---
Li Yong's arms wrapped tightly around Lu Wei, their shared joy echoing in the cave like a long-lost song finally sung. But fate had other plans. Their accidental collision against the wall stirred more than laughter—it stirred destiny.
Cracks spread. Stone groaned.
And before they could fully savor their newfound bond, the cave whispered of something more—a hidden path that hadn't been meant for ordinary eyes.
---
> "Li Yong, look, there's a gap!" Lu Wei exclaimed, her expression switching from happiness to alertness.
With cautious curiosity, Li Yong stepped forward. His hand pressed against the weakening wall—and with a little force, the stone gave way, revealing a narrow tunnel glowing with faint, mystical light.
> "It might be an exit," she whispered, hope flickering in her voice like the light ahead.
Li Yong reached back and held her hand, offering reassurance. Her cheeks flushed.
> "Now that you've proposed, I guess I can't say no to holding hands anymore," she muttered shyly.
Together, they stepped into the tunnel—one behind the other, navigating its tight confines, hearts pounding in tandem.
---
Emerging into a vast underground chamber, they stopped cold.
Two paths.
One bathed in light, its end unclear but peaceful.
The other filled with silence—and bones.
And not just any bones.
> A serpent skull, fangs curved like scythes, lay fixed toward them, as if still watching.
The remains of the colossal serpent curled throughout the chamber, longer than a palace hall, broader than a tree trunk. Even in death, its presence pulsed with authority and dread.
Lu Wei clutched Li Yong's hand tighter.
> "Its pressure… I've never felt anything like it," she whispered. "Even our Sect Master's presence doesn't compare. This creature—its cultivation must've surpassed the Nascent Soul realm, possibly even higher."
Despite being nothing but bones, the aura it exuded made their legs heavy and breathing difficult.
Li Yong nodded solemnly. "It's dead… but it lived as a king of monsters. I've seen powerful cultivators, but this beast… even now, it could strike fear into any core elder."
> Yet beneath the fear lay opportunity.
Li Yong's eyes gleamed. "If I can forge a weapon from these bones—just imagine the strength it could hold."
In silence, he moved, carefully gathering the bones, piece by piece, and storing them in his ring. Every rib and fang he collected radiated a sliver of the beast's power, promising potential yet untapped.
---
As he turned back to Lu Wei, her voice rang out.
> "Li Yong, come see this!"
He rushed to her side, finding her pointing at the chamber's far wall. There, etched deep into the stone, was a glowing inscription, pulsating softly with ancient spiritual energy.