Volume One, Chapter 20: The Forbidden Land's Perilous Path, Where Life and Death Are Uncertain

A chilling aura surged in like a tide, instantly engulfing Lin Fan. It was as if he were trapped inside an icy cavern, the biting cold piercing to the bone, causing every hair on his body to stand on end. Around him was impenetrable darkness; he could not see his own hand before his eyes. Only faint whispers drifted through the air, ghostly murmurs that sent shivers down his spine.

His heart pounded fiercely, tension stretched taut like a string about to snap at any moment. He knew this place was far from safe—every step required utmost caution. Focusing deeply, he summoned the star energy within him. His eyes shimmered faintly with starlight as he tried to pierce the endless darkness.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure materialized from the void like a phantom, emitting a sharp, piercing roar as it lunged toward him. It was a colossal guardian spirit, exuding an overwhelming oppressive aura. Its eyes burned like twin ghostly flames, fixated on Lin Fan as if intent on devouring him whole.

Startled, Lin Fan quickly retreated, narrowly dodging the guardian’s claws. He dared not slacken his guard, pushing his star energy to its limit, clenching his fists, ready to fight.

The guardian’s assault came like a violent storm—claws, tail strikes, and jagged teeth—all carrying terrifying force that tore deep fissures into the ground. Lin Fan moved like lightning, evading within the narrow space while seeking an opening to counterattack. He could not withstand the guardian’s strikes head-on; only speed and agility could keep him alive.

“Star Fist!” Lin Fan roared, gathering starlight into his fist, delivering a powerful blow to the guardian’s abdomen. The creature howled in pain, claws thrashing wildly. The battle’s turbulent energy dispersed some of the surrounding darkness, yet also drew forth more whispers, as if countless eyes watched secretly from the shadows.

Emboldened, Lin Fan fought with increasing vigor. His body felt tempered by countless trials; each punch carried immense power. The guardian was forced back repeatedly, its scales cracking under the relentless blows.

Yet as the guardian was the protector of this forbidden land, its strength was formidable. It let out a piercing scream, emitting a denser, darker mist that enveloped Lin Fan, intensifying its ferocity. Within the black fog, Lin Fan’s vision was severely impaired and he had to rely on star energy to sense the guardian’s position.

He held his breath, nerves taut, bracing for the next onslaught.

At that moment, hurried footsteps shattered the silence of the forbidden zone. Lin Fan’s heart sank sharply. Then a cocky voice rang out, “Hmph! I thought it was something formidable, but it’s just a mere watchdog! Junior Sister, see? I took it down with ease!”

Following the voice, a figure appeared—none other than Senior Brother Li, brimming with arrogance and underestimating the danger.

As Li’s silhouette emerged, a sword beam sliced through the black mist, striking the guardian. The beast failed to dodge in time, emitting a pained roar. The dark fog dissipated, revealing the guardian in a battered state.

Li stood proudly, sword in hand, casting a disdainful glance at Lin Fan. “Oh? Isn’t this Lin Fan? What, you can’t even handle a mere watchdog?”

Lin Fan’s face darkened. He stared coldly at Li, fury blazing within him.

He had struggled against the guardian for a long time and barely subdued it, only for Li to snatch the credit. How could he swallow such humiliation?

“Senior Brother Li, I discovered this guardian first. Isn’t what you did a bit too much?” Lin Fan demanded.

Li scoffed, “You discovered it first? In this forbidden land, strength decides everything. If you’re powerless, don’t blame others for taking what you can’t have. Besides, do you really think you can compete with me?” He sneered at Lin Fan.

Seeing this, Junior Sister Chen quickly stepped forward to mediate. “Senior Brother Li, Lin Fan is right. We should work together, not fight each other. This forbidden land is fraught with danger; only unity will see us through.”

Li waved her off impatiently. “What do you know? This kid is useless, just dead weight. I can handle this guardian alone—no need for cooperation.”

Lin Fan’s fists clenched tightly, grinding audibly. Suppressing his rage, he warned coldly, “Senior Brother Li, don’t push me too far!” Star energy surged within him, ready to unleash.

Suddenly, Chen stepped in front of Lin Fan firmly. “Senior Brother Li, if you insist on attacking Lin Fan, you’ll have to get through me first!” Though frightened, she summoned her courage to stand her ground.

Li was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting such resolve from Chen. He glanced between Lin Fan and Chen, hesitation flickering across his face.

The tense atmosphere thickened, like a taut string ready to snap.

Then the guardian let out a deep growl. Its wounds began to heal rapidly, a stronger aura radiating from its body.

Its crimson eyes locked onto them all, throat rumbling with a hellish whisper: “…You… will all die…”

The guardian roared deafeningly as dark red light shimmered across its scales, healing visibly before their eyes. A crushing pressure swept over them like a collapsing mountain, suffocating in its intensity.

Faces turned pale; Li shouted in alarm, “No! It’s grown stronger!”

With a fierce swipe, the guardian’s claw unleashed a powerful gust, sweeping toward them.

Li bore the brunt, hastily raising his sword to block, but it was futile—he was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground, blood spurting from his mouth.

Chen screamed and dodged, but the wind still grazed her, staggering back pale-faced.

Lin Fan was caught in the attack too, groaning as a heavy blow struck his chest, pain so intense he struggled to breathe. Staggering backward, darkness swirled before his eyes, nearly causing him to faint.

Looking down, he saw a deep, bone-exposing claw wound across his chest, blood flowing freely, staining his clothes.

Despair hung thickly in the air. Li struggled weakly to rise but lacked strength, lying helplessly with agonized moans.

The guardian’s red eyes swept over them, whispering chillingly, “…Weak… pitiful…”

Just then, a gentle hand pressed softly on Lin Fan’s wound. He turned to see Chen trembling as she carefully bandaged him. Her face was pale, sweat beading her forehead. In this desperate moment, her small act of kindness was like a ray of winter sunshine, offering him a flicker of comfort.

As she worked, she whispered, “Lin Fan, you must hold on…” Before she finished, Lin Fan grasped her hand. Despite the searing pain, an unusual energy began to surge within him.

“Wait…” Lin Fan’s voice was hoarse but carried an unprecedented resolve.

Inside him, star energy churned violently, a strange power gathering at his wound. A tingling warmth quickly spread throughout his body. Closing his eyes, countless stellar paths flashed through his mind, as if the entire galaxy were inverted, secrets flooding his consciousness.

He snapped his eyes open, starlight blazing in his gaze, a newfound power coursing through him.

Slowly raising his injured right hand, starlight coalesced in his palm, forming a miniature star vortex radiating an awe-inspiring energy.

“Starfall Technique!” Lin Fan growled, unleashing a dazzling beam from the vortex like a small meteor hurtling toward the guardian with cataclysmic force.

The guardian shrieked in terror as the beam tore through its tough scales like paper. Its massive body was blasted backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily against the stone wall of the forbidden land with a deafening roar.

The wall cracked, stones flying. The guardian wailed, convulsed a few times, and then fell still.

Silence fell over the forbidden zone, broken only by Lin Fan’s heavy breathing.

Li and Chen stared in stunned disbelief. Chen’s eyes shone with joy and admiration—for Lin Fan’s triumph and for her own earlier intervention.

Lin Fan slowly withdrew his hand as the starlight faded. Clenching his fist, he felt the surging power within and a deep sense of accomplishment.

He knew that strike was the new technique he had just mastered—the Starfall Technique.

Never had he imagined that in the face of life and death, he could break through himself and awaken such formidable power.

Turning to Li, a cold smile playing on his lips, he said, “Senior Brother Li, now who do you think is useless?”

Li shrank under Lin Fan’s gaze, his body trembling, unable to meet his eyes, stammering incoherently.

Excitement filled the forbidden land, but it was short-lived.

From deep within the zone came a new, far more powerful and suffocating aura. It was like an abyss—cold, dark, evil—stirring primal terror.

The atmosphere grew heavy and tense, as if the very air froze, making each breath difficult.

Lin Fan furrowed his brow, sensing this aura was unlike the guardian’s—stronger, more dangerous.

Li and Chen paled instantly, trembling with fear.

“What is that…” Chen’s voice quivered as she clutched Lin Fan’s sleeve, like a drowning person grasping a lifeline.

Li looked like a startled bird, face drained of color.

Lin Fan clenched his fists tightly, eyes fixed warily on the depths of the forbidden land, feeling the terrifying presence draw nearer and stronger.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to quake, as if some colossal beast was approaching.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Fan whispered, “…It’s coming…”