The Invincible Sect Leader

A wave of cold, deathly energy spread through the abyss as the soul-bound guardian stepped forward. His decayed robes fluttered without wind, and his spectral blue eyes locked onto the intruding disciples.

"You have disturbed my slumber…" The guardian's voice was hollow, echoing through the cavern. "Now, you shall pay the price with your souls."

Without warning BOOM!

A surge of spectral Qi erupted from his body, shaking the ground and sending out a shockwave of deathly intent. The disciples staggered as their Qi trembled under the pressure.

This was not an ordinary opponent.

This was a remnant of the past a cultivator from an era long forgotten.

The First Attack

The guardian vanished in an instant.

Luo Feng barely had time to react before a ghostly claw slashed toward his chest. He twisted his body, dodging at the last moment, but a searing pain burned across his shoulder.

"He's fast!" Luo Feng gritted his teeth.

Xie Yun narrowed his eyes. He channeled his Tai Chi energy, slowing his breath, sensing the flow of the enemy's movement.

Then he moved.

As the guardian reappeared behind him, Xie Yun shifted his stance and deflected the spectral strike using circular energy redirection.

"Martial techniques will not be enough," Yan Rui warned. She formed a frost seal in her palm and thrust it forward.

A wave of ice surged toward the guardian.

The ancient figure merely lifted his hand, shattering the frost with a single thought.

"Hmph. Too weak."

The disciples' expressions turned grim.

Chan Li Watches from Afar

Far above, hidden within the abyss's shadows, Chan Li observed in silence.

His arms were crossed, his gaze calm. He had expected them to struggle.

"Good. If they cannot overcome this, they are unworthy of being my disciples."

His eyes glowed faintly with golden Tai Chi energy, carefully watching how they responded to the fight.

This was their trial.

They had to face it alone.

Unleashing Hidden Strength

Luo Feng wiped the blood from his shoulder.

"No more holding back."

He channeled his Heavenly Flow Combat Arts to its limit. The energy around him shifted like a raging river, his attacks becoming fluid yet explosive.

Xie Yun combined his Tai Chi energy, moving with perfect balance offense and defense merged into one.

Yan Rui adjusted her stance and poured everything into her frost energy, pushing her abilities beyond their limit.

BOOM!

The three of them attacked at once.

Luo Feng's palm strike disrupted the guardian's balance.

Xie Yun's Tai Chi redirected the spectral Qi, negating its deathly energy.

Yan Rui's frost power sealed the guardian's movement for a split second.

In that moment they had an opening.

Luo Feng struck the guardian's core.

CRACK!

The guardian let out an unearthly shriek as cracks spread across his ethereal form.

"Impossible… you are… just… mere juniors…"

BOOM!

The ancient figure exploded into a burst of spectral energy, fading into the abyss.

The battle was over.

A Hidden Reward

As the dust settled, something glowed where the guardian had stood.

A black jade pendant lay on the ground, pulsing with mysterious energy.

Yan Rui picked it up cautiously.

"This… seems important."

Xie Yun examined the runes on the pendant.

"It contains… knowledge. Ancient techniques?"

Luo Feng wiped the sweat from his brow and chuckled.

"Well, at least we got something out of almost dying."

Above them, Chan Li smirked.

"Not bad. They've earned their reward."

He vanished into the shadows, leaving them to their victory.