He hurled the glowing purple rose straight into the oncoming attack.
The two devastating forces surged toward each other, radiating an unimaginable amount of energy. As they collided, time itself seemed to hold its breath. No one could say who would win—or who would even survive.
It felt like fate itself would decide.
Shen Hao braced for impact, raising his arms to shield his face, even though he knew it wouldn't be enough.
Meanwhile, the elementals were drained—far weaker than even a Level 1 cultivator. The energy transfer had taken everything from them. They couldn't move, couldn't speak—not that they ever could. But they weren't afraid. They had accepted that this was their end.
Their only wish was simple:
Take Shen Hao with us.
If he lived, their sacrifice would mean nothing.
Then, the attacks collided.
A blinding flash of light. A monstrous wave of Qi tore through everything in its path.
Shen Hao gritted his teeth.
Is this it? Is this really all I can do?
No!
I've survived worse. I've made it this far. If I could survive the previous elemental beam which was launched at me by those 2 level 4 beings, I can survive this too!
But how?
He had no time left to think. He closed his eyes and hoped. That's all he could do.
Then—just as the wave of energy was about to reach him—a strange, glowing armor began forming across his body. It started on his chest and spread rapidly. Orange and pulsing, it looked like it was forged from pure Qi itself.
The explosion consumed the battlefield.
The shockwave had the destructive force of three cities. The barrier that had once kept the mine hidden strained under the impact. Though most of the blast was contained, a portion burst through the edge of the barrier—causing destruction in the outside world, flattening a district-sized area.
Fortunately, it was far from the city. No major casualties were reported. Still, it was a warning to the outside world that something catastrophic had occurred.
And then—
Amid the smoke, rubble, and silence—
A figure emerged.
He limped forward, barely able to stand. Blood dripped from his right arm, and wounds covered his body.
He was walking through the dense mist, searching… for something.
As the smoke cleared slightly, his face became visible.
Shen Hao.
He had survived.
His clothes were tattered, ripped to shreds—only his undergarments remained intact enough to preserve his dignity. Blood streamed down his body, but he was alive.
In a hoarse, broken voice, he muttered:
"I… I… survi…ved..."
"I survived the blast!"
Then his expression changed. Panic set in.
"Lingfeng!"
He shouted the name again and again, staggering through the wreckage.
"Lingfeng! Where are you?!"
No response.
He kept walking, forcing his battered body forward, until finally—a faint sound.
"…Ma…ma...ste…r…"
It was muffled, coming from beneath a massive rock.
Shen Hao's eyes widened.
"Lingfeng! Hang on! I'm here!"
He rushed over, using what little Qi he had left to lift the boulder.
Beneath it… lay Lingfeng.
The blade was barely recognizable.
The hilt—almost completely destroyed. The blade—cracked, bent, and scorched.
Lingfeng's eyes wouldn't open. His energy was faint. He couldn't even move.
Shen Hao dropped to his knees beside him.
"Ma…ma…ster…"
"I'm here…" Shen Hao whispered. "I'm right here."
And then—his body gave in. He collapsed beside Lingfeng, too exhausted to go on.
As his vision blurred, Shen Hao looked up at the sky.
But then… something appeared.
A shadow.
Familiar. Terrifying. Nostalgic.
That same dark figure from the school earthquake incident—when he'd collapsed in the hallway from severe head pain.
It was standing there. Right beside him. Watching him.
Its eyes…
Silver, with streaks of gold.
Not human. Not beast. Something else.
Shen Hao's breath caught in his throat. He could barely see—but he could feel the power.
The figure stared into his eyes.
Then—its gaze shifted.
It turned and looked at Lingfeng.
The moment eye contact broke, the same migraine-like pain returned. That excruciating, mind-shattering agony.
Shen Hao screamed in torment.
And then… he blacked out.