The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Dean's face shifted between emotions for a while before he finally spoke, "This is Echo Cavern we're talking about, and Dragonspine is already full of mysteries. There's no record of anyone ever escaping the cavern, so how do you expect me to predict what'll happen?"

He turned to Kendrick and added, "Let's move. After what happened, the Maximus family needs to relocate immediately."

"Relocate?" Kendrick frowned. "Elder, are you really that worried about Ezra?"

Dean let out a cold snort. "What kind of question is that? Do you think Ezra is a pushover? We already warned him last time.

"Now we've driven Felix to his death-of course, he's going to lose it. And don't forget Madam Goddard. She'll throw every resource she has into hunting us down for revenge.noveldrama

"If I stay back, maybe I'll survive. But you guys? Not a chance."

Kendrick could only grit his teeth in frustration. All this effort, all these sacrifices, only to end up on the run. If they had truly seized control of Dragonspine, it would have been worth it. However, it felt like they had not only lost the battle but the war itself.

No one could have anticipated Felix's sheer determination. He would rather enter the death trap known as Echo Cavern than give them the slightest chance to capture him.

Meanwhile, deep inside the cavern, Felix stumbled forward, his body battered from the Grand Elder's and Dean's attacks. Fortunately for him, as soon as he crossed the threshold of Echo Cavern, a strange, invisible force blocked their assaults. If not for that, he would've been dead already.

Felix quickly swallowed a few pills to steady himself. Yet, before he could catch his breath, an indescribable sound echoed in his mind, like a whisper that turned into a pounding headache.

He felt disoriented and nauseous, as if the darkness around him was spinning uncontrollably. The legends about this place were not exaggerations-Echo Cavern was truly a nightmare.

Just when he thought he might lose consciousness, the eight Dragonspine fragments embedded in his body began to vibrate, offering some relief. However, the sound did not disappear. It grew stronger, clashing against the fragments as if trying to overpower them.

"Wait a second... Why are the Dragonspines reacting like this?" Felix wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his thoughts racing.

He thought, "I recall the "If

confrontation back in the capital with Tony and Helena, the

fragments only vibrate when mynet

soul is under attack. Does that mean Echo Cavern isn't just targeting my mind but my soul itself?"

Determined to test his theory, Felix pulled out the small flute. The moment he played a few notes, the eerie sound in his head faded away.

"It's actually working!" he exclaimed, relief washing over him.

If not for the experience he had gained in the capital, he would be completely helpless right now. He could not help but remember Billy, that chubby friend of his. "Man, that guy really was my lucky charm."

Unfortunately, his relief did not last long. In less than ten seconds, the dreadful sound came roaring back, more intense than ever.

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Felix immediately stopped playing the flute, and the noise gradually weakened again, returning to its earlier state, though still steadily increasing in power. It was locked in a battle of wills with Dragonspine.

"Great! So, it's a contest of strength now? This is going to be a pain," he muttered to himself.

The cavern was pitch black, so dark he could not even see his hand in front of his face. Though the sound's current effect was minimal, it still dulled his senses, making it nearly impossible to find an exit.

"If I can't fight it off, how the hell am I supposed to get out of here?" he wondered aloud.

For the next five minutes, Felix tried to focus through the noise, pushing himself to think clearly. Suddenly, his entire body tensed, and a strange expression spread across his face one of shock but also pleasure.

"What... is this?" he whispered, his eyes glowing with newfound clarity.

He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath, making a firm decision. "If I can't resist it... then, I'll just go with the flow. Let's see if I can make it out of this alive."