An Understated Dominance

 The bronze gate loomed tall and solemn—behind it might lie the legendary  Hanging Garden , or perhaps an even deeper trap. The dark-golden vines coiling through the cracks seemed withered, yet when touched, they felt as hard as metal—unyielding and cold. Ancient cloud-shaped runes glimmered faintly upon the gate’s surface, forming a powerful sealing array. Forcing it open would be no easy feat—and might bring catastrophic consequences. Dustin extended his divine sense, probing carefully for a long while before shaking his head. “The seal is intact and bound to the earth veins. Forcing it would trigger unknown dangers. There may be another entrance—or a specific key to open it.” Hope, so close at hand yet barred behind the gate, gave rise to quiet disappointment. Margaret gazed toward the mist-wreathed mountain fissure and said thoughtfully, “Since this path is blocked for now, let’s follow the edge of this rift. We may find another way. The murals mentioned the ‘Jade Pool’—it...

 “It’s those who landed on the island before us!” another guard cried out. A slightly older, more experienced guard stepped forward to inspect the corpses. His face darkened. “They’ve been dead no more than a month. Judging by these wounds… not caused by ordinary weapons or beasts. More like they were pierced clean through by an extremely fine, razor-sharp beam of energy.” At that moment, Dustin suddenly looked up sharply, eyes narrowing toward a patch of ground ahead—behind the half-buried remains of what looked like a massive bronze cauldron. “Be careful!” Before he could finish, several faint “shhh” sounds sliced through the air. A few hair-thin, almost invisible grayish beams of energy shot out from behind the wreckage like vipers, streaking straight toward the guards who had just cried out! Their speed far surpassed that of a crossbow bolt. But Dustin moved even faster. The instant he sensed danger, his fingers came together like a sword, and an arc-shaped slash of sword energ...