Volume One, Chapter Nine: A Miraculous Rescue Amidst Peril and Sudden Turmoil

The earth trembled violently, fissures spreading like a spider’s web, tearing the once flat ground into shattered fragments.

The sky abruptly darkened, heavy black clouds rolling in, suffocating and oppressive.

Where the colossal beast had fallen, a nauseating stench of blood and decay permeated the air, mingling with the earthy scent, assaulting their nostrils.

“What’s happening? The ground... it’s collapsing!” a disciple from the outer sect shouted in terror, staggering as he nearly fell into a chasm.

Panic erupted as everyone scattered in all directions, their frightened eyes appearing helpless in the dim light.

“It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t killed that beast, none of this would have happened!” Qian Ning screamed hoarsely, pointing at Lin Fan and Zhang Meng, his face contorted with fear.

His clothes were tattered, face smeared with dirt; no trace remained of his former arrogance as a spoiled scion.

Zhang Meng glared fiercely, ready to retort, but Zhao Ling’er stopped him.

“Now is not the time for quarrels—saving our lives is paramount!” Her voice was icy as her gaze swept over the crowd, attempting to restore order.

Yet fear spread like a plague; the crowd’s emotions teetered on the edge of collapse.

“I... I don’t want to die here!” a disciple cried out incoherently, his face pale, before turning and sprinting in one direction, as if it were the only path to survival.

“Wait! Don’t be rash!” Lin Fan shouted, trying to stop him, but only saw a retreating silhouette.

Fear was contagious; once one fled, others followed—second, third, and more.

Increasingly, disciples ran alone in different directions, disregarding everything as the group shattered instantly.

“Come back! We must unite!” Lin Fan’s voice was drowned in the chaos of screams. He watched helplessly as the disciples vanished into the mist, a wave of powerlessness rising in his heart.

He turned to Zhang Meng, who was clutching Xia Jiang’s hand tightly, his expression grave and silent.

Xia Jiang, pale and trembling, pressed close to Zhang Meng, as though seeking safety in proximity.

Qian Ning sneered coldly.

“Qian Ning! You—” Zhao Ling’er began to intervene but was pulled back by Lin Fan.

“Let him be,” Lin Fan said quietly, his gaze fixed on a large boulder nearby, his eyes flickering uncertainly. “Perhaps...”

Zhao Ling’er’s calm voice cut through the confusion like a stabilizing anchor. “Now is not the time to lose our heads! We must unite if we want to survive!” Her words bore an unshakable resolve, causing some who had already stepped away to hesitate.

They exchanged glances, eyes flickering between confusion and wavering hope.

Qian Ning’s eyes shifted slyly, then he forced a hypocritical smile and flattered, “Senior Sister Zhao is right! We can’t fight separately; that only hastens death! United, we will find a way out!” His tone was sincere, as if the man who moments before wanted to crush Lin Fan and the others had vanished.

But a fleeting chill in his eyes betrayed his true intent.

Silence fell, the air thick and heavy with only the sound of labored breaths.

Everyone understood their perilous situation; continuing to scatter would only quicken their demise.

Yet, if they united, how could they face the unknown threat?

As hesitation lingered, the ground quaked again, this time more violently.

Fissures yawned like monstrous maws, devouring everything around.

Immediately, countless small black figures surged from the collapsed earth, emitting spine-chilling hisses.

They swarmed like a dark tide, radiating a suffocating aura of death as they charged madly toward the group.

“Demonic creatures! Everyone, be careful!” Zhao Ling’er shouted sharply, drawing her long sword first. The fierce sword aura sliced through the air, cleaving several of the creatures in two.

“Back to back! Don’t scatter!” Lin Fan drew his short blade, its edge gleaming sharply in the dim light.

He took a deep breath, gripping the hilt tightly, his gaze piercing as he confronted the snarling attackers.

Zhang Meng shielded Xia Jiang closely, his spear weaving an impenetrable wall, fending off the relentless creatures.

He roared like a beast, each swing powered with tremendous force, sending foes flying.

Zhao Ling’er stood behind, hands forming rapid seals, spiritual energy manifesting as blades of light raining down like hail, striking those hiding in shadows and easing the burden on Lin Fan and Zhang Meng.

Yet, the demonic creatures came in endless waves, impossible to eradicate completely.

The sounds of claws slicing air, feral howls, and clashing weapons blended into a chilling symphony of death.

Lin Fan’s clothes were soaked with sweat; his arms tingled from exertion.

He felt his strength draining rapidly, the sense of danger mounting.

Just as he blocked an attack and prepared to catch his breath, a low alarm sounded in his ear: “Watch out!”

His heart tightened as he turned toward the voice, seeing Xia Jiang surrounded by several demonic creatures.

They bared gleaming claws and sharp teeth with cruel grins, poised to tear her apart.

“Xia Jiang!” Lin Fan’s eyes burned with fury as he tried to rush forward but was entangled by multiple beasts. His blade flashed wildly, yet escape was impossible.

He helplessly watched Xia Jiang retreat into a corner, her frail body trembling, eyes filled with terror and despair, her scream piercing the air: “Ah! No!”

Desperation surged in Lin Fan’s chest, blood roaring, a fierce power flooding through him.

In an instant, his mind flashed to the reward he had previously claimed—the Exorcism Talisman.

This talisman, said to be forged by ancient masters, contained potent demon-banishing power.

Without hesitation, he drew the glowing golden talisman from his storage ring, intricate patterns etched upon it, emanating a warm, subtle heat.

“Go!” Lin Fan roared, hurling the talisman toward the densest cluster of enemies.

In a blinding flash, the talisman exploded with dazzling golden light, like a blazing sun crashing down.

Where the light touched, the demonic creatures emitted agonized shrieks as their bodies were torn apart, dissolving into swirling black smoke.

The once-thick horde was cleared from a large area, leaving a devastated clearing.

The sudden change stunned everyone, even the frenzied creatures seemed to sense the overwhelming power, halting their assault with uneasy hisses.

After a brief silence, relief and disbelief washed over the survivors’ faces.

Zhang Meng panted heavily, wiping sweat from his brow as he gazed at the lingering smoke, murmuring, “What... what kind of power is this?”

Zhao Ling’er sheathed her sword, a flicker of surprise in her cold eyes as she glanced at Lin Fan.

Xia Jiang, still shaken, clutched her chest, breathing heavily, her eyes filled with gratitude and awe as they met Lin Fan’s.

Lin Fan also gasped for breath, nearly spent from the effort, yet seeing the hope and appreciation in their eyes stirred an indescribable sense of achievement within him.

He gripped his short blade tightly and scanned the restless creatures nearby, his voice cold and resolute: “Everyone, use this moment to recover your strength!”

“Yes!” came the unified response, voices brimming with newfound confidence and vigor.

At that moment, Qian Ning spoke up cautiously, “Lin Fan, what technique was that just now?”

Lin Fan said nothing, merely looking toward the distant horizon.

The space around them seemed to freeze briefly, then all eyes hardened with determination.

Zhang Meng, still gasping, patted Lin Fan’s shoulder firmly, resolve ringing in his voice: “Lin Fan, if we make it out alive, I swear I’ll swear brotherhood with you!”

Lin Fan nodded slightly, turning to Xia Jiang, whose pale face now held a firmer, trusting gaze.

She nestled close to him as if he were her only rock to cling to.

Lin Fan gently patted her back in reassurance.

Zhao Ling’er stood quietly nearby, a rare smile of relief softening her usually cold expression.

She knew that in this life-or-death moment, the greatest treasure was the unity of their hearts.

Taking a deep breath, her voice grew warmer: “Together, we will find a way out.”

As the group gathered their strength to seek an escape, Lin Fan noticed a faint glimmer of light in the distance.

In the surrounding gloom, it stood out like a guiding beacon.

His expression changed as he pointed urgently, “There’s a light over there! Everyone, look!”

Following his gesture, the others saw the faint glow.

Though far away, in such darkness, the light appeared mysterious and inviting.

Zhang Meng raised an eyebrow, excitement sparking in his eyes: “That light must mean a path. Let’s check it out!”

Zhao Ling’er nodded firmly, “Agreed. We move toward the light. Prepare yourselves; there may be unknown dangers ahead.”

A flicker of fear crossed Xia Jiang’s face, yet she gripped Lin Fan’s hand tightly, her eyes shining with resolve.

Lin Fan took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the short blade, and fixed his gaze on the light: “No matter what lies ahead, we face it together.”

Silent nods answered him, hope kindling in their hearts.

Without hesitation, they began moving slowly toward the faint light, stepping onto an uncertain road.

Lin Fan glanced back and said firmly to Zhang Meng, “Brother, we will get out of this!”

Zhang Meng nodded fiercely in return.