THE RULER OF MAP

The figure in the dark robes stepped forward, his movements deliberate and slow. His presence was commanding, his aura so powerful that the very air around him seemed to crackle with energy. Zhang Xin's hand tightened around the orb, the heat from it pulsating in his palm as if responding to the strange power before him. He wasn't intimidated, but he was cautious—he knew that every step on the Pathway of Treasures came with a price, and this moment was no different.

"You seem determined," the figure said, his voice echoing through the chamber like thunder. "But do you truly understand what you're meddling with, young warrior?"

Zhang Xin narrowed his eyes. "I'm not here for your riddles. Who are you, and what do you want?"

The cloaked man chuckled, a sound that sent a chill down Zhang Xin's spine. "What I want is of little consequence. What matters is that you understand the danger that comes with what you hold."

Zhang Xin's grip on the orb tightened. "I know what I'm doing."

"You think so?" The figure stepped closer, the shadows swirling around him as though he were made of the darkness itself. "You hold an artifact of unimaginable power. It is not just a key to the treasures of this Pathway—it is a symbol, a beacon, and a curse."

Zhang Xin remained silent, his eyes flickering over the man. His instincts told him to keep his distance, yet he was not one to be intimidated by empty words. "And what does that mean for me?"

The cloaked man studied him carefully, his gaze piercing through the darkness. "It means that you are no longer just a simple traveler in search of treasure. You have become a target. Every cultivator, every entity in this world will now be watching you. They know what you carry, and they will stop at nothing to claim it."

Zhang Xin stood tall, unflinching. "I'm not afraid of a fight. If they come for me, I'll fight."

The cloaked man smiled, though it was a cold, humorless smile. "Fighting is easy, young warrior. But you are not ready for what lies ahead. The Pathway is full of traps, and not all of them are physical. Some will attack your mind, others will challenge your spirit. Are you truly prepared to face the horrors that await you?"

Zhang Xin met the figure's gaze, his resolve hardening. "I've faced demons, masters, and rivals. I'll face whatever comes next."

The cloaked man's expression shifted for the briefest moment, a flicker of something—perhaps respect or acknowledgment—passing across his features. "Then you are braver than most."

With that, the figure took a step back, and the shadows seemed to recede with him. "Go ahead, take your prize. But remember this: The Pathway will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. And there are others far more dangerous than me who walk these halls. Don't let your guard down."

Zhang Xin nodded silently, his senses still heightened, but the figure's words echoed in his mind. He had already come too far to back down. He had learned much during his journey—about strength, about power, and most importantly, about the dangerous world he was now part of.

As the figure faded into the darkness, Zhang Xin turned back to the pedestal, his fingers lightly grazing the orb. A shiver ran down his spine as he felt its pulse growing stronger, as if it were alive. The air around him seemed to tremble in response to the orb's presence.

He could feel the weight of the power in his hand, and for the first time, the path ahead seemed less certain. With a deep breath, Zhang Xin made his decision. He would press on.

With the orb firmly in his grasp, he turned toward the exit of the chamber, his mind focused on his next goal: finding the other two items Master Han Lingxiu had mentioned. He had a long journey ahead of him, one that would require all of his strength, wits, and skill. And he knew that danger would follow him every step of the way.

---

The journey out of the Pathway of Treasures was not as simple as Zhang Xin had hoped. The deeper he ventured into the labyrinthine corridors, the more he could feel the oppressive aura of the place—like something ancient and powerful was watching him, waiting for him to make a mistake. He had only a vague map from Master Han Lingxiu, but it was enough to guide him through the twisting pathways that led him toward his next destination.

As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following him. It wasn't a physical presence—no, it was something far more subtle, a presence that lurked just beyond the edges of his awareness. Every now and then, he would glance over his shoulder, but there was never anyone there. Still, the feeling persisted, gnawing at him.

He was no fool. He knew that in places like this, being paranoid was often a sign of good instincts.

After several hours of travel, Zhang Xin finally reached the gate that led to the next section of the Pathway. As he approached, the air around him grew colder, and the atmosphere seemed to thicken with anticipation. This was where the real challenges began, he knew. The map had led him to this point, but beyond this gate was the unknown.

The gate was ancient, its surface covered with strange runes that glowed faintly in the darkness. As he stepped closer, the runes seemed to react to his presence, lighting up in sequence before the massive stone doors slowly began to open, revealing the vast expanse beyond.

Zhang Xin hesitated for a moment. He didn't know what awaited him on the other side, but he was no stranger to the unknown. Stepping forward, he crossed the threshold, and the world around him seemed to shift.

---

On the other side, he found himself standing in a vast, open space. The ground beneath his feet was covered with strange markings—ancient symbols that seemed to pulse with an energy of their own. The air was thick with a strange, oppressive pressure, and the silence was deafening.

Ahead of him, he could see a massive structure—something like a temple, but far older and more worn by time. Its towering spires reached toward the sky, their jagged silhouettes casting long shadows over the land.

As Zhang Xin made his way toward the temple, he could feel the presence of others. Powerful cultivators, each one drawn to the same place, their auras just as intense as his own. And, among them, he could sense something darker—something that didn't belong.

The Pathway of Treasures had only just begun to reveal its secrets, and Zhang Xin had a feeling that the greatest challenges were yet to come.

As he neared the temple, he spotted a figure standing at the entrance—a woman, cloaked in black, her eyes glowing with a dangerous intensity. She didn't move as he approached, but he could feel her gaze on him, piercing through his very soul.

"I've been waiting for you," she said, her voice low and melodic, but filled with an unsettling edge.

Zhang Xin's hand instinctively moved to his sword. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "I am the one who will ensure you do not leave this place alive."