The stairs went down deep into the earth. The air was heavy. The walls were covered in glowing marks. Shen Hao walked behind the golem, calm and focused. Mo Han's spirit followed quietly.
Lingfeng floated beside him, spinning slowly.
"This place is too quiet," Lingfeng said. "It feels like something is watching us. I hope it's not a giant snake."
Shen Hao didn't answer, but he was thinking the same.
They reached a big stone door. Symbols glowed on it. The golem stopped.
Mo Han looked at him. "What is hidden behind this door?"
The golem answered, "A powerful treasure. It is the last Aetherblaze Fruit, saved long ago from the Solflare Arbor."
Mo Han's eyes widened. "That tree was destroyed in the Great War. Are you saying one fruit still exists?"
The golem nodded. "Yes. The tree is gone. But before it was destroyed, one fruit was sealed inside this place."
Shen Hao asked, "What is the Aetherblaze Fruit?"
Mo Han looked at him. "A very rare fruit. It used to grow on a flying island protected by strong cultivators. The fruit can increase a cultivator's level fast—maybe even two levels if the person is lucky. But we all thought it was gone forever."
"And now one fruit is left?" Lingfeng said. "That's like finding treasure from a dream."
The golem raised his hand and touched the door. "But it's not easy to take. You must prove that you're worthy."
The door opened slowly.
Inside, everything glowed red and orange. Lava flowed under the floor. Vines made of fire climbed the walls. In the middle of the room was a black stone hill.
At the top of the hill, floating on a broken branch, was a single Aetherblaze Fruit. It glowed like it had a small sun inside it.
Shen Hao stared at it.
Then the ground shook.
A giant creature burst from the lava. It had six legs, a body of stone and fire, and golden eyes. It roared loudly.
"And of course, it has a guardian," Lingfeng said. "Why can't powerful treasures ever be unguarded?"
Mo Han spoke softly. "This is the Infernal Fangbeast. It was created to protect the fruit. It only lets someone pass if they earn it."
Shen Hao didn't wait. He pulled Lingfeng into his hand, and wind rushed around him like a storm ready to break loose.
The Infernal Fangbeast roared, and the ground shook. It charged forward, its six legs pounding against the stone, molten claws swinging wide. Lava sprayed from its back as it ran, like it carried the heart of a volcano.
Shen Hao jumped back just in time as a flaming claw smashed down where he had stood. Stone cracked under the weight. The heat burned the air itself.
"Okay, that thing hits hard!" Lingfeng yelled. "Try not to get turned into ash!"
Shen Hao didn't answer. He was focused.
He dashed to the side and cut across the beast's shoulder with a burst of wind. Sparks flew, but the creature barely flinched. Its stone skin was thick and blazing hot.
The beast turned and opened its mouth — then released a massive wave of fire. Shen Hao crossed his arms and spun, using a wind barrier to shield himself, but the force still pushed him back.
"You'll have to go faster than that!" Lingfeng said. "Hit it where it's weakest!"
The beast attacked again. A claw came from the right, a tail sweep from the left. Shen Hao jumped, rolled, and ducked low, barely avoiding being crushed. He slid under the beast's belly and struck upward, aiming for the under-arm joint — the softer spot between armor plates.
The blow landed, and the beast howled in pain.
Shen Hao jumped back, breathing hard.
"That worked!" Lingfeng shouted. "Do it again!"
But the beast was angry now. Its back glowed even hotter, and fire burst out of the cracks in its body. It started slamming its feet, shaking the ground with every step. Small pieces of the ceiling began to fall.
The golem stepped in just in time, raising a stone shield to block a falling rock from hitting Shen Hao. "Don't let it build energy. End this quickly."
"I'm trying," Shen Hao muttered.
The beast suddenly leapt into the air — much faster than expected — and came crashing down toward Shen Hao. He rolled out of the way, but fire splashed around him. His sleeve caught fire.
He tore it off and rushed forward again, wind forming sharp blades around him. He ran up the beast's side, cutting along its neck. The beast twisted, trying to throw him off, but Shen Hao kicked off its shoulder and flipped backward.
"Now!" he shouted.
He landed, charged Qi into Lingfeng, and jumped straight toward the beast's glowing third eye.
"Wind Pulse!" he shouted.
He struck the center with full force.
A blast of air exploded outward. The flame inside the beast flickered — then dimmed.
The beast staggered.
Its legs shook… and then it fell forward with a heavy crash.
The ground went quiet.
The Infernal Fangbeast breathed once more… then stopped moving.
As Shen Hao walked toward the fruit, the air around it began to glow. A small flame floated from the fruit and entered his chest.
Suddenly, Shen Hao saw fire all around him.
Memories appeared — his training, his pain, his promise to Mo Han.
"Only those who fight for more than themselves can carry this flame," said a voice in the fire.
Shen Hao stood tall. "I fight for my master. I fight to carry on what others have lost. I fight for a better future."
The fire calmed.
The fruit floated down gently into his hand.