Escape from the Forbidden Chamber

Lu Chen barely managed to dodge as the serpent-like tendril of black Qi swept past him, brushing past his shoulder.

A wave of cold numbness spread through his arm.

Poisoned Qi!

His instincts screamed at him. This was no orthodox Foundation Establishment cultivator, the way they manipulated Qi was nothing like the Azure Sky Sect's techniques.

This was assassin's Qi.

The stranger in black robes took a single step forward, their movements effortless.

"You're fast," the intruder said, their voice carrying a hint of amusement. "But not fast enough."

Lu Chen didn't reply. He was already moving, his mind racing through possible escape routes.

He couldn't match this person in a direct fight, but he didn't need to win, he just needed to escape.

His fingers flicked, and two daggers shot toward the intruder's eyes, but before they could hit...

A wave of black Qi exploded, repelling the daggers midair.

The stranger didn't even flinch.

That attack wasn't meant to hit, it was just to distract, and in that single moment, he made his move.

With explosive speed, he ran toward the doorway, his footwork guided by the Shadow Serpent Arts. He twisted, pretending to go left and then sliding right, aiming to break through the intruder's defenses.

For an instant, this move seemed to have worked.

He was almost there, then…

A hand closed around his wrist like a steel chain, the stranger's grip locked him in place.

Lu Chen's eyes widened.

The stranger inclined their head. "Not bad. But you're not leaving yet."

Qi surged from their palm, threatening to crush his wrist.

Lu Chen's mind screamed, he had one last chance. He opened his mouth and… Exhaled.

A puff of gray powder came out of his lips.

The stranger reacted instantly, releasing his wrist and leaping back.

Poison Breath!

Lu Chen didn't wait to see if it worked, he turned on his heel, launching himself towards the exit before the intruder could react.

And this time, he broke free.

Lu Chen burst from the chamber, sprinting across the Silent Willow Courtyard like a shadow.

Alarms had not been triggered.

The courtyard was still quiet, the disciples unaware of the battle that had just taken place.

But he didn't have long.

That person… They would come after him.

His body screamed in protest, his Qi depleted, but he forced himself forward.

Using the same route he had memorized in the simulation, he maneuvered past the guards and formations, slipping through the narrow alleyways between the grand sect buildings.

The bamboo forest appears ahead.

If he could make it there, he could disappear, he was almost save.

Then… A voice came out from behind him.

"You should've just stayed in the outer sect, Lu Chen."

His heart stopped.

Turning slightly, he saw Zhao Feng standing at the edge of the courtyard, arms crossed, eyes filled with pure malice.

The bastard was smirking.

Not now… Not when he was already injured and drained.

Zhao Feng tilted his head. "You've been hiding something, haven't you?"

Even though Lu Chen was exhausted, he forced himself to remain calm.

There was no way Zhao Feng knew what had just happened, and more importantly… he wasn't the real threat.

So.. He turned and ran.

Without leaving a word to Zhao Feng, he simply left, quick as lightning.

Zhao Feng was speechless for a moment.

Lu Chen vanished into the bamboo forest, his body moving with precise steps, slipping into the deepest shadows.

Zhao Feng's angry voice faded behind him.

And by the time any sect patrols arrived… He was already gone.

...

By the time he reached the western cliffs, Lu Chen's body gave out.

He collapsed into the stone floor of the cave, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

He had escaped, he had completed the mission.

And more than that… He had found something valuable.

With a trembling hand, he retrieved the black silk scroll from his robes.

"The Path of the Withered Shadow."

A technique hidden in the depths of the Azure Sky Sect.

His lips curled into a weak smile.

Then, finally, his exhaustion claimed him, and he blacked out.

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