Legend of the Divine Archer

Gu Zhun emerged from the labyrinth, his breath ragged from the intense battle he had just fought. The narrow, twisting corridors gave way to an expansive open area, a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness he had just left behind. Before him lay a vast cavern, the ceiling towering high above, where a single beam of light pierced through an opening, casting an ethereal glow over the scene.

At the center of the cavern was an ancient altar, its surface worn and weathered by countless years. Resting upon it was a crystalized drop of blood, pulsing rhythmically like the heartbeat of a slumbering giant. The core of the vein throbbed with an almost tangible energy, its deep crimson glow lighting up the cavern in a hauntingly beautiful way.

The very air around it seemed alive, vibrating with the sheer power emanating from the core.

Gu Zhun's eyes widened with a mix of awe and excitement as he gazed at the core. This was it—the culmination of all his efforts, the reward for all the sacrifices he had made. He had outwitted and outlasted his competitors, securing his place as the first to reach this sacred place.

"I made it," he whispered, his voice filled with a blend of triumph and relief. "I'm the first one, Dad. I beat the elites. Your sacrifice was worth it."

He began to ascend the steps of the altar, each one bringing him closer to the core. His heart raced with anticipation, the thought of finally grasping the power that had eluded him for so long fueling his every step.

But just as he reached the ultimate step, a shadow flickered at the edge of his vision. His heart skipped a beat as he looked up, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. Standing between him and the core was a young man, his black robe blending into the shadows, his long black hair cascading down like a waterfall of darkness.

What struck Gu Zhun most was the bandage covering the young man's eyes—black with intricate gold patterns woven through it.

It was Yan Jin.

Astonishment hit Gu Zhun like a hammer to the chest. How could this be? He had always looked down on Yan Jin, considering him nothing more than a crippled orphan, someone who could never hope to compete with the likes of him. And yet, here Yan Jin stood, poised at the altar's apex, while Gu Zhun was left looking up from below—a position he had never imagined himself in.

Gu Zhun's mind struggled to process the scene before him. How could this be happening? How could the blind orphan have beaten him to the core? His body trembled with a mix of rage and desperation, his pride wounded beyond repair. The very idea that Yan Jin could have outperformed him was an affront to everything he believed in.

"Why are…" before he could finish Yan Jin foot descended like judgment lightning sending him rolling down the stairs.

As Gu zhun fell Yan Jin descended step by step each resonated like a judge gravel, "you disgusting rat, You have sold your, soul, killed your father for this trickle power and you still are as useless and incapble as I remember."

He followed with another kick and another "you waste of space", "your father would be ashamed"

"What do you know?" "It was me, I went meant for glory I was suppose to win" "You ruined it, it is your fault" Gu zhun said as his energy rose abruptly,

His eye turned blood red as he tried to stand against Yan Jin, but he was bitch slapped into the floor.

"Come on. Show me. This could not be the power you killed, your father for"

"Show Me" he yelled taunting the young man

--

As the scene unfolded on the massive screens in Pine City, the crowd was left in stunned silence. Whispers of disbelief rippled through the arena, mingled with gasps and shocked exclamations.

"Yan Jin is alive?" one spectator murmured, eyes wide in disbelief.

"I thought he was dead after all this time... How did he survive?"

"And how is he already at the altar? Didn't Gu Zhun cheat to get ahead?"

"Gu Zhun killed his father for power, and now he's being humiliated by Yan Jin!" someone else added, the tone a mix of shock and disdain.

The revelation of Gu Zhun's treachery spread like wildfire through the crowd, igniting a range of emotions.

"I knew something was off about him," an elder in the audience muttered, shaking his head. "To think he would kill his own father for power... he's nothing but a disgrace."

As the crowd watched in horror, Gu Zhun's transformation unfolded on the massive screens, shocking even the most hardened spectators. His once human form grotesquely twisted and morphed into a monstrous abomination. His canines elongated into sharp fangs, and dark veins pulsed across his skin, his body swelling with unnatural size and power.

His eyes, now a blood-red, glowed with malevolent fury, and a second pair of arms, grotesquely muscular, erupted from his back. The sheer intensity of the corrupted energy surrounding him made the air in the arena heavy, oppressive.

"I will kill you... I will kill you..." Gu Zhun repeated, his voice a distorted growl, more beast than man.

The crowd, previously stunned into silence, erupted into a chaotic mix of fear and revulsion.

"What is that? What has he turned into?" a woman shrieked, covering her eyes as if to shield herself from the sight.

"He's become... a monster," a young man muttered, his voice trembling. "What kind of power is that? It's not human!"

"He's been corrupted," an elder said with grim certainty. "That's no longer Gu Zhun. He's lost himself to the darkness."

"To think he killed his own father for this... for power that's turned him into that!" another voice added, dripping with disgust. "He's no different from the corruption that plagues the vein."

On the screen, Yan Jin stood unfazed by the hideous transformation before him. His expression was one of cold contempt as he watched Gu Zhun writhe in the throes of his newfound, twisted power. The contrast between Yan Jin's composed, dominating aura and Gu Zhun's frenzied, corrupted state was stark.

"Look at Yan Jin," someone whispered in awe. "He's not even flinching. He's faced with a monster, and he's completely calm."

As Gu Zhun's transformation reached its peak, he lunged at Yan Jin, the arena holding its collective breath. But Yan Jin, with an almost casual ease, sidestepped the attack, his movements fluid and controlled. He analysed down the monstrosity Gu Zhun had become, a mixture of pity and disgust in his voice.

"This... is what you've become?" Yan Jin said, his voice cutting through the madness like a blade. "You killed your father for this pathetic display of power? You were meant for glory? You've become nothing more than a rabid dog, blinded by your own delusions."

--

Conversations and hurried meetings filled the shadows, as different groups sought to adapt their plans in light of this new and disturbing information.

Some speculated that the Bloodwitches were after something hidden deep within the labyrinth, perhaps the core itself, while others wondered if their goal was to disrupt the balance of power in Pine City. The implications were vast, and no one was willing to sit idly by.

"How did they get in?" Nie Li murmured in a dimly lit room, pacing nervously.

"And what do they want with the trial? Could it be the core?" Yan Patriarch responded, their tone filled with concern.

"The Bloodwitches are known for their manipulations and dark arts. If they were able to influence Gu Zhun, they could have a foothold in something far more dangerous, Let's wait and watch" He added added, grimly.

--

Matriarch Meng's sorrow was palpable as she prepared herself and her subordinates for what was to come. The air in the Fu family estate was thick with tension, and the weight of recent events had taken a toll on everyone. The disgraceful deaths of the two sisters had left a stain on the family's honor, and for Meng, it was a wound that cut deeply.

She had always understood the harsh realities of their world—that her daughters, lacking extraordinary talent, could only serve as political tools. Yet, she never expected them to throw away their lives so easily for a man.

As she looked at her last remaining kin, who was showing signs of dementia, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. The thought of another potential loss gnawed at her heart, but she knew she had to stay strong. "Get ready; it's going to be a long night," she instructed her subordinates, her voice carrying both determination and resignation.

The events unfolding outside were far beyond her control, but within the walls of the Fu estate, she would ensure her family survived, no matter the cost.