Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Treacherous Path Reveals Hidden Vitality

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The group cautiously stepped into the mysterious passage, the dim light barely illuminating their path. Strange runes flickered faintly on the walls, their twisted, winding shapes seeming almost alive, exuding an aura both enigmatic and oppressive.

Lin Fan led the way, his eyes sharply scanning the surroundings, ears alert to the slightest sound. A cold breeze brushed against his face, causing an involuntary shiver. He could distinctly hear his own heartbeat—each thump growing faster, like the pounding of anxious drums.

Suddenly, a powerful suction surged within the passage, like an invisible beast opening its jaws wide. Instantly, their bodies were pulled forward uncontrollably.

Zhang Meng’s eyes widened in terror as he flailed his hands, desperately searching for something to hold onto. Zhao Ling’er’s hair was whipped about wildly; she bit her lip but couldn’t suppress the startled cry escaping her throat. Xia Jiang clung tightly to Lin Fan’s garment, her body swaying precariously in the pull.

Lin Fan’s face mirrored their fear; he felt like a leaf caught in a fierce gale, helplessly drifting. Their clothes flapped loudly in the gust, adding a chilling soundtrack to the dark corridor.

Just when it seemed the suction would drag them into oblivion, Lin Fan suddenly felt his foot land on a raised stone. Instinctively, he pushed off with force.

Unlike before, he didn’t fight the pull head-on. Instead, he sensed the force’s guidance and decided to yield to it. His legs bent slightly, rooted like an ancient tree, steadying his stance. Then, with a sudden leap, he propelled himself forward like an arrow released from a bow, meeting the suction head-on.

His decisive move stunned the others. Zhang Meng’s startled shout caught in his throat, Zhao Ling’er furrowed her brows tightly, and Xia Jiang gripped Lin Fan’s sleeve so hard her knuckles whitened.

Yet, they soon realized Lin Fan’s approach was correct. The suction was not to devour them but rather like an invisible hand guiding them deeper into the passage.

In a flash, the scene shifted. The oppressive darkness vanished, replaced by a vast, open chamber.

They found themselves inside an enormous stone hall. Towering rock walls arched overhead like an inverted bowl, enclosing them within.

The walls were adorned with exquisite murals depicting strange creatures and mythical scenes. Yet beneath this beauty lurked lethal danger.

The floor bristled with countless traps, while sharp arrows shot suddenly from concealed apertures, their piercing whistles breaking the silence.

“Watch out!” Lin Fan warned sharply, his body agile like a nimble monkey, weaving deftly between the arrows. His sharp gaze scanned the environment as he cautioned those behind him.

“Mind your footing—there are traps here!” His steady voice was like an anchor amid the tension, calming their frayed nerves.

Zhang Meng followed closely. Though his large frame was clumsy, he earnestly mimicked Lin Fan’s evasive steps, each movement cautious.

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Zhao Ling’er’s keen intellect shone as she studied the ground’s patterns, searching for safe spots to step and guiding their path. Xia Jiang stayed close behind Lin Fan, her dagger glinting coldly, ready for any sudden threat.

Arrows flew like rain, each whistle a harbinger of death.

Lin Fan moved with fluid grace, darting left and right like a leaf dancing in a storm. Every dodge was precise, economical, without wasteful motion. Occasionally, he would glance back, intercepting stray arrows to shield the others.

His calm and agility reassured them all.

The hall echoed with the sharp hiss of arrows and the soft tread of cautious footsteps. Amid the mounting pressure, they pressed deeper into this perilous domain.

Suddenly, Zhang Meng stepped on a hidden trigger. A harsh grinding noise filled the air as the ground trembled violently.

The shaking intensified, as if some monstrous creature was about to burst forth from beneath.

Before he could cry out, Zhang Meng’s footing gave way, and he plummeted downward.

A dull thud marked his heavy fall into a trap.

What greeted his eyes was a chilling sight.

The pit was densely lined with razor-sharp spikes, their cold gleam resembling the gaping maw of a ferocious beast.

The spikes tore mercilessly through his clothes and flesh, blood soaking his garments and staining the floor.

Zhang Meng groaned in pain, struggling to rise, but found himself pinned firmly on the spikes. Every movement sent searing agony coursing through his body.

“Zhang Meng!” Lin Fan’s eyes blazed with anguish. He rushed to the trap’s edge and peered down to see his companion curled in agony, pale as death.

Zhao Ling’er and Xia Jiang hurried over. The grisly scene drew a collective gasp.

“How could this happen?!” Xia Jiang cried, her voice trembling and tears welling in her eyes.

Zhao Ling’er forced herself to remain calm, scanning the area for a way to help. But the trap’s surrounding stone walls were smooth as mirrors, offering no purchase.

Arrows still zipped through the air, their shrill whistles a grim reminder of their danger.

Lin Fan’s heart sank. Seeing Zhang Meng’s torment filled him with guilt.

Clenching his fists until his nails bit into his palms, he scrutinized every detail around the trap, his mind racing for a solution.

Suddenly, his gaze landed on a small, inconspicuous stone near the trap’s edge. It bore a tiny groove, resembling a hidden mechanism’s button.

Without hesitation, Lin Fan leapt beside the stone and pressed his hand firmly into the groove.

A faint “click” sounded—the mechanism triggered.

The pit, which had been sinking further, abruptly ceased its movement.

The lethal spikes began to retract slowly, freeing Zhang Meng from their grasp.

Weak and trembling, Zhang Meng collapsed onto the ground.

Lin Fan swiftly pulled him from the trap and helped him lean against the stone wall to rest.

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Zhang Meng was drenched in blood, clutching his wounds with a pallid face, yet his eyes shone with gratitude toward Lin Fan.

“Thank you, brother Lin Fan. If not for you…” he began.

Lin Fan gently patted his shoulder, signaling that no words were necessary.

He turned to the others, offering a relieved smile.

In moments of crisis, their united effort had overcome danger.

Yet Lin Fan understood this was merely the beginning. Countless unknown perils still lurked within this mysterious ruin.

Xia Jiang held Lin Fan’s hand tightly, her trembling fingers conveying deep reliance.

Lin Fan softly squeezed her hand, offering comfort amid the warmth that now filled their circle.

Zhao Ling’er and Zhang Meng gradually shook off their earlier terror. They exchanged a knowing glance, a flicker of hope kindling within.

At that moment, Zhang Meng noticed a faintly glowing stone on the floor. Bending down for a closer look, he discovered a gem embedded within, radiating an otherworldly light.

Carefully, he picked up the treasure, astonished. “What is this?”

Lin Fan approached and examined the gem closely.

The jewel was a vivid jade green, emanating a gentle glow. Touching it, he felt a soothing warmth and energy coursing through his fingertips.

Closing his eyes, Lin Fan absorbed the energy, sensing a surge of warmth and strength flow through his body.

When he opened his eyes, his injuries had remarkably healed.

“This is a healing artifact!” Lin Fan exclaimed with joy.

He handed it to Zhang Meng, urging him to try it as well.

Zhang Meng took the gem, feeling the gentle power restoring his wounds swiftly.

Meanwhile, Zhao Ling’er and Xia Jiang found more treasures scattered nearby—each unique in form, some shimmering with golden light, others silver, all imbued with potent energy to heal and enhance strength.

Sharing these gifts, their injuries healed rapidly, and their powers noticeably increased.

Lin Fan felt his internal energy grow more refined; every movement became more composed and powerful.

Zhao Ling’er’s wisdom seemed heightened, her eyes now gleaming with deeper insight.

Zhang Meng and Xia Jiang also sensed profound change, their spirit and confidence soaring to unprecedented heights.

Excitement lit their faces, as if for a moment, all danger and crisis had been forgotten.

Yet suddenly, a low, rumbling roar echoed from deep within the passage. The sound resembled a furious beast’s bellow, causing the walls to tremble faintly.

The sudden roar froze their smiles. They exchanged a meaningful look fraught with worry.

Lin Fan took a deep breath, clenched his fists firmly, and declared resolutely, “Let’s go see.”

Before his words had fully fallen, he stepped forward, advancing steadily toward the source of the roar.