Li Shen's eyes fluttered open in the Ghost Battle Chamber, his body protesting every small movement. The stark white walls seemed to pulse with an unfamiliar energy. Fu sat nearby on a wooden stool, calmly sipping tea while another steaming cup waited on a small table.
"You've been out for five days," Fu said, his ancient eyes studying Li Shen's face.
The pain coursing through Li Shen's muscles surpassed anything he'd experienced in his previous battles within the chamber. Each breath sent sharp jolts through his ribcage. His joints creaked as he pushed himself to a sitting position.
A troubling thought crossed his mind - had he been fighting in some kind of reduced difficulty mode all this time? The chamber's true potential remained locked away, waiting to be discovered. The prospect both thrilled and unsettled him.
