The village elder's words lingered in Ye Tian's mind like a poison, each syllable feeding his suspicion. He walked in silence alongside the mysterious man, who led him through the forest beyond the village. The man's confidence was palpable, but Ye Tian was not so easily swayed. He had agreed to follow, not to trust.
The dense forest seemed alive, its trees closing in as though they were keeping secrets. The air grew colder, and the soft light of the afternoon dimmed unnaturally. Ye Tian tightened his grip on his blade, his senses heightened.
"How far is this artifact?" Ye Tian asked, his voice neutral but edged with impatience.
The man smirked, glancing over his shoulder. "Eager, are we? Not far now. Patience, Ye Tian. Great power demands it."
Ye Tian's jaw tightened. He didn't like the man's tone, nor the way his words seemed to drip with hidden meanings.
An Unexpected Encounter
They came to a clearing where the trees parted to reveal a shallow ravine. A rope bridge swayed precariously over it, its wooden planks worn and splintered.
"Across there," the man said, gesturing toward the far side.
Ye Tian stepped forward, testing the first plank. It creaked ominously under his weight but held. He began to cross, his every step measured and deliberate.
Halfway across, he froze. From the shadows below the ravine came a low growl, guttural and menacing. His eyes darted downward, and he saw them—creatures with twisted forms and glowing red eyes, their movements unnaturally jerky.
The man's voice called out behind him, calm and unfazed. "Don't stop. They can sense hesitation."
Ye Tian's eyes narrowed. "And what are they?"
The man chuckled softly. "Remnants of those who sought the altar's power and failed."
Ye Tian's grip tightened on the ropes of the bridge, his heart pounding. The creatures below began to stir, their glowing eyes fixed on him.
"Move," the man said sharply.
Ye Tian didn't need to be told twice. He dashed across the bridge, the planks groaning beneath his feet. The creatures leaped, claws scraping the air just inches from his heels, but he made it to the other side unscathed.
The man followed with an almost casual stride, the creatures seemingly unwilling—or unable—to approach him.
"Why don't they attack you?" Ye Tian asked, his suspicion deepening.
The man's smile was enigmatic. "I have my ways."
The Ruined Temple
Beyond the ravine, the forest opened up to reveal a crumbling temple, its stone walls covered in vines and moss. The air here was thick with an oppressive energy, and Ye Tian could feel the weight of countless eyes watching him, though he saw no one.
The man gestured toward the temple entrance. "This is the place. Inside lies the artifact, though it is guarded by trials that will test even you, Ye Tian."
Ye Tian frowned. "And you? Will you not assist me?"
The man's gaze was piercing. "This trial is for you alone. Consider it a test of your worth."
Ye Tian scoffed. "Convenient."
He stepped toward the temple, but the man's voice stopped him.
"One more thing," he said, his tone serious. "The artifact within is powerful, but it is only a fragment of what lies ahead. Claiming it will open the path to something far greater—a legacy that could reshape your destiny."
Ye Tian turned, his eyes narrowing. "And what do you gain from this?"
The man's smile returned, faint but inscrutable. "Let's just say I have my own reasons. But rest assured, Ye Tian, your success benefits us both."
Ye Tian didn't respond, turning back to the temple. He would face whatever trials lay within, but his mind was made up: this man, for all his knowledge and power, could not be trusted.
The Temple's Trial
The interior of the temple was dark and cold, the air thick with an ancient energy that seemed to seep into Ye Tian's very bones. His footsteps echoed on the stone floor as he moved deeper into the structure, his blade at the ready.
The first chamber he entered was empty save for a single pedestal at its center, upon which sat a blackened key.
"A key?" Ye Tian muttered, his eyes scanning the room for traps.
The moment his fingers touched the key, the chamber came alive. The walls shifted, revealing hidden compartments from which emerged humanoid constructs made of stone, their eyes glowing with a cold, blue light.
Ye Tian stepped back, his blade flashing into his hand. The constructs moved with mechanical precision, their heavy limbs swinging with deadly force.
"Earth's Push!" Ye Tian roared, channeling his gravity technique.
A shockwave of force erupted from him, sending the nearest constructs stumbling backward. But they quickly recovered, their movements relentless.
He shifted tactics. "Infernal Graviton!"
The combined push and pull forces created a vortex with heat that dragged the constructs together, their stone bodies grinding against one another as they struggled to break free. Ye Tian's blade flashed, cutting through their weakened forms with precision.
When the last construct fell, the chamber fell silent once more. Ye Tian wiped the sweat from his brow, his breathing heavy.
The Blackened Furnace
Key in hand, Ye Tian moved deeper into the temple, eventually arriving at a massive door covered in intricate runes. The key fit perfectly, and the door swung open to reveal a grand hall.
At the center of the hall was an ancient furnace, its surface covered in cracks that glowed with an eerie, molten light. The oppressive energy Ye Tian had felt since entering the temple was strongest here, emanating from the furnace like a living thing.
"This is it," Ye Tian muttered.
The furnace radiated power, its energy pulling at him, enticing him. But he remembered the elder's warning and the man's cryptic words. This artifact, powerful as it was, was part of a larger plan.
As he approached the furnace, the man's voice echoed in his mind. "Claiming it will open the path to something far greater."
Ye Tian placed his hand on the furnace, its heat searing but bearable. In that moment, he felt a surge of energy flood his body, a power unlike anything he had ever experienced.
But with the power came whispers—faint, malevolent voices that spoke of ambition, conquest, and sacrifice.
Ye Tian pulled his hand back, his eyes narrowing. He would take this power, but on his own terms.
A Deal Struck
When Ye Tian emerged from the temple, the man was waiting for him, his expression unreadable.
"You succeeded," the man said, though it wasn't a question.
Ye Tian nodded, his grip on the furnace's power steady. "What's next?"
The man's smile widened. "Next, we leave this village behind. The true journey begins now, Ye Tian. There is a legacy waiting for you, one that will test every ounce of your strength and resolve."
Ye Tian's eyes burned with determination. He didn't trust the man, but he couldn't deny the allure of what lay ahead.
"Lead the way," he said.
The man's laughter echoed through the forest as they departed, leaving the cursed village and its secrets behind.