The forest had returned to an uneasy calm. Lin Feng, Lunaria, and Nyx moved cautiously along the faintly glowing path, collecting the faint ether crystal shards left behind by the Veilwalkers. These shards hummed softly in Lin Feng's hand, resonating with his own mana, hinting at potential new abilities waiting to be unlocked.
"This energy… it's subtle, but incredibly pure," Lunaria said, scanning the shards. "It's not just a reward — it's a guide. The forest wants to show you something, if you're ready to perceive it."
Nyx smirked, her shadowy form flickering in the dim light. "Or it's a trap. Forests like this rarely hand out gifts for free. Keep your guard up."
Lin Feng nodded, but his attention was drawn to the faint glimmer between the trees — a trail of energy signatures approaching fast. His chest tightened with anticipation.
"They're back," he murmured. "Soren and his team."
The Rival Reappears
Soren stepped into view, golden hair catching the faint moonlight, his three companions flanking him. But this time, their movements were different. Faster. Sharper. Coordinated to perfection.
"I see you survived the Hidden Trial," Soren said, voice calm, but with an edge of challenge. "Good. That was… impressive. But this time, we're not here to test. We're here to win."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "If that's your goal, then we'll show you why the rookies aren't so easy to intimidate."
Without warning, Soren's team unleashed a synchronized assault. Energy arcs of golden light, lightning-fast strikes, and elemental bursts struck from every direction, forcing Lin Feng and his companions into a defensive formation.
Teamwork Tested Again
This battle was different. Unlike the first encounter, Soren's team had studied them. Every move Lin Feng made was countered, every strategy predicted. They weren't just rivals; they were tactical predators.
Lunaria's drones swarmed, forming shields and intercepting projectiles, while Nyx darted through shadows, landing critical strikes. Lin Feng's pulses of harmonic energy clashed against Soren's precise attacks, creating sparks of mana that illuminated the forest in bursts of gold and violet.
"Remember what the Hidden Trial taught us," Lin Feng shouted. "Anticipate, adapt, and act as one!"
The team moved in perfect sync. Lin Feng amplified Nyx's shadow strikes with harmonic pulses, while Lunaria's drones redirected Soren's energy attacks into harmless dispersions. Slowly, they began to regain control, pushing the rival team back step by step.
The Turning Point
Soren paused, noticing the shift. "They've… adapted faster than expected."
Lin Feng took the opportunity to unleash a new technique: Mana-Tech Resonance Strike — a combination of Etherion energy, forest-enhanced crystals, and harmonic pulses that Lin Feng had sensed during the Hidden Trial.
The strike hit Soren's team squarely, disrupting their rhythm and forcing them to retreat for a moment. Sparks flew, shadows twisted, and the forest seemed to pulse in approval.
Breathing heavily, Soren smiled, eyes glinting. "Not bad… You're ready for the real tests. But we haven't finished yet."
With a swirl of golden light, Soren and his companions vanished into the trees.
Aftermath and Growth
Lin Feng lowered his hands, letting the energy from the battle settle. Nyx leaned against him, smirking. "Looks like we're getting noticed… by more than just forest guardians."
Lunaria floated closer, eyes serious. "Soren's team is only the beginning. I sensed another presence during the battle — someone observing from farther away. Their aura… it's far more dangerous than Soren."
Lin Feng clenched his fists. "Then we prepare. The rivals are coming, the forest is alive, and Etherion is testing us every step of the way. But we're stronger now. Together, nothing can stop us."
The path ahead remained dark and dangerous, but Lin Feng felt the team's unity more strongly than ever. Ahead of them, faint glimmers of energy hinted at greater trials, hidden rivals, and opportunities to awaken new powers. The journey was only beginning, and Etherion's true challenges were still waiting in the shadows.