Within the moonlit hall, battle exploded.
The fox shadow—agile and elusive, claws tracing silver arcs—struck at Lin Yao's throat. The wolf shadow—fierce and direct, carrying icy breath—lunged at Cang Ye, fangs gleaming coldly.
"Follow my lead like before!" Lin Yao barked, not using the unstable **[Enchanting Howl]**, nor forcing any ultimate moves. His feet executed inherited memory footwork, form flickering as if to meet the fox shadow head-on, yet at the last instant sidestepping and sliding while **[Claw of the Howling Wolf]** swept upward diagonally—not to strike but disrupt and redirect.
Simultaneously, Cang Ye understood instinctively. Rather than meet the wolf shadow's charge, he dropped low, ice-blue claws pushing off the ground to slide laterally toward Lin Yao's position—precisely through the gap Lin Yao created—frost-laden claw wind sweeping the fox shadow's hind legs!
The fox shadow's attack missed, flanked front and rear, forced to abandon its combo and leap back nimbly.
The wolf shadow lunged empty, turning to pursue Cang Ye when Lin Yao's axe—carrying **[Wolf Howl]**'s weak intimidation effect—slapped its flank!
"Thwack!" Minor damage but disrupted its rhythm completely.
The two projections' first coordinated assault dissolved easily through Lin Yao and Cang Ye's seemingly simple yet perfectly coordinated position swaps and mutual coverage.
"Keep going! Don't let them separate!" Cang Ye growled, ice-blue eyes locked on the wolf shadow as he proactively charged, claws fierce yet holding back power for instant direction changes.
Lin Yao engaged the fox shadow, his footwork growing increasingly fluid. Combined with **[Foxfire Ancestor's Breath]**'s environmental perception, he consistently predicted the fox shadow's elusive attack trajectories. His axe alternated between blocks and feints, keeping the fox shadow trapped within range, preventing effective coordination with the wolf shadow.
The two spirits observed from the sidelines, silver flames flickering in their eyes.
"Solid combat instincts." The wolf-kin spirit's voice remained cold. "That fox-kin's footwork shows promise."
"The wolf-kin's timing is excellent too." The fox-kin spirit nodded. "They're establishing rhythm."
On the battlefield, Lin Yao and Cang Ye's coordination grew increasingly smooth. Words became unnecessary—a glance, a subtle motion cue communicated intent perfectly.
When the wolf shadow was slowed by Cang Ye's ice claws, Lin Yao invariably delivered a perfectly timed **[Moonlight Ricochet]** (weak version, disruption only) targeting the wolf shadow's eyes or joints, further exploiting the opening.
When the fox shadow attempted illusions to confuse Lin Yao, Cang Ye would suddenly release a low wolf growl (not a skill, pure intimidation)—that bloodline-born icy威压 consistently destabilized the fox shadow's phantasms momentarily.
They lacked flashy combination attacks yet moved like two tightly wound vines—mutually supporting, compensating for weaknesses, maintaining relentless pressure on the individually stronger projections.
The incense stick's time passed swiftly.
"Cease." The fox-kin spirit tapped her staff, both projections instantly dissolving into moonlight.
Lin Yao and Cang Ye halted, breathing slightly labored, bearing minor scratches but eyes bright with battle fervor. They'd won—through coordination and fundamentals, they'd successfully endured and even gained the upper hand.
"Second trial—passed." The wolf-kin spirit spoke concisely, approval in his tone more evident than before. "Final trial: Conviction Choice."
The altar's central "Twin Moon Seed" orb pulsed again, this time projecting misty, soul-reflecting moonlight fog that slowly enveloped Lin Yao and Cang Ye.
"Face your hearts. Make your choice." The fox-kin spirit's voice grew ethereal.
Lin Yao's vision shifted.
He "saw" himself at a crossroads. The left path bathed in pure, cool, vast silver moonlight led to a towering nine-tailed celestial fox emanating endless illusion and wisdom. Choosing it seemed to embrace pure Silvermoon Fox-kin bloodline, walk the ultimate "Illusion" and "Attraction" path—perhaps fully resolving class conflict to become a pure moon-fox caster or assassin.
The right path filled with savage warcries, barbaric aura, and **[Claw of the Howling Wolf]**'s blue wolf-soul glow. At its end stood the ultimate Berserker Warcry Shaman form radiating overwhelming power and destruction. Choosing it meant suppressing bloodline conflict, fully developing class—walking the path of brute force.
Both paths tempted greatly. But Lin Yao barely hesitated.
He looked upward beyond the convergence point—not void, but a vaguely visible third path, more obscure and difficult yet seemingly weaving together left-side moonlight and right-side battle fury into a spiral road! Along its sides, shadows of foxes and wolves ran side by side.
"I choose the third path." Lin Yao thought firmly. "I abandon nothing. I'll make Silvermoon Fox bloodline and Berserker Warcry power truly fuse. Forge a path belonging solely to me—Foxmotion."
"Even if fraught with danger and endless conflict?" A soul-deep voice inquired.
"Conflict is motivation." Lin Yao answered, gaze resolute.
The vision dispersed.
Meanwhile, Cang Ye opened his eyes from the fog, ice-blue eyes retaining震撼 yet equally clear and determined. His choice apparently concerned "lone wolf independence" versus "returning to the pack." He'd clearly made his decision too.
The moonlight fog cleared.
The altar's "Twin Moon Seed" suddenly blazed brighter than ever!
"Convictions set—covenant may continue." Both spirits' voices merged solemnly.
The orb floated above Lin Yao and Cang Ye, then split in two! The larger portion (about 70%) became a thicker pillar of intertwined silver-blue and moon-white light enveloping them both! The smaller portion (about 30%) scattered evenly onto the covenant fragment.
**[Permanent Blessing Obtained: Twin Moon Covenant (Initial)]**
**[Effects:]**
**[1. Moonlight Affinity: In moonlit environments, all attributes +5%, HP/Rage/Energy recovery +15%.]**
**[2. Bloodline Purification: Weakly increases Silvermoon Fox-kin/Wolf-kin bloodline concentration; related skills +10% effectiveness.]**
**[3. Covenant Link: When within range of covenant partner (Cang Ye), weakly sense partner's status; gain additional 3% damage reduction and 3% damage bonus in joint combat.]**
**[4. Unlocks 'Covenant Skill Tree' (Basic).]**
**[Covenant fragment completed, ascends to 'Moon God's Favored Covenant Token (Complete)']**
**[Effect: Holder's Twin Moon Covenant effects moderately enhanced; can summon covenant power under certain conditions (extremely long cooldown); key to unlocking higher covenant inheritances.]**
Overwhelming power flooded their bodies! Lin Yao felt bones crackling, blood boiling, mental power soaring! Panel attributes began jumping!
**[Ding! Twin Moon Covenant energy infusion!]**
**[Level Up! Current Level: 5!]**
**[Level Up! Current Level: 6!]**
**[Consecutive level-ups, attributes significantly increased! Gained 4 Free Attribute Points! (Level 5: 2 points, Level 6: 2 points)]**
**['Foxfire Ancestor's Breath' passive ascends to 'Moon Fox Spirit' (Initial): Perception range expanded, moonlight/sound/illusion energy manipulation significantly enhanced, claw strikes' moonlight damage strengthened, passively slightly disrupts low-level mental detection.]**
**['Enchanting Howl: Shatter Morale (Mutated)' stability greatly improved, emotion cost reduced, effect controllability enhanced. Renamed 'Bewildering Warcry' (Blue Rare).]**
**['Moonlight Ricochet' ascends to 'Piercing Moon Strike' (Green Excellent): Range, power, accuracy improved; adds weak armor penetration and moonlight erosion effects.]**
**[Class skills 'Warcry: Rally,' 'Warcry: Shatter Morale,' 'Savage Strike' influenced by bloodline and covenant—effects +10%, adds weak moonlight properties.]**
**[Bloodline Conflict greatly alleviated! Current negative effects: Skill effectiveness -15%, cost +10%.]**
**[Learned Covenant Skill (Basic): Moon Shadow Coordination (Passive)—When jointly attacking same target with ally Cang Ye, attacks have chance to apply 'Moon Mark' or 'Frost Seal' effects; stacking to certain layers triggers additional damage or control.]**
Two level jumps! Bloodline skills evolved! Class skills strengthened! Bloodline Conflict debuff halved! Plus powerful covenant passive!
Lin Yao's heart soared with joy—this was the "rush" he wanted! Exponential power growth!
He looked toward Cang Ye, who also surged with powerful icy aura—clearly equally rewarded with level boosts and qualitative Frostmark Stalker enhancements.
They exchanged glances, both seeing excitement and battle spirit reflected.
"Trials passed, covenant initially forged." The fox-kin spirit's form began fading. "Sanctuary will slumber again. Token complete, future paths yours to forge. Remember—covenant is not just shared power but shared responsibility."
"Outside pursuers are your first test." The wolf-kin spirit's form also dissipated. "Use newfound power to prove covenant's worth."
As words finished, both spirits and statue radiance faded simultaneously, the hall's light dimming slightly into serenity. Only the altar's central "Twin Moon Seed" orb remained floating, but its glow turned inward, seemingly entering deep slumber.
Behind them, the great doors slowly opened, revealing the outer waterfall cavern.
Lin Yao gripped the complete covenant token (bone fragment) whose glow had turned subtle yet textured, checking his panel's surging attributes and new skills, feeling the surging power within.
Level 6! Dual blue skills (Bewildering Warcry, Moon Fox Spirit)! Green excellent Piercing Moon Strike! Greatly alleviated conflict! Plus Cang Ye's covenant bonuses!
He looked at Cang Ye, grinning (fox grins remained slightly odd, but his aura was formidable): "How do you feel? Ready to take on ten?"
Cang Ye flexed his newly strengthened limbs, ice-blue eyes glinting coldly: "Those trash upstairs—perfect for testing new claws." He paused, looking at Lin Yao. "Covenant… thanks."
"Likewise." Lin Yao hefted **[Claw of the Howling Wolf]**, the axe seeming to hum excitedly with its master's growth. "Let's go teach those vultures waiting to pick our bones a lesson."
Without further hesitation, they turned and strode toward the open sanctuary doors.
Their footsteps echoed through the vast hall, carrying newfound power and confidence.
Waterfall roar and mist greeted them again.
Above the falls, guards stationed by orders—the Lizard-kin and Boar-kin—were growing impatient when they suddenly heard clear ascending footsteps from below, plus an aura mixing moonlight's cool clarity with savage battle fury rapidly approaching!
They exchanged glances, eyes flashing with alarm.
Those two… weren't they supposed to be gravely wounded and dying? Why does this aura feel… far stronger than when they fell?!
-----
**(End of Chapter 06)**
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**[Lin Yao Current Power Summary]**
- Level: 6
- HP: 210/210
- Rage: 200/200
- Core Attributes (Estimated): Strength 13+, Agility 18+, Spirit 20+
- Core Skills:
- Bewildering Warcry (Blue—stable controllable AoE confusion)
- Moon Fox Spirit (Blue—enhanced perception, manipulation, claw strikes)
- Piercing Moon Strike (Green—excellent mid-range disruption/finisher)
- Triple Warcry combo (enhanced + moonlight properties)
- Moon Shadow Coordination (Covenant passive—coordinated damage boost with Cang Ye)
- Equipment: Claw of the Howling Wolf (Blue single-hand axe)
- Buffs: Twin Moon Covenant (permanent), Bloodline Conflict greatly alleviated
- Objective: Waterfall above—two pursuing guards (Lizard-kin, Boar-kin)