The Coiled Dragon’s Legacy

Li Feng and Mei Lian darted through the underground passage, their breaths ragged as the distant echoes of the undead guardian's roars faded behind them. The ancient corridor twisted and turned, its walls glowing faintly with the same strange inscriptions that reacted to the Coiled Dragon Ring. They had little time to process the significance—escape was their only priority.

Behind them, the undead warrior surged forward, its massive sword carving through the air. It wasn't giving up.

Li Feng gritted his teeth. They had to end this. He planted his feet, raising the Coiled Dragon Ring, feeling its energy course through him. The inscriptions on the walls flared as though answering his call. The guardian hesitated for a split second—that was all Li Feng needed.

He thrust his palm forward, channeling the ring's energy. A surge of golden light erupted, striking the warrior square in the chest. The force blasted it backward, its armor shattering as the ancient energy consumed it.

The warrior let out a final, guttural growl before collapsing into dust.

Mei Lian exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest. "I thought that thing would never go down."

Li Feng's vision blurred for a moment—using the ring's power had taken its toll. But there was no time to rest.

"We need to move," he rasped, steadying himself. "Before anything else wakes up."

At last, they emerged into a vast underground chamber, a grand hall lined with stone pillars carved in the likeness of coiled dragons. A set of weathered double doors loomed ahead, their surfaces covered in celestial markings. Beyond them, the promise of freedom awaited.

"We made it," Mei Lian exhaled, still gripping the golden scroll tightly. "We just need to—"

The air shifted.

A shadow detached itself from the darkness near the pillars. Jiang Ren.

His presence sent a chill down Li Feng's spine. His sharp, predatory gaze flickered between them and the scroll Mei Lian held. "Impressive," he murmured. "You actually found it. But did you really think you could escape me?"

Mei Lian instinctively took a step back. "How did you—?"

"You underestimate me," Jiang Ren said, amusement lacing his voice. "Tracking you was simple. You left a trail of destruction behind."

Li Feng's muscles tensed. They were already exhausted from the previous battle, and Jiang Ren had barely broken a sweat. This wasn't a fight they could win outright.

Jiang Ren drew his sword, the steel whispering against its sheath. "Hand over the scroll. I might let you leave in one piece."

Li Feng clenched his fists. "Not a chance."

A smirk played across Jiang Ren's lips. "You don't even know what you're holding, do you?"

The chamber trembled as if responding to his words. The markings on the walls pulsed, reacting to the Coiled Dragon Ring.

Jiang Ren stepped forward. "You think the Coiled Dragon Ring is a key, something to unlock power. But it's more than that." His voice dropped, ominous. "It's a weapon. One that can reshape the balance of power in this world."

Li Feng's breath caught. "What are you talking about?"

Jiang Ren's smirk deepened. "You've been dancing in Shen Longwei's palm this entire time. He's after more than just lost relics. He wants to wield the ring's true power—power that was sealed away for a reason."

Mei Lian's grip tightened around the scroll. "Why are you telling us this?"

Jiang Ren shrugged. "Because in the end, it won't matter. Whether you die here or live long enough to see what Shen Longwei has planned, the result will be the same."

Before Li Feng could respond, the chamber shook violently, dust and debris raining from above. Something was awakening—something buried deep within these ruins.

Jiang Ren took the opportunity to lunge forward, his blade slicing through the air as he aimed to snatch the scroll from Mei Lian's hands. She twisted away just in time, but the motion sent her staggering backward toward the edge of a broken platform.

Li Feng roared, lunging toward Jiang Ren, who parried his attack with effortless precision. The clash of steel echoed through the chamber as they fought furiously, neither giving ground.

Then, a soft, melodic voice cut through the chaos.

"Enough."

A figure emerged from the darkness beyond the chamber's threshold. Lady Yuexiang.

Clad in flowing robes of midnight silk, her gaze held a knowing amusement as she observed the battle before her. Her presence alone sent a ripple of energy through the room.

Jiang Ren stilled, his blade inches from Li Feng's throat. His usual confidence flickered with wariness. "You…"

Lady Yuexiang smiled, tilting her head slightly. "You are all but pieces in a game far older than any of you realize."

The chamber shook again, the ancient power rising as if responding to her presence. Li Feng, Mei Lian, and Jiang Ren remained locked in place, the air around them thick with tension.