Chapter 16: The Thorny Path of Advancing the Cursed Mark

Chu Feng abruptly opened his eyes, and deep within his pupils, two black flames seemed to flicker and dance. The shadow runes on his body were no longer restrained black lines; instead, they writhed like living creatures, emitting an eerie, unsettling glow. The air around him seemed ignited by this power, an invisible pressure causing the dust particles nearby to levitate, as if he were standing inside a boiling forge. He felt something tearing through his flesh and blood, waves of indescribable agony crashing over him like a tempest, threatening to engulf him at any moment. Gritting his teeth, veins bulging, his once pale skin now flushed crimson, as if about to burst.

“What... what is happening?” Chu Feng murmured hoarsely, his voice ragged like bellows.

He could sense his inner strength uncontrollably leaking away, like a bucket with a gaping hole that could no longer hold a drop.

A surge of intense fear welled up in his heart. Could it be that his impatience for quick success was about to be his undoing?

He tried to command the runes within, but felt like a drowning man grasping at straws, unable to seize any lifeline.

Those once obedient black lines now writhed like beasts breaking free from their reins, wreaking havoc inside his body, ravenously devouring his power.

He clutched the “Rune Resonance Stone” tightly, his knuckles whitening from the grip.

He wanted to stop it all but found his efforts utterly futile.

Pain, fear, and despair intertwined across Chu Feng’s face; his features twisted by unbearable torment. He let out a low roar, his body trembling uncontrollably, cold sweat soaking his clothes, his consciousness beginning to blur; everything before his eyes warped and faded.

The air in the room grew thinner, a suffocating pressure enveloped every corner.

Pan Yue, Liu Yong, and the others sensed the anomaly; the once quiet training ground now seemed swept by a fierce gale, tables and chairs creaking under the strain.

They halted their movements, faces tense as they turned toward Chu Feng’s location.

At that moment, the “Rune Resonance Stone” in his hand burst into dazzling light, intertwining with the shadow runes on his body to form a strange and terrifying vortex.

Energy surged wildly into Chu Feng, as if he had become a colossal black hole, relentlessly consuming everything around him.

“Not good!” Master Lin’s expression changed abruptly. He sprang up, shock and gravity etched on his face. “His runes are about to lose control...” Just as he was about to speak further, a sharp alarm shattered the training ground’s silence.

The piercing siren blared, red light instantly flooding the entire area like a bloodthirsty beast opening its gaping maw.

Walls within the base began to tremble, as if struck by some immense force, while an unsettling scent of burning filled the air—proof of the runic energy’s extreme agitation.

The training ground’s gate slammed open with a crash, several figures clad in black uniforms filed in, armed with weapons of various designs, wearing cold, sinister smiles.

Leading them was a man with a savage scar across his face; his eyes swept the room like a venomous snake before settling on Chu Feng, wrapped in black light.

“Looks like we arrived just in time,” the scarred man licked his lips, his voice low and hoarse. “This kid seems about to break.”

His subordinates chuckled wickedly, like hyenas smelling blood, eager to feast on their prey.

Liu Yong’s eyes sharpened. He swiftly glanced at the control console, fingers flying across the keyboard.

Once taciturn, he now resembled a awakened lion, brimming with strength and resolve.

His slender fingers traced swift arcs on the keys, complex codes flashing on the screen—skills born from surviving the apocalypse: masterful mechanical engineering.

“Whirr...” The defense system’s perimeter suddenly lit up with rows of blue lights; several small laser turrets rose slowly from the ground, their cold barrels aimed at the intruders.

The sudden counterattack caught the scarred man’s group off guard; they scattered, roaring in fury.

“Damn it, this base actually has a defense system!” The scarred man’s face turned deadly pale. He hadn’t expected such traps hidden beneath the dilapidated training ground.

Yet he did not retreat; instead, excitement bloomed in his eyes. He licked his lips—

Sun Yue’s figure flickered like a ghost, suddenly appearing before them. At some point, he had acquired a sharp dagger, gleaming coldly under the red light.

Like a cunning leopard, he prowled through the shadows, poised to strike.

Chen Qiang gripped his shield tightly, stepping before the group like an immovable fortress, radiating reassurance.

Liu Yong’s lips curled slightly, not ceasing his operations on the console.

He knew this was only the beginning; the true battle was just commencing.

He would use his skills to protect this team, to safeguard their shared hope.

Pan Yue’s gaze remained fixed on Chu Feng. She sensed the immense suffering he endured.

Her heart brimmed with worry. Her fingertips gently touched Chu Feng’s cold hand, sending a warm current from her palm into his.

Master Lin’s eyes were deep and complex, his brow knit tightly as if contemplating something profound.

He did not intervene but watched quietly, as if awaiting a pivotal moment.

Pan Yue gripped Chu Feng’s hand firmly.

Her fingertips detected the chill of his clenched fists, trembling with the pain he fought against.

She gently squeezed his hand, her voice as clear and gentle as a mountain spring, imbued with unwavering certainty: “Chu Feng, don’t give up. You can do this.”

Her words poured like a warm light, dispelling the shadows within his heart. He felt a wave of strength flowing slowly from Pan Yue’s palm into his body, soothing the torment that tore him apart.

Master Lin did not act immediately as usual; he merely observed, his eyes gleaming with profound light.

He knew a true warrior did not rely on external forces but must learn to harness the power within.

This time, he wanted Chu Feng to find his own solution, to unearth the boundless potential hidden inside him.

He sought to have Chu Feng break through his limits in desperation and become a genuine strongman.

Encouraged by Pan Yue’s support, a flicker of hope rekindled in Chu Feng’s heart.

He ceased resisting the wild power within, instead trying to feel it, to understand it.

Closing his eyes, his consciousness sank inward. He saw the black lines ravenously consuming his strength, but beneath that violent force, he detected a far mightier energy hidden deep within.

He began attempting to control it, imagining himself as a river, allowing the energy to flow freely through his body.

No longer trying to suppress it, he sought to guide it, like controlling his own arms. He aimed to tame the shadow runes so they ceased destruction and instead converged into a stronger force.

The black glow within the training ground gradually stabilized, the suffocating pressure slowly dissipating.

The once raging energy softened, like the calm surface of a lake.

Chu Feng’s tightly shut eyelids twitched slightly; he felt his body lighten and his power intensify.

The scarred man watched this transformation; he had believed Chu Feng was about to collapse, yet unexpectedly, at death’s door, the boy had surpassed his own limits.

Sensing danger, he knew he had to take Chu Feng down swiftly or face endless trouble.

Just as he prepared to launch another assault, Master Lin spoke slowly, his voice calm and deep, yet imbued with undeniable authority: “Enough. This ends now.”

He looked toward Chu Feng, who slowly opened his eyes—not filled with pain or confusion as before, but with confidence and resolve. An intimidating aura radiated from him.

A faint, meaningful smile curled at his lips: “This is just the beginning.”

Chu Feng rose steadily, the black light around him receding like a tide, revealing his resolute face.

He felt the surging power within him—a darker, purer shadow force, stronger than before.

Each breath thundered, every heartbeat sounded like war drums; he felt reborn, as if emerging from a chrysalis into a butterfly.

Clenching his fists until his knuckles cracked, he understood he had mastered the runaway power of the runes.

The scarred man’s expression darkened further; he stared daggers at Chu Feng, as if wishing to tear him limb from limb.

His gaze was a poisoned blade, burning with hatred and impatience.

But he knew this youth was no longer the lamb to slaughter—he was now a beast awakened.

“Damn!” the scarred man roared, waving his hand as his men charged again.

They wielded their weapons, howling madly like a pack of berserk wolves.

The air thickened with the scent of bloodshed, the palpable killing intent radiating from them.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” The laser turrets roared once more, firing blue beams that repelled the attackers.

Liu Yong’s fingers danced across the keyboard like a precise machine, manipulating the defense system to buy time for his comrades.

Sun Yue moved like a phantom among the crowd, his dagger slicing cold light through the air, each strike claiming a living soul.

His sly grin was like Death’s own smile, chilling to the bone.

Chen Qiang held his shield firmly, a towering iron pillar before the group. He shouted loudly, each impact deafening, using his flesh and blood to forge an unbreakable shield for his teammates.

Pan Yue approached Chu Feng, her concern evident as she gently helped him aside to rest. Her hands caressed his forehead tenderly, like a mother soothing a wounded child.

Chu Feng felt warmth flood his heart from Pan Yue’s kindness.

He knew he was not fighting alone; behind him stood comrades worthy of his protection.

His gaze regained its firmness as he looked toward the distance, sensing a mighty energy fluctuation far off.

“Pan Yue, I need more rune energy,” Chu Feng said, voice low and resolute, meeting her eyes.

Pan Yue nodded, understanding his meaning. She answered with conviction, “I will help you find it.”

A faint smile played on Chu Feng’s lips as he gazed out the window. The city in the distance resembled a vast labyrinth, hiding countless unknown secrets and dangers.

His heart brimmed with anticipation, desire, and hope for the future.

“Liu Yong, get ready. We’re heading there,” Chu Feng said calmly and firmly.

Liu Yong ceased his typing and looked up. “Understood.”