The final ten teams stood at the edge of the forest.
Before them lay a dark, broken temple hidden in the woods—The Forgotten Ruins.
Elder Lin's voice echoed:"This is your final trial. Inside these ruins are tokens of power, traps, and ancient beasts. The team that collects the Dragon Seal wins the trial."
System:Warning: High-level danger ahead. This ruin is not part of standard trial grounds.It's… older. And not friendly.
Ye Tian looked ahead, eyes sharp. "A ruin filled with ancient power? Sounds perfect."
Han Yu snorted. "Try not to die before I do something cool."
Su Ling silently tied a charm to her wrist. "Let's go."
Inside the Ruins
The temple's gate opened with a loud creak.
Old stone paths, broken statues, and faded writing covered the walls. Strange red mist filled the air.
The teams split up, searching different paths.
Ye Tian's group moved carefully.
System:Illusion and poison levels rising. Adjusting resistance…Host, this place is ancient… far beyond this sect's history.
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
A large snake made of black stone burst from the shadows!
Enemy Detected: Stone Serpent Guardian – Qi Refining Beast
Its eyes glowed red. It hissed and struck fast.
Han Yu moved in front. "Let me try this!"
"Flame Saber Slash!"
His fiery blade cut the snake, but barely left a mark.
Ye Tian jumped high, flames burning in his hand.
"Soulburn Claw!"
He slammed the flame into the serpent's head. Stone cracked.
Su Ling whispered a chant—purple light formed a cage around the beast.
Together, they destroyed it.
Ding!Beast defeated. EXP gained. Hidden Path unlocked.
A Message from the Past
Behind the broken statue, a hidden door opened.
Inside was a glowing crystal and an old message on the wall.
"To the one who bears wrath, awaken the mark of fate. Your path is not of this world, but beyond."
The crystal flashed.
Ye Tian felt a burning pain on his back. A strange red symbol appeared—a curved blade with wings.
System:!!!Hidden Bloodline Triggered.Heaven's Wrath Mark activated. New Skill Tree unlocked.
Ye Tian gasped. "What… is this power?"
System:Your destiny just changed again. You really know how to cause trouble, don't you?
Other Teams Stir
In a far corner of the ruins, a rival team saw a red light rise into the sky.
Mo Chen, a strong inner sect disciple, frowned.
"That power… is Ye Tian again."
His teammate growled. "We should stop him."
Mo Chen smirked. "No. Let him rise. The higher he climbs, the sweeter it'll be to crush him later."
Ye Tian's Status
Cultivation: 5th Layer – Qi Condensation (Breakthrough Achieved!)
EXP: 1100/1500
SP: 34
Skills Gained:
Bloodline Mark: Heaven's Wrath (Dormant)
Soulburn Claw (Stage 2)
Tiger Fang Fist (Lv.2)
Passive: Illusion and Poison Resistance (Lv.2)
Team Status:
Su Ling: Calm but Curious
Han Yu: Confused but Impressed
System Mood: "Host, you are now officially the plot twist."
Ye Tian grinned, holding the glowing crystal in his hand.
"Now, let them come. I'll show them what a rejected disciple can do."