Bone-chilling cold enveloped every nerve. Lin Yao dragged the nearly unconscious Cang Ye, struggling to crawl from the icy pool onto the slippery, moss-covered stone floor before collapsing. Both coughed and gasped violently, each breath carrying water vapor and blood scent.
Cang Ye's condition was dire—ice-blue eyes unfocused, silver-white fur matted with blood and pool water, that fractured foreleg twisted at an unnatural angle, breathing shallow. Without wolf clan tenacity, he'd likely have already passed out or died.
Lin Yao's own state wasn't much better—HP down to eighty-something, ribs aching (probably from Mountain Tyrant's sword qi shockwave), soaked and freezing, stamina and spirit nearly depleted. But he forced himself conscious.
Surveying the surroundings, this was a massive natural cavern with an invisible ceiling lost in darkness. The only natural light came from the waterfall entrance they'd fallen through, but mist obscured it, leaving dim illumination. The cavern air circulated, carrying heavy dust of ages and metallic rust scent, plus an extremely faint cool moonlight spiritual glow matching the covenant fragment.
That glow originated deep within the cavern.
Lin Yao's gaze tracked there. By waterfall light, he could see the cavern's far end featured two massive, heavy, sealed metal doors. The material—neither iron nor stone—was dull silver-gray, surfaces covered in intricate ancient reliefs of foxes and wolves surrounding a central crescent moon emblem. Time and moisture had eroded some details, but the whole still radiated solemn, inviolable presence.
The doors were sealed, the central crescent emblem featuring an obvious depression—a crescent-and-claw-mark overlapping shape perfectly matching the covenant fragment in Lin Yao's chest!
Covenant grounds! The true ruin entrance!
The fragment now burned hot enough to scorch skin, resonance so intense it synchronized his heartbeat.
Must enter! Inside might hold healing items, inheritance, or certain death. But staying here meant Cang Ye's condition worsening or pursuers finding a way down—both dead ends.
Lin Yao struggled upright, draping Cang Ye's good arm over his shoulder, half-supporting, half-dragging him toward the great doors. Each step felt impossibly heavy—the stone floor slippery, Cang Ye's weight burdensome.
The mere dozens of meters felt like centuries. Finally, they reached the doors.
Up close, the reliefs were breathtaking. Silvermoon Foxes—elegant and mysterious. Silvermoon Wolves—cold and majestic. Their poses weren't adversarial but collaborative, protective, jointly guarding the central moon. An ancient, vast will emanated faintly through the carvings.
Lin Yao drew a shaking breath and withdrew the burning fragment. The crescent-claw pattern now flowed with silver radiance.
He aligned the fragment with the crescent emblem's depression and gently pressed.
"Click."
Perfect fit.
The next moment—
"Hummmmm—————"
A low rumble seemingly from earth's depths and ancient eons arose! The entire cavern trembled slightly! Door reliefs lit sequentially! Fox and wolf eyes ignited with silver flames, the central crescent emblem burst with unprecedented brilliant silver light, illuminating the cavern bright as day!
The silver light wasn't blinding but gentle and sacred, enveloping Lin Yao and Cang Ye. Lin Yao felt warm, pure moonlight energy flooding his body, rapidly mending injuries, soothing mental fatigue—HP beginning to climb! Cang Ye's pained groans also lessened, breathing slightly stabilizing.
Immediately after, the massive metal doors silently, effortlessly swung inward. No dust fell, no mechanisms sounded—only a purer, denser tide of moonlight silver radiance pouring from within, carrying eternal serenity and majesty.
Beyond the doors stretched a wide corridor paved with luminescent jade, walls carved with continuous murals depicting ancient Silvermoon Foxes and Wolves living together, worshipping, fighting enemies, holding grand ceremonies. At the corridor's end loomed an even grander space.
**[Hidden Area Discovered: Dormant Moon God Covenant Sanctuary (Ruin)]**
**[Based on 'Incomplete Moon God's Favored Covenant Bone Fragment,' you have acquired temporary access.]**
**[Detected companion 'Cang Ye' (Silvermoon Wolf-kin, meets ancient covenant conditions)—granted joint entry.]**
**[Warning: Sanctuary contains ancient trial mechanisms and guardian spirits. Proceed with caution.]**
Trials? Guardian spirits?
Lin Yao's heart tightened, but there was no turning back. Supporting the slightly recovered Cang Ye, he stepped into the luminous corridor.
Upon entry, the doors silently closed behind them, completely sealing off waterfall sounds and external dangers. The corridor was exceptionally quiet—only their footsteps and breathing echoed. Wall murals seemed alive, ready to narrate that lost history.
Cang Ye's ice-blue eyes studied the murals, whispering hoarsely: "Clan oral tradition… 'Twin Moon Sanctuary'… it truly exists…"
The corridor wasn't long, ending at a circular, inverted-bowl-domed great hall. The hall's scale was astonishing—diameter likely exceeding a hundred meters. The dome wasn't stone but seemed formed from solidified moonlight and stars, slowly rotating, showering endless gentle silver radiance that illuminated everything.
At the hall's center stood a massive circular altar. The altar was built from white jade, surfaces inscribed with even more complex arcane runes than outside. Flanking the altar rose two enormous statues.
Left: a nine-tailed celestial fox jade sculpture—lines elegant and fluid, eyes lively and profound, nine tails spreading in rhythmically beautiful poses as if dancing beneath the moon. Its mouth slightly parted, seemingly chanting ancient songs.
Right: a silver-furred giant wolf ice crystal sculpture—posture majestic and proud, muscles coiled with power, wolf head slightly raised in lunar howl, eyes sharp as ice, seemingly able to freeze souls.
Between the statues, at the altar's exact center, floated a fist-sized orb of constantly shifting silver-blue and moon-white light, emanating heart-stopping pure energy fluctuations—seemingly the sanctuary's energy core and covenant power source.
Before the altar stood two half-transparent humanoid figures formed from pure moonlight.
The left figure was slender with pointed ears and three moonlight tail shadows swaying behind—a Silvermoon Fox-kin hero spirit holding a moonlight-condensed staff.
The right figure was tall and robust, wolf ears erect, eyes fierce—a Silvermoon Wolf-kin hero spirit, hands resting on a frost-wreathed ice crystal greatsword.
They stood silently, as if guarding for countless ages. When Lin Yao and Cang Ye entered the hall, both hero spirits simultaneously "opened" their eyes—eye sockets burning with silver flames.
"Long slumber… finally, descendants bearing covenant tokens and flowing with ancient blood have entered the sanctuary." The fox-kin spirit spoke, voice ethereal and pleasant like moonlight chimes, resonating directly in their souls.
"One fox, three tails manifest—bloodline diluted yet pure, entangled with foreign class power… intriguing." The wolf-kin spirit's voice was cold and hard like iron, carrying metallic resonance. Its gaze swept Lin Yao, especially lingering on **[Claw of the Howling Wolf]**.
"One wolf, Frostmark path—bloodline awakening acceptable, yet bearing grave wounds, will unbroken." The fox-kin spirit regarded Cang Ye, tone carrying approval.
Cang Ye, supported by Lin Yao, straightened his spine, ice-blue eyes fearlessly meeting both spirits—wolf clan pride prevented weakness even when gravely injured.
Lin Yao stepped forward slightly, sheltering Cang Ye somewhat (though he knew this gesture likely meant nothing before the spirits). "Juniors Foxmotion (Silvermoon Fox-kin) and Cang Ye (Silvermoon Wolf-kin), by fate obtained this fragment, fled pursuit into the sanctuary, meant no disturbance to honored predecessors' rest. Companion gravely wounded—humbly request aid."
The fox-kin spirit nodded slightly: "Token guidance is fated connection. Injuries are healable—sanctuary moonlight is finest healing source." Her staff tapped lightly, two denser moonlight pillars descending from the dome, separately enveloping Lin Yao and Cang Ye.
Warm, overwhelming energy surged in. Lin Yao's injuries healed almost instantly, HP maxed, fatigue vanished—he even felt attributes temporarily boosted. Cang Ye's transformation was more dramatic—fractured bone tingling with sensation, wounds visibly closing, pallor rapidly fading, breathing strong and steady. Within breaths, both reached peak condition—even beyond!
"Gratitude, honored predecessors!" Cang Ye exclaimed gratefully, testing his just-healed foreleg.
But the wolf-kin spirit's tone shifted: "However, sanctuary is no mere refuge. Covenant power inheritance and protection require trials. Bearing tokens, do you possess resolve to reignite covenant and inherit ancestral will?"
Lin Yao and Cang Ye exchanged glances. They'd come seeking survival, but the opportunity was obvious. Refuse? They'd likely be "escorted" out to face waiting pursuers. Accept? Unknown trials and responsibilities awaited.
"This junior accepts the trial." Lin Yao spoke first, gaze resolute. He needed power, needed to resolve class conflict, needed foothold in this game world. This ancient covenant power might be key.
"Cang Ye also accepts." Cang Ye's ice-blue eyes ignited with fighting spirit—wolf nature craved strength, especially regarding clan legend.
"Good." Both spirits nodded simultaneously.
The fox-kin spirit spoke: "Three trials. First, 'Bloodline Resonance': prove your bloodlines can still connect with the ancient covenant core."
The wolf-kin spirit continued: "Second, 'Will Coordination': prove fox and wolf descendants can still trust in battle, entrusting power to each other."
"Third, 'Conviction Choice': face inner shadows, make choices aligned with covenant spirit."
The fox-kin spirit tapped her staff again. The central altar's shifting orb trembled slightly, splitting two thin light streams flying toward Lin Yao and Cang Ye's foreheads.
"Now begin the first trial: Bloodline Resonance. Pour your mental and bloodline power into the token fragment, attempt to call and channel the altar core's 'Twin Moon Seed.' Only when dual bloodline calls reach sufficient intensity will 'Twin Moon Seed' respond, bestowing initial covenant blessing."
Lin Yao and Cang Ye immediately sat cross-legged (Cang Ye crouched forward), placing that merged covenant fragment (Lin Yao withdrew it, Cang Ye's paw covering it) between them. Eyes closed, minds focused, they began mobilizing internal bloodline power.
Lin Yao activated **[Foxfire Ancestor's Breath]**, channeling cool, agile moon-fox bloodline energy while attempting to mobilize the **[Berserker Warcry Shaman]** class's savage battle will subtly harmonizing with **[Claw of the Howling Wolf]**. He strove to recall that fleeting sensation when collapsing the cliff boulders—briefly harmonizing disparate energies—trying to make these forces resonate through the fragment.
Cang Ye activated his frost-wolf bloodline—cold, condensed energy flowing forth with wolf clan pride and protective intent.
Two kindred (both moon) yet distinctly different (fox illusion/attraction, wolf coagulation/erosion) bloodline energies began merging and probing through the covenant fragment bridge.
Initially awkward, like oil and water. But as both concentrated, recalling side-by-side battles, remembering aid and trust extended in crisis, energy flow gradually smoothed.
Fragment radiance intensified, crescent-and-claw patterns seemingly alive, slowly rotating.
The altar's central "Twin Moon Seed" orb seemed drawn, shifting minutely toward them, light rotation accelerating.
"Good." The fox-kin spirit commented softly. "Bloodlines diluted yet essence pure, and 'anomalies' (referring to Lin Yao's class) with 'variables' (Cang Ye's Frostmark) create new resonance possibilities."
"Continue—increase the call." The wolf-kin spirit's tone remained cold but silver flames in its eyes flickered.
Lin Yao and Cang Ye understood, pouring more mental power and bloodline energy. The fragment began trembling slightly, emitting low hums resonating clearly with the altar core's "Twin Moon Seed"!
"Hummm—"
"Twin Moon Seed" finally gave clear response! It separated two finer, purer light threads—silver-blue (fox) and moon-white (wolf)—like homing swallows drawn through space, slowly merging into Lin Yao and Cang Ye's foreheads!
**[Temporary Blessing Obtained: Twin Moon's Grace (Initial)]**
**[Effect: In moonlit environments, all attributes slightly increased, HP/Rage/Energy recovery speed moderately accelerated. Silvermoon Fox-kin and Silvermoon Wolf-kin related skills gain additional bonuses. This blessing is potent within sanctuary; upon departure, converts to permanent weak enhancement based on covenant completion.]**
**['Foxfire Ancestor's Breath,' 'Frostmark Power' (Cang Ye) receive weak purification and enhancement.]**
**['Silvermoon War Dance: Twin Moon Convergence' comprehension deepened.]**
Cool and warm energies flowed throughout their bodies. Lin Yao felt his moonlight perception and control rise another level, connection with **[Claw of the Howling Wolf]** growing tighter. Cang Ye's chill aura became more condensed and pure—injuries fully healed while strength seemingly refined.
First trial—passed!
Both spirits nodded slightly.
"Second trial: Will Coordination." The wolf-kin spirit stepped forward, ice crystal greatsword striking the ground. "Combat is the most direct crucible. You will face sanctuary guardian spirit projection attacks. No using powerful skills (referring to long-cooldown or massively consuming abilities)—rely only on basic capabilities, weapons, and mutual coordination. Endure one incense stick's time or defeat the projections to pass."
As words fell, the altar's flanking fox and wolf statues flashed, each releasing a miniaturized, moonlight-formed fox shadow and wolf shadow—approximately 4-5 level elite strength, lunging at Lin Yao and Cang Ye respectively!
Battle erupted instantly!
-----
**(End of Chapter 05)**
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**[Current Status]**
- Location: Dormant Moon God Covenant Sanctuary great hall
- Condition: Lin Yao and Cang Ye fully healed, HP/Rage maxed, received temporary blessing 'Twin Moon's Grace'
- Trial: First trial 'Bloodline Resonance' passed, currently undergoing second trial 'Will Coordination'—facing fox and wolf shadow projections
- Restriction: Cannot use powerful skills (like Enchanting Howl, Cang Ye's ultimate), rely only on basic abilities, weapons, small skills, and coordination
- Environment: Moonlight abundant, blessing bonus significant