Chapter 17: Descent of the Unseen
The Battlefield That Should Not Have Changed
Because that attack—
Was not his.
At first, Yao Chen did not understand it.
Everything had happened too quickly.
The beast moved.
He reacted.
Flames burst.
Energy collided.
But in that chaotic moment—
something felt wrong.
Not outside.
Inside.
His body felt it first.
A strange feeling.
A small mismatch.
The angle of the strike…
The timing…
The force behind it…
It didn't match his own movement.
For a brief second—
his thoughts slowed.
The world did not stop.
But his mind stepped back.
The roar of the beast became distant.
The sound of breaking trees faded.
Even the heat of his own flames felt far away.
Only one thought remained clear.
That attack… wasn't mine.
His eyes sharpened instantly.
If it wasn't his…
and not Xue Lian's…
and not Krishna's…
Then—
Someone else had already entered the battlefield.
Not just arrived.
But acted.
Without anyone noticing.
A quiet tension spread inside him.
His instincts tightened.
The forest—
suddenly felt different.
Not louder.
Not more dangerous.
But watched.
As if something had been there—
long before they noticed it.
And then—
A voice broke the moment.
"Brother… long time to see."
The voice was calm.
Too calm.
It did not belong to this battlefield.
It did not carry urgency.
Or danger.
Or pressure.
It sounded like someone greeting an old friend.
Yao Chen turned immediately.
His eyes locked onto the source.
"…Lin Xiao."
From between the broken trees—
a figure stepped forward.
His robe moved lightly in the wind.
There was no dust on him.
No blood.
No sign of struggle.
As if he had walked into a peaceful place—
not a battlefield.
A faint smile rested on his lips.
But his eyes—
were sharp.
Watching everything.
Understanding everything.
Behind him—
another figure appeared.
"…Huo Yuan."
Unlike Lin Xiao—
his presence carried heat.
A faint flame circled his arm.
Not spreading.
Not exploding.
But contained.
Quiet.
Like a fire that didn't need to show itself—
to prove it could burn.
Yao Chen let out a slow breath.
The tightness in his chest loosened—
just a little.
"…You're late."
Lin Xiao smiled.
"Not late."
He glanced at the battlefield.
"Perfect timing."
Huo Yuan laughed softly.
"…Looks like you were about to lose."
Yao Chen gave a faint smile.
"…I was just waiting."
Their eyes met briefly.
No more words were needed.
Because they understood each other.
But the moment ended quickly.
Because the beast—
had not fallen.
The Beast's Rage
The Level 5 Blood Beast roared again.
It had felt the shift.
More enemies.
More danger.
Its instincts screamed.
Its massive body turned.
Its eyes locked onto the group.
Its breathing grew heavier.
Hot air burst from its mouth.
The ground beneath it cracked.
And then—
It attacked.
Its body moved forward—
like a mountain collapsing.
Each step shook the earth.
Trees broke as it passed.
The air itself felt heavy.
Krishna stepped forward.
No hesitation.
No rush.
His movement was calm.
Natural.
As if this situation—
did not surprise him at all.
His spear appeared in his hand.
No summoning.
No flash.
It was simply there.
Then—
he moved.
Fast.
But not rushed.
Clean.
Precise.
Huo Yuan moved at the same time.
Flames appeared around him.
But they did not spread wildly.
They compressed.
Condensed.
Turned into thin streams—
like blades made of fire.
"Move left!"
Lin Xiao's voice cut through the chaos.
His body moved differently.
He did not charge forward.
He did not attack directly.
Instead—
he moved around the beast.
Each step—
subtle.
But important.
The beast's movement changed.
Its steps became unstable.
Its direction shifted slightly.
Creating openings.
Guiding the fight.
Yao Chen stepped forward.
Pain surged through his body.
His chest burned.
His arms felt heavy.
But he didn't stop.
"…We finish this."
Golden flames rose in his hand.
Not large.
But heavy.
Dense.
Xue Lian stepped beside him.
Her face was calm.
But her eyes—
focused.
Cold energy spread from her body.
The ground beneath them froze.
Thin ice formed.
Not for attack.
For control.
Now—
the battlefield changed.
No longer chaos.
Now—
it was structure.
Five people.
Five roles.
Krishna attacked.
Huo Yuan pierced.
Yao Chen burned.
Xue Lian sealed.
Lin Xiao guided.
The beast roared loudly.
It swung its claws.
It tried to crush them.
But it couldn't move freely anymore.
Too many forces.
Too many directions.
Krishna reached first.
His spear pierced into the beast's chest.
Clean.
Direct.
Huo Yuan's flames followed.
They entered through the wound.
Burning from inside.
Yao Chen's golden flames surged.
Merging.
Exploding within.
Xue Lian froze its legs.
Ice locked its movement.
Lin Xiao shifted its final step.
Removing its last chance to escape.
BOOM—
The impact shook the forest.
Dust rose into the air.
The beast trembled.
Its roar broke.
Then—
It fell.
The Moment After
Silence.
The forest became still.
The wind slowed.
The air felt empty.
Yao Chen stood where he was.
Not moving.
Not thinking.
Then—
His vision blurred.
The world tilted.
"…Yao Chen!"
Xue Lian's voice reached him—
but it felt far away.
His body gave in.
He fell.
But—
He didn't hit the ground.
Xue Lian caught him.
"…You idiot…"
Her voice trembled.
She held him tightly.
For a moment—
she didn't move.
As if letting go—
was not an option.
Then—
she acted.
Her spiritual energy flowed into him.
Warm.
Steady.
Trying to stabilize him.
But—
It wasn't enough.
Krishna stepped forward.
His gaze calm.
"He crossed his limit."
A pause.
"…He needs time."
He looked around the forest.
Even though it was quiet—
it didn't feel safe.
"…We move."
Xue Lian nodded immediately.
No hesitation.
She lifted Yao Chen onto her back.
Even though she was tired—
she didn't slow down.
"…To the cave."
The Walk Back
The journey felt longer this time.
Not because of distance.
But because of weight.
Every step—
felt heavier.
Feng and Qing Lin walked quietly.
They stayed close.
"…Will brother be okay…?"
Qing Lin asked softly.
Radha walked beside her.
Her expression gentle.
"He will."
Her voice carried certainty.
Not comfort.
Truth.
Feng nodded slowly.
Behind them—
Lin Xiao spoke quietly.
"…He's changed."
Huo Yuan looked ahead.
"…Yeah."
"…But still reckless."
A small smile appeared.
The fog slowly appeared again.
Cold.
Heavy.
Familiar.
The cave stood where it was before.
Silent.
Waiting.
They entered.
And the outside world—
disappeared.
The Beginning of Healing
Xue Lian slowly lowered Yao Chen to the ground.
Her movements were careful.
Gentle.
But her hands—
were not steady.
For a moment—
after placing him down—
She didn't move.
Her hands remained on him.
Feeling.
Confirming.
He was still there.
Still breathing.
"…Idiot…"
Her voice was soft.
Not angry.
Something deeper.
Her eyes stayed on his face.
Pale.
Too pale.
Then—
she moved.
Quickly.
She took out a healing pill.
Fed it to him.
Then another.
Her movements became faster.
"…Wake up…"
A whisper.
A quiet plea.
The cave remained silent.
Everyone watched.
And that silence—
felt heavy.
Warmth, Secrets, and the Path Forward
The cave was quiet.
Not peaceful—
but waiting.
The kind of silence that came after a storm…
when everything held its breath.
Yao Chen lay on the cold stone floor.
Unmoving.
His breathing was weak.
Too weak.
Xue Lian sat beside him.
She did not move.
Her eyes never left his face.
Not even for a moment.
As if—
if she looked away—
he might disappear.
Her hand slowly reached out.
She placed it lightly on his chest.
Feeling.
The rise.
The fall.
Faint.
But still there.
"…Idiot…"
She whispered again.
But this time—
her voice was softer.
Not complaining.
Almost… afraid.
She had seen him fight before.
She had seen him push himself.
But this—
This was different.
This was not strength.
This was crossing the line between control…
and collapse.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"…Why do you always do this…"
No answer came.
Only silence.
Behind her—
Lin Xiao and Huo Yuan stood quietly.
They did not interrupt.
Even they could feel it.
This moment—
did not belong to them.
Feng and Qing Lin sat close together.
Their small hands held each other.
They didn't speak.
But their eyes—
never left Yao Chen.
Radha stood a little behind.
Watching.
Not just the scene—
but the people.
Krishna stood beside her.
Silent.
Observing.
Then—
Radha stepped forward.
Her steps were light.
But they carried weight.
She stopped beside Xue Lian.
Her gaze fell on Yao Chen.
Deep.
Quiet.
Then—
she raised her hand.
A pill appeared.
Resting gently on her palm.
It glowed faintly.
Not bright.
Not flashy.
But pure.
Refined.
The moment it appeared—
The air inside the cave changed.
Subtly.
But clearly.
Xue Lian felt it first.
Her body stiffened slightly.
Her eyes moved—
slowly—
toward the pill.
"…This…"
Her voice trembled.
"…Fourth-tier…"
The words felt heavy.
Even saying them—
felt unreal.
Lin Xiao straightened slightly.
For the first time—
his relaxed expression broke.
"…You're serious?"
Huo Yuan's smirk disappeared.
His eyes locked onto the pill.
"…That's not something normal people carry…"
Even Feng and Qing Lin—
felt it.
They didn't understand what it was—
But their bodies reacted.
Instinctively.
Radha smiled gently.
Unchanged.
"…Give him this."
Her voice was soft.
Natural.
As if she was offering something simple.
Something ordinary.
Xue Lian did not move immediately.
Her eyes stayed on the pill.
Not because she doubted it.
But because she understood it.
A pill like this—
was not just rare.
It was something only powerful sects—
or high-level cultivators—
could create.
And yet—
Radha offered it without hesitation.
No conditions.
No explanation.
"…Why…?"
The question almost left her lips.
But she stopped.
This was not the time.
Yao Chen's breathing—
grew weaker again.
That was enough.
Her hesitation ended.
She reached out.
Carefully.
As if even touching it—
required respect.
She took the pill.
Turned back to Yao Chen.
Her movements slowed.
More careful now.
More focused.
She gently lifted his head.
Resting it against her arm.
"…You better wake up…"
Her voice was quiet.
But this time—
it carried strength.
Not just a request.
A demand.
She placed the pill near his lips—
and fed it to him.
The moment it dissolved—
Everything changed.
A wave of energy spread through his body.
Golden light flickered under his skin.
At first—
weak.
Then stronger.
His breathing deepened.
Stabilized.
The chaotic energy inside him—
began to calm.
"…It's working…"
Xue Lian whispered.
Her grip tightened slightly.
Relief—
finally appeared in her eyes.
Krishna stepped forward.
His gaze calm.
"He will recover."
A pause.
"…Give him time."
His tone was steady.
Certain.
Xue Lian didn't reply.
She didn't need to.
Her eyes remained on Yao Chen.
Watching.
Waiting.
Introductions
Time passed slowly.
The tension in the cave—
softened.
Yao Chen's condition stabilized.
His breathing became steady.
Seeing this—
Xue Lian finally relaxed slightly.
Then—
she stood up.
Turning toward Lin Xiao and Huo Yuan.
Her expression returned to normal.
Cold.
Composed.
"This is Radha."
She said calmly.
"And this is Krishna."
She paused—
then added,
"We met them in the forest."
Her eyes moved slightly toward Radha.
"They were injured."
Radha gave a small, gentle smile.
As if agreeing with the story.
Xue Lian continued.
"These two…"
She pointed at Feng and Qing Lin.
"…we found them earlier."
"Their parents died fighting beasts."
"They are with us now."
Feng and Qing Lin looked slightly shy—
but nodded.
Lin Xiao smiled lightly.
"…Quite a group you've built."
Huo Yuan looked at Krishna.
"…And you?"
Krishna smiled.
"I travel with my wife."
Radha stood beside him quietly.
Lin Xiao nodded.
"…Interesting."
He didn't ask more.
But his eyes—
were watching carefully.
Awakening
Time passed.
Then—
Yao Chen's fingers moved.
Slightly.
Then again.
Xue Lian noticed instantly.
"…Yao Chen?"
His eyes slowly opened.
Blurry at first.
Then clearer.
"…You're awake!"
Without thinking—
Xue Lian hugged him.
Tightly.
Forgetting everything.
Lin Xiao immediately covered Feng and Qing Lin's eyes.
"…Not for kids."
Huo Yuan nodded seriously.
"…Yes. Very dangerous scene."
"…HEY!"
Xue Lian pushed Yao Chen away.
Her face turned red.
Yao Chen blinked.
Still confused.
"…What happened?"
Lin Xiao grinned.
"You almost died."
Huo Yuan added,
"…Again."
Yao Chen sighed slightly.
"…I see…"
He looked at Xue Lian.
"…Sorry."
She looked away.
"…Don't do it again."
"…I won't."
A small silence followed.
But this time—
it was warm.
The Map
Krishna stepped forward.
"We should move soon."
Huo Yuan nodded.
"…Right."
He reached into his bag—
and took out a map.
Old.
Worn.
But detailed.
"…Found this earlier."
Yao Chen looked at it.
"…Where did you get it?"
Huo Yuan grinned slightly.
"In the forest…"
"We heard two people talking."
"They said a cave appeared."
"With a cold flame inside."
Yao Chen and Xue Lian exchanged a quick glance.
Huo Yuan continued.
"We went there."
"But found nothing."
"Then their leader came."
"He saw my level…"
"And got scared."
Huo Yuan chuckled.
"So I took his treasure bag."
"And found this map."
"He didn't resist."
"Just gave it to us."
"Then we let him go."
Yao Chen and Xue Lian looked at each other again—
and smiled slightly.
Huo Yuan noticed.
"…What?"
Yao Chen shook his head.
"…Nothing."
Xue Lian also turned away.
"…Nothing."
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly—
but didn't ask.
Understanding the Map
They spread the map on the ground.
Everyone gathered around.
The map showed the forest—
divided into seven parts.
Each section marked clearly.
Xue Lian pointed.
"…We are here."
Near the center.
Then—
they saw it.
A mark.
Different from the rest.
A weapon symbol.
Small—
but clear.
Radha looked at it carefully.
"This is not a normal map."
She said softly.
"A normal map does not show treasure."
"This was made intentionally."
"For someone."
Xue Lian frowned.
"But using a map like this…"
"…is forbidden."
She looked at Yao Chen.
"In this type of contest."
Radha tilted her head slightly.
"…Contest?"
Her voice sounded curious.
Natural.
Yao Chen explained.
"There are five supreme academies."
"Each from a different continent."
"They send students here."
"To compete."
"To survive."
"To grow stronger."
Radha nodded slowly.
"I see…"
But her eyes—
held something deeper.
Final Decision
Lin Xiao stood up.
"We can talk later."
He pointed at the weapon mark.
"We go here."
Huo Yuan smiled.
"…Agreed."
Yao Chen slowly stood up.
Still weak—
but stable.
Xue Lian stood beside him.
"…Don't push too much."
"…I won't."
Radha and Krishna watched quietly.
As if—
everything was going exactly as expected.
The group prepared.
The cave grew silent again.
Outside—
the forest waited.
And somewhere ahead—
Something was waiting for them.
Not by chance.
But by design.