Chapter 61

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The Sealed Barrier

Wen Shia was desperate to escape. The room felt like a prison, its walls closing in on her. She tried with all her might to open the door, but it refused to budge. Her hands trembled as she pushed against the heavy wooden frame, but it was as if an invisible force held it shut. Frustration bubbled within her, but she quickly pushed it aside, knowing panic would only make things worse.

She decided to try a different approach. Closing her eyes, she focused her mind, summoning her spiritual power to break through the barrier. But as soon as she began channeling her energy, a wave of weakness washed over her. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. Her spiritual power was completely drained, leaving her feeling hollow and vulnerable. This had never happened before. No matter how dire the situation, her powers had always been her lifeline. Now, they were gone.

Wen Shia's heart raced as she scanned the room more carefully. Her eyes fell on the floor beneath her feet, where faint, glowing runes were etched into the stone. It was a barrier—a powerful one. The moment she had stepped on it, her spiritual energy had been siphoned away. She cursed under her breath, realizing she had walked right into a trap.

Outside the room, Xiang grew increasingly anxious. She had been waiting for some sign from Wen Shia, but there was only silence. No sound, no movement, not even the faintest whisper of spiritual energy. Something was terribly wrong. Xiang rushed to the door, pounding on it with all her strength, but it wouldn't open. Desperation set in as she tried everything she could think of—pushing, pulling, even kicking the door—but it remained firmly shut.

Her mind raced. She needed help, but there was no one nearby. Then she remembered the amulet Wen Shia had given her. It was a last-resort tool, meant to be used only in emergencies. Without hesitation, she activated it, hoping it would somehow open the door or at least alert someone to their predicament. But even the amulet failed. The door stayed closed, and Wen Shia remained out of reach.

Xiang's frustration turned to fear. She knew she couldn't do this alone. She had to find help. As she turned to leave, her foot caught on something, and she stumbled forward. Instinctively, she reached out to steady herself, her hand brushing against the wall. Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from the spot where her hand had touched. The runes on the wall flared to life, and the door that had refused to budge began to creak open.

Xiang froze, her heart pounding. The light was overwhelming, and the air around her crackled with energy. She tried to pull her hand away, but it was as if an invisible force had glued it to the wall. Panic surged through her as she struggled to free herself, but no matter how hard she tried, her hand wouldn't move. It felt as though a seal had been placed on her, binding her to the barrier.

After what felt like an eternity, the light dimmed, and the door finally swung open. Xiang's hand was released, and she stumbled back, her breath coming in ragged gasps. But there was no time to recover. As soon as the door opened, a powerful gust of wind burst forth, nearly knocking her off her feet. The ground trembled, and the air was filled with a deafening roar. It was as if the very fabric of the world was being torn apart.

In the heavens above, the gods themselves were stirred from their slumber. The sudden surge of energy had not gone unnoticed. They exchanged uneasy glances, their voices low and urgent. "Something has been awakened," one of them said. "Send our emissaries to investigate at once."

Meanwhile, far from the chaos, Doming felt a strange disturbance in the air. His instincts screamed that something was amiss. Without a second thought, he gathered his followers and set out for Solcell Mountain. "Whatever has happened," he said, his voice dark with anticipation, "it is no ordinary event. We must see it for ourselves."

Back at the mountain, Xiang hesitated at the threshold of the now-open door. The light pouring from within was both mesmerizing and terrifying. She took a deep breath and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the strange, otherworldly environment. The air was thick with energy, and the atmosphere felt heavy, almost oppressive.

Her heart sank as she spotted Wen Shia in the distance. Her master was bound by an invisible rope, its presence revealed only by the faint glow surrounding it. Wen Shia hung limply, her head bowed, her body motionless. Xiang's breath caught in her throat. "Master!" she cried, her voice echoing through the chamber. "Master, are you okay?"

There was no response. Wen Shia remained unconscious, her face pale and drawn. Xiang's fear turned to determination. She had to save her master, no matter the cost. She rushed forward, but as soon as her foot touched the ground, a searing pain shot through her body. She screamed, the sound piercing and unnatural, filled with a power she didn't know she possessed.

The scream reverberated through the chamber, shattering the silence and shaking the very foundations of the room. Cracks spread across the walls and floor, and the invisible rope binding Wen Shia began to fray. With a final, deafening snap, the rope broke, and Wen Shia fell to the ground.

Xiang didn't hesitate. She lunged forward, catching her master just before she hit the floor. "Master!" she cried, cradling Wen Shia in her arms. "Please, wake up!"

Slowly, Wen Shia's eyes fluttered open. She looked up at Xiang, her expression softening as she recognized her disciple. "I'm... I'm fine," she whispered, her voice weak but reassuring. She reached up, her hand brushing against Xiang's cheek. "Don't worry. We'll get through this together."

Xiang nodded, tears streaming down her face. But even as relief washed over her, she couldn't shake the feeling that their ordeal was far from over. The barrier had been broken, but what lay beyond it was still a mystery—one they would have to face together.

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