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Peng Falcon\'s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Everyone, prepare for battle! Form defensive positions!"

The disciples quickly regrouped, their training kicking in as they drew their weapons and readied their techniques. The icy wind howled around them, whipping up flurries of snow that swirled between the two opposing forces.

Aric watched from his concealed vantage point atop a nearby ridge, his expression unreadable. "So, it begins," he murmured to himself. "Let\'s see how this plays out."

Down below, the first clash erupted as the Edsmith Palace disciples charged forward. Blades met with a shower of sparks, and bursts of elemental energy lit up the night like fireworks.

Although the plan was different, now, since the people from Edsmith Palace had cornered them, everyone decided to jump into the battle.

Mei Xian moved gracefully through the battlefield, her sword a blur of silver light as she parried strikes and countered with swift, precise movements. Beside her, Lin Wei unleashed a barrage of fireballs, forcing the attackers to scatter.

Xu Mevan and Xu Amber fought back to back, their synchronization honed from years of training together. Mevan\'s spear whirled in intricate patterns, deflecting incoming attacks, while Amber\'s daggers flashed as she struck with deadly accuracy.

Peng Falcon held the center, his presence a steadying force for the others. "Maintain formation!" he shouted. "Don\'t let them separate us!"

Despite their efforts, the sheer number of Edsmith Palace disciples began to overwhelm them. Several of their own fell under the relentless assault, cries of pain lost in the cacophony of battle.

Derek Xiang, a young disciple with bright eyes and a fierce spirit, was struck down by a blast of dark energy. He collapsed into the snow, his life extinguished before anyone could reach him.

Wang Xia, wielding her twin swords, fought valiantly but was cornered by three opponents. She managed to take one down before a blade found its way past her defenses.

"Xia!" Lin Wei screamed, a mix of anguish and fury fueling her next attack as she unleashed a torrent of flames that engulfed her enemies.

Aric observed the mounting casualties, his gaze calculating. "They\'re being decimated," he thought. "Time to act."

He descended from his perch, moving stealthily through the chaos. His eyes flickered with a mix of anticipation and calculation. He needed to ensure that Xu Mevan didn\'t seize any unexpected opportunities.

Navigating the battlefield, Aric spotted Mevan breaking away from the main group, heading toward the compound\'s entrance. "Where are you off to?" Aric mused, a sly smile tugging at his lips.

Amidst the turmoil, Xu Mevan\'s keen eyes caught sight of a subtle disturbance—a faint glow emanating from beneath a partially collapsed stone archway on the side of the compound. It was easy to miss amidst the snow and shadows, but something drew him toward it.

"Amber!" he called to his sister, who was fending off an Edsmith disciple with deft movements of her dual blades. "Cover me! I\'ve spotted something!"

"Be careful!" Xu Amber shouted back, parrying a strike and spinning gracefully to deliver a counterattack.

Mevan dashed toward the archway, his footsteps light on the snow despite the heavy combat around him. As he approached, he noticed that the glow was seeping through a narrow fissure in the rock, partially obscured by hanging icicles.

"Could this be where they\'re keeping the prisoners?" he wondered.

He squeezed through the gap, the cold stone scraping against his armor. Inside, a narrow passage sloped downward, illuminated by the faint luminescence of luminescent moss clinging to the walls. The air was colder here, but still, he pressed on.

Unbeknownst to Mevan, Aric had observed his movements. "Where are you sneaking off to, Mevan?" Aric whispered, a sly smile curving his lips. Activating his Celestial Veil technique, he became a wraith in the shadows, following Mevan at a distance.

Mevan had just dispelled the final seal when he heard the distant clamor of approaching footsteps. His head snapped up, eyes narrowing.

"Someone\'s coming," he realized, tension creeping into his posture. "I need to hurry."

He lifted the lid of the chest, and inside lay a modest-looking pendant—a simple silver chain bearing a small, uncut gemstone that pulsed with inner light.

"The Heart of Aether," Mevan breathed, recognition dawning. "An artifact said to amplify one\'s spiritual energy tenfold."

He reached out to take it, but before his fingers could grasp the pendant, voices echoed from the entrance.

"Intruder! In the vaults!" a guard shouted, his torchlight flooding the chamber.

Mevan spun around, tucking the pendant into his sleeve. "No time for subtlety," he thought, drawing his spear.

Three Edsmith Palace guards advanced, weapons drawn.

"You won\'t leave here alive," the lead guard snarled.

"We\'ll see about that," Mevan retorted, settling into a combat stance.

The guards attacked in unison. Mevan parried the first strike, his spear whirling to deflect a sword aimed at his side. He pivoted, using the momentum to deliver a kick that sent one guard sprawling.

The confined space limited his movements, and the guards pressed their advantage. A blade grazed his shoulder, drawing blood. Ignoring the pain, Mevan summoned a burst of spiritual energy, releasing it in a shockwave that momentarily stunned his attackers.

"This isn\'t good," he admitted to himself. "I need to find a way out."

While Mevan was occupied, Aric slipped into the chamber from a concealed alcove on the opposite side. His eyes fell upon the open chest, now empty.

"Too late," he thought, irritation flickering across his face. But then he noticed a faint glimmer on the floor—a second compartment within the chest, partially revealed.

"Ah, so there\'s more," he realized.

He carefully removed the false bottom, revealing a small, intricately carved box made of dark wood. It bore no seals but radiated a subtle energy.

"Hidden even from those who thought they had found the treasure," Aric mused. "Clever."

He opened the box to find a slim, ancient scroll tied with a crimson ribbon. Unfurling it slightly, he glimpsed symbols and diagrams depicting advanced cultivation techniques—knowledge that had been lost for centuries.

"The Shadow Phoenix Manuscript," he whispered, barely containing his excitement. "This could elevate my power immensely."

Footsteps and sounds of combat grew louder. Aric knew he had to move quickly. Securing the scroll within his inner robes, he scanned the room for an exit.

A narrow passage caught his eye—a ventilation shaft partially obscured behind a tapestry. It would be a tight fit, but it offered a discreet escape route.

As he climbed into the shaft, he cast one last glance toward Mevan, who was still battling the guards.

"Good luck, Mevan," Aric thought with a wry smile. "You\'ll need it."

[Ding! Congratulations Host! You have gained 10,000 Villain Points and 100,000 Villain Halo, for taking the opportunity of protagonist Xu Mevan]

Back in the chamber, Mevan was tiring. The guards recovered from the shockwave, attacking with renewed vigor. He blocked a flurry of strikes, but the confined space left little room for maneuvering.

"Time to change tactics," he decided.

Channeling his energy inward, Mevan summoned the "Burst Step" technique—a short-range teleportation move taught only to the most promising disciples.

In a blink, he vanished from his position, reappearing behind the guards. Before they could react, he struck with the blunt end of his spear, knocking one unconscious.

The remaining two guards whirled around, surprise evident on their faces.

"Impossible!" one exclaimed. "How did you—"

Mevan didn\'t give them a chance to recover. He lunged forward, feinting left before delivering a decisive thrust that disarmed the second guard. The third hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes.

"Stand down," Mevan commanded, his voice steady. "I have no desire to end your life."

The guard weighed his options before retreating slowly, keeping his weapon raised defensively.

Mevan exhaled, relief washing over him. But he knew more would come.

"I need to get back to the others," he thought, turning toward the passage he had entered through.

As he moved, a glint on the floor caught his eye—a small fragment of parchment near the chest, overlooked in the chaos.

"What\'s this?" He picked it up, recognizing symbols similar to those on the pendant he had taken.

"Could be important," he reasoned, tucking it away.

He retraced his steps, ascending the ladder and slipping back through the hidden trapdoor. As he emerged into the initial passage, he heard distant sounds of battle from the surface.

"I hope Amber is okay," he thought, concern tightening his chest.

Navigating the tunnels, Mevan relied on his memory and spiritual sense to avoid patrols. He emerged outside through a concealed exit, finding himself on the far side of the compound.

The night air was sharp, and snowflakes drifted lazily from the dark sky. The sounds of combat had diminished.

"Either the battle is over, or they\'ve moved," Mevan assessed. He made his way cautiously toward the rendezvous point, hoping to find his comrades.