After the ordeal with the shades, Li Wei and his team continued their journey deeper into the Endless Forest, moving cautiously but with a growing sense of unity. Each member was on high alert, aware that the forest still held many secrets, some darker than they had anticipated.
As they ventured further, the dense canopy above gradually thinned, allowing more sunlight to filter through. They eventually stumbled upon a clearing that felt out of place—a circular expanse where the trees seemed to bow inward, as if marking the entrance to a forbidden sanctuary. The air here was still, untouched by the faint breeze that had accompanied them thus far.
Jin Rui's brows furrowed as he took in their surroundings. "This place feels… different," he muttered, tightening his grip on his staff.
Li Wei's eyes scanned the clearing carefully. His senses tingled with a familiar, yet faint, resonance—a hum of energy that seemed to blend with the natural Qi around them, as though something powerful lay hidden.
"Stay close," he instructed, his voice low but firm. "There's something here. I can feel it."
They moved as a single unit, their movements quiet and deliberate. Mei Chen's gaze flicked between the trees, her fingers brushing the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. Zhou Wei, Li Jun, and Jin Rui followed closely, each attuned to the subtleties of the forest, attuned to Li Wei's every command.
At the heart of the clearing stood a large, flat stone, partially covered in moss and etched with symbols that seemed older than time itself. The symbols pulsed faintly with a strange, dim glow, and as Li Wei approached, he felt a rush of energy flow through him. His system activated, displaying a new notification in his mind.
[System Notification] A mysterious ancient formation has been detected. Lifespan Points may be earned by unlocking the secrets within.
Li Wei's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary formation; it was imbued with a potent energy source, one that resonated with the pulse of the forest itself. He could feel his Lifespan Points surge slightly just by standing near it, though the gain was minimal.
Zhou Wei noticed Li Wei's intent expression. "Do you recognize these symbols?"
"Not exactly," Li Wei replied, "but they seem related to a cultivation technique or an ancient Qi-gathering formation. If we can decipher them, we might gain more than just insight."
His words ignited a spark of curiosity in his teammates, and they gathered around, examining the formation with keen eyes.
Jin Rui frowned, his gaze intense. "Deciphering ancient symbols isn't exactly something we were trained for…"
Li Wei offered a slight smile. "True. But some formations resonate with our Qi. If we channel our energy carefully, we may be able to reveal its secrets."
Li Jun stepped forward, his hand resting on his spear as he studied the formation with a mixture of caution and intrigue. "Are you saying we should try to activate it?"
"Yes," Li Wei said, his voice calm. "But we must be precise. If it's truly a Qi-gathering formation, it may respond aggressively if disturbed without care."
They each took a position around the formation, focusing their Qi as Li Wei instructed. He knelt beside the stone and placed his palm against its rough surface. Closing his eyes, he sent a thin thread of his Qi into the stone, probing it with gentle precision. The formation responded almost immediately, the symbols pulsing brighter as it absorbed his energy.
"Slowly," Li Wei murmured. "Let it absorb only as much as it needs. Don't push it."
The others followed suit, channeling their Qi into the stone. Gradually, the symbols glowed brighter, and the air around them seemed to shimmer, thickening with an almost tangible pressure. The stone's surface began to ripple as if it were liquid, the symbols rearranging themselves into a pattern that defied logic.
Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice echoed within their minds.
"Who dares awaken the legacy of the Primordial Path?"
The voice was neither hostile nor welcoming. It simply was—a neutral presence that filled the clearing, resonating from the very earth itself.
Mei Chen shivered, her grip tightening on her sword. "Did… did everyone hear that?"
Li Wei nodded, his expression serious. "This formation isn't just a Qi-gathering array. It's a gateway, likely to a hidden trial or inheritance."
Zhou Wei's eyes widened. "An inheritance? Here, in the middle of the forest?"
"Yes," Li Wei confirmed. "And if it's a trial, it means there are rewards for those who pass—but likely dangers, too."
The formation pulsed once more, as if acknowledging Li Wei's deduction. A swirling mist began to rise from the stone, solidifying into a translucent portal. The team exchanged glances, an unspoken agreement passing between them. They had come this far together, facing shades, beasts, and the unknown. This was another test—and potentially a chance to gain power beyond their wildest imaginations.
Li Wei stepped forward, the determination in his eyes unwavering. "Stay close. We go in as a team."
Without hesitation, he walked into the portal, his teammates following behind him. As they crossed the threshold, the world around them shifted. They found themselves in a vast, endless landscape bathed in soft, otherworldly light. The sky above was a swirling tapestry of colors, blending shades of indigo, crimson, and silver. The ground beneath their feet was solid, yet seemed to shift and pulse with each step they took.
Ahead of them stood a towering figure clad in ancient armor, its features obscured by a helmet. The figure held a massive weapon—a sword taller than any of them, etched with runes that pulsed with the same strange energy as the portal.
The armored figure raised its weapon, its voice echoing through the strange realm. "Only those worthy of the Primordial Path may proceed. Show me your strength, or perish."
Without warning, it charged at them, its movements shockingly fast for a figure of its size. Li Wei's eyes narrowed as he quickly assessed its attack pattern. "Spread out! This isn't a mindless creature—fight it as a team!"
Jin Rui took a position at the side, his staff glowing with Qi as he prepared to intercept the figure's blow. Zhou Wei and Mei Chen flanked from opposite sides, while Li Jun took the rear, his spear pointed forward to strike with precision.
The figure's massive sword swung down with terrifying force, and Jin Rui barely managed to deflect the blow with his staff. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, forcing him back. Zhou Wei darted in, his sword flashing as he aimed a strike at the figure's exposed side, but the armored guardian reacted swiftly, raising its arm to block with an almost casual swipe.
"Focus!" Li Wei called out, weaving around the guardian as he sent a concentrated burst of Qi toward its back. The attack made contact, but the guardian barely flinched. It turned its gaze on him, and Li Wei felt a surge of raw, ancient power emanate from it—a power that spoke of eons of combat experience.
Li Jun used the distraction to lunge forward with his spear, his attack precise and targeted. The spear struck the guardian's armor, creating a faint dent, but it quickly retaliated, swinging its sword toward him. Mei Chen jumped in, using her own Qi-infused palm strike to divert the blow, giving Li Jun the chance to retreat.
Li Wei's mind raced. This creature wasn't just powerful; it was strategic, capable of adapting to their attacks and exploiting their weaknesses. His system activated, revealing a faint pattern in the guardian's movements, highlighting slight delays in its defenses when attacked from multiple angles.
"Everyone, synchronize your attacks," Li Wei commanded. "It's weak when it has to defend from all sides."
Following his lead, the team coordinated their attacks with precision. Mei Chen and Zhou Wei struck simultaneously, one targeting the guardian's upper torso while the other aimed for its legs. Jin Rui swept his staff at its midsection, and Li Jun thrust his spear toward its exposed shoulder. Li Wei delivered the final blow, his Qi gathering in his palm as he struck with unerring focus.
The guardian faltered, its massive form stumbling under the onslaught of attacks. It fell to one knee, its weapon slipping from its grasp. The strange energy around them pulsed as the guardian lowered its head, acknowledging their victory.
"You have proven your worth. Claim the inheritance of the Primordial Path."
With those words, the guardian faded into light, leaving behind a small chest on the ground. Li Wei approached it cautiously, his heart racing with anticipation. Inside, they found a scroll, etched with symbols and diagrams that spoke of ancient cultivation techniques, along with several Qi-enhancing pills.
Li Wei picked up the scroll, his eyes lighting up as he recognized the technique within. It was a cultivation method designed to accelerate Qi absorption, an invaluable treasure that could significantly enhance their power.
As they stood in the strange realm, each of them felt the weight of their journey settle on them. They had faced an ancient guardian and emerged victorious, gaining not only a powerful technique but also a new sense of confidence. Their bond as a team had grown, tempered by the challenges they had overcome together.
With the scroll in hand, they returned through the portal, stepping back into the clearing with renewed determination. The forest awaited, and with their newfound strength, they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.