Soul Land: A Foreign Fantasy

{Sheng Zhi's pov}

Rustle*rustle*

Ar…ar…Argh! What is happening?

The cave collapsed didn't it, so I am alive?

I inhaled deeply, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as I took in my surroundings. Against all odds, I had survived a near-fatal encounter that could have easily taken my life. Yet, the image of Wang Jin troubled me far more. I couldn't shake the memory of the empty room where he had fallen; if he had managed to keep that ring with him, perhaps he could still be alive.

I attempted to push myself up from the cold, hard surface beneath me, but my body was heavy and fatigued, like lead. Every muscle ached, and fatigue clung to me like a shroud. My eyelids felt as though they were weighed down by a great weight, refusing to lift and reveal the world around me.

Should I give up?

Should I stop?

I kept on thinking and thinking, but What would this useless pondering gift me?

My body aches from the pain, and my wounds mourn; I should give them rest.

Nah, what am I thinking?

Even the thought of leaving them alone makes me realize that many problems will arise. Their intensity would be too much for this world to handle.

Crakle*Crakle*

What is this sound?

Wahhhhh…!

Huff… huff…

"Are you well, sage?" said a voice. I can't guess its origin but it is somewhere nearby, my body is completely fine, and so are my eyes but this situation.

The expansive, dome-shaped chamber was illuminated by flickering torches that cast warm, dancing light across the stone walls, each corner seemingly alive with the glow. Six towering pillars, intricately carved with ancient motifs, stood sentinel around the room, their strength apparent as they supported the weight of the vast ceiling above. My gaze traveled upward, where a massive gaping hole loomed ominously, its edges jagged and strewn with debris that had fallen from above, remnants of a collapse that added to the room's air of mystery and danger.

Feeling the tension in the atmosphere, I swiftly unsheathed the dagger strapped securely to my waist, its cold blade gleaming in the torchlight. Gritting my teeth, I prepared myself for whatever threat lurked in the shadows, ready to defend against the unknown that was about to emerge.

"Don't be scared, sage," that deep, ancient voice spoke again.

"Who are you?" I inquired.

"Why don't you ask your spirit?" the voice replied.

How does he know about it? This didn't even cross my mind like a Buffon as soon as heard him mention my spirit I took it out.

The spirit flashed and the pages turned.

[Name: Olbivionis ]

[Species: Void Elemental]

[Age: 423]

[Details: Remnant of soul which comes together in an object to form an ethereal being. These enigmatic beings are said to be poised, ready to offer themselves in a deep, haunting sacrifice.

Be warned: these spirits possess an unsettling intelligence and an uncanny ability to remain silent. They are not a force to be taken lightly, for their cunning nature makes them formidable and unpredictable in the pursuit of their ancient purpose.]

What! I don't know what to point out: a named soul beast, maximum age, and the ability to speak. Could something this absurd exist?

"So this is the Grand Grimoire" spoke Olbivionis. "it's here now I could finally start the trial."

I looked at him in confusion. How does he know about my grimoire, and what is this trial? But before I could ask, it materialized. Its previously transparent body became translucent, taking on a shapeless form with two brightly glowing spots that seemed to be its eyes.

"Oh, sage! Now that you have come here, fight me and win, so that I may be free," his voice resonated deeply as he launched his attack at me. Somehow, I dodged the first strike and ran to the far end of the room.

I summoned my book, hoping to find any information that could help me, but luck was not on my side. As the pages turned, the Olbivionis attacked for a second time, its arms outstretched, and this time, its strike didn't miss.

I braced before the impact but still, I couldn't take all the force. I crashed into the wall and the room shook.

"You seem to have some fight," said the elemental as he saw me getting up.

"Oh yeah," I said in a low tone. As I got up from the rubble, the wall almost collapsed.

"Sheng Zhi, is that what you call yourself" he said again.

"Yes, how did you know?" I asked with a smile, maybe it's the presence of death making me go nuts.

"So sad, you will die today."

"Bring it on" Though I said that I don't seem to have any way to defend myself, will I die?

Crash*

The wall collapsed, and a set of golden chains came flying through the air. I never expected things to unfold this way. Silence loomed over the room until he appeared: Wang Jin, surrounded by a strange golden aura. I wanted to speak, but my body resisted, as if I were standing in the presence of an emperor. Most likely, it was his skill, [King of Heroes], that gave him this commanding presence.

He walked loudly and slowly as the elemental stared at him, confused just like I was. He came to a halt in front of me and declared his will, "How dare you, mere MONGREL!"