The Legend Untold

Chapter 4: The Valley of Shadows

After traversing a considerable distance, Lu Tong sensed an unsettling presence. The air grew heavy, and an eerie silence enveloped the surroundings. As he surveyed the area, his eyes fell upon a grim tableau: bones and skulls scattered across the terrain—remnants of both wild beasts and armored warriors.

"What transpired here?" Lu Tong murmured, his senses heightened.

Suddenly, the skeletal remains began to stir. Bones clattered as they reassembled, forming grotesque figures of beasts and men.

"What in the world..." Lu Tong exclaimed, adopting a battle stance.

Channeling his inner energy, he activated his Spark, conjuring an ice dagger that gleamed with a cold, blue hue. Without warning, a skeletal lion lunged at him. With agility, Lu Tong sidestepped the attack, narrowly avoiding the creature's fangs.

"That was close," he muttered, regaining his stance.

Before he could catch his breath, an armored human skeleton swung a massive sword at him. Lu Tong raised his dagger to block, but the force shattered his weapon and sent him sprawling. He rolled to his feet, conjuring another ice dagger.

An axe-wielding skeleton charged at him. Lu Tong dodged, countering with a swift s***h. However, the skeletons were relentless. Nine or ten of them surrounded him, attacking in unison. Each time he struck, their bones reassembled, rendering his efforts futile.

Realizing the need for a new strategy, Lu Tong began employing the basic ice techniques he had been training in back at the Lu clan:

Frostbite Edge, Glacial Shield, Cryo Step.

Despite these techniques, the battle raged on until dawn. Exhausted, Lu Tong noticed a pattern. Striking the joints, particularly the neck, caused the skeletons to collapse. Seizing the opportunity, he targeted the neck of the skeletal lion, severing its head. The creature's bones disintegrated.

"Their weakness lies in the joints," Lu Tong realized.

However, his moment of triumph was short-lived. A colossal skeleton delivered a powerful punch, sending him crashing into the valley wall. Blood streamed down his face as he struggled to stand.

"I let my guard down," he admitted, summoning another ice dagger.

With renewed vigilance, Lu Tong unleashed a series of attacks:

Ice Lance, Frozen Whirlwind, Arctic Burst.

One by one, the skeletons fell. As the final adversary crumbled, Lu Tong collapsed, his body battered and bruised.

"I survived," he whispered, forcing himself to stand.

Continuing his journey, Lu Tong ventured deeper into the valley. Three days passed, during which he relied on sustenance pills to maintain his strength. His injuries, hastily treated, still ached.

Eventually, he arrived at a massive door that opened from the center. Consuming another pill, he prepared himself.

"What lies beyond this abyss?" he pondered, crafting an ice dagger.

As the door opened, a fiery landscape unfolded before him. A village engulfed in flames, with demonic creatures soaring above. At the center sat a king on a throne, exuding a malevolent aura.

"This resembles Hades," Lu Tong observed. "Yet, I've never heard of such a place in this kingdom. Could I still be within the Forest of Illusion?"

Determined, he pressed on, aware that survival depended on his resilience.

In a distant realm, two observers watched his progress.

"The special existence has realized that he remains within the forest," one remarked.

"Indeed," the elder replied calmly. "We must continue our observation."

Back in the fiery village, Lu Tong noted the intense heat affecting his ice dagger.

"I must continuously reinforce my weapon," he murmured. "Otherwise, it will melt away."