Two steps ahead of Xiao Chen, a scroll floated gently to the ground. The painting depicted an ebony bridge, seemingly crafted from neither metal nor wood, suspended over clear flowing waters. A youthful figure—no older than seventeen or eighteen—stood before the bridge, eyes shut in contemplation. Beneath him lay a massive, unfathomable chasm exuding sharp sword intent, radiating an oppressive aura.
Xiao Chen's gaze flickered with intrigue as he picked up the scroll. The instant it touched his hands, the painting emitted a burst of radiant light before dissolving into motes of energy. What remained was a smooth, white jade stone that emitted a faint warmth.
At the spot where the black bridge and water once stood, a dim teleportation array materialized. Its core revealed a shallow depression perfectly sized for the jade stone.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Xiao Chen stepped into the array and placed the jade stone into the slot. A faint tearing sensation enveloped him as the teleportation activated.
When Xiao Chen opened his eyes, his breath caught.
"Hehe, little one, you've kept your sister waiting," a soft, lilting voice teased.
Elsewhere in a grand chamber, three figures examined their surroundings—a hall strewn with skeletal remains and facing three ominous, rune-inscribed doors.
"We're in for something extraordinary," the rotund, middle-aged man said, awe etched across his features. His gaze swept over the room, lingering on the eerie doors emanating faint yet palpable danger.
The three cultivators exchanged glances, excitement gleaming in their eyes. Judging by the intricacies of the layout, this was undoubtedly the work of a masterful ancient cultivator. Exploring this site promised untold rewards: treasures, elixirs, or perhaps even lost techniques.
Even the perpetually scowling old crone couldn't conceal the greedy flicker in her eyes.
The skeletal elder, "Spirit Corpse," focused on the three doors. His green, corpse-like pupils gleamed as he read the ancient runes carved above each entrance.
Death. Severance. Despair.
The moment his gaze lingered on the runes, crimson light erupted from them, streaking into Spirit Corpse's eyes like bolts of lightning.
In an instant, Spirit Corpse's aura went wild. The oppressive spiritual pressure of a Golden Core cultivator exploded outward in an uncontrolled wave. Malevolence, chaos, and killing intent surged violently from his body.
"Spirit Corpse!" the rotund man and the old crone shouted in unison, their faces paling as they instinctively distanced themselves.
"ROAR!"
Spirit Corpse howled, the green glow in his eyes now tinged with a blood-red hue. The sight alone induced violent, erratic emotions in those who dared look at him directly.
"Careful, Golden Flower!" the rotund man warned. "It seems Spirit Corpse has been overtaken by some sinister entity!"
Golden Flower, the old crone, nodded grimly. "Damn it. He's already formidable in his normal state, thanks to that accursed corpse body of his. If he's consumed by this... thing, he's even more dangerous!"
The two unleashed their Golden Core auras in full force, aiming to suppress Spirit Corpse.
Sensing their combined strength, Spirit Corpse growled in frustration and hesitated. With an unnatural screech, he retreated into the door marked Severance, vanishing from sight.
The two cultivators exchanged wary looks, their postures still tense.
"Do we proceed?" Golden Flower asked, her tone laden with doubt.
The rotund man smiled faintly, though his eyes remained sharp. "If we leave now, how could we ever rest, knowing what might lie within these doors? No, we must press on—but with caution. Let us swear by our Heart Demons not to betray each other until we leave this place alive."
After taking their oaths, the pair activated protective barriers and cautiously approached the third door, the one marked Life.
Back at Xiao Chen's location, he stood stunned before a figure of unearthly beauty.
Even in his travels through the cultivator world, he had never seen someone so captivating. Her skin was like jade, her figure both delicate and alluring. Her face radiated charm, with eyes that shimmered like rippling water, threatening to pull him into their depths.
For a moment, Xiao Chen's defenses wavered. But a faint tremor from the golden seal within his mind jolted him, breaking the spell of her presence. His eyes cleared, and a wary expression overtook his face.
A woman of such extraordinary allure appearing in such a dangerous place? Suspicious, to say the least.
"I believe you have mistaken me for someone else. We've never met before, and I don't recall owing you anything," Xiao Chen said cautiously, taking several steps back. His spiritual sense brushed over her, only to find... nothing. Her existence seemed void of substance, which alarmed him even more.
The woman's eyes flickered with brief surprise before she chuckled. "Oh, you little heartbreaker. You killed my precious servant and now deny even knowing me?" Her voice was sweet, tinged with mock sadness, as her gaze filled with watery sorrow.
Xiao Chen froze for a heartbeat before his face darkened. The truth dawned on him: this must be the master of the magic-slave servant he had defeated earlier. Without hesitation, he hurled a barrage of fire and water talismans at her and retreated rapidly.
But with a casual wave of her hand, the attacks veered off course and exploded harmlessly in the void.
"Such quick reflexes!" she teased, giggling softly. "But do you really think you can escape me? You killed my servant, and though I'd intended to take your life, I've had a change of heart. If you become my magic-slave servant, I might just spare you. Doesn't that sound enticing?"
Her voice grew softer, almost tender, as she gazed at him with luminous, soulful eyes. The faintest smile graced her lips, alluring yet heartbreakingly pure.
Xiao Chen's steps faltered, his wariness melting away. A fog of confusion clouded his mind, and the impulse to submit swelled uncontrollably within him.
"Offer yourself to her. Serve her. Protect her at all costs, even at the price of eternal suffering," a voice whispered in his head, growing louder and louder.
Her demeanor shifted. Gone was the seductress—now she appeared as a gentle, caring elder sister, radiating warmth and reassurance. "Come to me, little brother," she said softly. "Follow me, and I'll show you heights you've never dreamed of."
The haze in Xiao Chen's eyes deepened, and his resistance wavered further. Yet somewhere deep within his soul, the faint pulse of the golden seal flickered—one last lifeline against the abyss of her enchantment.