The stone pillar was smooth as a mirror, shimmering with a cold glow in the dim light.

Shen Jingqi pressed his hands tightly against the stone pillar, moving his feet cautiously, each step like dancing on a knife's edge, with any slight imbalance potentially causing him to fall into the bottomless, inky black pool below.

His eyes were fixed straight ahead, beads of sweat as large as soybeans rolling down his cheeks and disappearing instantly upon hitting the stone pillar, while his heart hammered within his chest as if trying to burst through.

Lin Yue followed closely behind Shen Jingqi, her breathing slightly rapid, her eyes revealing tension and alertness. She gently leaped onto the stone pillar, and as soon as her feet touched down, she immediately steadied herself, her hands grabbing the air a couple of times, as if searching for a more stable point of support. She gazed fixedly at Shen Jingqi's back and whispered, "This pillar is too slippery, we must be careful."

Without turning his head, Shen Jingqi responded softly, "Mhm, don't lose focus, one step at a time." His voice was low and steady, as if encouraging both himself and Lin Yue.

Step by step, they cautiously made their way toward the small island. Each step was taken with bated breath. The silence around them was terrifying, with only the faint sounds of their footsteps and heavy breathing echoing in the air. The inky black pool seemed like a huge black hole, ready at any moment to swallow anything that dared approach. Shen Jingqi could feel his legs trembling slightly, but he braced himself against the fear, forcing himself to concentrate.

Just as they were about to reach the island, suddenly, the still surface of the pool seemed stirred by an invisible giant hand; the water began to churn violently, splashing high waves. A gigantic water monster suddenly sprang from the water, casting up a massive curtain of water.

The water monster was enormous, like a small mountain, its entire body covered in dark brown scales, glimmering with an eerie light in the dim light, as though each scale concealed endless secrets.

Its eyes were like two massive lanterns, radiating a fierce and greedy glow, fixed on Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue, as if they were delicious prey.

"Watch out!" Lin Yue shouted, her voice filled with terror and concern. Her body tensed up instantly, and she instinctively gripped the whip in her hand tightly.

Shen Jingqi reacted quickly, swiftly drawing the sword from his waist, the blade slicing through the air with a flash of cold light. He shouted loudly and thrust toward the water monster, the tip of the sword aimed directly at the creature. However, the water monster was very agile, it subtly shifted its body, easily dodging Shen Jingqi's attack, then suddenly swung its tail, which swept toward Shen Jingqi with the force of a steel whip.

All Shen Jingqi felt was a strong gust of wind rushing at him; he had no time to think, leaping swiftly to another stone pillar. His body arced through the air, almost stumbling on landing, but managed to stabilize after a few faltering steps.

The water monster continued its assaults, darting agilely through the water, sometimes leaping above the surface, sometimes plunging beneath it, each attack keeping Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue on their toes. Left with no choice, they dodged and weaved on the stone pillars, clothes soaked and clinging to them, ignoring all else in their frantic evasion of the water monster's attacks.

Lin Yue waved her whip wildly but failed to inflict any substantial damage on the water monster.

While fending off the water monster's attacks, Shen Jingqi was rapidly contemplating countermeasures, his mind racing, recalling various dangers encountered before and the methods to counter them.

Seizing the right moment, he crouched slightly and then sharply took Lin Yue's whip, swinging it in an arc.

Like a nimble snake, the whip lashed out at the water monster, whistling through the air and striking it instantly. The water monster let out a howl akin to thunder, echoing through the cave. Its body wobbled unsteadily, nearly falling back into the water.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shen Jingqi leapt onto the island, his feet barely touching the ground before he dashed toward the box placed at the center of the island. The box appeared ancient, engraved with strange symbols and patterns, exuding a mysterious aura. Without wasting any time, Shen Jingqi grabbed the box, and the moment he did, the water monster seemed immensely agitated. It roared in fury, the sound threatening to collapse the entire cave. It leaped high from the water, charging toward the island, leaving a massive spray of water in its wake.

"Hurry!" Lin Yue shouted urgently, her voice filled with anxiety and haste. Watching the approaching water monster, fear gripped her but she knew retreat was not an option; they must flee together with Shen Jingqi.

Without hesitating, Shen Jingqi clutched the box tightly and ran with Lin Yue toward the passage. Their footsteps echoed throughout the passage, as though counting down to their potential doom. The water monster pursued relentlessly, crashing into the passage walls, reducing them to rubble. Rocks and debris flew everywhere, striking them with painful force.

"Hang on! We can make it out!" Shen Jingqi shouted determinedly, holding the box as if it were their sole hope.

Lin Yue gritted her teeth and ran with all her might, her hair drenched with sweat, sticking to her face.

They ran desperately, the passage seemingly endless. Just as despair started to set in, a glimmer of light appeared ahead. Though faint, it was like a beacon of hope in the darkness. Relief washed over them, and they quickened their pace.

At last, they escaped the passage, emerging into the building's exterior. The sunlight warmed their weary bodies. Seemingly confined by some force, the water monster halted at the passage entrance, letting out resentful roars. Its body writhed at the threshold, unable to pursue them further.

Exhausted, they collapsed to the ground, gulping for air. Their bodies were on the brink of collapse, legs weighed with exhaustion. Shen Jingqi gazed at the box in his hands, filled with wonder. What secrets did the box hold? Why did the water monster vehemently try to stop them from acquiring it?

"What could possibly be inside this box? What attracted such a terrifying water monster?" Lin Yue panted heavily, her eyes a mix of curiosity and fear.

Shen Jingqi shook his head, "It must be something extraordinary. Let's find a safe place and open it."

They struggled to their feet, scanning their surroundings. They found themselves in a desolate valley, surrounded by steep peaks. They located a concealed cave and took shelter inside.

The cave was shrouded in a damp aura, with a thick layer of fallen leaves carpeting the ground. Shen Jingqi placed the box down, and together with Lin Yue, they sat around it. Their eyes were fixed on the box, hearts filled with anticipation and trepidation.

Shen Jingqi slowly reached out, gently touching the symbols and patterns on the box. Those symbols and patterns seemed almost alive, quivering subtly beneath his fingertips. Taking a deep breath, he carefully opened the box.

A soft glow emanated from within the box, revealing faint images. The images depicted an ancient castle, brightly lit, with people in strange garb dancing merrily within. Suddenly, the scene shifted, the castle engulfed by shadows, eerie laughter echoing from within. Following this, the castle was engulfed in flames, people fleeing in terror, their screams filling the air.