NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The Shadow Within
The black orb pulsed ominously as Xiao Tian and Yue'er stood before it, the dim light from the surrounding crystals casting eerie shadows across the chamber walls. The air felt heavier, charged with an unsettling energy that made their skin crawl. Xiao Tian's system notification had confirmed the completion of their quest, but the feeling of accomplishment was quickly overshadowed by a deeper sense of foreboding.
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The Decision
"We can't just leave this thing here," Yue'er said, her voice firm but tinged with apprehension.
Xiao Tian nodded, his gaze fixed on the orb. "But we don't know what it is or what will happen if we move it. The academy has been hiding this for a reason."
"The academy's secrets don't matter right now," Yue'er countered. "This thing is dangerous. We have to do something."
Xiao Tian hesitated. The system's rewards had bolstered his power significantly. The Infernal Heart Soul Bone now pulsated with latent energy, ready to be unleashed, and his new skill, Shadow Bind, promised unparalleled control over the battlefield. But the black orb before them felt beyond anything he'd encountered so far.
His system chimed in:
[New Quest Activated: Investigate the Dark Orb.]
[Objective: Unlock the orb's secrets. Rewards: +300 System Points, Rare Skill Upgrade, and Key Item: Orb Shard.]
The decision was made. "We'll take it with us," Xiao Tian said.
Yue'er looked uneasy but didn't argue. Together, they carefully lifted the orb from its pedestal. It was surprisingly light but radiated an unnatural coldness. As they placed it in a secure pouch, the chamber trembled slightly, as if the orb's removal had disturbed something deep below.
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Escaping the Depths
Their journey back to the surface was fraught with tension. The once-quiet passageway now echoed with strange noises—whispers, faint growls, and the sound of something heavy dragging across the stone.
"Stay close," Xiao Tian whispered, his senses heightened.
They moved cautiously, every step deliberate. At one point, Yue'er froze, her whip raised. "Do you hear that?"
Xiao Tian nodded. The faint sound of claws scraping against stone was growing louder. He summoned his Scale Armor, the golden sheen glinting faintly in the dim light.
Out of the darkness, a pair of glowing red eyes appeared, followed by a massive, shadowy beast. It resembled a panther, but its form was distorted, shifting and rippling as though it were made of smoke.
"It must be the orb's guardian!" Yue'er exclaimed.
The beast lunged without warning, its claws swiping with incredible speed. Xiao Tian activated Flaming Dash, narrowly avoiding the attack. Yue'er's whip lashed out, striking the beast and causing it to momentarily dissolve into mist.
"We need to weaken it first!" Xiao Tian shouted.
He activated his second spirit ring, combining Flaming Dash with Inferno Strike. The fiery attack scorched the creature, causing it to shriek in pain. Yue'er followed up with a precise strike from her whip, the silver cord crackling with electricity.
Despite their efforts, the beast regenerated rapidly, its form becoming even more unstable. Xiao Tian's system chimed in:
[Tip: Use Shadow Bind to suppress the guardian's regeneration.]
Taking the advice, Xiao Tian activated his new skill. Dark tendrils emerged from the ground, ensnaring the beast and holding it in place.
"Now!" he yelled.
Yue'er unleashed a powerful attack, her whip glowing brightly as it struck the beast's core. The creature let out a final, ear-piercing screech before dissolving into nothingness.
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Uneasy Allies
As they reached the surface, they found an unexpected figure waiting for them—Lian'er. She leaned casually against a tree, her golden eyes fixed on the pouch containing the orb.
"You actually took it," she said, her tone a mix of surprise and admiration.
"You knew this would happen," Xiao Tian said, his voice edged with accusation.
Lian'er shrugged. "I warned you, didn't I? The academy won't ignore this. Taking that orb has set things in motion you can't undo."
"Why are you helping us?" Yue'er demanded.
Lian'er's expression turned serious. "Because the academy isn't what it seems. They've been using students like us to fuel their experiments. That orb is part of their plan, but it's also a key to stopping them."
Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes. "What kind of experiments?"
"You'll see soon enough," Lian'er said cryptically. "But if you want answers, you'll have to keep moving. The instructors will come after you now, and they won't be alone."
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The Instructors' Wrath
The next day, the academy was in an uproar. News of the forbidden section's breach spread like wildfire. Students whispered nervously about punishments and speculated about who was responsible.
Xiao Tian and Yue'er kept their heads down, but it wasn't long before they were summoned to the head instructor's office.
The head instructor, a stern man named Elder Wei, fixed them with a cold glare. "You've been causing quite a stir," he said.
"We don't know what you're talking about," Xiao Tian said evenly.
Elder Wei's eyes narrowed. "Don't play dumb with me. You've been poking around where you don't belong. If you don't hand over what you've taken, there will be consequences."
Before Xiao Tian could respond, his system chimed in:
[Warning: Hostile Presence Detected. Prepare for Combat.]
Elder Wei's spirit energy surged, filling the room with an oppressive aura. His three spirit rings—one yellow, one purple, and one black—hovered around him, glowing ominously.
"You leave me no choice," Elder Wei said, raising his hand.
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The Battle
The fight was swift and brutal. Elder Wei's spirit beast, a massive black hawk, materialized and swooped toward Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian activated Scale Armor and Flaming Dash, narrowly dodging the hawk's razor-sharp talons. Yue'er joined the fray, her whip striking with precision, but Elder Wei's defenses were formidable.
"You're out of your depth," Elder Wei sneered.
Xiao Tian's system chimed in again:
[New Skill Unlocked: Infernal Chain.]
Acting on instinct, Xiao Tian activated the new skill. Chains of fiery energy erupted from the ground, binding Elder Wei's hawk and pulling it to the ground.
"This is our chance!" Yue'er shouted.
Together, they launched a coordinated attack. Yue'er's whip delivered a powerful strike to the hawk's core, while Xiao Tian's Inferno Strike overwhelmed Elder Wei's defenses.
Elder Wei staggered back, his aura flickering. "This isn't over," he growled before disappearing in a flash of light.
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The Path Forward
With Elder Wei temporarily defeated, Xiao Tian and Yue'er knew their time at the academy was over.
"We can't stay here," Yue'er said. "They'll keep coming after us."
Xiao Tian nodded. "We'll leave tonight. But we need to find out more about this orb—and what the academy is really hiding."
Lian'er appeared from the shadows, her expression serious. "If you're serious about uncovering the truth, I can help. But it won't be easy."
Xiao Tian met her gaze, determination burning in his eyes. "We're ready."
As the three of them prepared to leave, Xiao Tian's system chimed in once more:
[New Main Quest Activated: Expose the Academy's Secrets.]
[Objective: Uncover the truth behind the black orb and the academy's experiments. Rewards: +500 System Points, Epic Spirit Skill, and Unique Title: Shadow Breaker.]
The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but Xiao Tian felt a renewed sense of purpose. Together with Yue'er and Lian'er, he would uncover the academy's darkest secrets—and confront the forces that sought to control them.
[End of Chapter 9]