The Beast Labyrinth

The world twisted.

One step into the portal—and the ground beneath Xu Shen's feet vanished.

He didn't fall. He was dragged.

Pulled through layers of wind, flame, and shadow. His skin burned. His soul trembled. Space itself folded.

Then—

Silence.

He landed hard on moss-covered stone.

A thick mist blanketed the ground, and ancient trees rose in every direction—twisted things, bark black as ash, branches covered in glowing veins of jade-green fungus.

The air pulsed with qi—but it was wrong. Distorted. Saturated. Tainted.

"Beast Labyrinth."

He had arrived.

Around him, several other cultivators materialized—each dropped into different corners of the forest, isolated.

Xu stood, flexing his fingers. His saber hummed faintly at his side, responding to the energy in the air.

A voice echoed inside his mind:

[Trial One: The Beast Labyrinth]

"Survive for seven days. Slay at least one Blood-Mutated Spirit Beast. Failure to do so… results in dissolution."

[Reward: Gate to Trial Two Unlocked + Potential Inheritance Token]

Xu narrowed his eyes.

"Seven days, one beast," he muttered. "Or I die."

🐾 Day One

Xu walked with silence through the mist. His spiritual sense reached no more than five meters. The trees bent unnaturally, always seeming to shift behind his back.

He recognized it: a low-tier Illusion Field Array—but this one was alive, like a parasite feeding on the minds of those who stepped inside.

Smart. Most of these Outer Sect children won't even know they're walking in circles.

He cut a line into a tree and kept moving.

Ten minutes later, the same tree appeared ahead.

He smirked.

Confirmed.

He closed his eyes.

And activated Shadow Flame Footwork.

His steps became erratic—broken, untethered to natural rhythm. He walked sideways, backward, with irregular stride and sudden stillness.

The illusion cracked.

The trees screamed as space bent and realigned.

He passed through.

Beyond the veil, the forest changed.

Thicker roots. Less mist.

And silence.

Too quiet.

Xu crouched and touched the soil. Still warm.

Then—

Snap.

He moved.

Just in time to avoid the swipe of a Crimson-Jawed Saberwolf, its body twice the size of a horse, veins glowing purple, mouth foaming with corrupted qi.

It howled and lunged.

Xu spun sideways.

Weak points: spine, inner jaw, front right leg.

He feinted left.

The wolf followed.

Too easy.

Storm Fang Slash.

His blade tore upward, severing the beast's throat. Purple blood gushed like oil.

One down.

But as he turned to leave, another voice spoke from behind the trees.

Clapping.

"Elegant. I see you haven't gotten rusty… Xu Shen."

Xu froze.

That voice…

No.

Not here. Not him.

A figure stepped forward—tall, lean, dressed in black with red-trimmed robes. Eyes gold, hair tied in a single braid.

Bai Ren.

Life #6.

Once a trusted brother.

Then a traitor who poisoned Xu Shen in his sleep and stole half his cultivation.

"You remember, don't you?" Bai said, smiling coldly. "Because I do. Every life since. And in this one… I'll finish the job properly."

Xu's grip on his saber tightened.

So it begins. The past walks again.