The ground shook violently.
Large cracks spread across the walls of the Wind Spirit Ruins, and pieces of stone rained down from the ceiling like a deadly storm.
Fan Lin and Lin Yueqing ran through the narrow stone corridor at full speed.
Behind them, the inheritance chamber continued collapsing.
BOOM!
Another explosion echoed through the underground ruins.
Fan Lin glanced back.
The tunnel they had just passed through was already buried beneath rubble.
"Looks like this place is really coming down," he muttered.
Lin Yueqing kept running beside him.
Her breathing was steady, but her eyes remained sharp.
"The inheritance chamber was probably the core of the ruins."
"Once we took the treasure, the entire structure became unstable."
Fan Lin grinned while running.
"Worth it."
Lin Yueqing almost laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
A massive stone suddenly crashed down in front of them.
CRASH!
The path ahead was blocked.
Fan Lin quickly stopped.
"Damn."
The corridor behind them was collapsing too.
They had seconds to react.
Lin Yueqing pointed to the side wall.
"There!"
A small crack in the stone revealed a narrow tunnel.
Fan Lin didn't hesitate.
"Go!"
They squeezed into the passage.
The tunnel was extremely tight.
Dust filled the air.
The ground continued shaking.
BOOOOM!
Behind them, the main corridor completely collapsed.
If they had been a few seconds slower, they would have been buried alive.
Fan Lin wiped sweat from his forehead.
"That was close."
Lin Yueqing looked forward.
"The tunnel leads upward."
"Follow it."
The two of them climbed quickly through the narrow passage.
After several minutes of climbing—
A faint light appeared ahead.
Fan Lin pushed the final rock aside.
Fresh night air rushed in.
They had reached the surface.
Fan Lin climbed out of the tunnel first.
He turned and helped Lin Yueqing up.
Moments later—
BOOOOM!
The entire mountain trembled.
The entrance to the ruins collapsed completely.
Dust clouds rose into the night sky.
The Wind Spirit Ruins had disappeared forever.
Fan Lin exhaled deeply.
"Well… that adventure is officially over."
Lin Yueqing brushed dust from her robe.
"We were lucky to escape."
Fan Lin looked around.
They were now standing on a high cliff overlooking the forest of Black Wolf Mountain.
The moonlight illuminated the endless sea of trees.
For a moment, both of them remained silent.
Then Lin Yueqing turned toward him.
"You became much stronger tonight."
Fan Lin shrugged casually.
"Opportunities appear when you take risks."
She studied him carefully.
"Your cultivation advanced incredibly fast."
"Almost unnaturally fast."
Fan Lin scratched his head.
"Natural talent."
Lin Yueqing rolled her eyes slightly.
"You're terrible at lying."
Fan Lin laughed.
"Well… a hunter always keeps a few secrets."
She didn't press further.
Instead she looked toward the distant mountains.
"My sect is located beyond those peaks."
Fan Lin blinked.
"You're part of a sect?"
Lin Yueqing nodded.
"The Frost Moon Pavilion."
Fan Lin whistled softly.
He had heard of it before.
The Frost Moon Pavilion was one of the strongest sects in this region.
Only talented female disciples were accepted there.
"So you're basically a genius disciple," Fan Lin said.
Lin Yueqing shrugged slightly.
"Something like that."
Fan Lin sat down on a large rock.
"Well, genius disciple, what's your plan now?"
She looked at him thoughtfully.
"I should return to my sect soon."
"But…"
She hesitated slightly.
Fan Lin raised an eyebrow.
"But?"
Lin Yueqing continued.
"The Wind Spirit Cultivation Manual I obtained will take time to master."
"And your new sword technique… is very interesting."
Fan Lin smiled.
"You want to spar?"
Lin Yueqing nodded.
"It would help both of us improve."
Fan Lin stood up.
"Why not."
He drew the Wind Spirit Jade Sword.
Lin Yueqing unsheathed her own blade.
The two of them faced each other under the moonlight.
A cool wind blew across the cliff.
Fan Lin moved first.
"Wind Phantom Blade!"
His body blurred forward like a gust of wind.
The jade sword flashed.
Lin Yueqing's eyes widened slightly.
She blocked instantly.
CLANG!
The clash of swords echoed across the cliff.
The force pushed both of them back.
Lin Yueqing smiled faintly.
"That technique really is powerful."
Fan Lin grinned.
"You haven't seen the best part yet."
The two of them continued exchanging strikes.
Sword against sword.
Wind against frost.
Their movements were fast and precise.
After several minutes—
They finally stopped.
Both of them were breathing slightly faster.
Lin Yueqing lowered her sword.
"You've improved a lot already."
Fan Lin shrugged.
"I learn quickly."
She looked at him quietly.
Then she said something unexpected.
"You should visit the Frost Moon Pavilion someday."
Fan Lin blinked.
"Why?"
Lin Yueqing smiled faintly.
"If you keep growing like this…"
"You'll eventually attract the attention of powerful sects."
Fan Lin laughed.
"I'll keep that in mind."
But just as they were about to continue talking—
The system panel suddenly appeared.
DING
New Mission Activated
Mission: Return to Azure River City
Objective:
• Confront Zhao Ming
• Strengthen the Fan Clan
Reward:
• 500 EXP
• 200 SP
• System Shop Unlock (Level 2)
Fan Lin's smile slowly widened.
"Well…"
"Looks like it's time to go home."
Lin Yueqing raised an eyebrow.
"Home?"
Fan Lin nodded.
"To settle a few old debts."
His eyes flashed coldly.
After everything he had gained tonight…
The people who once bullied him in Azure River City would soon learn something.
Fan Lin was no longer the weak young master they used to mock.
He had returned as something far more dangerous.