The ruins trembled again.
Ye Tian held the glowing crystal close as his team moved deeper. Strange whispers echoed from the walls.
"Wrath… Wrath awakens…"
Su Ling walked beside him, glancing at the red mark glowing faintly on his back.
"Ye Tian… that mark… it's not from this world, is it?"
He didn't answer. He wasn't sure himself.
System:Mark is still unlocking. Power unstable. Recommend: Do not fight anyone too strong… unless you want to explode.
Ye Tian gave a small smile. "Then I'll fight carefully."
Elsewhere – Trouble Brews
Behind a cracked pillar, Mo Chen and his team watched Ye Tian's group from a distance.
"The Dragon Seal must be near," Mo Chen whispered."When they find it, we'll strike. Let them do the hard work."
A Sudden Trap
As Ye Tian's team entered the inner chamber, Su Ling suddenly paused.
"Something's wrong… I feel…"
Before she could finish, the floor broke apart beneath her.
CRASH!
Ye Tian reached out too late.
"Su Ling!"
She fell into the shadows below.
System:Team member status: Unknown. Danger Level: High.
Han Yu swore. "We need to go down!"
Ye Tian nodded. "No. I'll go. You guard this place."
Alone in the Depths
Ye Tian jumped down into the pit.
The lower ruins were darker. Cold. Silent.
He saw Su Ling surrounded by shadowy vines, their tips sharp like knives.
"Don't move!"
He launched a fire wave—Soulburn Claw in both hands—cutting the vines.
Su Ling fell into his arms, pale and shaking.
"You… really came."
Ye Tian helped her stand. "Of course. I'm not like the others."
She looked into his eyes a little longer than needed.
Back in the Chamber – Betrayal
Han Yu stood guard, but someone approached from behind.
It was a disciple from their own sect—someone Ye Tian had once helped.
"Sorry, Han Yu. I was offered a place in the inner sect... to get rid of Ye Tian."
Han Yu turned. "You coward—!"
THUD!
He was knocked out cold.
The Dragon Seal
Ye Tian and Su Ling returned, only to see Mo Chen standing with the glowing Dragon Seal in his hand.
The betrayer stood beside him, smirking.
"Thanks for clearing the path," Mo Chen said. "Too bad you won't leave alive."
Ye Tian stepped forward, fury in his eyes.
"You think I'll let you walk away?"
System:Bloodline Mark reacting…Skill unlocked: Wrath Pulse – Low-tier (temporary)
The red mark on Ye Tian's back glowed brightly.
Fight Begins
Mo Chen rushed forward with a spear.
"Die!"
Ye Tian's body moved on its own—his new power flooding through his veins.
"Wrath Pulse!"
A blast of red energy shot from his fist, pushing Mo Chen back several steps.
Su Ling joined, her spirit talismans glowing bright.
Together, they held their ground.
Status Update
Cultivation: 5th Layer – Qi Condensation
EXP: 1250/1500
SP: 42
New Skill:
Wrath Pulse (Low-tier, 3 uses only)
Relationships:
Su Ling: Warming toward Ye Tian
Han Yu: Unconscious but loyal
Mo Chen: Enemy
Betrayer: Marked for revenge
System Mood: "Nice teamwork. But let's break a few more bones next time."
Ye Tian clenched his fists.
"This time, I'll make them remember who they threw away."