THE RULER OF MAP

Days passed as Zhang Xin remained within his Stone Realm, focusing on restoring his strength and healing his wounds. The silver jade pendant from Yue Qian rested on his lap, radiating a faint moonlight glow, as if protecting him. The scroll she left contained rare cultivation techniques, but Zhang Xin knew he had no time to master them yet.

"I've come so far… but the final task awaits me."

The Dragonroot Herb, a mystical plant rumored to grow only in the Deepest Part of the Pathway of Treasures, was his last goal. He recalled Master Han Lingxiu's words:

> "The herb only thrives in places where darkness and life intertwine. It is guarded by creatures born of shadows, and its power is not to be underestimated. Few return alive."

The Journey Begins

Zhang Xin emerged from his Stone Realm, his body rejuvenated and his resolve unshakable. The Pathway of Treasures stretched before him, its once-majestic beauty now shrouded in an eerie silence. The air grew colder with every step, and an unsettling darkness lingered as if watching him.

As Zhang Xin journeyed deeper, the environment shifted. The lush forests gave way to jagged cliffs and valleys cloaked in mist. Ancient ruins dotted the landscape, remnants of a forgotten time. Strange symbols carved into stone glowed faintly, warning intruders of the dangers ahead.

A New Threat

Hours into his trek, Zhang Xin sensed movement. The faint crunch of footsteps echoed behind him. He spun around, summoning his Light Attribute, and saw three cloaked figures approaching. Their faces were hidden, but their dark auras screamed of danger.

One of them stepped forward, his voice chilling.

"You're Zhang Xin, aren't you? The boy who carries Soulfire Essence and Moonlight Dew."

Zhang Xin's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

The leader of the group laughed, removing his hood. His face was gaunt, and his crimson eyes glowed with malice.

"I am Yun Zhe, a Shadow Master Level 6. You've made quite a reputation for yourself, but your luck ends here."

The other two revealed themselves as well:

Luo Wei: A Blade Master, Level 5, whose razor-sharp sword gleamed with an aura of death.

Qi Rong: A Poison Master, Level 5, who wielded corrosive mists that could melt through steel.

Zhang Xin clenched his fists. He could feel their murderous intent like a weight pressing on his chest.

The Battle Unfolds

Without another word, Yun Zhe raised his hand, and a tide of darkness surged toward Zhang Xin.

Yun Zhe's Techniques:

1. Shadow Bind: Dark tendrils erupted from the ground, seeking to ensnare Zhang Xin.

2. Nightfall Spear: A lance of pure shadow energy materialized, shooting toward him with devastating speed.

Luo Wei joined the attack, dashing forward with blinding speed, his sword cutting through the air in deadly arcs.

Qi Rong released a cloud of poisonous mist that spread across the battlefield, corroding the ground and anything it touched.

Zhang Xin gritted his teeth, his Light Attribute flaring to life as he countered their combined assault.

1. Blinding Light Wave: Zhang Xin unleashed a burst of radiant energy, dissipating Yun Zhe's Shadow Bind.

2. Flame Barrier: He summoned Soulfire Essence to form a protective shield, blocking Luo Wei's sword strikes.

3. Radiant Purge: Golden flames swirled around him, purifying Qi Rong's poisonous mist and clearing the air.

The trio recoiled, their attacks failing to overwhelm Zhang Xin. But they weren't finished yet.

Yun Zhe sneered. "Not bad, but let's see how long you can last against all of us at once!"

The three launched their most powerful attacks simultaneously. Zhang Xin knew he couldn't hold back any longer. Summoning every ounce of his strength, he unleashed his ultimate technique:

"Golden Dragon!"

A massive dragon of pure golden light erupted from Zhang Xin's body, its shimmering scales radiating blinding brilliance. The dragon roared, shaking the very air, before charging forward.

The Golden Dragon wrapped itself around Yun Zhe's Nightfall Spear, shattering it into dust.

Luo Wei's sword met the dragon's tail and snapped in two, sending him flying into the rocks.

Qi Rong's poisonous mist evaporated in the dragon's glow as the beast's head struck him, knocking him unconscious.

The three enemies fell one by one, their powers drained by the overwhelming light. Yun Zhe coughed, his voice trembling.

"This… isn't over… We'll return for you…"

With that, they disappeared into the shadows, leaving Zhang Xin breathing heavily, his body pushed to its limit.

The Deepest Part

Weakened but determined, Zhang Xin pressed forward. Hours turned into a blur as he journeyed deeper into the Pathway of Treasures. The ground grew darker, and the very air felt heavier, as if resisting his presence.

Finally, he reached a cavern shrouded in pitch-black mist. Inside, faint silver roots emerged from the ground, glowing dimly. In the center of the cavern stood the Dragonroot Herb—a mystical plant with shimmering violet leaves and a pulsing core of green light.

Zhang Xin's heart pounded. "That's it… the Dragonroot Herb."

He stepped forward cautiously, but the moment he approached, the air rippled, and the shadows came alive.

A monstrous beast emerged from the darkness. It was a Shadow Fiend, a legendary guardian of the herb. Its form was a swirling mass of shadows with glowing red eyes and jagged claws.

The fiend lunged at Zhang Xin, its claws aiming to tear him apart. Zhang Xin dodged, summoning his Light Attribute once more, but exhaustion slowed his movements.

"I can't give up here!" Zhang Xin shouted, flames igniting in his hands.

He unleashed wave after wave of golden fire, burning through the fiend's shadowy form. The beast howled in agony, but it regenerated rapidly, its dark form reforming.

Zhang Xin gritted his teeth. "Its weakness is light… but I need to strike its core!"

Summoning the last of his strength, Zhang Xin activated his ultimate light technique:

"Golden Dragon!"

A shimmering golden dragon manifested in front of him, charging directly at the fiend. The beast howled in pain as the dragon's glowing maw struck its core, bursting it into a cloud of black mist.

The cavern fell silent, and Zhang Xin, exhausted but triumphant, stood over the remains of the Shadow Fiend. He had secured the Dragonroot Herb.

A Familiar Shadow

As Zhang Xin stood with the Dragonroot Herb in hand, a faint sound echoed from behind him—soft footsteps. His body tensed, instincts screaming of danger.

From the darkness emerged Jiang Ren, the Blood King, his crimson eyes gleaming with menace.

"Well, well, Zhang Xin… You've found the herb, but I'm not about to let you walk away with it."

Zhang Xin, battered and weary, clenched his fists. The chilling aura of bloodlust filled the cavern, and Zhang Xin realized the battle was far from over.