The deeper they went, the more the world around them began to change.
At first, Broken Cliff Valley had seemed like nothing more than a rough mountain path, scattered with rocks and covered in a thin layer of mist. But as they continued forward, that illusion gradually faded.
The cliffs on both sides rose higher and higher, closing in like towering walls. Sunlight could barely reach the ground anymore, and what little remained filtered weakly through cracks far above, casting the entire valley in a dim, gray haze.
The wind had disappeared.
Even the distant calls of birds were gone, leaving only the faint echo of their footsteps against the stone.
Han Qiao slowed down without realizing it, his expression tightening slightly. "…You guys feel that?"
Mei Ling didn't answer immediately. Her gaze moved carefully along the cliffs, sharp and alert as she observed their surroundings. "…Yeah," she said after a moment. "It's too quiet."
Lin Xuan continued walking ahead without stopping, but his eyes had already grown sharper.
This is how it starts.
In his previous life, he had only heard stories about this place. Now that he was here in person, he finally understood why Broken Cliff Valley was feared.
It didn't just look dangerous.
It felt like it was watching.
They turned around a narrow bend, and the terrain shifted again. The ground became uneven, scattered with broken stones and patches of dark, damp soil. Strange plants grew from cracks in the rock, thin and twisted, as if barely clinging to life.
A faint smell lingered in the air—damp, cold, and ancient.
Han Qiao rubbed his arms unconsciously. "Why does it suddenly feel colder?"
"Because it is," Mei Ling replied, her tone steady. "Look around."
He did, and only then did he realize something was wrong.
There was no sunlight at all.
Not even a trace.
"…That's not normal," he muttered.
"No," Zhao Tian said calmly. "It isn't."
For the first time, the casual ease in his voice had disappeared.
Lin Xuan noticed.
So even you feel it…
They took a few more cautious steps forward.
Then a low, heavy growl echoed through the mist ahead.
It wasn't far.
Han Qiao froze mid-step, forcing a laugh that didn't quite hide his tension. "…Please tell me that was your stomach."
Mei Ling didn't even glance at him. "Get ready."
The mist ahead shifted.
Something moved within it.
Then, without warning, a dark shape burst forward.
"Watch out!"
Han Qiao raised his staff instinctively, bracing himself.
The impact struck hard, forcing him backward as his feet scraped against the ground. "Damn—it's strong!"
The creature landed a few meters away, and now they could see it clearly.
It resembled a wolf, but far larger, its body thick and covered in rough, stone-like fur. Its claws scraped against the ground with a harsh sound, and its glowing red eyes locked onto them with predatory focus.
"Stoneback Wolf," Mei Ling said quickly. "Don't attack head-on."
"Easy for you to say!" Han Qiao shot back. "It already attacked me!"
The wolf lunged again, faster this time, its body blurring through the dim light.
Before it could reach him, a figure moved.
Lin Xuan stepped forward.
There was no hesitation, no wasted motion. His fist shot out with calm precision.
The impact wasn't loud, but it was exact.
The wolf's body froze mid-motion, as if something inside it had been severed.
Then it collapsed.
Silence followed.
Han Qiao blinked, staring at the corpse. "…It's dead?"
Mei Ling stepped forward and crouched slightly, examining the body. Her brows furrowed.
"You struck the weak point perfectly."
Lin Xuan shrugged lightly. "Just a guess."
Han Qiao stared at him in disbelief. "You guessed?"
A faint smile appeared on Lin Xuan's lips. "It worked, didn't it?"
Han Qiao opened his mouth, then closed it, unable to argue. "…Yeah. I guess it did."
Behind them, Zhao Tian observed quietly, his gaze lingering on Lin Xuan longer than before.
That wasn't a guess.
That was experience—the kind forged through countless life-and-death battles.
"…Interesting," he murmured.
Lin Xuan pretended not to hear.
They continued deeper into the valley, but this time the atmosphere had changed. No one spoke much, and even their breathing seemed slightly heavier as the cliffs narrowed further.
A few more beasts appeared along the way.
This time, Zhao Tian made a move.
He didn't rush forward or display any dramatic gestures. Instead, he simply raised his hand slightly.
The air around them shifted.
For a brief moment, everything felt heavier, as if an invisible force had descended.
Then—
The charging beast was slammed violently into the ground.
It did not rise again.
Han Qiao stared, stunned. "…Okay, that's just unfair."
Mei Ling exhaled quietly. "Concept power…"
Zhao Tian lowered his hand casually, his expression unchanged. "It's nothing special."
Han Qiao laughed awkwardly. "If that's nothing, I don't want to see what 'special' looks like."
Lin Xuan watched in silence.
Concept Awakening…
Even now, Zhao Tian was already ahead.
But that didn't matter.
Not anymore.
After some time, they reached a wider area where the ground dipped into a shallow basin surrounded by broken cliffs. Water dripped from above, each drop echoing softly as it struck the stone below.
Han Qiao stretched his arms. "Let's rest here for a bit."
Mei Ling nodded. "Just a minute."
Zhao Tian remained standing, scanning the surroundings carefully.
Lin Xuan didn't move.
Something felt wrong.
Then a dull vibration traveled through the ground beneath their feet.
It was subtle, but unmistakable.
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. "…Did you feel that?"
Han Qiao frowned. "Feel wha—"
Another vibration struck, stronger this time. Small stones loosened and rolled down from the cliffs.
Mei Ling stepped back, her expression tightening. "…That's not normal."
Zhao Tian's gaze shifted toward the deeper part of the valley, his tone turning serious. "Something's happening."
The ground trembled again, and this time even the air seemed to shudder with it.
Han Qiao looked around nervously. "Don't tell me this place is collapsing—"
Lin Xuan shook his head slowly.
"No."
His eyes locked onto the distance.
Through the mist, a faint golden light began to appear.
At first, it was weak, barely noticeable.
Then it grew brighter.
Stronger.
As if something buried deep within the earth was rising to the surface.
Mei Ling's breath caught. "…That's…"
Zhao Tian stepped forward slightly, his gaze fixed ahead. "A treasure."
Silence followed.
Then Han Qiao let out a tense laugh. "Well… looks like we didn't come here for nothing."
Lin Xuan didn't smile.
He simply stared at the golden light, his heartbeat gradually slowing instead of rising.
It's here.
The Yellow Divine Spring Water—the treasure that had changed someone's fate in his previous life.
But this time…
He was here first.
"Let's go," Lin Xuan said quietly.
Without hesitation, he began walking forward.
Behind him, Zhao Tian watched his back, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"…You seem very sure," he said.
Lin Xuan didn't turn. "Wouldn't you be?"
Zhao Tian smiled faintly. "…Fair enough."
Together, they moved forward, step by step, toward the golden light.
But as the mist shifted, something else became visible in the distance.
Shadows moved.
Faint voices echoed through the valley, growing clearer with each passing second.
They weren't alone.