The group ventured deeper into the Shadowed Abyss, its eerie silence broken only by their cautious footsteps. The air grew colder, and the faint whispers of the Abyss seemed to mock their every move.
Zhang Kai, always lingering at the back, exchanged furtive glances with Fang Yi. They had been observing Xiao Feng closely, noticing how he carried a folded map tucked safely into his satchel.
Late at night, when the group rested, Zhang Kai and Fang Yi put their plan into motion. Under the cover of darkness, they crept toward Xiao Feng's belongings. Fang Yi expertly removed the map without a sound.
With the stolen map in hand, Zhang Kai smirked. "We'll claim the treasures for ourselves. Let's move before anyone notices."
The two disappeared into the shadows, leaving Xiao Feng and the others unaware of their treachery.
The Missing Map
The next morning, Chen Hao noticed the map was gone. "Xiao Feng," he said urgently, "the map... it's missing!"
Xiao Feng remained calm, his unseeing eyes steady. "Zhang Kai and Fang Yi must have taken it. I sensed their restlessness last night."
Chen Hao clenched his fists. "They're heading straight for the treasures! What do we do now? We don't know the paths of this Abyss."
Xiao Feng smiled faintly. "The map was only a guide. I know where to go."
Chen Hao raised an eyebrow. "You do?"
"Lei Long has memorized the energy patterns of this place," Xiao Feng explained. "Trust me, we'll find the treasures—and those who stole from us."
Chen Hao nodded, his trust in Xiao Feng unwavering. "Let's move quickly."
The Treasure Vault
Following Xiao Feng's guidance, they navigated through narrow corridors and avoided traps with uncanny precision. Soon, they arrived at an immense chamber. The air was thick with energy, and the room sparkled with treasures—golden artifacts, rare gemstones, and ancient weapons, all piled high in dazzling heaps.
Chen Hao's eyes widened. "This... this is incredible."
As they admired the sight, Xiao Feng's attention turned to the upper stairs of the chamber, where a radiant red flower bloomed, surrounded by a golden aura.
"Chen Hao," Xiao Feng asked, "what is that flower?"
Chen Hao followed his gaze. "That's the Fire Flower. It blooms once every thousand years. They say that even one petal can enhance a person's power by ten percent and greatly increase their inner mana. It's a treasure beyond value."
Xiao Feng's expression remained calm. "Then it's no surprise others are drawn here."
The Clash
Moments later, Zhang Kai and Fang Yi burst into the chamber with the rest of their group. Zhang Kai's eyes gleamed with greed as he surveyed the room.
"This treasure is ours," Zhang Kai declared, drawing his sword.
Chen Hao stepped forward, his blade shimmering with a fiery aura. "You mean the treasure you stole the map for? Over my dead body!"
The tension snapped, and the fight erupted.
Zhang Kai charged at Chen Hao, their swords clashing with sparks flying in every direction. Fang Yi conjured shadowy orbs, hurling them at Xiao Feng.
Xiao Feng, unflinching, raised the Beast Caller's Flute to his lips. The haunting melody summoned Lei Long, who materialized with a roar of crackling lightning. Lei Long lunged at Fang Yi, forcing him to retreat.
Mei Lian and Wei Rong joined the fray, but Chen Hao's blade was relentless, striking down their attacks. "You'll regret ever crossing us!" he shouted, his strikes gaining power with each swing.
Xiao Feng commanded Lei Long with precision, the beast's lightning strikes disrupting the group's coordination. The chamber became a battleground, the air filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and roaring energy.
The Awakening
Suddenly, a radiant glow filled the room. The Fire Flower's aura intensified, and from it emerged a spirit—a graceful woman with hair like flames and eyes like molten gold. Her voice echoed with authority.
"Enough!" she commanded, her words shaking the very walls. "None of you are worthy to claim the Fire Flower."
Everyone froze as the spirit continued. "This flower is not for the greedy or the weak. Only one who proves their strength can take it."
She raised her hand, and a domain of golden flames enveloped the chamber. The treasures vanished, leaving only the glowing flower at the top of the stairs.
"The trial is simple," the spirit said. "Reach the Fire Flower before the others. The first to arrive will claim it. But beware—this domain will test your strength, resolve, and worthiness."
The domain's energy surged, and the trial began.
The Trial of the Fire Flower
Xiao Feng and Chen Hao exchanged a glance, their determination mirrored in each other's eyes.
"We'll get that flower," Chen Hao said, gripping his sword tightly.
Xiao Feng nodded. "Let's prove ourselves."
As the domain shifted into a fiery maze filled with illusions and traps, the contestants raced toward the Fire Flower, their resolve tested at every turn.
The golden flames of the domain blazed brighter as the trial began. The group scattered, each racing to claim the Fire Flower at the top of the stairs. The spirit's voice echoed in the chamber.
"Only the worthy can ascend. Prove your strength, will, and heart to reach the summit."
The Fiery Labyrinth
Xiao Feng and Chen Hao advanced together, but the ground beneath them shifted. The stairs turned into a maze of molten pathways, twisting unpredictably. Walls of fire erupted, forcing them to dodge and weave.
"Stay close!" Chen Hao shouted, deflecting a surge of flame with his sword. "This trial is alive!"
Xiao Feng nodded, his calm demeanor unwavering. "The flames test our resolve. Don't lose focus."
Lei Long's spirit hummed within him, guiding his steps. With Xiao Feng leading, they navigated the blazing maze with precision.
The Descent of the Others
Meanwhile, Zhang Kai and his group fought their way through the trial with brute force. Zhang Kai, his face twisted in frustration, slashed at the fiery walls with his sword.
"We'll burn through this!" he snarled.
Fang Yi followed closely, conjuring dark shadows to shield them from the flames. "We need to get there before that blind fool!"
Mei Lian and Wei Rong stumbled, overwhelmed by the intensity of the flames. "This place… it's too much!" Wei Rong panted.
"Then you're weak!" Zhang Kai growled, abandoning them as he pushed forward with Fang Yi.
Xiao Feng's Challenge
As Xiao Feng and Chen Hao approached the next section, an immense fiery beast manifested before them. The creature towered like a molten giant, its eyes blazing with fury.
"Turn back, or be consumed!" the beast bellowed.
Chen Hao stepped forward, blade in hand. "I'll take care of this!"
"No," Xiao Feng said firmly. "This challenge is mine."
Chen Hao hesitated, but nodded. "Be careful."
Xiao Feng stepped toward the fiery beast, unafraid. Closing his eyes, he raised the Beast Caller's Flute to his lips. The haunting melody resonated through the domain, weaving into the air like a soft breeze against the flames.
Lei Long appeared beside him, crackling with blue lightning. With a roar, the lightning dragon surged forward, clashing with the fiery beast. Flames and lightning intertwined, shaking the chamber as the two titans battled.
Xiao Feng stood still, his melody unwavering. His bond with Lei Long guided the dragon's strikes, precise and relentless. The beast roared, its form flickering as the lightning overwhelmed it.
With one final strike, Lei Long shattered the beast into embers, which drifted harmlessly into the air. The path ahead cleared.
Chen Hao's eyes gleamed with admiration. "You're incredible, Xiao Feng."
Xiao Feng lowered the flute, a faint smile on his lips. "Let's keep going. The flower awaits."
Betrayal on the Stairs
At the final stretch of the trial, the path straightened into a grand staircase leading to the Fire Flower. Zhang Kai and Fang Yi emerged from the flames behind them.
"You!" Chen Hao growled, raising his sword. "You stole the map, and now you think you can win this?"
Zhang Kai smirked, his blade already drawn. "Winning is all that matters."
Fang Yi conjured dark shadows, ready to strike. "We'll claim the Fire Flower. You're too weak to stop us!"
Chen Hao stepped forward, his aura flaring. "Try me."
The fight erupted.
Chen Hao charged at Zhang Kai, their swords clashing in a fury of steel. Sparks flew as they exchanged blow after blow, neither willing to yield an inch.
Fang Yi hurled shadowy projectiles at Xiao Feng, but Xiao Feng countered with Lei Long's lightning strikes. The shadows dissipated in crackling bursts of energy.
"You think you can defeat me?" Fang Yi sneered, summoning a massive shadow serpent.
Xiao Feng remained calm. "Power without wisdom is meaningless."
With a sharp command, Lei Long coiled around the shadow serpent, tearing it apart with a surge of lightning. Fang Yi cried out as the backlash knocked him to the ground.
Chen Hao pressed his advantage, landing a powerful strike on Zhang Kai's sword. The blade shattered, sending Zhang Kai sprawling.
"Stay down!" Chen Hao shouted, pointing his sword at the fallen opponent.
The Spirit's Final Test
Before Xiao Feng and Chen Hao could celebrate their victory, the Fire Flower's spirit reappeared, her golden eyes glowing with power.
"You have fought well, but the final test remains. Only the one who proves their heart and strength will claim the Fire Flower."
The flames roared to life as the spirit's domain twisted once more. A powerful pressure descended upon everyone, and the stairs seemed to stretch endlessly toward the flower.
Xiao Feng stepped forward, undeterred. Chen Hao glanced at him, determination in his eyes.
"Let's finish this together," Chen Hao said.
Xiao Feng nodded. "Let's see who the worthy one is."
The race for the Fire Flower began anew, but this time, the spirit's power would test their very souls.