The tunnel shook as they sprinted.
CRUMBLE—!
Stone slabs broke loose from the ceiling, crashing down behind them. The black glass floor cracked like ice, glowing veins of pale light bleeding out as it collapsed into the abyss.
Yue Xin swept her fan, sending sharp gusts to blow falling debris aside. "Move faster or we're part of the cave décor!"
Tian Lei didn't waste words. His breath was heavy, his chest bleeding from the earlier strike, but his steps never faltered. His sword dragged faint sparks across the cracking floor as he ran.
The exit came into view—moonlight spilling in faint silver beams through the narrow mouth of the tunnel.
Then—KRRRSSHHH!
A tendril of black cords erupted from the collapsing chamber, slamming across the passage. It blocked the exit like a writhing wall.
Yue Xin's eyes widened. "That thing should be gone!"
"Residual will," Tian Lei said coldly. His grip on his sword tightened. "The core's death left fragments."
