Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue seized the opportunity to approach the shadowy figure, hoping to lift the veil and see who he really was. However, just as they were about to reach him, the figure let out an eerie laugh, and his body turned into a swirl of black mist, vanishing from the Cultivation Chamber.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue stared at the spot where the shadow disappeared, filled with doubt and frustration. They knew that this figure would not stop there, and he was certain to appear again. They, too, had to prepare for an even more intense challenge next time.

"Who is he? Why is he trying to stop us?" Shen Jingqi frowned, filled with questions.

Suddenly, a group of mysterious figures appeared before them.

These mysterious figures were clad in black robes, wearing masks that obscured their faces. A formidable aura emanated from them, as if they were beings from another world.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" Shen Jingqi asked warily, gripping his sword tightly.

The mysterious figures did not respond. They just stood there quietly, as if waiting for something. Suddenly, one of them extended his hand, and a black energy shot towards Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue.

"Hand over the Chaos Spirit Pearl, or you'll all die here," the leader of the black-robed figures said coldly.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue were shocked; they hadn't expected these black-robed men to be so persistent, tracking them to the peak of the Spirit Mountain.

The elder looked at the black-robed men and said, "You treacherous people, don't think you can obtain the Chaos Spirit Pearl."

The black-robed man sneered, "Ha, just you? Today, the Chaos Spirit Pearl is ours for the taking."

A fierce battle broke out once again. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue engaged in a life-or-death struggle with the black-robed men. They wielded the Magic they had learned at the summit of the Spirit Mountain, fiercely fighting the black-robed figures.

But the black-robed figures were powerful and many in number. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue gradually struggled to hold on, also sustaining severe injuries.

Lin Yue said, "Let's combine our powers to cast a strong spell. Maybe we can repel them."

Shen Jingqi nodded, "Okay, let's do it together."

The two began to gather all their Spiritual Power to cast a powerful spell. However, just as they were about to execute the spell, the black-robed figures launched an attack.

A powerful light shot towards them, and Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue couldn't evade it, being struck by its glow. They only felt their vision going dark before losing consciousness.

When they woke again, they found themselves in a dark cell, filled with an acrid smell, the walls around them cold and damp.

"Where are we?" Shen Jingqi asked, his eyes filled with confusion.

Lin Yue shook her head.

They began to look for a way out of the cell, but after searching for a long time, they found nothing. Just when they were feeling desperate, they suddenly heard footsteps.

The footsteps got closer and finally stopped at the cell door. A black-robed figure opened the cell door and stepped inside.

"You're finally awake," the figure said.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue looked at the black-robed figure warily, "What do you plan to do with us?"

The figure sneered, "Ha, once we have the Chaos Spirit Pearl, you'll be useless to us. Then, you'll have no choice but to die."

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue's hearts tightened; they knew they had to find a way to escape, or the Chaos Spirit Pearl would fall into the hands of these black-robed figures.

As they pondered their escape, they suddenly noticed a small crack in the wall of the cell. A thought struck them; perhaps they could escape through it.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue stood before the thick wall, their eyes filled with urgency and determination. That narrow crack in the wall was their only hope at the moment.

"Hurry, push harder!" Shen Jingqi gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, fists clenched tight as he struck the wall forcefully. Lin Yue was not to be outdone; she turned her body, ramming her shoulder into the wall. Each collision came with a dull thud, like the angry roar of their defiance and unwillingness.

The black-robed figures seemed to detect their commotion, a clamor of footsteps approached. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue's hearts tightened, but they didn't stop. Sweat soaked their clothes, yet their gaze grew more and more resolute.

"Just hold on a little longer, we're almost out!" Lin Yue gasped, her voice trembling slightly.

Finally, through their relentless efforts, the crack grew larger. Shen Jingqi put a foot through first, then pushed off with all his strength, squeezing himself through the gap. Lin Yue followed closely, also managing to free herself.

They didn't stop to rest, crouching down as they cautiously groped their way through the darkness. They knew the black-robed patrols could appear at any moment. Each step was taken with extreme care, their ears constantly alert to the surroundings.

"This way!" Shen Jingqi whispered, pointing in a specific direction. Lin Yue nodded, and they quickened their pace, heading toward the palace.

When they finally returned to the palace, the sight before them made their hearts ache. The palace was in disarray, tables and chairs overturned, porcelain shattered, as if a fierce battle had just taken place. And the elder lay quietly on the ground, his face pale as paper, his breath faint.

"Elder, what happened to you?" Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue rushed forward and helped the elder up.

The elder slowly opened his eyes, filled with exhaustion and resignation: "They... took the Chaos Spirit Pearl... you must... get it back..."

Shen Jingqi clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white from force: "Elder, rest assured, we will reclaim the Chaos Spirit Pearl and avenge you!" Lin Yue's eyes also flickered with anger: "We won't let those black-robed figures go!"

The elder nodded slightly and slowly closed his eyes again. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue understood that now was not the time to grieve; they had to act quickly.

With the elder's information, they learned the black-robed figures had fled with the Chaos Spirit Pearl to a mysterious valley. Without hesitation, they set off for the valley.

Along the way, they braved the elements without rest. Shen Jingqi was filled with guilt: "It's all my fault. If I were stronger, the elder wouldn't be hurt, and the Chaos Spirit Pearl wouldn't have been taken." Lin Yue patted his shoulder: "It's not your fault. We can only make up for this by getting the Chaos Spirit Pearl back."

Finally, they arrived at the mysterious valley. The valley was shrouded in a mysterious aura, seemingly hiding countless secrets. Within the valley stood an ancient castle, its towering walls narrating the passage of time.

"The Chaos Spirit Pearl is in the castle," Shen Jingqi took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes.

They approached the castle cautiously, finding its gates shut tight, with black-robed men patrolling around. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue hid in the shadows, observing the patrol patterns.

"When the next patrol passes, we'll seize the opportunity to climb over the wall," Shen Jingqi whispered.

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