Despite the overwhelming pressure Wen Ran felt, as if his very soul were laid bare before the two guardians, something unexpected happened. The intense aura that had bound him suddenly dissipated, and the two figures calmed. Their expressions, once filled with the weight of judgment, returned to their passive, unreadable state. For a moment, Wen Ran could scarcely believe what he was seeing. The two figures, who had seemed so powerful, now appeared almost… ordinary, like statues once again.
The man reached into his pocket and retrieved a small jade slip. With a swift motion, he tossed it at Wen Ran, and the object sailed through the air like a delicate feather.
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.
"Floor two hundred and five," the man’s voice rumbled, ancient and resonant, as though it came from the depths of history itself. "You have the time it takes to burn three incense sticks. Take what you want."
His words were final, weighted with authority, and as soon as he finished speaking, both the man and the woman closed their eyes once more, as if nothing had happened. The doors to the armory creaked open, revealing the treasures within.
Wen Ran stood still, staring at the jade slip in his hand, still processing what had just occurred. He had expected the worst—that he would be judged, perhaps even killed or cast out. But instead, the guardians had simply given him directions, it was a strange opportunity for him. It was so unlike anything he had anticipated that for a moment, he was frozen in place.
This might be the opportunity of a lifetime… Wen Ran thought, the spark of possibility igniting within him. He had no idea why they had allowed him entry, nor what lay beyond those doors, but his instincts told him that this was not something to ignore. He had been granted a chance and he had to seize it.
Without a word to Luo Feng, who stood beside him in stunned silence, Wen Ran stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the armory. His mind raced with possibilities, and his expectations soared higher with each passing second. The mysteries of the armory, the treasure it might hold, and the strange guidance from the guardians all filled him with a sense of purpose.
He could feel the weight of the moment, the thrill of adventure pulsing through him as he ventured deeper into the armory, ready to take what he could. After all, when opportunity knocks, one does not hesitate. And Wen Ran knew that this was his moment to rise, to claim what had always been just beyond his reach.
"Hey, wait up!" Luo Feng shouted, rushing to catch up, his voice tinged with amusement as he followed closely behind Wen Ran. The moment they stepped into the armory, everything around them shifted. The once seemingly small building now stretched out before them like an endless expanse. The walls seemed to stretch higher than they should have, and the space within expanded infinitely, revealing a massive tower.
What the hell… Wen Ran marveled silently. The intricate design of the spirit array made it feel almost like a living entity, pulsing with an energy he couldn’t quite comprehend. It was a marvel, an engineering masterpiece hidden behind the mundane exterior of the building. Countless weapons, armor, and artifacts adorned the walls, each more unique and powerful than the last. A long spiral staircase wound upward, leading into the unknown depths of the armory.
So this is the armory… Wen Ran thought, basking in the glory of the space. He had never expected it to be so grand, so full of potential. It was overwhelming in its sheer scale and beauty, but his thoughts quickly turned to the task at hand.
"Two hundred and five, huh…" he muttered, feeling a sudden headache rise. The staircase would burn most of his time, and he couldn’t afford to waste a second. With his mind focused on his goal, he dashed up the stairs, leaving his so-called sworn brother behind without a second glance. Continue your adventure at freewebnovel
"This brat has too much energy and doesn’t even think about me, hah!" Luo Feng chuckled to himself, watching Wen Ran rush ahead. But in his excitement, he completely misunderstood the situation and decided to race after him. "Fine, let’s see who can get up there faster!"
However, no matter how fast Luo Feng moved, he couldn’t catch up. Wen Ran’s pace was relentless, and Luo Feng, breathless from the effort, was left panting as he reached the top. By the time he caught up with Wen Ran, the first incense stick had burned out. And now, the two of them stood in front of a small door, their hearts racing.
Wen Ran, focused on his task, pushed the door open. The moment he did, a powerful aura rushed out of the chamber, so potent and overwhelming that it nearly sent them both tumbling down the stairs. If they had been any weaker, the sheer pressure might have sent them to their deaths. The force was like nothing they had ever felt before, pressing in on them from all sides.
"What the hell is this? Is this how the sect treats their disciples?" Wen Ran grumbled, barely managing to keep his footing as another wave of suffocating pressure tried to knock him back. He steadied himself, determination flickering in his eyes. He wasn’t going to let something like this stop him now.
Without another thought, he rushed into the room, leaving Luo Feng trailing behind, struggling to catch his breath.
Inside the room was a singular item, perched on a pedestal in the center. A red sword. Its presence was so intense that it seemed to command the very air around it. At the base of the pedestal, a name was engraved: Crimson Whisper Blade. The sword radiated a sinister aura, one so potent that it immediately began to suffocate Luo Feng. His breaths became labored, and he felt his knees weaken as the oppressive energy seemed to tighten around his chest.
But Wen Ran? He was unaffected. The aura, dark and suffocating as it was, didn’t crush him. Instead, it enveloped him, a strange warmth creeping through him as if the blade itself was baptizing him under its mysterious influence. The sensation was foreign yet oddly familiar, and Wen Ran’s mind raced with excitement.