The crimson sun hung low in the sky of Heavenly Place. In the wilderness outside Skycloud Village, monsters roamed freely. Players either hunted or hid.
Rayan - cloaked as always - was moving silently through the tall grass.
[Stage: Mortal Realm - Level 5 (Hidden)]
Talent: F (Displayed)
Real Talent: ∞ — Primordial
He was tracking a trail of beast footprints, drawn by instinct - or maybe something more.
Then he saw her.
A lone figure in silver and blue robes. Graceful. Calm.
Surrounded by the frozen remains of a dozen flame beasts.
[Player Detected: SilverEmpress]
Cultivation Stage: Qi Gathering - Level 7
He paused.
Something about her... was familiar.
But before he could speak, a rumble echoed from the cliff nearby.
A secret cave entrance appeared.
The ground cracked. Flames whispered from the inside - ancient, hungry.
The Hidden Cave of Silent Flame
The system message rang:
[Hidden Dungeon Discovered: Silent Flame Cave]
Entry allowed: Maximum 2 players.
Monsters: Flame Fiends (Advanced)
Danger Level: High
SilverEmpress turned to him.
"You alone?"
"Yes," Rayan replied quietly.
"Then let's go."
They entered together.
X Inside the Cave
The walls were burning stone. The air was thick with heat and danger.
Flame Fiends — lizard-like monsters with molten skin
- leapt from the shadows. Each one was stronger than normal monsters. But together, the two cultivators danced like blades.
SilverEmpress: Elegant with ice spears and frost shields.
Zero: Silent, deadly - using raw elemental force with perfect control.
She noticed something.
"His movements... not normal. He's hiding something."
But she didn't ask. Neither did he.
Boss Room: Flame-Fanged Demon Wolf
At the cave's end, a massive beast waited - glowing red eyes, lava dripping from its fangs.
| [Warning: Elite Flame Demon - Qi Gathering Peak]
SilverEmpress hesitated. She was strong... but not enough.
Rayan stepped forward.
I "I'll hold it. You hit from behind."
She blinked. "You'll die."
He looked back.
"Just don't let me fall alone."
The battle exploded. Rayan clashed head-on with the beast, taking blow after blow. His Primordial Body healed, but not without pain. He bled. His robe burned. Still, he stood.
She struck with precision. Ice cut flame. Frost wrapped its legs.
Then—
Final hit.
The beast howled and crumbled to ash.
Loot Chest Appears
Inside:
Spirit Jade (High-Grade)
Fire Lotus Core (Rare Material) Flame Wolf Bone Spear (Epic Weapon)
She looked at him.
"You deserve this."
He shook his head.
"Take it."
"Why?"
| "Let's say... I like fair people."
She was silent. Something stirred in her chest.
"You deserve this."
He shook his head.
"Take it."
"Why?"
| "Let's say... I like fair people."
She was silent. Something stirred in her chest.
"Then I owe you," she said.
They exited the cave. The sun was setting.
Names still hidden. Faces still masked.
But something had begun.