Ashen Tunnels – Gate of the Deep
The entrance to the Ashen Fang's hidden tunnels gaped like a wound beneath the Cursed Ravine. A sealed doorway of black bone and spirit glyphs pulsed with restrained malice. At its center, a blood-etched crest twisted and flickered — part spiritual formation, part living sigil.
Lin Yue stepped forward, hand outstretched.
The mark on his phoenix ring glowed.
The seal screamed.
With a thunderous pulse, the barrier shattered — torn apart by flame and ancient will.
The tunnel welcomed them like a grave does the dead.
Visual Map Update – Mission Zone: Ashen Tunnels (Unlocked)
Status: Active
Threats: Demonic Residuals, Soul-Construct Cultists
Terrain: Shifting bone corridors, unstable qi fields
Objective: Locate Lu Bai's main chamber and destroy the ritual nexus
Team Composition: Core Raid Unit – Operation "Black Flame Eclipse"
Lin Yue – Phoenix Core Ascendant | Guildmaster
Lian Rou – Flame-Bonded Spear Maiden | Dual Heart Link
Li Qingmei – Cursed Flame Vessel | Spirit Executioner Path
Xu Lian – Strategic Support | Illusion Tactician
Jian Mu – Frontline Brawler | Twin Asura Wheel
Ming Yushu – Infiltration Operative | Silent Blade Shadow
Ashen Tunnels – First Descent
Jian Mu held a flame-torch in one hand, his axes slung over his back. "Why do I feel like this place isn't just alive — it remembers us?"
Xu Lian replied, "Because the walls are made of reanimated beast spine. We're walking through a dead thing's memory."
Li Qingmei touched one wall, and the corrupted flame in her body stirred. "My curse… recognizes this place."
"Then you'll be our compass," Lin Yue said. "Stay close."
Suddenly, ahead — laughter echoed.
Not human.
A shape emerged from the shadows. Humanoid, dressed in the ceremonial black of a high Ashen Fang priest. But its face — skin like cracked porcelain, and eyes burning with infernal purple.
It bowed mockingly.
"You are early, Lin Yue of the Nirvana Guild. Lord Lu Bai expected your rise… just not this soon."
"And you are?" Lin Yue asked coolly.
"I am Yao Fen, First Fang. Keeper of the Soul Altar. Warden of the ritual furnace."
"And soon," Lian Rou growled, spinning her spear, "ash."
Yao Fen snapped his fingers — summoning six Soul-Forged Cultists from the walls. Each was a twisted cultivator whose body had been restructured through infernal flame.
The battle began instantly.
Combat Break – Soul Altar Corridor
Jian Mu charged into two cultists with his axes blazing, roaring, "I'LL HANDLE THE BONE BOYS!"
Xu Lian cast Phoenix Prism Illusion Grid, trapping three more in a false corridor where flame and time looped.
Ming Yushu disappeared into the dark — stalking Yao Fen directly.
Lian Rou and Lin Yue moved as one, executing Twin Spiral: Flame Severance, severing limbs and corrupt qi pathways.
But the battlefield shifted.
Yao Fen began chanting — his body igniting with unnatural energy. "You will see his truth, Flame-Born. You will see Lu Bai's form — the one he gave up humanity to wear!"
Then the wall tore open—
And through it came a vision.
Vision Break: Forbidden Echo – Lu Bai's True Form
For a breathless moment, Lin Yue was pulled into a memory not his own.
A ritual circle. An altar of flame-devoured children. A man — Lu Bai — stood in the center, his body peeled open, soul being replaced by something ancient.
A serpent of black stars. A flame with no light.
"You are not meant to be king, Phoenix Heir," a voice whispered in the dark.
"But you will burn. And from your ashes… I rise."
Lin Yue screamed — not in pain, but in recognition.
The vision snapped.
He stood again in the corridor, panting.
Power Surge – Lin Yue's Status Update
Bloodline Instability Detected
New Trait Awakened:Echo of the First Flame (Locked)
Warning: Dual flame resonance detected — target may be marked by Lu Bai's ritual web
Return to Battle
Yao Fen's body began to melt — consumed by the ritual backlash.
"You've seen it now," he hissed. "You're his mirror! Your fire completes him!"
Before he could detonate, Ming Yushu's blade pierced his skull from behind.
He died smiling.
But not before whispering: "Moonfire will see you first…"
Post-Battle: Quiet Ash
The team regrouped. Jian Mu was bleeding, and Xu Lian's qi pool was drained. Li Qingmei collapsed, her inner curse violently reacting to Yao Fen's proximity.
Lin Yue picked her up, brushing her silver hair back. "You did well."
"I… felt him inside me," she whispered. "I don't want to be his vessel."
"You won't," he said. "You're mine."
Her fingers curled around his robe. "Promise?"
"I swear it."
Bond Advancement – Li Qingmei
Bond Rank: 1 → 2
Emotion Flag: Devotion (Suppressed)
New Skill Gained:Cursed Flame Halo – Soul Cleanse Mode
Bond Effect: Immune to demonic flame control when near Lin Yue
Side Scene – First Contact: Moonfire Tribunal
In a distant temple, nine white-robed figures watched the battle unfold through a scrying pool of starlight and ash.
"He has awakened the First Flame echo," said one.
"Lu Bai will move soon," said another.
"But so will she…"
From the shadows stepped a tenth figure — robed in moonlight silver, face veiled in luminous silk.
"Prepare to descend," she said.
"The Phoenix must be tested."
Next Chapter Preview: Chapter 16 – Descent of Moonfire
The Moonfire Tribunal arrives with an ultimatum.
Lian Rou's second awakening begins — and triggers a collapse.
Lin Yue must choose: seal his bloodline or confront his divine root.
The Guild enters the Soul Forge Caverns — where Phoenix blood burns eternally.
A new figure appears… claiming to be Lin Yue's forgotten kin.