49 Mark
Meanwhile, the girl seemed to move with the wind as she ran. Her movements appeared almost like teleportation as she travelled, leaving afterimages of herself. With each step, she raised one leg, and the next moment, she would reappear in the distance.
The expression on her face remained cold and emotionless, like a porcelain doll. But despite her stoic exterior, her body told a different story. Beads of sweat clung to her skin, trickling down her brow and glistening like tiny diamonds under the sunlight.
Finally, she arrived back at the old, crumbling bamboo and clay temple. The moment she returned, she collapsed onto the cold, hard temple floor.
Her face turned visibly pale, and her body showed signs of being drained. Yet, after some time, she somehow managed to gather her strength and stand up.
However, As if like a miracle her body started being healed little by Little and her pale face regained her cold white colour and her body started to become nourished again.
"Finally, the mark has taken effect," the girl thought to herself as she located the corner where the statue's broken parts lay.
She closed her eyes as she sensed her surroundings.
"Looks like there is nobody," she thought to herself as she felt a bit of relief.
With a little effort, she walked towards it and pressed a stone that was slightly sticking out of the floor.
The moment she pressed the stone, a cracking sound echoed as a small entrance opened in the dilapidated temple.
Without hesitation, she jumped into the hole.
Her eyes were filled with darkness as she dived down into the hole. However, she didn't seem to care much as she remained upright, defying gravity with her head held high.
She fell for a good 3 to 5 minutes before finally, dim light appeared in the corner of her eyes.
Finally, she landed with a resounding "dong" sound on a metallic floor.
The moment she landed, she immediately bowed and said, "I greet master."
In the dimly lit room, everything appeared to be metallic, and it had a somewhat futuristic vibe. There were devices that resembled mobile phones on the walls, and some comfortable-looking sofas. There were some neatly arranged shelves.
If Lu Zhen had seen this, he would undoubtedly be shocked because the room gave off a modern vibe rather than the ancient world Lu Zhen thought it was.
Contrasting with the modern room was a single, huge icebox stored in a glass case, resembling a coffin.
"We mages will rise again," the voice proclaimed with arrogance and a stubborn resolve.
"Now, leave," the voice commanded once more, and the room descended into silence again.
Ju Ji transformed into a white ball and ascended, exiting through the hole she had previously entered.
"A person who can escape the mark... interesting," a feminine voice echoed within the ice-like coffin, its human skin wrapped around a skeletal body smirking with amusement.
"We mages will rise again," the voice proclaimed with arrogance and a stubborn resolve.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhen continued to torment Xia Long.
"How interesting to find you here, Xia Long," Lu Zhen remarked, a smirk playing on his lips as he observed Xia Long lying on the ground.
"You... you..." Xia Long stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief, unable to comprehend what he was witnessing.
"How can you be fine?" Xia Long exclaimed loudly, his shock palpable.
Lu Zhen remained silent, gazing at Xia Long with an amused expression.
Gradually, Xia Long's frantic gaze shifted to his surroundings, and a realization seemed to dawn upon him. His eyes regained clarity.
"So, that's it, huh..." Xia Long muttered as understanding washed over him, followed by a bout of laughter.
He opened his mouth, as if about to speak, but no words escaped.
Suddenly, Xia Long sprang to his feet and launched an attack at Lu Zhen, swinging his sword in a swift, rightward motion. The motion created a gust of wind as Xia Long channeled his full power.
"Wind slash."
However, Lu Zhen, upon seeing the attack, felt a tinge of disappointment.
"Wind attribute, huh," Lu Zhen thought, sensing the faint qi surrounding Xia Long as he executed his slash.
"Let's get this over with."