Calvin remained perfectly still on the outside, but inside his mind, everything was buzzing with quiet intensity. He could hear every word the Han Xin soldiers muttered behind him, and he felt the weight of Lizzie’s trust and doubt pressing on his shoulders. But he didn’t react—he couldn’t afford to.In the silence of his meditation, Calvin called upon the system. He felt its familiar presence, like a quiet hum at the back of his consciousness. System, he thought, I need an upgrade—now. What can I do with the points I have left?The system responded with its usual efficiency, a disembodied voice echoing inside his mind."Points available: 120. Cultivation strength can be upgraded, but no high-energy objects are present to accelerate the process. This will require more points than usual. Proceed?"Calvin hesitated only for a fraction of a second. He knew what he was up against—these soldiers, the monsters outside, and the unknown dangers that lay ahead. He needed more power, and he nee

The leader of the Han Xin group visibly trembled, his hand still gripping the gun as his gaze darted around the cave, searching for some semblance of control. The threat of a stroke loomed over him, and it was clear that Calvin’s calm demeanor had unnerved him. “We don’t have time for this,” the leader said, his voice shaky. “My boss will be furious if we don’t get back soon. We can’t afford delays.”Calvin raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. He stood tall, his posture relaxed but commanding. “And what do you think will happen if you drop dead right here?” His voice was steady, measured. “You really think you’ll make it back up that ravine if you collapse from a stroke? Trust me, meeting your boss’s anger is the least of your worries right now.”The leader's face paled even further at Calvin's words. His fingers flexed nervously around the gun’s handle, and a bead of sweat trickled down his temple. “Fine,” he muttered through clenched teeth. “Fine! Just… do what you have to

Calvin walked deeper into the increasingly desolate landscape. The ground beneath his feet cracked and arid, stretching out like a vast, lifeless wasteland. Lizzie scanned the area, her mind grappling with confusion. How could the bottom of this ravine be so vast? When they stood at the entrance, it hadn’t appeared this large. Now, as they ventured further in, it seemed to extend endlessly, pulling them deeper into its barren embrace."This doesn't make sense..." Lizzie muttered under her breath. "The ravine wasn't this big."Calvin remained silent, his gaze fixed ahead, his steps deliberate, though his mind churned with a quiet intensity. Behind them, the Han Xin soldiers grew more restless with each passing minute. The sun beat down on them relentlessly, turning the air suffocatingly hot. Sweat dripped from their brows, and their breaths became shallow and labored.One of the soldiers, red-faced with exhaustion and frustration, turned to their leader. "Boss, we can't keep going like

Calvin and Lizzie raced through the dense forest, the wind still at their backs, propelling them forward with incredible speed. The trees eventually began to thin, and in the distance, something shimmered—an otherworldly glow, faint but unmistakable. As they neared the edge of the clearing, Calvin suddenly pulled Lizzie to a stop.“There,” Calvin whispered, his eyes fixed ahead.Lizzie's breath caught in her throat as she saw it. The Fountain of Health stood in the center of a wide, open glade, bathed in soft, ethereal light. The fountain itself was magnificent, unlike anything Lizzie had ever seen. It wasn’t made of stone or metal, but seemed to be carved from pure crystal, its surface reflecting the faint glow of the sun that barely pierced through the trees. The water that flowed from it sparkled like liquid silver, casting ripples of light across the ground. Around the fountain, the grass was unnaturally lush and green, a stark contrast to the barren wasteland they had just escape

Calvin reached out, his voice filled with concern as he looked at Lizzie’s pale, frightened face. “Lizzie, are you alright? I was worried sick. What happened just now?”Lizzie took a shaky breath, clutching her pendant to steady herself. Her eyes held a haunted look as she glanced up at Calvin. “I… I saw something, Calvin. Something far more terrifying than any monster we’ve ever faced.” She paused, her voice wavering with the weight of what she had seen. “This place… it’s surrounded by an invisible force, a dark, ancient power that guards the fountain.”Calvin’s expression grew even more serious as he listened, sensing that whatever Lizzie had experienced went beyond their worst fears. She continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “Inside that energy is a real power, Calvin. A force beyond our comprehension. But it’s not for everyone… it’s only meant for the chosen one. If anyone tries to claim it without being chosen, it won’t just refuse them—it will kill them.”Calvin’s mind ra