Eternal Tower: Atreia Era

"We must head to Blackrock Valley immediately and reclaim the fragments of the Tower of Eternity!" Lynn's voice was filled with unwavering determination. The ether within him, not yet fully recovered, stirred slightly with urgency. The Judgment of Light in his palm once again glowed with a faint golden light. "After Karon escaped, he will surely send people to the valley to meet us immediately. If we are even a step too late, the fragments may be completely taken away by the Dragon Demon Alliance!"

Lina nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with solemnity. She gathered a wisp of gentle light ether in her hand, lightly wrapping it around Lynn's shoulder to ease his injuries. "That's right, the fragments of the Tower of Eternity are related to the safety of Atreia. We absolutely cannot let the Dragon Demon's conspiracy succeed. However, Blackrock Valley is shrouded in mist year-round, and ancient malevolent energy and corrupted ether reside there. If we rashly go there, we might find ourselves in grave danger." Gavin slowly raised his hand, channeling a pure ray of light ether into Raymond's body. Watching his breathing gradually stabilize, he turned around, his gaze fixed on the direction west of Blackrock Fortress—a place shrouded in mist, where a strange aura mixed with ancient malevolent energy and corrupted ether could be faintly sensed—the location of Blackrock Valley. "You're all right. The fragments must not fall into the Dragon Demon's hands, but the dangers of Blackrock Valley far exceed your imagination."

He paused, then continued, "Blackrock Valley is the remnant of an ancient battlefield. When the Tower of Eternity collapsed, a fragment fell here. The ferocity of that ancient war is etched into every inch of the valley's land. Not only is the valley filled with an impenetrable ancient malevolent aura, but it also retains the resentment of countless fallen warriors. This resentment intertwines with the polluted ethereal energy of heaven and earth, coalescing into a gray-black mist powerful enough to erode the mind. This mist is no ordinary mist; it distorts perception, causing intruders to lose their way. Even those with ethereal perception will be disturbed by the mist, unable to distinguish reality from illusion. Ordinary mid-level guardians who enter will suffer at best ethereal disorder, mental damage, and hallucinations, and at worst be completely devoured by the malevolent aura, becoming mindless monsters capable only of slaughter. Even more terrifying is the valley's rugged and treacherous terrain, riddled with deadly traps left from the ancient battlefield. Beneath the ground lie sharp, black iron spikes nourished by the malevolent aura and polluted ethereal energy." These spikes gleamed with a chilling, dark light, sharp enough to easily pierce the armor of high-ranking guardians, severing their meridians and etheric cores. Once struck, the etheric energy would instantly go berserk and dissipate, beyond even the power of light to salvage. The result would be either severe injury rendering the victim crippled or instant death. The mountain walls were covered with dark purple vines that secreted corrosive venom. These vines would actively entangle any creature that approached, secreting a jet-black venom that would instantly fester upon contact with skin. Once it seeped into the meridians, it would entangle with the etheric energy within the body, slowly devouring life force. Even with the purification jade pendant, the corrosion could only be slowed; without timely purification, the creature would be completely corroded by the venom within half a quarter of an hour, turning into a pool of black liquid. More importantly, since Karon dared to leave clues, he must have laid an ambush in the valley. Dragon warriors are adept at concealing themselves in the mist and malevolent energy, using the terrain to launch surprise attacks, and would deliberately lure intruders into triggering traps, waiting for us to walk right into their trap.

Raymond struggled to get up, but Gavin pressed him down with his hand. His face was still pale, but his tone was extremely firm: "Grand Master Gavin, Blackrock Valley has a complex terrain. I am familiar with the border terrain. Let me send a team of elite guardians to accompany you. They can help you search for the fragments and also keep the dragon demons at bay."

"No need." Gavin shook his head slightly, his tone grave. "The fortress has just been through a major battle, and the guardians suffered heavy casualties. The remaining forces must stay to reinforce the defenses and guard against another attack from the Dragon-Demon Alliance. The fog in Blackrock Valley is actually disadvantageous for large forces. Too many people will easily expose their presence and could be picked off one by one by the Dragon-Demons, and may even trigger ancient traps deep within the valley. This time, I'll take Lynn and Lina with me. Fewer people will be more agile and can better conceal their presence."

He looked at Lynn and Lina, his eyes filled with expectation and admonition: "Lynn, you have just broken through to the intermediate-level Guardian, and your control over the Light Aether is still unstable. This time, you must conceal your aura and not be reckless. Your Light Purification combat skill is the key to suppressing filth and malevolence. You must use it flexibly, not only to purify the enemy, but also to constantly purify the malevolence around you to prevent being corrupted. Lina, your Aether control is highly precise and you are good at support and defense. You must protect yourself and also pay attention to Lynn's condition at all times. Once you find that his eyes are unfocused and his Aether is disordered, it is a sign that he has been corrupted by malevolence. Immediately use the power of light to purify him. In addition, no matter what you encounter, do not touch anything in the valley easily. Even a seemingly ordinary pebble or a withered blade of grass may be a deadly trap."

"Disciples will remember Master's teachings!" Lynn and Lina bowed simultaneously to accept the order. They looked at each other and saw determination in each other's eyes—no matter how many dangers lay ahead, they had to reclaim the fragments of the Eternal Tower and stop the Dragon Demon's conspiracy.

Gavin nodded, turned around, and took out two crystal-clear jade pendants from his storage bag, handing them to the two: "These are purification jade pendants, containing pure light power. They can resist the malevolent energy and impure ether in the valley, and in critical moments, they can automatically release a barrier of light to protect your safety. Wear them, and no matter what happens, do not take them off easily. Once the pendant's light dims, it means that the surrounding malevolent energy has exceeded its tolerance range, and you must immediately evacuate and rest."

Lynn and Lina accepted the jade pendant and gently placed it around their necks. A gentle, luminous power instantly spread throughout their bodies, dispelling the remaining impure ether within them and relieving much of the fatigue from the previous battle. "Thank you, Master."

After arranging the fortress's defenses and instructing Raymond to hold the line and relay messages promptly, Gavin, along with Lynn and Lina, dashed off towards Blackrock Valley. The three used their Instant Step technique at full speed, their bodies enveloped in a faint aether of light, both to increase their speed and to conceal their movements, avoiding any potential dragon scouts.

The closer one gets to Blackrock Valley, the denser the malevolent energy and foul ether in the air become. The once clear sky gradually turns gloomy, and a biting wind howls through the air, carrying fine black mist that stings the skin like needles. The distant valley is shrouded in a thick, gray-black mist, which churns and swirls like a living thing, its eerie roars sometimes sharp and piercing, sometimes low and mournful—the desperate cries of creatures consumed by the malevolent energy, sending chills down one's spine. The ground is littered with the ruins of an ancient battlefield: broken weapons and scattered bones are everywhere, each skeleton shrouded in a faint black mist—the marks of the malevolent energy's corruption. Some skeletons even retain their dying, fighting postures, fingers gripping broken weapons tightly, their eyes glowing with a ghostly green phosphorescence, as if they might rise and pounce at any moment. The rocks beneath my feet were black and cold, covered with irregular cracks from which a sticky black liquid seeped out, emitting a putrid stench. They were extremely slippery, and one could easily slip and fall into the bottomless crevice if one was not careful.

"Be careful, we've entered the outer edge of Blackrock Valley." Gavin stopped, raising his hand to signal the two to conceal their presence. His tone was heavy, almost icy. "This mist contains not only malevolent energy, but also shadow creatures corrupted by it. They are extremely sensitive to the power of light, and will attack relentlessly once they sense our presence. Moreover, the outer edge has the most traps, and they are the most deadly. The black iron spikes beneath the ground have been nourished by malevolent energy for millennia, and their tips are still covered with solidified, turbid ether. They can easily pierce not only high-level armor, but even the flesh of a high-level guardian. Anyone struck by them will instantly..." Losing control of the ether, meridians rupture, blood mixed with ether gushing out—death occurs within breath. The corrosive vines on the mountainside are even more insidious. Their roots are deeply embedded in rock crevices, sensing the etheric fluctuations of living beings. Once approached, they coil swiftly like venomous snakes, their thorns injecting venom the moment they pierce the skin, first paralyzing the nerves, then corroding the etheric core. Even I, once entangled, need to expend a great deal of ether to break free; a slight misstep would leave permanent damage. Once a mid-level guardian is entangled, survival is almost impossible.

Lynn and Lina nodded immediately, both withdrawing their inner Light Aether, leaving only a faint trace to maintain the Purification Jade Pendant's operation. Lynn gripped the Judgment of Light tightly, his eyes warily scanning the surrounding mist. He carefully avoided the cracks in the ground and the skeletons beneath his feet. The roars around him grew clearer, as if countless eyes were watching them from the shadows, sending chills down their spines. Lina followed closely behind Lynn, a faint wisp of Light Aether gathering in her palm, constantly alert to any movement around her, fearing she might trigger a hidden trap.

The three cautiously stepped into the mist, so thick that they could barely see more than three feet ahead, as if they had fallen into boundless darkness. Only the faint golden light emanating from the purification jade pendant illuminated a small area in front of them. The malevolent energy in the air was like an invisible venomous snake, constantly eroding their senses. It entered their nostrils, bringing a pungent, sweet-smelling odor that made them dizzy; it invaded their meridians, sluggishly circulating their ether. If it weren't for the protection of the purification jade pendant, they would probably have already lost their minds and their ether would have gone berserk. Gavin walked at the front, surrounded by a faint barrier of light that forcefully pushed back the surrounding mist and malevolent energy, clearing a narrow path for the two. Even so, the barrier of light was constantly being eroded by the malevolent energy, rippling and hissing.

"Mentor, the malevolent energy here is so strong, even the purification jade pendant is getting slightly hot," Lina said softly. The jade pendant around her neck emitted a faint golden light as it tried its best to resist the erosion of the malevolent energy. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her face turned somewhat pale—continuously resisting the malevolent energy was consuming a great deal of her ether, and the ether within her body had begun to become slightly disordered.

"Hold on, we'll find the fragment's location as soon as possible." Gavin's tone was gentle as he raised his hand, sending a soft stream of ethereal light into Lina's body. "The fragment of the Tower of Eternity contains powerful primordial energy that can suppress the surrounding malevolent energy. As long as we sense that pure and boundless power, we'll find the fragment's location. Remember, don't use large amounts of ethereal lightly, or you'll attract more shadow creatures and make yourself more susceptible to being corrupted by the malevolent energy."

Just then, a piercing roar came from the mist, and several dark figures suddenly burst out, rushing towards the three. These figures were hunched over, covered in black scales, the skin beneath which was festering and black, oozing a foul-smelling fluid; their eyes were bloodshot, flashing with a bloodthirsty red light, and black saliva dripped from their mouths, corroding tiny black holes on the ground; they were surrounded by a dense aura of malevolence and shadow power, their roars mixed with vague resentment. They were the Shadow Skeleton Beasts corrupted by malevolence—originally warriors of the ancient battlefield, they were devoured by malevolence after death, reduced to monsters that only knew how to kill. They were numerous and impervious to pain, and even when wounded, they would attack with all their might.

"Watch out!" Gavin shouted, his body erupting with luminous ether, unleashing a massive blade of light that slashed fiercely at the Shadow Skeleton Beasts. Where the blade passed, the mist was torn apart, the malevolent energy purified, and several of the leading Shadow Skeleton Beasts were instantly struck, their bodies turning into puddles of black mist and vanishing without a trace. But even more Shadow Skeleton Beasts surged out of the mist, some wielding broken weapons, others tearing at the air with sharp claws, densely packed together, surrounding the three.

"Lynn, Lina, you two are responsible for holding off the skeletal beasts on both sides. Don't linger in the fight, finish them off quickly!" Gavin shouted to the two while fending off the skeletal beasts in front of him. "These skeletal beasts are nourished by malevolent energy. After they die, they will turn into malevolent energy and continue to corrode the surrounding environment. Try to use the power of purification to kill them and prevent the malevolent energy from spreading!"

"Yes!" Lynn and Lina responded simultaneously, turning to engage in battle. Lynn's ether circulated within him, and the Judgment of Light condensed into a golden blade of light, which he fiercely slashed at the Shadow Skeleton Beast on his left. The strength of a mid-level guardian was on full display. The purifying power on the blade of light instantly cleansed the ferocity on the skeleton beast. Each swing of the sword could kill a skeleton beast, but when the ferocity within the skeleton beast dissipated, it emitted a pungent odor that made people feel dizzy.

Lina unleashed a barrage of light slashes, several golden blades of light whistling out and precisely striking the Shadow Skeleton Beast on her right. Simultaneously, she conjured small barriers of light, isolating the surrounding malevolent energy to protect herself and provide support for Lynn. Her control over her ether was extremely precise; each strike of the light blades was flawless. Even against the frenzied skeleton beast, she remained calm and composed. However, continuously releasing light barriers and light blades was rapidly depleting her ether, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

The number of Shadow Skeleton Beasts continued to grow, emerging relentlessly from the mist, seemingly endless. Moreover, corrupted by the malevolent energy, these beasts were impervious to pain; even wounded or with severed limbs, they would continue their frenzied attacks, even ramming their bodies against the Light Barrier in an attempt to break through its defenses. Gradually, Lynn and Lina's ethereal reserves began to deplete, and several shallow wounds appeared on their bodies. Although the Purifying Jade Pendant protected them from the malevolent energy, the skeletal beasts' claws remained sharp enough to cause physical damage. The wounds, tainted by the malevolent energy, burned with a searing pain, and their healing process became unusually slow.

"This can't go on. There are too many skeleton beasts. Our ether will be exhausted sooner or later, and the continued battle will attract more shadow creatures!" Lynn shouted to Gavin while slaying the skeleton beasts. The light of the Judgment of Light in his hand dimmed slightly. Most of the ether in his body had been consumed, and his vision began to blur. He was obviously slightly eroded by the malevolent energy.

Gavin's eyes narrowed. He knew that continuing to delay would only put him on the defensive and could attract more shadow creatures, or even a dragon demon's ambush. He abruptly activated the light ether within his body, and the light barrier around him instantly expanded, enveloping all the shadow skeleton beasts. At the same time, he formed hand seals and silently chanted an incantation. A dazzling golden beam of light erupted from his palm and slammed down towards the shadow skeleton beasts within the barrier—this strike was not only meant to kill the skeleton beasts but also to completely purify the surrounding malevolent energy, preventing more skeleton beasts from being nourished and reborn.

"Purification of Light - All Areas!"

The moment the golden beam of light struck, the shadowy skeletal beasts within the barrier let out a piercing scream. Their malevolent energy was instantly purified, and their bones, scorched by the power of light, gradually turned to dust and dissipated into the mist. In just a few moments, all the shadowy skeletal beasts were completely eliminated, and much of the surrounding mist was dispelled by the power of light. The malevolent energy in the air also lessened somewhat, but a black mark remained on the ground—the lingering malevolent energy from the purified skeletal beasts, still slowly eroding the surrounding rocks.

Gavin was slightly out of breath, a hint of exhaustion flashing across his face—the purification of the entire domain had consumed a tremendous amount of ether. He had already exhausted a considerable amount of ether traveling to the border, and now this was adding insult to injury; the light barrier around him had dimmed considerably. "Quickly, take advantage of this break and continue deeper into the valley to find the location of the fragment. Remember, the deeper we go, the stronger the malevolent energy becomes, and the more hidden the traps are. Don't be careless."

Lynn and Lina immediately followed, the three quickening their pace as they ventured deeper into the valley. As they went further, the fog thickened, almost to the point of complete darkness. The golden light of the purifying jade pendant grew brighter, nearly enveloping them entirely, and its temperature soared, as if it might melt at any moment. The roars around them gradually subsided, but a faint, pungent stench filled the air, mixed with the foul ether unique to the dragon demon, and a musty, decaying smell that was nauseating—clearly, they had approached the dragon demon's ambush site and entered the most dangerous core area of ​​the valley. The cracks in the rocks on the ground were widening, and in some of them, one could even see churning black magma, radiating a scorching heat. The surface of the magma was shrouded in a thick, foul ether; inhaling even a single breath would cause a feeling of tightness in the chest. If one were to fall in carelessly, they would be swallowed up by the magma and its malevolent energy, leaving no trace of their bones. The corrosive vines on the mountainside were becoming increasingly dense, their thorns gleaming with an eerie green light and constantly secreting inky black venom. The venom dripped onto the ground, making a sizzling sound as it corroded, easily corroding holes in the hard black iron rock. Even more terrifying, some of the vines were also entwined with chains left over from ancient battlefields. These chains were covered with thorns and malevolent energy; once entangled, one would not only be corroded by the venom but also have their flesh torn apart by the chains. Even more deadly is that the seemingly flat rocks on the ground actually hide a secret. Some rocks will collapse instantly when touched, revealing a bottomless abyss of spikes. The bottom of the abyss is full of black iron spikes nourished by malevolent energy, as well as viscous black venom. Even if a high-level guardian falls into it, he will only end up with no remains.

"Stop! There's an ambush." ​​Gavin suddenly stopped, his eyes scanning the surrounding mist warily. The light barrier around him unfolded again, now cracked with fine lines. "I sense the aura of the dragon demons, and not just one. They're probably not far ahead, using the mist and terrain as cover, waiting for us to walk right into their trap. Besides that, I also sense the intense aura of an ancient trap. Beneath the ground ahead lies a vast array of black iron spikes. This is no ordinary trap. The spike array is enhanced by ancient runes. Once triggered, it will instantly burst forth from the ground, forming an impenetrable wall of spikes. The foul ether and poison on the spikes will create a deadly aura. Anyone struck will not only have their flesh pierced, but their ether will be instantly devoured, and their soul will be corroded by malevolent energy, never to find peace again. Once triggered, even I can barely protect myself. You two will have no chance to dodge. The consequences will be unimaginable."

Lynn and Lina immediately stopped, gripping their weapons tightly and scanning their surroundings warily, their fingertips turning slightly white from the effort. Lynn circulated the remaining ether within his body, carefully sensing the surrounding aura. Sure enough, several powerful auras were hidden in the mist not far ahead. Two of these auras were extremely familiar—they were the companions of the mid-level dragonkin general he had killed at Blackrock Fortress. The other aura, while not as powerful as Karon's, was still far beyond that of an ordinary mid-level combatant, its surrounding tainted ether unusually dense, clearly belonging to a demon general skilled in concealment and ambush. At the same time, he could also feel the strong fluctuations coming from beneath the ground. It was the strange tremors emanating from the black iron spikes after they were nourished by malevolent energy and ancient runes. The spike array had an extremely wide trigger range. As long as someone stepped into the area within half a foot, the spikes would instantly burst out of the ground at a speed that was too fast to react to. What was even more terrifying was that the spike array would also be linked with the surrounding corrosive vines. Once triggered, the vines would launch an attack at the same time, forming a deadly trap of attacking from both the front and the back.

"Master, there are three dragon demon warriors ahead. One is a late-stage mid-level demon general, and the other two are mid-stage mid-level dragon warriors," Lynn said softly, his tone heavy with a hint of chill. "Their auras are very well concealed. If it weren't for my enhanced perception after breaking through to the mid-level, I probably wouldn't have been able to detect them. Moreover, the area beneath their feet is the safe trigger point of the Xuan Iron Spike Array. They deliberately stood there to lure us forward. Once we step into the trigger range, the spikes will instantly burst from the ground, and the dragon demon warriors will seize the opportunity to attack. We will instantly find ourselves in a fatal situation, attacked from both sides, and even the Purification Jade Pendant won't have time to function."

Gavin nodded, a sharp glint in his eyes: "It seems that Caron did indeed set up an ambush in the valley, intending to use the terrain and traps to wipe us out in one fell swoop. However, since they dared to hide here, it means the fragment should be nearby. As long as we break through their ambush and avoid the traps, we can find the fragment."

He looked at Lynn and Lina, and solemnly instructed them: "Lynn, you are responsible for holding off those two mid-level dragon warriors. Your Light Purification is effective against the dragon warriors' corrupted ether. Try to finish them off quickly and don't give them a chance to breathe. At the same time, be careful to avoid the ground trap trigger points. Do not step into any area without rock cover, not even half a step. If you trigger the spike array, you will be instantly pierced, and even I won't have time to support you. Lina, you are responsible for assisting me. Use the power of light to hold off the demon general, and at the same time, pay attention to the surrounding movements. Once you find any signs of trap triggering—whether it's the ground trembling or the vines moving—immediately use the power of light to warn us. Also, always keep an eye on our etheric state to avoid being corrupted by malevolent energy. I will deal with the demon general as soon as possible and then come to support you. Remember, traps are more deadly than dragon demons. If we are not careful, we will all perish here."

"Understood!" Lynn and Lina responded simultaneously, their etheric energy instantly activating, preparing for battle. At the same time, they carefully moved their feet, avoiding areas on the ground that might trigger traps.

Just then, a chilling, sinister laugh suddenly echoed from the mist, and three dark figures emerged, landing steadily in front of the three. Leading them was a demon general clad in black demonic armor. He was thin, with a sinister expression, surrounded by dense shadow power and foul ethereal energy. His eyes were as cold as ice, and black venom dripped from his fingertips. This was none other than the late-stage mid-level demon general—Mok. On either side of him stood two dragon-human warriors clad in jet-black dragon-scale armor. Their auras were powerful, their scales covered in black grime and emanating a putrid stench—clearly mid-stage mid-level dragon-human combat strength. They stood on specific rocks, clearly aware of the trap's location and deliberately positioned themselves in a safe area.

"Gavin, I didn't expect you to actually dare to bring two brats into the core area of ​​Blackrock Valley." Mok sneered, his eyes filled with disdain and cruelty. "Lord Karon anticipated your arrival and specifically ordered us to set up this ambush here, along with this ancient spike trap. This trap has been reinforced with tainted ether. Once triggered, spikes will continuously burst forth from the ground. Even if you are a high-ranking guardian, being pierced will severely injure you. These two brats, if they are even grazed by the spikes, will be instantly devoured by the venom and malevolent energy, turning into a pool of black water! Today, the three of you will either be impaled by the spikes and your souls will be scattered, or you will be killed by us. The fragments of the Tower of Eternity will also be successfully delivered to Lord Karon's hands!"

Gavin sneered, his body erupting with a burst of luminous ether, his aura surging to confront Mok's shadow power head-on: "Mok, you three, plus these despicable traps, think you can stop me? Today, I will not only reclaim the fragments of the Tower of Eternity, but I will also slaughter you all to avenge the guardians who died on the border, and incidentally purify the malevolent energy in this valley, allowing those devoured creatures to rest in peace!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gavin's figure flashed, transforming into a golden streak of light as he lunged towards Mok. A massive sword of light materialized in his hand, carrying the power to purify everything, and he slashed fiercely at Mok. A flash of killing intent crossed Mok's eyes. He swayed, dodging the attack, while simultaneously conjuring a massive shadow claw in his hand. The claw was coated in black venom, and he viciously clawed at Gavin. The venom emitted a pungent odor in the air, corroding and slightly distorting the air wherever it passed.

The clash of high-level combatants erupted once more. Golden light and black shadow clashed and intertwined in the mist, the booming sound causing the surrounding fog to churn violently. Even the skeletons on the ground trembled slightly, and the black iron spikes beneath the ground emitted a piercing hum due to the vibrations. The eerie light at the tips of the spikes grew increasingly intense, as if they might burst from the earth at any moment. More deadly was the fact that the shockwaves of the battle continuously impacted the ground, causing the once stable rocks to loosen and some to crack. Lynn's entanglement with the dragon warrior further increased the risk of triggering the spike array—every attack and every movement of the dragon warrior was deliberately designed to lure Lynn into the trap. From the very beginning, this battle was treated by the dragon demon as a "trap hunt." A slight misstep would make Lynn a sacrifice to the spikes and venom, and Gavin would be distracted by the rescue and fall victim to Mok's sneak attack.

At the same time, two dragon warriors charged towards Lynn, black dragon claws coalescing in their palms, imbued with a dense, foul ether. Their attacks were ruthless and calculated—they didn't blindly attack, but instead formed a pincer movement from the left and right, deliberately directing their attacks towards the trap's trigger area. Each claw strike, each step, subtly compressed Lynn's evasive space, attempting to force him into a corner through prolonged combat. The dragon warrior on the left threw a straight punch at Lynn's face, forcing him to instinctively dodge to the side. The dragon warrior on the right seized this fleeting opening, forcefully kicking Lynn's knee with tremendous power, aiming to throw him off balance and stumble backward into the spike array's trigger range. Lynn hastily twisted his body to block, and the dragon warrior's foot grazed his thigh. The huge impact still made him stagger, and his right toe accidentally grazed the edge of the trigger area and landed precisely on the ancient rune mark—this was not an accident, but the result of the dragon warrior's careful planning.

"laugh--!"

A piercing metallic scraping sound instantly tore through the mist, and the tremors beneath the ground intensified. Seeing this, the dragon warriors immediately retreated, standing firmly in a safe zone, a sinister grin spreading across their faces—this was the effect they wanted. The next second, countless dark, gleaming iron spikes burst forth from the earth with lightning speed. The condensed, foul ether and inky black venom at the spikes shimmered in the dim light, carrying a chilling aura and a putrid stench, instantly forming an impenetrable wall of spikes, aimed directly at Lynn's ankle. The spikes sliced ​​through the air so fast they left afterimages; Lynn could even clearly see the fine barbs on the spikes and the wisps of white smoke rising from the corrosive ground as the venom dripped down. The aura of death instantly enveloped him, making even breathing difficult.

"Watch out!" Lina's startled cry rang out simultaneously with the dragon warrior's sinister laugh. She instantly conjured a barrier of light in her hand, ignoring the depletion of her own ether, and shoved it towards Lynn's ankle—a rescue attempt, and also a way to restrain Mok nearby, preventing him from launching a sneak attack. Almost the instant the barrier of light touched the spikes, a piercing "sizzle—" sound of corrosion filled the air. The barrier of light was rapidly eroded by the venom and malevolent energy on the spikes, instantly cracking and on the verge of shattering. Lynn's pupils constricted. Taking advantage of the half-second of breathing gained by the barrier of light, he mustered all his strength to twist his body, simultaneously channeling the remaining ether within him, and slammed the Judgment of Light fiercely into the spikes before him. With a crisp "clang," the power of the Judgment collided with the spikes, sparking blinding sparks. The spikes were slightly deflected, barely grazing his ankle, tearing his trouser leg and leaving a deep burn mark.

Even a mere glancing at him left his trousers charred and torn by the venom, and a piercing pain shot through his skin. The golden light of the purification jade pendant instantly shone, barely managing to cleanse the venom that had seeped into his skin. Meanwhile, the stray spike pierced deeply into a nearby hard black iron rock, instantly piercing through it. The venom on the spike rapidly corroded the rock, leaving a dark hole in moments, with fragments of stone and black corrosive liquid falling away in a flurry. The two dragon warriors gave Lynn no chance to catch his breath. Taking advantage of his unsteady stance, they launched another fierce attack. Their black dragon claws, imbued with tainted ether, aimed directly at Lynn's vital points, while they continuously adjusted their positions, guiding him towards the core area of ​​the spike array—they knew very well that if Lynn took even half a step further, even with the purification jade pendant's protection, he would surely die.

Lynn staggered back two steps, regaining his footing. Cold sweat beaded on his back, his heart pounding wildly—that split second had been both a deadly trap and a deliberate ambush by the dragon warrior, the two working in perfect unison, nearly costing him his life. Suppressing his fear, the Light Judgment in his hand blazed even brighter, a sharp glint in his eyes. He abandoned his passive defense and charged towards the dragon warrior—he knew that to avoid the trap, he had to break free of the dragon warrior's pincer movement and seize control of the battle. This was not only a test of his strength and adaptability after breaking through to the intermediate level, but also a dual battle against both the dragon warrior and the deadly trap. He had to win to relieve the pressure on his mentor, reclaim the fragment, and protect the peace of Atreia.

Lina stood still, her ether rapidly circulating within her body, unleashing golden blades of light that slashed fiercely at Mok's back. This served both to restrain his attacks and to keep a close eye on Lynn's situation and the movements on the ground. The moment the trap was triggered, she had almost exhausted most of the remaining ether within her body, leaving her pale-faced. Yet, she dared not relax her guard in the slightest, fearing that the dragon warrior might lead Lynn to trigger the trap again, or that the aftershocks of the battle might accidentally detonate the spike array.

In the misty Blackrock Valley, the battle between light and darkness unfolds once more. The fragments of the Tower of Eternity are within reach, but the dangers ahead are far more brutal than the three imagined—a dense, malevolent aura relentlessly erodes their minds, hidden traps are seamlessly intertwined with the dragon-demon's struggle, and every move by the dragon warriors leads Lynn to the brink of despair. The lingering power of the ancient spike array could be triggered again at any moment, and corrosive vines lurk menacingly; every step is a matter of life and death. Powerful dragon-demon lie in ambush, using traps as hunting tools, while a constant stream of shadow creatures lurks in the mist. Can Lynn, with his mid-level strength, break through the dragon warriors' encirclement, seize the initiative, and completely avoid the deadly traps? Can Gavin successfully defeat Mok, resist the venom's corrosive effects, and guard against trap triggers and sneak attacks? Where exactly in the valley are the fragments of the Tower of Eternity hidden?