Su Xueyao's warmth lingered in Lin Tian's palm, her words—"You'll carry her hope"—burning away the fog of grief, igniting a fierce resolve in his heart. He stood at the top of the secret realm's stone stairs, their faint glow casting long shadows across his face, his golden eyes steady and unyielding. The air grew thick with the ancient aura of the wolf clan, laced with a sinister blood-tinged edge, like the whispers of restless spirits. Su Xueyao led the way, her claws faintly glowing, her silhouette proud yet vigilant, her steps silent but deliberate in the dim light.
"Xueyao, what lies in this realm?" Lin Tian asked, voice low, his boots scuffing softly against the stone, the echoes fading into the darkness, a sense of unseen eyes pricking his neck.
She glanced back, blue light flickering in her eyes, her voice a hushed warning: "The Wolf Emperor's legacy… and vampire traps woven into its heart." She paused, gaze fixed on the glowing curtain at the stairs' end, brow furrowing: "Your bloodline's a beacon for enemies, so stay sharp, human."
The System's cold voice chimed:
[Task: Explore the Wolf Emperor's Secret Realm, obtain legacy core. Reward: Heavenly Wolf Bloodline Awakening Progress +20%, Wolf Emperor Secret Technique 'Moon-Devouring Strike,' Mysterious Item 'Wolf Soul Crystal,' 8000 EXP]
Moon-Devouring Strike? Wolf Soul Crystal? Lin Tian's heart raced, the rewards a beacon of promise amid the looming threat. He nodded, stepping through the curtain with Su Xueyao, the light swallowing them whole, a brief disorientation before the realm unfolded.
The secret realm was a blue-lit forest, its towering trees shimmering with starlike leaves, their branches weaving a canopy that pulsed faintly, casting dappled light across the ground. Glowing moss carpeted the earth, air sparkling with light particles, a dreamlike beauty that masked its lethal edge. A wolf-shaped stone platform hovered ahead, radiating blue, encircled by writhing blood vines, their serpentine movements reeking of rot, their thorns glinting like fangs. Lin Tian approached, his pendant burning against his chest, resonating with the platform, the air chilling as the ground trembled beneath his feet.
"Careful!" Su Xueyao yanked him back, claws slashing a lunging vine, its corrosive sap hissing as it scorched the moss, white smoke curling upward, the stench sharp and biting.
[Warning: Blood Soul Vines, Mortal Level 10, Quantity: 25. Abilities: Blood Venom Bind, Soul Erosion. Recommendation: Burn vines, shield consciousness.]
Lin Tian unleashed Holy Wolf Flame, golden lightning incinerating ten vines, flames casting his golden eyes in stark relief, heat washing over him, blood mist clouding the air. Su Xueyao's claws stormed, shredding seven vines, their teamwork fluid, like a dance honed by trust, their movements synchronized against the writhing mass. The System noted:
[Eliminated Blood Soul Vines x17, gained 14000 EXP]
Five vines lashed at Su Xueyao's ankles, venom seeping through her armor, her face paling as she stifled a groan, her breath hitching. Lin Tian roared, unleashing Void-Splitting Slash, fist winds tearing the vines apart, catching her as she stumbled: "Xueyao!" His eyes burned with worry, fists clenching, bloodline surging like a storm within him.
She waved him off, forcing a smile, her voice strained: "Just a scratch, don't fuss, human." Her breath was uneven, but warmth flickered in her gaze, her lips twitching upward. Lin Tian gritted his teeth, smashing the ground, triggering a moss trap, blue light erupting to burn the remaining vines, acrid stench filling the air, the forest's glow dimming under the smoke.
[Eliminated Blood Soul Vines x8, gained 8000 EXP]
The platform blazed, vines retreating like wounded beasts, revealing a rune-carved stele, its warmth soothing, like a mother's whisper. Lin Tian touched it, blue light flooding his mind, a vision unfolding: Lin Wanqing stood before the Wolf Emperor, her voice steady as she vowed to seal the Blood Emperor with her bloodline, her eyes resolute yet shadowed with sorrow, promising a century of peace for the wolf clan at the cost of her life.
[Obtained: Memory Fragment. Truth: Lin Wanqing willingly sacrificed herself to the Blood Moon Forbidden Zone.]
Lin Tian's fists clenched, tears glinting in his eyes, his voice breaking: "Mother, why bear this alone…" His chest ached, grief clawing at him like a beast. Su Xueyao grasped his hand, her voice soft, steady: "She chose to protect us all, Lin Tian. You'll honor her will." Her eyes held warmth, her words a quiet strength, like a breeze easing his storm.
He nodded, wiping tears, resolve hardening like steel, his bloodline roaring within. The System chimed:
[Heavenly Wolf Bloodline Awakening Progress: 70%! Unlocked: Moon-Devouring Strike. Description: Devours moonlight, unleashes devastating blow, 24-hour cooldown. Obtained: Wolf Soul Crystal (Inactive). Item Description: Contains Wolf Emperor's remnant soul, enhances bloodline skills.]
The platform quaked, the ground splitting with a deafening crack, blood mist rising in a choking cloud, forming a massive blood soul python, its crimson scales glinting like polished rubies, fangs dripping black ichor, eyes radiating murderous intent, its aura a mountain pressing against them, the earth cracking under its coils.
[Warning: Blood Soul Python, Transcendent Level 2. Abilities: Blood Venom Spray, Soul Devour. Weakness: Abdominal Blood Core. Recommendation: Exploit realm terrain, find weaknesses.]
Lin Tian roared, unleashing Moon-Devouring Strike, gold light swallowing moonlight, fist winds like meteors, striking the python, scales shattering with a thunderous snap, blood spraying in a scarlet arc. Su Xueyao's claws tore its flank, ripping through flesh, the beast's wail shaking the trees, blood mist thick and suffocating. The python's venom sprayed, a corrosive mist that hissed against Lin Tian's shield, pain searing his chest as the ground blackened and smoked. He rolled, triggering glowing moss traps, blue light erupting, weakening the python's aura, the air scorching his lungs, heat pressing against his face.
Their fists and claws struck in unison, gold-blue light piercing like a spear, the python thrashing, its blood core exposed, a pulsing red orb in its belly. Lin Tian's fist smashed the core, the beast collapsing in a heap, blood mist dissipating, the forest's glow dimming as the ground trembled.
[Eliminated Blood Soul Python, gained 18000 EXP. Current Level: Transcendent Level 1]
A golden gate shimmered deeper in the realm, its light pulsing like a heartbeat, beckoning them forward. Su Xueyao panted, blood seeping from her shoulder, a faint smile crossing her lips: "You're not half bad, human."
Lin Tian grinned, wiping sweat from his brow, his voice warm: "My partner's the real master." He eyed the gate, a stronger bloodlust seeping through, his pulse quickening: "Xueyao, the Blood Emperor's minions are closing in." The forest's light flickered, shadows stirring, danger lurking in the depths beyond, the air heavy with foreboding.