Chapter 37: Time skip

The forest was was otherworldly, an ethereal blend of nature and magic. The trees were enormous, their trunks twisted and gnarled, with leaves that shimmered like emeralds.

The air was thick with qi, so dense that it was almost tangible, a soft, luminous mist that clung to every surface.

Despite the fact that no sunlight ever touched this place, the forest was bathed in a perpetual, gentle glow.

This illumination came from countless crystals embedded in the rocks and hanging from the trees and stuck in the ceiling, casting a soft, enchanting light that made it seem like a never-ending morning.

The colors were a spectrum of blues, greens, and purples, giving the entire forest a dreamlike quality.

The ground was a carpet of vibrant moss and delicate flowers that seemed to pulse with their own inner light. Streams of clear, sparkling water flowed gently through the landscape, their paths winding and intertwining like silver threads.

The air was filled with the soothing sounds of rustling leaves, chirping insects, and the occasional song of a hidden bird.

It was hard to believe this place was within a dungeon, a place typically associated with danger and darkness. The contrast was striking, and it was easy to forget the perils that lay in wait beneath the surface of this serene facade.

..........

Among the towering trees and glowing crystals, a boy of about fourteen years sprinted at incredible speed. His eyes were sharp, and his body moved with the grace and agility of someone who had trained tirelessly.

As he darted through the forest, he occasionally glanced over his shoulder, his expression a mix of determination and mischief.

Behind him, crashing through the underbrush, was a massive creature resembling a drake. It had the body of a salamander, covered in thick, scaly hide, with a single menacing horn protruding from its forehead.

Its eyes blazed with fury, and its powerful limbs propelled it forward with alarming speed. Each time it screeched, the sound reverberated through the forest, a mix of rage and frustration.

The boy laughed, his voice echoing through the trees. "You’re going to have to do better than that to catch me, lizard!" His taunt only seemed to infuriate the drake further.

As he ran, the boy’s feet exuded bursts of flames, creating small explosions that propelled him even faster. The drake snapped at his heels, but he always stayed just out of reach, his fiery boosts giving him the edge he needed to maintain his lead.

"Come on, keep up!" he called over his shoulder, his tone light and mocking. "I thought you drakes were supposed to be fast!"

The drake roared, a blast of hot air escaping its mouth as it increased its pace, determined to catch the boy who dared to mock it. The chase wove through the forest, past shimmering crystals and over bubbling streams, a dance of speed and strategy.

The boy nimbly leaped over roots and ducked under low-hanging branches, his movements fluid and precise. The drake, however, was relentless, smashing through obstacles with brute force, its eyes never leaving its quarry.

The boy's breath came in steady, controlled bursts as he pushed himself harder. He could feel the drake's hot breath on his back, hear the snapping of its jaws just inches away. He knew he couldn't keep this up forever. His mind raced, searching for a way to turn the tables.

As he sprinted through a particularly dense thicket, the boy suddenly skidded to a stop in a small clearing. He spun around to face the oncoming drake, his hands moving in intricate patterns through the air.

Strange, glowing symbols formed around him, made of intertwining water and fire, exuding a mystical, radiant power. These symbols floated around him, creating a chain-like structure that began to flow in an ominous dance.

The drake hesitated, sensing the change in the air. Its eyes narrowed, and for a moment, it considered retreating. But the boy's earlier taunts had driven it into a rage, and it pushed forward, determined to end this chase.

The chains of water and fire swirled faster, forming a complex web of energy around the boy.

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The air crackled with power, and for a moment, it seemed as if the very fabric of reality was bending to his will. The drake paused, uncertainty flickering in its eyes.

But then, as the boy channeled more of his qi into the formation, something went terribly wrong. The intricate structure began to waver and distort, the chains flickering wildly.

Instead of the expected surge of power, there was a sudden, violent backlash. The formation collapsed in on itself, and a shockwave of freezing energy burst outward, enveloping the entire area.

The boy stumbled, his breath visible in the sudden cold. "No, not again!" he yelled in frustration, his voice echoing through the forest.

The drake saw its chance. With a roar, it lunged forward, its jaws wide open, aiming to chomp down on the boy's head. Time seemed to slow as the boy looked up, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and.... pity.

Just as the drake's teeth were about to close around him, a golden glow streaked through the air. It moved with lightning speed, bending slightly as if it had a mind of its own. The drake tried to dodge, but it was too late. The golden energy struck it squarely, sending a shockwave through its body.

The drake screeched in agony as the golden energy spread rapidly from the point of impact. Its flesh began to wither and rot, the decay spreading like wildfire. Within seconds, the mighty creature collapsed to the ground, its body disintegrating into ash.

The boy stared in shock at the smoking remains of the drake, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked around, searching for the source of the golden light

The figure's eyes glowed with a fierce determination, and their presence exuded an aura of power and authority.

"Looks like I arrived just in time," the figure said, their voice steady and reassuring.

The boy nodded, still trying to catch his breath. "Thanks. I thought I was done for."

The figure approached, extending a hand to help the boy to his feet. "You did well to hold out as long as you did. But next time, maybe try not to taunt the monsters."

The boy managed a weak smile. "I'll keep that in mind."

As she said that 3 more figures emerged from the forest, it was Ning Rong, Lu Jing and Li Liang.

...........

Among the trees, five figures emerged, their presence commanding attention.

Ning Rong, now fifteen years old, was the epitome of a country-toppling beauty. Her silver hair cascaded down her back like a shimmering waterfall, contrasting beautifully with her jade-like skin.

Her figure was flawless, a perfect blend of grace and strength that seemed right out of a cultivation novel. She moved with an effortless elegance, her every step a testament to her training and natural poise.

Beside her stood Wang Mie, equally breathtaking. Her golden hair was tied into a practical yet stylish ponytail, emphasizing her sharp features and piercing eyes.

Though she normally maintained a cold, distant demeanor, among their group, she revealed a softer, more approachable side, behaving like the girl next door. Her beauty was no less striking than Ning Rong's, and together, they were a sight to behold.

Lu Jing had grown much taller, now the tallest in their group. His lean, muscular build spoke of countless hours of rigorous training, though he prioritized flexibility over sheer bulk.

His blue hair, which he had recently taken to tying in a bun, added to his distinct appearance. It was a clear nod to Ning Jian, whom he admired and sought to emulate.

His demeanor was calm and collected, a reliable presence among his friends.

Li Liang's once rash personality had tempered with time, though it hadn't completely disappeared. He stood taller than me but was shorter than Lu Jing.

His square, handsome face and short-cut black hair gave him a rugged charm.

Unlike Lu Jing, Li Liang had developed a bulkier build with broad shoulders, indicative of his preference for strength-based combat.

His crush on Ning Rong hadn't faded over the years; in fact, it had only intensified.

His ill-fated attempt to ask Ning Jian for her hand in marriage was a source of endless amusement for me.

Witnessing him receive a thorough beating from Ning Rong's overprotective father while I was tampering with a high-level sensing formation was a sight I wouldn't forget.

Thankfully, Ning Rong remained blissfully unaware of this incident.

"Ning Feng, when did you learn a martial technique which can create ice, I never saw you practicing a technique of this element." Lu Jing said with some curiosity, he was a little reserved as usual.

"I have learned a lot of techniques, do you think I am in the technique pavilion for hours everyday and I do nothing." I said while rolling my eyes .

I was just bullshitting, I spent most of my time in last 6 years trying to perfect my creation, it's my blood and sweat, I have poured everything I learned in it.

But I was also dabbling in the various techniques as it gave me so many ideas and so many different perspectives , it's almost like talking to people who created the technique. They were geniuses in their own right.

"We are on the third floor of the dungeon, all the beasts here are at peak qi manifestation, don't underestimate them and don't try foolish things in between a battle for life and death." A jab struck me as Ning Rong finished speaking.

Everyone even winced after seeing that punch.

She is so damn violent .

But I knew she was just worried, she expressed her emotion through .....well punches, I can understand how she is feeling after sensing the strength she struck me with.

I am an expert by now, I feel rather proud about this, does that make me a masochist ?

I have grown significantly over the past few years, both in stature and skill.

My experiences had shaped me into a formidable young cultivator or at least I hope so, and my mastery of fire-concept had reached new heights.

This dungeon, with its unique environment and constant challenges, had become his training ground—a place where he could push his limits and refine his abilities or so he would like to think but this damn place was too full of danger.

Everyone has grown quite a bit and let's just say I stick out like a sore thumb maybe even literally.

But Just as I was about to say something I sensed a disturbance in a location not too far away from us through a trigger rune, I left behind.

"Looks like we have company." I said with a cold smile , looks like some people never learn