Lin Ze stood motionless in the now empty room, his sword still clutched tightly in his hand. The man who had once posed a significant threat was gone, his warning lingering in the air like a poisonous cloud. The shadows of the room seemed to close in around them, growing thicker with every passing moment.
Yue Qing'er's voice broke the silence, low and steady. "What do you think he meant by 'the storm'?"
Lin Ze's eyes narrowed as he scanned the space. He wasn't entirely sure, but the weight of the man's words felt heavier than anything he had faced before. The darkness that had surrounded the man was not just an attack—it was a symbol of something deeper, something tied to the very essence of Blood-Tide City.
"I don't know," he muttered. "But I plan to find out."
They didn't have much time. Lin Ze's instincts told him that staying in this place too long would only invite more danger. He turned on his heel and walked toward the passageway the hooded man had disappeared into, his thoughts racing.
"Stay close," Lin Ze ordered, his voice grim.
Yue Qing'er followed without question, her eyes wary. There was something in Lin Ze's tone—something that told her this wasn't just a simple mystery. Blood-Tide City had layers, and Lin Ze was beginning to peel back those layers, one dangerous step at a time.
As they descended deeper into the building, the atmosphere grew colder. The faint glow of spiritual energy from the symbols on the walls began to flicker, casting erratic shadows. Lin Ze's senses sharpened. This was no ordinary ruin; it was a forgotten place tied to ancient forces, ones that were now stirring once more.
Suddenly, they reached a large chamber, its walls lined with strange carvings. These symbols were different—much older than the ones in the main room. The energy in the air seemed to thrum, as though the room itself was alive, pulsing with a dangerous power.
"What is this place?" Yue Qing'er whispered, her voice barely audible. She felt a deep unease settle in her stomach. This place was not just a remnant of the past—it was a beacon, drawing power from something far more ancient.
Lin Ze stepped forward, his eyes scanning the carvings. "This was a place of power," he said quietly. "A sanctuary of sorts. These symbols… they're tied to an ancient technique, something that's been lost to time."
Yue Qing'er's eyes widened. "You think it's connected to the hooded man?"
"I'm sure of it," Lin Ze replied, his gaze intense. "He's not just a rogue cultivator. He's part of something much bigger. Something that's been lying dormant beneath the surface of this city for centuries."
As he spoke, Lin Ze's hand instinctively reached for the fragment of the Void Dragon Technique he had kept hidden. The warmth of the piece seemed to pulse against his palm, responding to the energy in the room. The connection between the technique and the symbols became clearer.
"There's a connection," Lin Ze muttered. "The Void Dragon Technique, it's tied to this place. This room... it's a key."
Before Yue Qing'er could ask further, a low rumble echoed through the chamber, the walls shaking slightly. The floor beneath them cracked open, revealing a hidden staircase descending even deeper into the earth.
A cold gust of wind rose from the darkness below, carrying with it the scent of something old and decayed. Lin Ze glanced at Yue Qing'er, his eyes steely with determination.
"This is it," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "We're about to find out exactly what Blood-Tide is hiding."
They descended the stairs, the air growing colder with each step. The passage seemed to stretch endlessly, the walls closing in as the oppressive darkness grew thicker. Lin Ze's heart raced as they reached the bottom, the final step echoing in the silence.
The chamber before them was vast, stretching out into the distance. It was unlike anything Lin Ze had ever seen. The space was filled with towering pillars, each one covered in intricate symbols. The center of the room held an altar, its surface carved with strange runes that seemed to glow with a faint, ominous light.
At the far end of the chamber stood a figure, cloaked in dark robes, their back turned to them. The figure was tall, their presence suffocating. Lin Ze's hand tightened around his sword as the figure slowly turned, revealing a face he recognized all too well.
The hooded man.
"You," Lin Ze spat, stepping forward, his voice like a blade. "I thought I'd finished you."
The man's lips curled into a twisted smile. "Did you truly think it would be so easy? I'm merely a messenger. The real power here isn't me—it's what I serve."
Lin Ze's eyes flashed with anger. "Who are you serving?"
The man's gaze shifted, and for a moment, Lin Ze thought he saw something far darker in his eyes. "You will understand soon enough. Blood-Tide City is more than just a city—it's a nexus, a center of power. And soon, you will see what happens when that power is unleashed."
With a flick of his wrist, the runes on the altar began to glow brighter, the entire room shaking as a dark energy flooded into the space. Lin Ze's senses flared, his body tensing as the energy wrapped around him like a vice.
"We were waiting for you," the man continued, his voice now filled with a malevolent satisfaction. "The one who would awaken the slumbering power beneath the city. The one who would break the seals."
"What are you talking about?" Lin Ze demanded, his voice a growl. "What seals?"
The man let out a soft laugh, dark and hollow. "The seals that keep the true power of Blood-Tide bound. The power of the Void Dragon."
The words hit Lin Ze like a strike to the chest. His mind raced as he tried to process the information. The Void Dragon? It was a name spoken only in whispers, a legendary figure tied to the deepest, most forbidden arts.
"But that's impossible," Lin Ze muttered. "The Void Dragon is a myth."
The man's smile widened. "Myths are born from truth, boy. And that truth is about to be revealed."
With a sudden motion, the man raised his hand, and the energy around them intensified. A massive shadow, darker than the night itself, began to coalesce in the center of the room. It took form—a monstrous creature, its body an amalgamation of shadows and ice, its eyes glowing with a fierce, predatory light.
The Void Dragon.
Lin Ze could feel its power crashing down on him, its energy pressing against him like an unbearable weight. His mind reeled as the dragon's presence suffocated him, and the dark figure of the man laughed cruelly.
"You're too late," the man said. "The seals are broken, and the dragon is free. The city will fall, and with it, the world will kneel before its power."
Lin Ze staggered back, his vision swimming as he fought to maintain control. The Void Dragon loomed before him, its massive form shifting with terrifying speed. But something deep within Lin Ze stirred—a fire, a heat, a power that refused to be extinguished.
"No," Lin Ze growled, clenching his fists. "I won't let you."
He raised his sword, the flames surrounding it burning brighter than ever before. The energy in the room seemed to pulse with his will, and for the first time, Lin Ze could feel the full potential of the Void Dragon Technique stirring inside him.
With a roar, he surged forward, slashing through the air. The flames from his blade collided with the shadow of the dragon, erupting in a brilliant explosion of light.
The battle was far from over, but Lin Ze knew one thing: he would never back down. Not now. Not ever.
End of Chapter 10