A Western Kid’s Journey into the Eastern Cultivation World

The ground split open beneath their feet, and tendrils of dark energy snaked up, wrapping around Elder Li's ankles. He grunted, his staff glowing brighter as he fought to break free. "Jack! Now!" he shouted, his voice strained from the effort.​The Keeper was locked in a fierce battle with two of the armored creatures. Her ice - blue sword shattered one of their horns, but a backhanded swipe sent her crashing into a nearby column. Lyra leaped to her aid, her dagger flashing as she distracted the creatures, giving the Keeper time to get back on her feet.​Jack ignored the chaos around him, his entire focus on the power surging within. The tome's symbols spun so fast they created a blinding vortex of light, and the merged orb felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. Images from the vision of the temple flashed through his mind again—the crystal on the pedestal, its energy pulsating in a pattern that seemed to match the rhythm of his heart.​The cloaked figure lunged forward, shadows trailing behind like a cloak of death. Its hand, a skeletal appendage dripping with dark ooze, reached for Jack. But at the last moment, Jack let out a roar and released the pent - up power. A beam of pure, white light mixed with swirling colors shot out, colliding with the figure's attack.​The force of the impact created a shockwave that sent everyone flying. Jack slammed into the ground, his ears ringing. When he looked up, the cloaked figure was still standing, but its robes were tattered and smoking. For the first time, a hint of true anger flashed in its eyes. "You will regret this," it hissed, raising both hands.​Dark clouds formed in the center of the chamber, and a massive, tentacled creature emerged. Its eyes were like burning coals, and its mouth, filled with rows of serrated teeth, let out a roar that shook the very foundation of the room. The lead cultist cowered in the corner, watching the battle unfold with a mixture of fear and awe.​Lyra ran to Jack's side, helping him up. "We need a new plan. That thing is too powerful," she said, her voice trembling.​Jack looked at the tome in his hands. The symbols had stopped spinning, but now they were glowing with a soft, purple light. He could feel a connection to the crystal in his vision, as if it was calling out to him. "I think I know what we have to do," he said, turning to his allies. "We need to find that temple."​The Keeper, her sword still in hand, nodded. "But first, we have to survive this." She charged towards the tentacled creature, ice forming in her wake. Elder Li followed, chanting ancient incantations that sent bolts of golden lightning towards the beast.​Jack focused on the creature, trying to find a weak spot. As he did, he noticed that the center of its chest, where its heart should be, had a faint, pulsating glow. It was similar to the energy of the crystal in his vision. "There!" he shouted, pointing. "That's where we need to strike!"​The group coordinated their attacks. The Keeper created a path with her ice magic, freezing the creature's tentacles in place. Elder Li's lightning distracted it, while Lyra darted in, slashing at its legs to slow it down. Jack, channeling the last of his strength, ran towards the creature, the tome and the merged orb guiding him.​Just as he was about to reach the creature's weak spot, the cloaked figure appeared in front of him, blocking his path. "You won't get away so easily," it sneered.​Jack gritted his teeth. He knew that if he couldn't break through, all would be lost. Summoning every ounce of power he had left, he prepared to face the cloaked figure one last time, hoping that the connection to the crystal and the secrets of the temple would be enough to turn the tide of the battle.