The Shadow Valley was alive. Not just with the roars of beasts, but with whispers of the wind, the rustling of unseen creatures, and the steady heartbeat of danger lurking behind every tree.
The disciples were scattered across different parts of the valley, each facing their own trial.
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ZHAO FENG’S STRUGGLE
Zhao Feng landed roughly on the ground, rolling to absorb the impact. He groaned and stood up, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings. Unlike Lin Xuan’s area, Zhao Feng’s section of the valley was eerily silent. Too silent.
His hand tightened around his sword. Something was watching him.
Suddenly, a chilling voice echoed.
"Foolish prey…"
Zhao Feng barely had time to react as the shadows around him moved.
A long, snake-like creature slithered out of the darkness. Its body was made of black mist, shifting like smoke, with glowing yellow eyes that bore into him.
"A Shadow Wraith…!" Zhao Feng cursed. He had heard about them before—spiritual beasts that fed on fear.
The creature lunged. Zhao Feng swung his sword, slicing through its misty body. But the blade passed right through.
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The wraith laughed. "Mortal weapons do not harm me."
Zhao Feng stepped back, sweat forming on his brow. This wasn’t a normal fight. He had to find another way.
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LIU LING’S TRAP
Liu Ling, a quiet but intelligent disciple, was in another part of the valley. Unlike the others, she didn’t rely on brute strength.
As she walked cautiously through the dense forest, her sharp eyes noticed something was wrong. The ground was uneven. The trees looked unnatural.
A trap.
She bent down, brushing the dirt with her fingers. Beneath the surface, she spotted fine silver threads stretched across the path. Spider Silk.
"That means…"
A low clicking noise came from above.
Liu Ling’s eyes darted upward. A giant black spider hung from the trees, its eight eyes locked onto her.
She didn’t panic. Instead, she reached into her pouch, pulling out a small bottle. Poison powder.
The spider lunged.
With perfect timing, Liu Ling threw the powder into the air.
A hiss filled the valley as the spider screeched, its movements turning sluggish.
"I knew you’d rely on your webs." Liu Ling smirked, leaping forward. With a precise strike, she cut through the weakened spider, sending its massive body crashing down.
She exhaled. "One problem solved."
But she knew this was just the beginning.
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THE VALLEY’S SECRETS
While the disciples fought their own battles, the valley itself was changing.
Deep within its center, an ancient altar lay hidden beneath layers of fog. Strange runes flickered with faint light, as if responding to the presence of outsiders.
A figure stood before it, cloaked in dark robes. Their voice was barely a whisper.
"Soon… the true trial will begin."
The valley was more than just a test. It held secrets—secrets that could change everything.
To be continued…