The ancient halls of the Kashal Temple were drowned in silence—an oppressive stillness that coiled around the group like a snake waiting to strike. But the deeper they walked, the more suffocating the aura became. It wasn't just spiritual pressure. No. This was something primal. Something ancient.
Dudu, naturally, reacted the way all great heroes of legends do—he screamed and latched onto Lingyan like a terrified child.
Lingyan's expression darkened. Her eyes flickered with cold disdain as she shoved him away. "Touch me again and I'll feed you to whatever's roaring in there," she snapped.
Dudu blinked, offended. What kind of girl is this? I hugged her, not molested her. Why'd she react like I kicked her pet spirit beast?
They reached the heart of the temple, a vast arena carved from black stone. The air pulsed with forgotten power. No enemies in sight. Just an unnatural silence, waiting to break.
"I think we need to stand in the center," Dudu muttered.
Lingyan narrowed her eyes. This reeks of an inheritance trial... and probably a deadly one.
She nodded and moved forward. As they stepped onto the central platform, the earth groaned beneath them. The arena shook violently. Cracks split the floor apart, and from its depths, a monstrous figure emerged.
A giant gorilla. Over ten meters tall. Muscles like mountains. Rage in its eyes.
Its roar was not just sound—it pierced the soul.
"WOMAN!" the gorilla bellowed. "I WILL KILL YOU!"
Dudu, who had conveniently hidden behind Lingyan, smirked. "Oops. Forgot to mention there's a Fifth-Grade Spirit Beast here."
Lingyan froze. "You set me up?"
He laughed. "It's a test. Relax, if you survive, we both win. Probably."
Why do I keep trusting women? Lingyan cursed internally. Every time, it ends with betrayal, blood, or a beast trying to crush me.
As the gorilla lunged toward her, Lingyan ran. But it was no use. The beast landed in front of her, cracking the ground with its weight.
"HELP ME, DUDU!" she shouted.
Dudu chuckled darkly. "It's all part of my plan."
That was the final straw.
I'm done playing the victim, Lingyan thought. Her eyes turned cold. Her heart colder. She whispered, "System. Change my appearance—to Soyang."
A mist surged around her. When it faded, Soyang stood there—tall, cold, and furious.
The gorilla blinked. "You… You're a boy?!"
Soyang smirked. "Yes. I disguised myself to obtain the Eternal Heart Flame. Only women can receive it. So I became one... temporarily. But betrayal runs deep. Now, I walk a path of vengeance."
The gorilla stared. Then laughed—a deep, painful laugh. "We are the same. An immortal woman deceived me and sealed me in this arena for a thousand years."
Soyang's voice was like ice. "I will destroy this cave. You'll be free."
The gorilla bared its fangs. "Do that, and I'll give you a gift. A shortcut to the true inheritance."
He pointed the way. Soyang nodded and vanished into the tunnel.
---
Moments later, Soyang—disguised once more as Lingyan—appeared at the final chamber.
Dudu was there, attacking the barrier with everything he had.
Sensing her, he turned.
"You… You're alive?! That beast didn't kill you?!"
Lingyan didn't answer. She simply walked toward him, slowly, like death approaching with a smirk.
"Don't come near me!" he shrieked. "I was just joking! You know, like friends do!"
She kept walking.
Panicked, he struck with his palm.
Nothing.
She grabbed his throat, lifted him like a doll, and tightened her grip.
"PLEASE!" Dudu gasped. "I'm sorry! Let me go!"
Lingyan's voice was calm. Too calm. "I don't kill easily. I prefer slow, artistic suffering."
She stripped him, tied him to an iron rod, and began beating him with a hunter's whip—each strike a story of betrayal, each scream music to her ears.
"Forgive me…" he sobbed.
She pulled out needles—thin, cruel, precise. One by one, they sank into his flesh. His cries faded into whimpers, and then... silence.
When it was done, she stared at his lifeless body.
That's one.
She stood, eyes burning with vengeance.