The golden light shimmered quietly within the hollow, its glow soft yet impossible to ignore. Mist drifted low across the ground, slowly parting around a small pond at the center of the basin.
The water within it glowed with a faint golden hue.
Not violently. Not overwhelmingly.
But it felt… alive.
As if it was breathing.
Han Qiao stared at it for a long moment, his eyes wide with disbelief. "…So this is what we came all the way for?"
Mei Ling didn't respond. Her gaze remained fixed on the pond, sharp and unwavering.
Zhao Tian stood calmly, but the ease in his posture had disappeared. His eyes had grown focused, carrying a quiet intensity.
Lin Xuan said nothing.
Yellow Divine Spring Water.
Even from this distance, he could feel it calling to him. His body reacted instinctively—his muscles tightening, his breathing slowing, his senses sharpening.
Take it.
Han Qiao scratched his head awkwardly, breaking the silence. "So… how are we doing this? Drawing lots? Rock-paper-scissors?"
Mei Ling shot him a cold look. "Be serious."
"I am serious," he muttered. "I don't want to fight you guys over this."
No one answered.
Because they all understood the truth.
Only one person could take it.
The atmosphere slowly grew tense, the air thickening with unspoken intent.
Then a calm voice broke through the silence from behind them.
"Well… looks like we're not the first to find it."
Everyone turned immediately.
Four figures emerged from the mist, their outlines gradually becoming clear. Three followed slightly behind, while the one in front walked forward at a steady, unhurried pace, his hands clasped behind his back.
The moment he stepped closer, the air shifted.
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Concept Awakening.
Zhao Tian noticed it as well.
The man stopped a few steps away and glanced at the pond. A faint smile formed on his lips.
"Good. Still intact."
Mei Ling's voice turned cold. "State your sect."
The man looked at her briefly, then nodded. "Azure Sword Pavilion."
He paused, then added calmly, "Inner disciple. Concept Awakening, second layer."
Silence followed.
Han Qiao's expression stiffened. "…Second layer?"
Behind the man, one of the disciples smirked. "Told you we got lucky."
Another crossed his arms confidently. "Of course. With Senior Brother Gu here, what's there to worry about?"
Gu Chen let out a quiet sigh. "You two never stop talking."
Then his gaze shifted toward Lin Xuan's group, evaluating them in an instant.
"Three outer disciples. Body Strengthening, third layer."
One of his companions raised a hand slightly. "Zhang Wei."
"Sun Hao," another added.
The last simply nodded. "No need to remember."
Han Qiao muttered under his breath, "…Yeah, I probably won't."
Gu Chen's faint smile returned. "And you?"
Mei Ling stepped forward without hesitation. "Black Mountain Sect. Body Strengthening, third layer. Mei Ling."
Han Qiao lifted his staff. "Same realm. Han Qiao."
Zhao Tian spoke calmly, his tone steady. "Concept Awakening, fourth layer."
This time, the other side fell silent.
Zhang Wei blinked. "…Fourth?"
Sun Hao's expression shifted.
Even Gu Chen's smile faded slightly as his gaze locked onto Zhao Tian.
"…Interesting."
Then his attention moved to Lin Xuan.
"And you?"
Lin Xuan met his gaze without flinching. "Body Strengthening, second layer."
Gu Chen held his eyes for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright."
He turned his attention back to the pond, the golden water reflecting faintly in his eyes.
"…Let's talk."
Han Qiao let out a breath. "Finally."
Gu Chen raised a finger. "Two options. First—we fight. It gets messy. Someone dies. Possibly more than one."
Then he raised a second finger. "Second—you leave."
Han Qiao stared at him. "…You people really like that option, huh?"
Zhang Wei grinned. "It's simple."
"And efficient," Sun Hao added.
Mei Ling's hand moved to her sword. "And if we refuse?"
Gu Chen's tone remained calm. "Then we stop being polite."
Silence settled once more.
Then Lin Xuan spoke.
"What if we split it?"
Everyone paused.
Gu Chen looked at him, then chuckled softly. "Logical. But impossible."
He gestured toward the pond. "The moment it's divided, its effect drops."
Han Qiao sighed. "…Of course it does."
Gu Chen nodded slightly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "So. Your decision?"
The air tightened further, tension reaching its peak.
Zhao Tian stepped forward.
"That's enough."
Gu Chen looked at him. "…So you've chosen to fight."
Zhao Tian's expression remained indifferent. "You talk too much."
Zhang Wei laughed. "Senior Brother, I like this guy."
Gu Chen exhaled slowly. "…I don't."
His eyes sharpened instantly.
"Take them."
Everything erupted at once.
Han Qiao shouted, "Alright, no more talking!" as he charged forward, his staff colliding with Zhang Wei's weapon in a loud clash.
Mei Ling moved like a flash of steel, her blade slicing toward Sun Hao as she called out, "Stay focused!"
Meanwhile, two disciples rushed toward Zhao Tian.
"Take him down first!"
Zhao Tian didn't move until they were right in front of him.
Then he raised his hand.
The air turned heavy.
An invisible force crashed down.
Both attackers were slammed violently into the ground, the impact echoing across the hollow. One coughed blood instantly. The other didn't move at all.
A brief silence followed.
"…What was that?" Zhang Wei muttered.
Gu Chen's expression darkened slightly. "…So you're the strongest one."
Zhao Tian lowered his hand, his voice calm and cold. "You're weak."
Killing intent surged.
Gu Chen stepped forward, his aura rising sharply, refined and cutting like a blade. Concept power spread outward, distorting the air around him.
"…Good," he said quietly. "Finally, someone worth fighting."
The ground cracked beneath his step as he moved.
Their clash shook the entire hollow.
And in the center of it all, beside the glowing pond—
Lin Xuan stood still.
Silent.
Watching.
The golden light reflected in his eyes as chaos unfolded around him—clashing weapons, surging auras, and the scent of blood beginning to spread through the air.
Everything was proceeding exactly as he expected.
Within his mind, the system flickered faintly.
[Opportunity detected.]
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"Go on…" he murmured softly. "Fight."
Because the longer they fought—
the closer he was…
to taking everything.