Is this... making fun of them

The crowd gathered behind Ye Qun, their eyes fixed on the faint glow as they cautiously followed his slow steps. They inched forward toward a direction that seemed slightly less shrouded in darkness, each movement measured with extreme care.

Ye Qun walked at the forefront—claiming he wasn’t nervous would be a lie. After all, even his master had warned that this place was no longer the same as it had been tens of thousands of years ago.

But...

Ye Qun’s fingers brushed against the scar on his face.

The mere thought of this scar made his hatred boil uncontrollably.

Su Muwan!!

I will seize the legacy!! And then I’ll kill you, you venomous witch!!!

Taking a deep breath, he raised the Spirit Light Stone higher, its feeble glow straining to carve out a small pocket of illumination.

They were in a stone chamber.

As they advanced, the space ahead gradually widened.

“What is this place?”

Lin Yue of the Qingyan Sect swept his gaze across the chamber walls, his tone laced with surprise.

Ancient, cryptic runes were carved into the stone—their patterns unmistakably archaic.

Chu Yu, walking beside Ye Qun, occasionally extended a finger to lightly trace the runes, sensing the lingering spiritual energy pulsing within them. “These runes hold complex power. They’re not mere decorations—they must be connected to the mechanisms of this place.”

“Perhaps... they could help us find a way out.”

Ye Qun nodded in agreement. “Possibly.”

“But deciphering their meaning won’t be easy. We’re pressed for time—we need to move faster.”

Though he said this aloud, internally, he was already consulting his master.

Unfortunately...

[Unusual... Even I have never seen runes like these...]

[Could they date back to an era even older than the Xuantian Realm?]

So even his master didn’t know.

Ye Qun sighed inwardly.

At this point, he was beginning to doubt whether this place was truly the ruins of the Taigu Xuan Sect.

Time passed.

The three Qingyan Sect disciples trailed behind, their steps hesitant. The youngest, Chen Feng, couldn’t help muttering, “The longer we stay in this creepy place, the more it gets under my skin. Who knows if we’ll even make it out alive?”

Lin Yue shot him a glare. “Don’t jinx it. As long as we stick together, we’ll find a way.”

Su Bailian, huddled tightly in the middle of the group, timidly added, “Y-yes... We’ll definitely get out if we work together.”

Hearing this,

Chu Yu cast a sidelong glance at the trembling Su Bailian.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

The thought of leaving her behind grew stronger in his mind.

Meanwhile, Ye Qun observed the group, his thoughts racing.

Chu Yu seemed meticulous—someone who didn’t easily trust others.

The masked figure’s identity and motives remained unclear; they had to be watched carefully.

As for the three from the Qingyan Sect... Pity their sect was too insignificant to be of any real use to him.

If he wanted more resources, he’d have to join the Taichu Sacred Land.

His gaze then drifted to Su Bailian, who was cowering pitifully in the corner.

She was also from the Taichu Sacred Land—likely Chu Yu’s junior sister.

Probably inexperienced, hence the fear.

In that case...

Perhaps she could be his way in.

Just as the thought crossed his mind—

“Grrrr...”

A low, guttural growl echoed from the darkness ahead.

In the silence of the stone chamber, it struck like thunder, jolting everyone to their core.

“!!!”

“Stay alert!!” Ye Qun snapped back to attention, halting abruptly.

The group’s hearts leaped into their throats as their eyes darted forward.

Chu Yu’s expression sharpened. “Watch out—something’s coming,” he murmured.

The next moment—

Tap...

Tap...

A shadowy creature emerged from the gloom.

Its form was grotesque, its body seemingly forged from the deepest abyss of night, towering over them at twice a man’s height.

Tendrils of shadowy mist coiled around it, writhing and occasionally releasing a nauseating stench of decay.

Its head resembled a wolf’s, yet broader, with pointed ears twitching as they picked up every sound.

A maw stretched unnaturally wide, lined with fangs as long as forearms, interlocking like jagged blades.

Drops of dark green slime clung to them, dangling precariously—enough to make one’s scalp crawl.

Its crimson eyes burned with predatory hunger, each step accompanied by a bone-chilling click-clack as razor-sharp claws struck stone.

The group tensed. Ye Qun subtly shifted to shield Su Bailian further behind him, his short blade raised defensively—its slight tremble betraying his nerves.

Chu Yu tightened his grip on his sword, shifting into a battle stance. “Hold your ground,” he warned. “Don’t act rashly—study its movements first.”

The masked figure retreated half a step, melting deeper into the shadows, their presence growing even more enigmatic—as if gathering strength in secret... or preparing to flee.

The three members of the Qingyan Sect exchanged glances. Lin Yue whispered, "Listen to my signal. We attack together—we can't just wait to die."

Song Hao and Chen Feng, their faces pale, nodded solemnly.

Su Bailian peeked out from behind Ye Qun, caught sight of the shadowy creature, and immediately ducked back.

She blinked up at Ye Qun, who stood protectively in front of her, and suddenly, emotion overwhelmed her.

The next second, she clutched desperately at the hem of Ye Qun’s clothes, trembling like a leaf, her voice choked with sobs. "Ye... Ye Qun, it’s... it’s coming... Are we going to die...?"

Her voice dripped with despair and terror, her pitiful expression only strengthening Ye Qun’s resolve to win her trust.

He took a deep breath, eyes locked on the monstrous figure ahead, and said, "Don’t be afraid, Bailian. I’ll protect you."

Su Bailian sniffled and nodded, moved by his words.

Meanwhile.

Su Muwan leaned back, her fingers resting on the controller, a smirk playing on her lips as she watched the scene unfold on the screen.

"Game on, everyone," she murmured.

At her command, the shadow creature sprang into motion.

It crouched low, then launched itself forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, a gust of foul wind trailing in its wake.

Its speed was terrifying—a mere blur in the air—and before anyone could blink, it was upon them.

"!!!"

Too fast!

Ye Qun froze under the creature’s crimson gaze, his body locking up as if paralyzed.

No! Move! NOW!

He bit his tongue, forcing himself to react, and instinctively raised his dagger in defense.

The next instant—

"ROAR!!"

The creature’s claw slashed down, crashing into Ye Qun’s blade with brutal force.

The dagger shattered instantly.

"CLANG—!"

The broken blade spun away, sparking against the stone wall.

And then—

"UGH—!"

BAM!

Ye Qun was sent flying like a ragdoll, slamming into the corner of the chamber. Blood sprayed from his mouth, painting the ground red.

He slumped to the floor, clutching his chest, his face twisted in shock.

What... the hell?

One hit... and he was down?!

Ye Qun HP -50!

Chu Yu’s eyes widened in horror, but before she could react—

"ROAR!"

The massive shadow creature vanished from sight.

"Where did it—?!"

Her breath hitched.

A second later, a bone-chilling sensation crawled up her spine.

She whipped her head around—only to find the creature already standing beside her.

"ROAR!"

Its tail lashed out like a whip, cutting through the air with a vicious hiss.

"SHIT—!"

Chu Yu twisted aside, but not fast enough. The tail struck her arm, agony exploding through her body.

Her sword flew from her grip, and she was hurled backward—

CRASH!

"COUGH—!"

Her back hit the wall, blood bursting from her lips as she slid to the ground. Her pupils shrank to pinpricks.

No... way...

What kind of monster IS this?!

Chu Yu HP -50!

The three Qingyan Sect disciples, already wounded, shrank back in despair.

Tap. Tap.

The creature’s footsteps echoed again.

Oh no...

Chu Yu gritted her teeth and forced herself to grab her sword, bracing for another attack.

But then—

She froze.

The shadow creature wasn’t advancing.

Instead, it slowly raised one claw...

And curled a single talon toward them.

Its crimson eyes gleamed with unmistakable mockery.

As if to say: "Come on, weaklings~~ Entertain me~~."

Everyone: "!!!"

Their faces went stiff, ice flooding their veins.

This thing... had a mind of its own?

And worse—it was toying with them?!