The sudden openness startled many. After the suffocating trials within the previous chambers, the crushing ceilings, the lurking horrors, the suffocating crimson mists, the soldiers instinctively drew deep breaths of the fresh air.
The tension that had knotted their shoulders and stiffened their limbs eased slowly, each exhale carrying away a measure of fear and fatigue.
For the first time since entering the tower, there were no towering beasts, no lethal traps, only the open land beneath the sky stretching out in every direction.
The masked guard quietly returned to Ling Yan's side, like a calm shadow at her shoulder. He did not speak, but his presence was steady, grounding.
Ling Yan gave a small nod of approval.
"Well done," she said softly, her voice carrying just enough to reach him. Then, her gaze swept across her troops.
She noticed the exhaustion visible in drooping shoulders, but no casualties; none of her soldiers had fallen.
