Time Travel: Ancient Martial Arts Chronicles

They trudged along the path to the right, the fog gathering ever thicker and thicker as it descended upon them like a demonic force. The mist was icy and piercing, each strand like a sharp needle, piercing through clothing and piercing deep into the skin. The chill, like a surging tide, seeped right into their bones, weighing down their steps. Every step felt like a struggle against an invisible force, draining all their strength.

"This fog is too strange! Everyone, stay close together and don't get separated," Ye Wuhen warned loudly, his expression solemn. The Soul-Breaking Sword in his hand gleamed with spiritual light, a light like a lone star struggling in the darkness, struggling to tear through the inky fog. However, the fog only swayed slightly, then quickly closed in like a hungry beast, as if mocking their powerlessness.

Lin Yu's face was a sickly pale from the venom of the flame snake. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking his clothes and forming a small puddle on the ground. But his eyes still burned with an unyielding fire. He gritted his teeth and held on to his weak body. "Whether this is a new conspiracy or not, we can't stop. The hope of our family lies ahead." The weapon in his hand trembled slightly, but he still held it tightly. The grip he held showed his steely tenacity, as if even if his body fell, his will would continue to fight.

Bai Zhi held Lin Xiaoxiao tightly with one hand while she gathered a spiritual shield in front of her with the other. Her eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly, not missing a single suspicious sign, their gaze as sharp as an eagle's. "Everyone, be careful! This fog may harbor dangers more terrifying than the venomous flame snakes. We must be prepared." Her voice was steady, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her inner nervousness.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted from the fog ahead. The sound was deafening, as if the sky were collapsing and the earth was splitting, as if it would shake the soul out of the body. At the same time, the sound of shouting and killing and the clash of weapons intertwined, seeming particularly abrupt and terrifying in the silent fog, like a symphony of death.

"There's something going on ahead, it seems like a fierce fight!" Ye Wuhen frowned, a hint of vigilance flashed in his eyes. The vigilance was like a bonfire in the cold night, burning in his eyes.

Everyone quickened their pace, rushing towards the source of the sound. As they passed through a thick, almost tangible fog, the sight before them horrified them. A group of people dressed in the attire of different sects were locked in a desperate struggle with several gigantic thorn beasts. The scene was a scene of hell on earth.

Corpses lay scattered across the ground, blood flowing like streams, pooling in pools and staining the ground a glaring red. The stench of blood permeated the mist, a pungent smell like the breath of a demon, nauseating. Every breath felt like inhaling the scent of death.

"They are from Tianjian Sect, Lingxiao Sect and Yuhun Sect. They are also in this trial." Lin Yu glanced at the costumes of those sects, recognized their origins, and there was a hint of surprise in his voice.

Within the Tianjian Sect, Ling Jian, with his sharp eyebrows and sparkling eyes, wielded a longsword, his swordsmanship unparalleled. Each swing of his sword evoked a brilliant flash of spiritual energy, a radiance that surged across the blade like raging flames. With each swing, a roaring flaming dragon, swirling with sparks, charged towards the Thorn Beast. The dragonlike sword light met the mist, hissing, and instantly evaporated, forming waves of white air that rolled across the battlefield like surging waves on the sea. As he fought, he shouted, "Brothers of the Tianjian Sect, do not retreat!" His fellow apprentices around him echoed in unison, their morale soaring.

On the Lingxiao Sect side, the calm and dignified Su Yao led a group of disciples. She quickly formed seals with her hands and muttered something. In an instant, the sky seemed to be torn apart, and rays of light as brilliant as a rainbow poured down from the void. These rays of light intertwined and merged in mid-air, turning into a huge light net. Each strand of light flashed with mysterious runes, like a spell written by an ancient god. The light net was like a falling star, carrying the momentum of destroying everything and covering the thorn beast, illuminating the surrounding space with a variety of colors. Wherever the light reached, the figure of the thorn beast was looming in the gorgeous light and shadow. She shouted: "Everyone, pay attention to cooperation and don't interrupt the spell!"

The Soul Control Sect is led by the stern Mo Yu, who holds a strange Horcrux that emits a cold light, as if it can absorb souls. He wanders around the Thorn Beast, looking for an opportunity to use the Horcrux to attack its soul. His eyes flashed with a faint blue light, and he injected the power of his soul into the Horcrux, shouting: "Soul Devouring Strike!" The Horcrux emitted a black ray of light. This light seemed invisible, but it could directly penetrate the flesh of the Thorn Beast and attack its soul. The Thorn Beast that was hit instantly became dull in the eyes, as if its soul was pulled out, and its body became sluggish, creating opportunities for attacks from other sects. He shouted to his fellow disciples around him: "Watch the opportunity and give them a fatal blow!"

However, the ferocity of the Thornbeasts far exceeded imagination. Their bodies were covered in spikes as hard as steel, each one like a demonic horn rising from the depths of hell, gleaming with a cold, eerie light. Their eyes were like two blazing green will-o'-the-wisp flames, and every time their massive paws stomped on the ground, it cracked like a spiderweb, sending rubble flying. The rubble shot out in all directions like cannonballs, unleashing a bloody storm wherever it passed, bringing an endless sense of oppression.

"Should we lend a hand?" Lin Xiaoxiao looked at the tragic battle in front of her, a trace of pity flashed in her eyes. Her little hands clenched unconsciously, her eyes full of sympathy for the wounded.

Before Ye Wuhen could answer, Ling Jian from Tianjian Sect shouted, "What are you still standing there for? Come and help us, these beasts are too powerful, if this goes on we will all die!" His voice was full of anxiety and fear, and it was particularly harsh amid the shouts and screams.

Ye Wuhen looked at his companions and nodded firmly, "Go! For the common goal, we can't stand idly by." The flame of justice burned in his eyes, and that flame seemed to be able to dispel the darkness around him.

With that, Ye Wuhen charged at a thorn beast like an arrow from a bow. Infused with spiritual energy, his Soul-Breaking Sword shone brightly, transforming into a dazzling rainbow streak that pierced the beast's eyes. His figure left a trail of afterimages in the air, his speed astonishing, like a flash of lightning streaking through the night sky. The sword emerged, the light surged, and his momentum surged like a rainbow. His fierce attack was punctuated by an unwavering determination.

Lin Yu, enduring the excruciating pain, coordinated with Su Yao of the Lingxiao Sect. The two, one on each side, flanked a thorn beast. Lin Yu swung his weapon, each swing causing his wounds to tear painfully, but he gritted his teeth and attacked the thorn beast's legs. His weapon and Su Yao's magic complemented each other, unleashing a gust of wind. The howling wind, mingled with Lin Yu's fury and unyielding spirit, swept towards the thorn beast, attempting to restrict its movement and create an opening for the others to attack.

Bai Zhi quickly cast a group healing spell. She danced her hands like a dancing fairy, chanting ancient spells. Soft rays of light spilled out from her hands and fell on the injured disciples. Those rays of light were like warm sunlight, shining on the wounded. The wounds of the seriously injured and dying disciples began to heal slowly under the light, and they regained some strength. At the same time, Bai Zhi did not forget to use her spiritual power to attack the approaching thorn beasts. The spiritual power she sent out was like a stream of clear water, impacting the thorn beasts. The clear water seemed soft, but it contained powerful power. Every impact could make the thorn beasts' bodies tremble slightly. Although it could not cause fatal damage, it could slightly block their attacks.

Lin Xiaoxiao deftly cast small spells to disrupt the thornbeast's vision and movements. She tossed small, luminous objects, which exploded around the beast, creating a powerful cloud of light and smoke. The light was as dazzling as the sun, while the smoke, like a thick, dark cloud, instantly spread, making it difficult for the beast to discern its direction. It could only blindly wave its claws through the smog, roaring angrily.

However, as the battle intensified, tensions between the sects gradually emerged. A disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, seeking a favorable position to attack a thorn beast, attacked a disciple of the Yuhun Sect, pushing him toward the beast. Unable to dodge, the Yuhun Sect disciple was lacerated by the beast's thorns, and blood splattered. The blood arced through the air, like a delicate petal blooming on a flower of death.

"What are you doing? Now is not the time to kill each other!" Ye Wuhen shouted angrily, his eyes burning with rage, a rage that seemed to ignite the surrounding mist. But the disciples caught in the fight ignored him. They only cared about the interests of their sect and their greed for the "Tears of the Stars." Their greedy eyes were like hungry wolves in the darkness, devouring their rationality.

At that moment, a massive thorn beast lunged at Lin Xiaoxiao. Frightened by the sudden attack, her face paled, and she was momentarily bewildered. Terror filled her eyes, as if she had witnessed the coming of death. Seeing this, Su Yao of the Lingxiao Sect unhesitatingly leaped in front of Lin Xiaoxiao, withstanding the beast's attack with her own body. The beast's claws slashed across her back, sending blood gushing out like a fountain. Her body flew away like a kite with its string cut, leaving a trail of blood in the air.

"Sister Su Yao!" Lin Xiaoxiao exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice filled with grief and self-blame.

This scene infuriated everyone, and a flicker of determination flashed in Ye Wuhen's eyes. He concentrated all his spiritual energy and leaped high into the air. The spiritual power of his Soul-Breaking Sword surged, its light blazing like the sun. He launched a full-scale attack at the thornbeast attacking Lin Xiaoxiao. Like a divine artifact from outer space, the Soul-Breaking Sword pierced the beast's abdomen. As the sword entered its belly, green blood spurted out like a fountain, splashing all over him. The blood exuded a pungent, fishy smell, but he paid no heed, his eyes filled only with hatred for the thornbeast.

Seeing this, those with some sense of conscience from other sects temporarily set aside their internal disputes and united against the Thorn Beasts. Under their concerted attack, the Thorn Beasts roared in agony, their roars echoing through the mist like a mournful wail for the loss of life. Finally, the Thorn Beasts collapsed with a thunderous thud, their massive bodies crashing to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust before dissipating into the air in a flash of light, leaving behind only a devastated battlefield.

By this time, most of the sect's members had been killed or wounded. The remaining ones sat or lay, exhausted. Each face was filled with relief at having survived the ordeal, yet grief for their fallen comrades was palpable. Their eyes revealed a deep weariness, as if they had just experienced a nightmare. Before they could recover from the brutal battle, the surrounding mist began to swirl violently, forming a massive vortex. The vortex, like a bottomless black hole, radiated a powerful suction that nearly staggered everyone, as if sucking their very souls away.

A majestic and cold voice came from the vortex: "You have passed this test, but the disputes between sects have brought shame to you. The real challenge has just begun. If you continue to kill each other, you will all die here and will never be able to touch the 'Tears of the Stars'." The voice was like a huge bell, echoing in everyone's mind, and every word was like a heavy hammer hitting their hearts.

With that, a door, shimmering with mysterious runes, appeared from the vortex. It slowly opened, revealing a dazzling light within, yet revealing endless mystery and unknown danger. The light was like a pair of mysterious eyes, peering at the crowd, as if waiting for them to make a choice.

Ye Wuhen looked at the people from other sects, a complex look flashing in his eyes, a mixture of dissatisfaction with their previous behavior and anticipation of facing challenges together. "For the sake of 'Tears of the Stars', let's temporarily put aside our grudges and face the next challenge together. Otherwise, we will all become victims of this trial."

Everyone was silent for a moment, their eyes filled with wariness of one another and fear of the unknown challenge. But ultimately, they all nodded. Then, they walked toward the door, each step imbued with reflection on the past and a resolute resolve for the future. They entered the next trial, fraught with uncertainty. Their figures were gradually swallowed by the light, disappearing behind the mysterious door.