Chapter 10: Shadows of the Hidden Sanctuary

The sky grew darker as Zhou Kai and Lin Mei ventured east, guided by the Void Compass. Its needle pulsed with a dim light, unwavering as it pointed toward their destination. The city ruins stretched around them, shadows creeping across the crumbled buildings.

Zhou Kai's senses remained sharp, his grip on his blade firm. He glanced at Lin Mei, who followed closely, her eyes wary and shoulders tense.

> Zhou Kai: "You said The Apostle knew about the apocalypse before it began. How? Is he a prophet... or something more?"

Lin Mei hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground.

> Lin Mei: "I... I don't know. But... he spoke of visions... of seeing the end before it arrived. He said the world would be reborn in fire and blood, and that only those who followed him would survive."

Zhou Kai's jaw tightened. A man who claims to see the future... Just who am I dealing with?

> [Ding! Quest Update: Uncover the Unknown Apostle]

[Objective: Investigate The Apostle's Visions]

[Progress: 15%]

The path before them grew narrower, leading to a dense thicket of twisted vines and crumbling stone walls. The air felt heavy, cold winds whispering ominously through the ruins.

> Lin Mei: "This place... It feels... wrong..."

Zhou Kai's eyes narrowed as he observed the ancient symbols carved into the stones. Dark energy seemed to radiate from them, making his skin crawl.

> Zhou Kai: "Stay close. There's something here... something powerful."

> [Ding! Danger Sense Activated]

[Warning: Cursed Aura Detected – Hidden Sanctuary of the Apostles of Ruin]

The air around them grew colder, the shadows elongating. The ruins seemed to shift and twist, the path behind them disappearing.

> Lin Mei: "W-What's happening?! The way back... it's gone!"

Zhou Kai's eyes gleamed with determination.

> Zhou Kai: "No turning back now. We move forward."

They stepped through the archway, entering a vast courtyard surrounded by towering pillars. At the center stood a stone altar, engraved with ominous symbols glowing faintly with crimson light.

> [Ding! Location Discovered: Hidden Sanctuary – Cursed Courtyard]

[Objective: Investigate the Altar]

[Warning: Guardian Presence Detected]

The ground trembled as shadows coalesced before the altar, forming into a monstrous figure clad in tattered robes. Its eyes glowed red, a wicked grin stretching across its skeletal face.

> [Appraisal Activated]

[Name: Cursed Guardian]

[Level: 15]

[Strength: 25]

[Agility: 18]

[Skills: Shadow Manipulation (Lv.3), Cursed Chains (Lv.2)]

[Weakness: Holy Energy, Light Attacks]

Zhou Kai's heart pounded. Level 15... This will be tough, but I need the power hidden here.

> Zhou Kai: "Stay back, Lin Mei. This one's mine."

The Cursed Guardian let out a chilling roar, its shadowy form lunging toward Zhou Kai. Its chains shot forward, serpentine and swift.

Zhou Kai's eyes narrowed.

> Zhou Kai: "Shadow Step!"

His body flickered, vanishing from sight as the chains crashed into the ground, shattering the stone. He reappeared behind the Guardian, his blade gleaming as he slashed downward.

> [Critical Hit! Weak Point Struck – Cursed Guardian -20% HP]

The creature howled, its form flickering as shadows dripped from its wound. It spun around, its skeletal hands weaving patterns in the air.

> [Cursed Guardian Activated: Shadow Manipulation]

The shadows around them surged, forming dozens of spectral blades that rained down on Zhou Kai.

His eyes gleamed with excitement.

> Zhou Kai: "Danger Sense!"

His body moved instinctively, dodging each blade with inhuman precision. He dashed forward, his blade crackling with energy.

> Zhou Kai: "Energy Manipulation – Blade Burst!"

A surge of energy exploded from his sword, engulfing the Guardian in a shockwave of light. The creature's form flickered, its roar echoing as it was blasted backward.

> [Cursed Guardian -30% HP]

The Guardian's eyes blazed with fury. Its chains shattered, reforming into dark serpents that lunged at Zhou Kai.

Zhou Kai grinned.

> Zhou Kai: "You're not the only one with tricks... Shadow Step!"

He vanished once more, reappearing above the creature, his blade descending like lightning.

> [Critical Hit! Cursed Guardian -25% HP]

The Guardian staggered, its form flickering wildly. It roared, shadows swirling around it as it unleashed a desperate attack.

> [Cursed Guardian Activated: Cursed Chains – Death Bind]

The chains wrapped around Zhou Kai, their cold touch draining his strength. His body trembled as darkness seeped into his veins.

> Zhou Kai: "Ugh... Cursed chains... trying to consume me..."

His vision blurred, the shadows tightening their grip. But his resolve burned brighter.

> Zhou Kai: "I won't be defeated... not by a shadow!"

> [Ding! Skill Unlocked: Energy Burst (Lv.1)]

[Effect: Release a burst of energy to break restraints and damage enemies]

A surge of power erupted from his body, shattering the chains and blasting the Guardian backward.

Zhou Kai's eyes gleamed with victory.

> Zhou Kai: "It's over... Energy Manipulation – Final Slash!"

His blade glowed with brilliant light as he charged forward, slicing through the Guardian's core.

The creature let out one final roar before its body shattered into shadows, dispersing into the wind.

> [Ding! Boss Defeated: Cursed Guardian]

[Reward: 3000 EXP, Relic: Totem of Life, Skill Upgrade: Shadow Step (Lv.2)]

[Shadow Step (Lv.2) – Increased range and reduced cooldown]

Zhou Kai stood over the crumbled remains, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. He looked down, his gaze locking onto a shimmering artifact lying amidst the ruins.

> [Item Acquired: Totem of Life]

[Effect: Gradually heals the user and nearby allies over time. Can revive a fallen ally once every 7 days.]

He felt its power flow into him, warmth spreading through his body.

Lin Mei approached cautiously, her eyes wide with awe.

> Lin Mei: "You... you defeated it... Just how strong are you?"

Zhou Kai's expression was cold, his gaze fixed on the altar.

> Zhou Kai: "Strong enough to survive... and to destroy anyone who stands in my way."

He walked toward the altar, his hand brushing against its cold surface. Symbols glowed beneath his touch, revealing a hidden passage leading underground.

> [Ding! Quest Update: Uncover the Unknown Apostle]

[Objective: Explore the Hidden Passage]

[Progress: 30%]

Zhou Kai's eyes gleamed with determination.

> Zhou Kai: "This isn't over... The Apostle's secrets are down there. And I'm going to find them all."

He stepped into the darkness, Lin Mei following close behind. The shadows seemed to whisper, their voices echoing through the ancient halls.

The hunt for The Apostle had just begun.

---

End of Chapter 10