The moment Zhang Xin's foot touched the damp earth of the Shadow Ruins, a chill ran through his spine. The mist hung thick in the air, carrying the whispers of a long-forgotten past. The ruins ahead resembled the bones of an ancient creature—twisted pillars, shattered arches, and blackened stones that pulsed with dormant energy.
"Stay close," Zhang Xin commanded, voice low but firm.
The five teams split paths, each moving into different sections of the ruins. The copper slip teams moved with swift confidence, clearly experienced. But Zhang Xin's team held their formation—tight, ready, united.
As they entered the ruins, Yuxin extended her hand. A shimmering dome of light surrounded them briefly as she cast a detection ward. "Three shadow creatures ahead, patrolling. Slow and predictable."
"Take them quietly," Zhang Xin said.
Xiaobo grinned and vanished into the shadows, fire dancing silently around his fingertips. Moments later, a faint flicker of flame and a muffled grunt marked the creatures' end.
Lian Hua joined him. "Too easy. They're just scouts."
They pressed deeper into the ruins. The terrain grew more treacherous—stones cracked underfoot, black vines snaked around walls, and flickering torches lit themselves mysteriously as they passed. A low hum vibrated through the air.
"It's the Orb," Mei Lan whispered. "It's calling."
Suddenly, a loud blast echoed through the ruins. Earth shook beneath their feet. Chen Bo's eyes narrowed. "That came from the east. One of the teams must've triggered a trap or encountered a beast."
Zhang Xin motioned westward. "Let them deal with it. We stick to our path."
But before they could move, a shadow surged from the ground, forming into a tall, lanky figure with glowing red eyes and claws like sickles. Two more emerged beside it. Shadow Beasts.
"Form up!" Zhang Xin called.
Yuxin slammed her palms into the ground, raising an ice barrier. The beasts howled and leapt over it, but Wei Luo was ready—his stone pillars shot up, impaling one in mid-air. Xiaobo's flames consumed another, while Chen Bo flashed forward, electricity crackling as he sliced through the last with a thunder-infused kick.
"Too noisy," Lian Hua muttered, wiping a shadow smear from her blade. "We'll draw attention if we keep this up."
"No choice," Zhang Xin said. "The deeper we go, the stronger they'll become."
Just then, a mocking voice echoed through the corridor ahead. "Impressive for newbies."
They turned to see the spear-wielding Copper Slip team leader from before, flanked by his comrades. His name was Lei Guang, and his golden spear sparked with lightning energy.
"You should turn back," he continued, stepping forward. "We'll retrieve the Orb. No need for you to embarrass yourselves further."
Zhang Xin stepped in front of his team. "If you want the Orb, you'll have to go through us."
Lei Guang's smirk vanished. "So be it."
A Rivalry Ignites
The two teams clashed.
Lei Guang lunged with his spear, lightning crackling through the air. Zhang Xin parried with the Blade of Truth, light energy colliding with thunder in a dazzling flash. Xiaobo and Lian Hua flanked from the sides, engaging the enemy's fire and wind users. Yuxin and Mei Lan stayed back, protecting with barriers and healing spells, while Wei Luo and Chen Bo took on the enemy's bruisers.
It was a battle of chaos and precision. Techniques exploded, energy filled the ruins, and shadows danced wildly with the collision of powers.
Suddenly, an enormous rumble echoed from deep within the ruins.
"Stop!" Mei Lan shouted. "Something's coming!"
A massive section of the ruin wall collapsed, and from the darkness emerged a beast unlike anything they had faced—a towering Shadow Guardian, cloaked in black mist, wielding twin shadow axes.
The Copper Slip team fell back instantly, shaken.
Zhang Xin gritted his teeth. "Change of plan. Fight together or die separately."
Lei Guang hesitated, then nodded.
Allies in the Dark
The two teams moved as one.
Zhang Xin and Lei Guang distracted the Guardian with powerful slashes and lightning strikes. Yuxin created barriers to slow its attacks, while Mei Lan continuously healed injuries. Xiaobo and Chen Bo launched synchronized fire and lightning combos to burn and stun the beast. Lian Hua's petals sliced through its limbs, and Wei Luo trapped it with rising stone walls.
But the Guardian was relentless.
With a roar, it shattered the barriers and hurled its axe toward Mei Lan.
Zhang Xin leapt in, absorbing the blow with the Blade of Truth. The impact sent him flying, crashing into a stone pillar.
"Zhang Xin!" his team cried out.
But the light around the blade pulsed, and Zhang Xin rose, bloodied but defiant.
"Now!" he yelled.
With perfect timing, Lian Hua's petals blinded the Guardian, Wei Luo's earth spikes pierced its knees, Xiaobo's inferno engulfed it, and Chen Bo unleashed a final lightning strike directly into its core.
Zhang Xin drove the Blade of Truth into its heart.
The Guardian let out a deafening screech before collapsing into smoke.
Silence fell.
Victory, But at a Cost
Lei Guang approached, nodding in respect. "You're strong, Zhang Xin. I misjudged you."
Zhang Xin nodded. "Same to you. We'll part ways here. The Orb is still ahead."
With a nod, the Copper Slip team turned and disappeared down a different path.
Zhang Xin's team regrouped, tending to wounds and catching their breath.
"The Orb of Shadows must be close now," Mei Lan said softly.
Zhang Xin stared into the deeper ruins, where the darkness seemed to pulse with living energy.
"We move," he said.
Together, they stepped forward into the heart of the Shadow Ruins, where the final trial—and the Orb—awaited.
The true challenge had just begun.