But sometimes, even hope was not enough.
"Haha found him. I can smell him, he's close," a hoarse voice echoed through the canyon.
Another chuckled, greedy and amused.
"Good. Just make sure that artifact stays intact. It looks valuable… very valuable."
Yu Zhen listened from the shadows of the cave, his breathing slow and controlled.
Every word scraped against his nerves, but his expression did not break.
'So they're here.'
He tightened his grip, feeling the weak pulse of the Absolute Order Artifact in his hand.
He wasn't going to die whimpering in a hole.
He would be lying if he didn't feel fear but.
If death was coming, then he would meet it head-on.
The moment footsteps crunched closer, Yu Zhen moved.
He burst from the cave like a wounded beast, hurling the Absolute Order Artifact forward. Its sudden glow flared brightly, instantly drawing the demons' attention.
For a heartbeat, they hesitated.
That was enough.
