Chapter 87: Unseen Shadows, Unheard Whispers

The calm after the battle felt eerie. The void that once echoed with Zhan Wuhen's taunts was now unsettlingly silent. Jin Long and Yue Lan remained in each other's embrace, the weight of the recent battle pressing down on them like a suffocating fog.

Jin Long's body trembled from the exertion. The Genesis Core's power still pulsed within him, but it was weaker, like a flickering flame struggling to stay lit. Yue Lan's soft hand brushed against his cheek, her warmth grounding him in the present.

"You did it, Jin Long," Yue Lan whispered, her eyes searching his as though seeking reassurance that he was still the man she knew. "You saved me."

Jin Long forced a weary smile. "I did… but at what cost?"

Before Yue Lan could respond, the void began to ripple. The darkness that had surrounded them slowly melted away, revealing the familiar stone chambers of the Vault. The oppressive energy had dissipated, leaving only the faint echo of Zhan Wuhen's final words.

But something was off. The air was colder, and an unnatural stillness clung to the Vault.

"Where are the others?" Yue Lan asked, her voice quivering.

Jin Long's eyes darted around. The Vault, once bustling with ancient energy, was now a desolate ruin. Broken pillars lay scattered across the floor, the intricate carvings now marred by deep claw marks.

"They were here," Jin Long muttered, his fists clenching. "But now… it's as if they vanished."

A soft, ominous breeze swept through the chamber, carrying with it a low, chilling whisper. Jin Long and Yue Lan exchanged wary glances.

"What was that?" Yue Lan asked, eyes wide.

Before Jin Long could respond, a figure emerged from the shadows—a man cloaked in black, his face obscured by a dark hood. His presence exuded an unsettling calm, his gaze fixed on Jin Long.

"You survived," the figure said, his voice smooth and composed. "Impressive."

Jin Long's body tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. "Who are you?"

The figure chuckled, the sound echoing like a haunting melody. "Names are insignificant. But for now, you can call me Bai Chen."

Bai Chen's dark eyes glinted with an otherworldly light as he stepped closer. "You wield the Genesis Core, yet you know so little about it. Zhan Wuhen was only a test, Jin Long. The real enemy is still watching."

Jin Long's jaw clenched. "Watching? Who?"

Bai Chen's lips curved into a sinister smile. "The Void is far deeper than you can imagine. And its true master… is still waiting."

Before Jin Long could react, Bai Chen raised his hand, and a wave of dark energy erupted, engulfing the chamber in shadow.

Jin Long instinctively pulled Yue Lan close, bracing himself for impact. But when the darkness subsided, they were alone. Bai Chen had vanished, as if he had never been there.

Yue Lan trembled, her eyes wide with fear. "Jin Long… what did he mean? The true master of the Void?"

Jin Long's eyes narrowed, his expression grim. "Zhan Wuhen was just a puppet. Whoever is controlling the Void… they're coming for the Genesis Core."

He stood up, his resolve hardening as he gazed at the desolate Vault. "And we need to find the others. If Bai Chen is right, then the real battle has only just begun."