor ahead—dim, quiet, ancient. The scent of old ink had not fully vanished; Shaurya could still feel its warmth settling on his sleeves like dust from a long-forgotten library.

He lifted the stone box in his hand, its weight strangely comforting.

Lin Shu leaned closer, whispering, "Open it. I'm curious."

Shaurya nodded.

As the disciples and elders gathered, he broke the golden seal binding the box. A soft pulse of light escaped, followed by a gentle breath—like the lingering exhale of the Guardian Spirit who bestowed it.

Inside rested a single scroll.

Thick. Heavy. Bound with metallic-red thread.

Its energy felt… alive.

Shaurya unrolled it slowly.

Lines of runes swirled across the parchment like shifting shadows, forming and unforming patterns.

Elder Wan stepped closer, breath catching.

"A formation… no, an illusion array!"

Elder Liya's eyes widened.

"A King Level Mid Grade Formation Technique… This is—this is invaluable!"

Shaurya read the first page.

Heavenly Mirage Illusion Array

A formation that bends reality, creates ten thousand illusions, traps enemies within their own mind, and mirrors their deepest strength and fear.

Shaurya rolled the scroll closed and handed it to Elder Wan.

"Senior Wan, keep it. You're the best among us in formations. This will help us later."

Elder Wan accepted it with both hands, bowing slightly.

"Master Shaurya… thank you."

Shaurya smiled faintly.

"It belongs to the sect. Use it well."

The journey continued.

Boots echoed lightly on the stone floor.

The corridor ahead stretched like a throat swallowed in eternal gloom.

But in this cold gloom… a soft warmth glowed behind Shaurya.

Lin Shu walked beside him, her steps slow and graceful, eyes occasionally drifting toward him.

Shaurya glanced at her.

"You're quiet."

"Am I?" she asked softly.

"Yes," he said with a small smile. "Usually, you scold me at least once every hour. Feels strange without it."

She rolled her eyes.

"You say things like that, and you expect me not to scold you?"

He chuckled under his breath.

Lin Shu's gaze softened.

"You did well back there. That debate… you spoke beautifully."

Shaurya blinked, pretending confusion.

"What debate?"

She lightly elbowed him.

"Don't act innocent."

The sect disciples behind them grinned quietly.

Shaurya turned to her again, voice gentler.

"You know… when I speak in those moments, it's not to win. It's because someone like you is watching."

Lin Shu's breath hitched, cheeks warming faintly.

"…Idiot."

But her smile betrayed her.

They continued forward, shoulders brushing, breaths touching in the quiet hall—

When—

Fwishhhhhhh—

A sharp, violent tremor of crimson energy sliced through the darkness.

A single arrow of blood-red qi shot toward them from the blind corner of the corridor.

Shaurya's pupils shrank instantly.

He turned sharply.

Everything slowed.

The disciples shouted—but no sound reached.

Lin Shu's hand reached for her sword—

Too late.

The arrow screamed through the air—

Shaurya's eyes widened—

FLASH.

Everything turned white.

A blinding, absolute silence.

Nothingness.

And then—

A heavy thud echoed.

Then another.

Drip… drip… drip…

Water dripped down ancient roots that twisted along the castle walls like veins of a living beast. Moist air clung to skin. Moss covered every inch of the ground, softening footsteps into silence.

This place wasn't a hall.

It was a forest sealed inside a tomb.

Vines crawled over pillars, strangling them.

Massive tree roots broke through the stone floor, splitting it like bone.

Misted algae glowed faintly on walls, painting the space green and ghostly.

The Howling Abyss Sect had entered hell dressed as paradise.

Zia Bailey marched in front, one hand gripping his spear, the other guiding Xia Coco behind him.

His expression was serious—not cold, but responsible.

A young leader forced into adulthood by circumstance.

"Stay close," he ordered calmly.

"This place… feels wrong."

Xia Coco nodded, clutching her dagger.

Behind them, the elders—Xia Xu, Elder Ming, and Elder Bai Shan—walked with slow steps. Their injuries from previous trials were clear in their gait.

Xia Xu exhaled softly.

"Bailey… if something happens, remember— your duty is to survive."

Bailey shook his head.

"My duty is to lead."

"Leading means living."

"Leading means protecting," he corrected firmly.

The elders exchanged proud but worried glances.

The atmosphere grew tense.

The roots beneath their feet trembled long before the beasts showed themselves.

At first, it was subtle — a faint vibration under the moss-covered ground.

But then it deepened, pulsing like a heartbeat inside the earth.

thmm… thmm… thmm…

Zia Bailey lifted his sword and raised his hand to halt the group.

The forested hall was massive —

a cathedral of trees sealed within ancient stone walls.

Roots as thick as houses weaved across the ceiling, dripping faint water.

A faint glow radiated from algae on the ground, casting ghost-light on the misty air.

"Everyone ready," Bailey murmured.

The disciples tightened their formation.

Xia Coco gripped her sword, knuckles white.

The roots trembled again — harder.

Branches cracked.

Leaves shivered.

Then—

They came.

Not from one direction.

From everywhere.

A monstrous roar split the silence—

ROOOOOOAAAAARRR—!!!

Shapes burst from between the trees:

1. Boneback Howlers

Wolf-like beasts with skeletal armor protruding from their backs.

Eyes glowing sickly yellow.

Claws grown like hooked daggers.

• They ran on both feet and roots like spiders.

• Their jaws split into four parts when opened.

• Their breath exhaled green fumes.

Ten of them leapt forward as vanguard.

"DEFENSE!!" Bailey roared.

2. Thorned Vine Gorillas

Towering ape-like beasts with vines wound tightly around their bodies,

as if the forest itself animated them.

• Their fists were wrapped in thorned wood.

• Moss dripped from their shoulders.

• Their roars shook fallen leaves off the roots above.

Three crashed into the scene —

each blow strong enough to crack stone.

3. Tri-Eyed Serpent Panthers

Panthers almost invisible in the mist.

Fur deep grey.

Three crimson eyes glowing.

Serpentine tails tipped with poisonous blades.

• They hissed silently.

• Their footsteps were noiseless.

• Their attacks were precise and deadly.

Four of them circled the disciples like shadows.

4. Rootdrinker Stags

Deer-like beasts with distorted, thorned antlers and rotting bark skin.

Their hooves tapped the moss softly —

but each step drained spiritual energy from the air.

• Antlers glowed green when they absorbed qi.

• They fired needles of hardened bark.

• Gentle in shape, murderous in intent.

Three emerged from behind a broken tree trunk.

All at once—

They attacked.

THE BATTLE BEGINS

The first Boneback Howler lunged at Elder Bai Shan—

Bailey screamed,

"ELDER!!"

He leapt, spear piercing the wolf mid-air.

SPLAT—!!

But two more slammed into him from the side.

He rolled, slicing one through the jaw—

CRACK—!!

The other's claws raked across his shoulder.

Bailey grunted but twisted his sword, breaking its ribcage.

On the left flank

Xia Coco slashed at a Tri-Eyed Serpent Panther.

Its three eyes flashed—

and it vanished.

She gasped—

only for it to reappear behind her.

Its tail lashed down—

Xia Coco raised her sword—

CLANG—!!

The tail-blade almost pierced her skull.

Elder Ming arrived just in time—

his palm glowing with blue qi—

BOOOOM—!!

He blasted the panther away.

But two Boneback Howlers jumped him immediately.

"Elder MING!" Coco screamed.

Elder Ming grimaced, blocking with his forearm—

blood bursting instantly from the impact.

On the Right Flank.

The Thorned Vine Gorillas targeted disciples.

Their huge fists smashed roots, stone, and bodies alike.

One disciple flew ten meters away from a single hit, coughing blood.

Another was grabbed by the leg and swung into a tree.

His scream echoed — then stopped.

Xia Xu rushed forward, eyes blazing.

"YOU DARE HARM MY SECT?!"

She unleashed a sweeping wave of qi—

SHRAAAAAA—!!

Blue-white energy sliced one gorilla's vines apart.

But another gorilla smashed her aside with a fist like a boulder.

Xia Xu hit the wall, blood spraying.

"GRANDMOTHER!!" Coco shrieked.

Bailey Takes Command

Even injured, bleeding, barely standing—

Bailey roared louder than the beasts:

"FORM A CIRCLE!!

DEFENSE TO THE OUTSIDE!!

KEEP MOVING—DON'T LET THEM PIN YOU DOWN!!"

His voice held authority that contradicted his youth.

The disciples obeyed instinctively.

They formed perimeter defense—

Spears outward, swords raised, daggers ready.

But the beasts smelled blood.

They came faster.

Harder.

Bailey spun his sword in a wide arc—

SWOOOOOSH—!

Cleaving two Bonebacks at once.

But he couldn't be everywhere.

Xia Coco tripped over a root—

A Tri-Eyed Serpent Panther leapt for her throat.

Its jaws wide—

poison blade-tail aiming for her heart.

"COCOOOOO!!!" Bailey screamed.

Without thinking—

Without hesitation—

He sprinted with all his strength.

He grabbed Coco—

shoved her aside with his entire body—

And the panther's claw—

SLASH—!!!

Tore across Bailey's face.

Blood splattered the roots.

Coco's scream rang through the hall—

"BAILEY!!! NO!!!"

Bailey stumbled—

hand covering his right eye—

Blood oozed between his fingers.

His eye…

Destroyed.

Breathing shaky, vision halved, but resolve unbroken—

Bailey stood again.

The panther lunged again—

Bailey stabbed forward with a furious roar—

THWACK—!!

The sword pierced through the beast's skull.

The corpse fell at his feet.

Bailey wiped the blood from his chin with the back of his hand.

"It's just an eye…"

He growled.

"I can fight with the other."

Xia Coco sobbed.

Elder Ming shouted in agony, "BAILEY—!! Your meridians—your brain—!"

Bailey raised his spear again.

"I AM NOT FALLING HERE!!"

The disciples were cornered.

The beasts closed in.

Their circle formation shattered.

Elder Bai Shan coughed blood, clutching his ribs.

Xia Xu staggered, one arm limp.

All three elders had almost no qi left.

And yet…

They stepped beside Bailey.

Xia Xu placed her hand on his back.

Ming placed his on Bailey's arm.

Bai Shan placed his palm over Bailey's heart.

"Bailey," Xia Xu whispered, "take our energy."

"W–wait— your meridians—"

"TAKE IT!" Elder Ming roared.

Bailey's body glowed faint blue.

Their energy flowed into him—

warm, painful, overwhelming.

Bailey gasped— His aura growing— His spear vibrating—

CRACK—!!

The sound of a barrier breaking.

Blue lightning erupted from his body.

His eyes widened.

Xia Xu gasped—

"Bailey…! You… broke through!"

He roared—

Golden Vein Stage — Level 1

The beasts sensed the surge and attacked simultaneously—

But Bailey moved first.

He dashed ahead— Sword sweeping—

SHAAAAAAAA—!!

A wave of blue light shredded three Bonebacks instantly.

A Thorned Vine Gorilla roared and punched—

Bailey parried with his sword—

slid under its arm—

and impaled its heart—

BOOM—!!

It fell like a falling tree.

A Tri-Eyed Serpent Panther tried to flank him—

Bailey's eyes (one remaining) tracked it perfectly.

He thrust his sword—

PIERCE—!!

Straight through its throat.

Green blood sprayed the moss.

Another panther leapt from behind—

Bailey whirled—

WHOOSH—!!

Split it in half.

His disciples saw this—

And hope ignited in their hearts.

"SECT MASTER BAILEY!!!"

"We're with you!!!"

They charged together.

The beasts roared back—

Claws slashing— Fangs tearing— Vines striking—

But the sect fought like a unit reborn.

A disciple stabbed a Rootdrinker Stag through the eye.

Another cut a Boneback's throat.

Elder Ming blasted two wolves aside with a palm strike.

Xia Coco threw her dagger and pierced a gorilla's left eye.

Bailey stood at the center, spear rotating like a storm—

Every sweep killing…

Every thrust ending a life…

Every roar shaking the hall…

Only the largest gorilla remained.

Its vines lashed like whips.

Its mouth dripped sap-like poison.

It towered twice Bailey's height.

It beat its chest—

and charged.

Bailey sprinted forward—

"COME, THEN!!!"

They collided—

BOOOOOOM—!!!

Bailey's sword cracked under pressure—

The beast's vine-arm slammed his ribcage—

Bailey coughed blood—

But he did not fall.

He roared,

"I WON'T LET ANYONE DIE!!"

Blue aura spiraled around him—

He drove the broken sword and slash upward—

Into the beast's jaw— through its skull— out the top—

CRAAAACK—!!

The beast fell backward like a collapsing mountain.

Silence.

No more beasts moved.

The forest hall went still.

The Howling Abyss Sect had won.

Exhausted.

Injured.

Breathing raggedly.

But alive.

Zia Bailey wiped blood from his face—his missing eye dripping slowly.

"We survived," he murmured.

"No," Xia Xu corrected, voice soft.

"You led us."

The disciples lowered their weapons, trembling but proud.

---

The Discovery — Spiritual Hot Spring

Xia Xu suddenly stiffened.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Wait," she whispered.

"What is it?" Bai Shan asked.

Xia Xu placed her palm on the mossy ground.

A faint pulse…

Like warm steam rising.

"There's a fluctuation," she muttered.

"Follow me."

They walked through a narrow opening between two massive roots.

And then—

Gasps broke from everyone's throats.

They stepped into an underground grove— Lit by glowing mushrooms. The air warm. The ground steaming slightly.

And in the center—

A massive spring.

Waters silver-blue, glowing with pure spiritual energy.

The steam carried qi rich enough to make meridians buzz.

Xia Coco whispered,

"A… A Spiritual Pool…"

Elder Bai Shan nearly dropped to his knees.

"This is… priceless…"

Xia Xu nodded slowly.

"This is heaven for injured cultivators."

Bailey stared at the waters, his one eye burning with emotion.

"We found… something that can save us."

Xia Xu placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You've done enough, Bailey. Rest now."

The disciples stepped closer to the spring.

Some cried softly. Some laughed tiredly. Some simply stared in disbelief.

Zia Bailey exhaled.

"Everyone… enter the water."

They stepped in—slowly— And the healing began.

Steam rose gently. The water glowed around them. Wounds closed. Pain eased. Qi circulated smoothly for the first time in days.

Xia Coco leaned her head on the edge of the pool, smiling slightly through exhaustion.

"Bailey… your eye…"

He touched the bandaged socket.

"It's gone," he said firmly.

"But everyone is alive."

She looked at him softly.

"That's enough?"

He nodded.

"That's enough."

The scene rested here—

Warmth, steam, healing… Survival.

While somewhere deep in the castle—

To Be Continued…

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