Chapter 42 – Echoes of the Forgotten
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A World Stirring
The temple trembled. Dust fell from the cracked ceiling, and the air hummed with energy. Something had changed.
Shen Mu instinctively drew his sword, eyes sharp. *"We should move. Whatever we just triggered—"
> "Oh, you definitely triggered something, Boss. And surprise! It's not friendly."
Luo Fan's breath steadied. He could feel it—the weight of something ancient waking in the ruins. The moment he absorbed the mirror's fragment, the entire structure seemed to recognize him.
Then—
A deep groan echoed through the temple halls. The sound of stone shifting. Of something rising.
Shen Mu's eyes narrowed. "We're not alone anymore."
> "Ding-ding! Look alive, because something very big and very angry is about to step into our lives."
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The Guardian Awakens
A section of the wall split open, revealing an underground passage. A gust of cold air surged from below.
And then—
A shadow moved.
A massive figure stepped forward, stone limbs grinding against the earth.
It was a guardian, an ancient construct left to protect this place. Its body was carved from obsidian, inlaid with glowing runes pulsing with eerie golden light.
> [Ancient Sentinel – Keeper of the Lost Echoes]
Status: Active. Scanning… Target Identified.]
> "Oh great, it's scanning us. That's never a good sign."
Luo Fan tensed. "Can it be reasoned with?"
> "Hmm… Maybe? But considering its name is Keeper of the Lost Echoes and you just stole one—yeah, probably not."
The sentinel's gaze locked onto Luo Fan. The golden runes flared—
Then, it moved.
A fist the size of a boulder came crashing down.
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A Fight Without Cultivation
Luo Fan dove to the side, barely dodging the impact. The ground shattered, sending shockwaves through the temple.
Shen Mu struck, his sword slashing across the guardian's arm—
Clang!
The blade skidded off, leaving barely a scratch.
Shen Mu cursed. "Its defenses are too strong!"
Luo Fan gritted his teeth. He had no cultivation. No spiritual energy. Just his instincts—and EchoStar.
> "Boss, I'd love to suggest running, but there's a tiny problem with that."
Luo Fan didn't have to ask. The temple doors—their only exit—were sealing shut.
"Then we fight," he said grimly.
> "Awesome. Love that attitude. Totally not regretting being bonded to you."
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The Battle of Wits
Luo Fan's mind raced. He had fought stronger enemies before—but not while mortal.
What did he have?
The temple. The terrain. The sentinel's patterns.
The construct moved slowly but hit hard. It prioritized defense over speed.
That meant—
"We don't break it," Luo Fan muttered. "We outsmart it."
Shen Mu's expression hardened. "You have a plan?"
Luo Fan's eyes flicked to the crumbling temple pillars.
"More like an idea. But we'll only get one shot."
> "Oh great, we're improvising again. I love this part."
Luo Fan ignored EchoStar's sarcasm.
"Shen Mu, keep it focused on you. I'll handle the rest."
Shen Mu nodded. "Make it quick."
The battle began—
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The Turning Point
Shen Mu dashed forward, weaving between the guardian's crushing blows. Each strike sent tremors through the temple, but he never stopped moving.
Luo Fan sprinted toward the nearest pillar, scanning the structure.
The cracks—there. If he could weaken them just enough—
> "Boss, I really hope you're about to do something smart."
Luo Fan grabbed a fallen spear from the ruins and wedged it into the weakest point. He pressed his weight against it, forcing the crack wider.
The temple groaned.
The ceiling shook.
Shen Mu narrowly avoided another attack. "Any time now, Luo Fan!"
"Almost there—"
The sentinel raised both arms, preparing for a devastating strike—
And that was its mistake.
Luo Fan kicked the spear with all his strength.
The pillar collapsed.
The ceiling caved in.
A cascade of ancient stone and rubble came crashing down—
Right on top of the sentinel.
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Aftermath
The dust settled.
Luo Fan coughed, waving away the debris. The sentinel's form was barely visible beneath the wreckage, its golden runes flickering.
Then—
The light in its eyes dimmed.
> [Ancient Sentinel – Deactivated.]
> "Huh. That actually worked. I am shocked."
Luo Fan exhaled. "Told you I had a plan."
Shen Mu sheathed his sword. "Not bad. But let's not fight another one of those anytime soon."
Luo Fan smirked. "Agreed."
> "Oh don't worry, Boss. I'm sure the next disaster is just around the corner."
Luo Fan sighed. He didn't doubt it.
But for now—
They had survived.
And their journey continued.
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[Chapter End.]