The temple had grown eerily silent as Aric and Elara ventured deeper, their footsteps echoing softly against the cold stone floor. The air had a dense, almost electric quality, making each breath feel heavy. Aric moved with caution, his senses on high alert. There was something different about this place, a presence that seemed just beyond his grasp.
Elara walked ahead of him, her posture relaxed but her gaze intent. Every now and then, she would pause, tilting her head slightly as though listening to something that Aric could not hear. She moved with a strange grace, as if her very steps were guided by some unseen force.
Aric couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. He was an Immortal Ascension Realm cultivator, a level that should have allowed him to perceive even the most minute fluctuations in energy. Yet here he was, following Elara's lead like a mere mortal. He clenched his jaw, trying to push down the feeling of inadequacy.
