### Chapter 98: Cave Opportunities (Eleven)
The Level 2 spirit artifact glowed with 刺目的 (blinding) light, its power 凝聚 (coalescing) into a 毁灭性的 (devastating) sphere. The Core Formation nun's eyes were cold—she'd 下定决心 (resolved) to end this, even if it cost her most precious weapon.
Wu, clutching his bleeding chest, stared at the artifact in horror. His 本命魔器 (demon core weapon)—the spiked staff—trembled in his grip, its magic 黯淡 (fading) after blocking the sword talisman. He'd used too much blood to strengthen his spells; now, he was 虚弱 (weak) as a newborn fiend.
"Die!" the nun shouted, hurling the artifact.
Wu howled, pouring every last drop of demonic energy into his staff. The spiked staff 暴涨 (expanded), its thorns 伸长 (lengthening) to form a 密不透风的 (impenetrable) cage of black magic. He 蜷缩 (cowered) inside, 祈祷 (praying) it would hold.
*BOOM!*
The artifact detonated. A 冲击波 (shockwave) tore through the chamber, shattering stone, incinerating demons, and sending survivors flying. Lin Yi 死死抓住 (clung to) Zhang Ziyan, shielding her with his body as the 热浪 (heat wave) singed his hair.
When the dust settled, the chamber was 狼藉 (in ruins). The spiked staff lay in pieces, its magic 消散 (gone). Wu knelt in the center, his black skin 焦黑 (charred), his wings—hidden until now—tattered and broken. He 喘息 (gasped), his eyes 涣散 (glazed), but still alive.
The nun stood, her 灵力 (spiritual energy) 枯竭 (depleted), her face 苍白 (pale) as a sheet. She'd 付出了代价 (paid a price), but Wu was 彻底失去战斗力 (completely incapacitated).
"Finish him," she croaked, collapsing into a sitting position.
Lin Yi 挣扎着站起来 (staggered to his feet), his body 抗议 (protesting) every movement. Zhang Ziyan helped him, her own injuries 刺痛 (throbbing). Peng and the remaining cultivators gathered, their faces 混合着 (mixed with) relief and exhaustion.
Wu 抬起头 (lifted his head), his eyes 锁定 (locking onto) Lin Yi. "You… you'll regret this," he 嘶嘶作响 (hissed). "The master will… awaken… and burn this world."
Lin Yi 抽出 (drew) the *Kuang Wang* sword. "Your master can 等着 (wait)."
He 举起剑 (raised the sword), but before he could strike, a 冰冷的声音 (cold voice) echoed through the chamber.
"Enough."
A 身影 (figure) materialized at the far end of the chamber—tall, cloaked in black, with a 面具 (mask) covering its face. Its aura was 深不可测 (unfathomable), dwarfing even the nun's Core Formation power.
"Yin Demon," the nun 低语 (whispered), her voice 充满恐惧 (filled with terror).
The cloaked figure 无视 (ignored) everyone but Wu. It 伸出手 (held out a hand), and Wu's body 升起 (rose) into the air, floating toward it.
"Failed me," the figure said, its voice 平淡 (flat) but 残酷 (cruel).
Wu 尖叫 (screamed), but his body 枯萎 (withered) before their eyes, 化为 (turning into) dust.
The figure 转向 (turned to) the survivors. "Fools. You think killing a 小卒 (pawn) changes anything?"
Lin Yi 握紧 (clenched) his sword. "Who are you?"
The figure 轻笑 (chuckled). "The one who will 埋葬 (bury) you all. But first…" Its gaze 落在 (fell on) the 魔器碎片 (demon artifact shard) at Lin Yi's feet. "That belongs to me."
A 无形的力量 (invisible force) 拉扯 (tugged) at the shard. Lin Yi 扑过去 (dived), 抓住 (grabbing) it before it could 飞走 (fly away).
"Bold," the figure said. "I'll 让你 (let you) 活久一点 (live a little longer)—to 见证 (witness) your world's end."
With that, it 消失了 (vanished), taking Wu's dust with it.
Silence.
The survivors 面面相觑 (stared at each other), too 震惊 (shocked) to speak.
The nun 颤抖着 (trembled), 摇头 (shaking her head). "He's 醒了 (awake). The seal… it's broken."
Lin Yi 握紧 (clutched) the shard, its 冰冷 (coldness) 刺痛 (stinging) his palm. "Then we 战斗 (fight)."
Zhang Ziyan 握住 (took) his hand. "Together."
Peng 点头 (nodded), his sword 坚定 (steady) in his grip. "Together."
The others 纷纷效仿 (followed suit), their fear 被决心取代 (replaced by resolve).
The cave rumble (rumbled), as if 响应 (responding) to their 誓言 (oath).
The real fight was just beginning. But this time, they wouldn't fight alone.
Lin Yi 看着 (looked at) his companions, a 微笑 (smile) 蔓延 (spreading) across his face. Whatever 黑暗 (darkness) lay ahead, they'd face it—together.