Max had been following the group for hours, his steps soundless as he moved behind them at a careful distance. Yet no matter how far they traveled, the wasteland showed no sign of ending. The violet ground stretched endlessly in every direction, broken only by withered trees and bleached bones. It felt like an infinite stretch of desolation.

'It is fortunate that the Heavenly Lord Secret Domain has no time limit,' Max thought, his eyes steady as he continued to trail them. 'I can take my time here without needing to rush. The trial will reveal itself sooner or later.'

Hours turned into a full day. Nothing appeared to them—no ruins, no treasures, no trials—only the same barren wasteland. But as time passed, one change became undeniable. The pressure pressing down on their bodies grew heavier with each step.

It was no longer subtle. Now it felt as if tons of weight had been strapped to their shoulders, dragging at their limbs and slowing their pace. Every breath came harder, and every movement demanded greater effort.

The geniuses in Nina's group were visibly strained. Their steps faltered, and their faces tightened with discomfort. At last, one of them spoke, a young woman whose voice cracked under the burden. "What is this? Why does the weight keep increasing the further we go?" she asked as she turned to another member of the group.

Her companion ignored the question, his expression hard as he kept walking. "Do not think too much about it," he said firmly. "Just know that we are heading in the right direction."

The young woman sighed, frustration flickering across her face, but in the end she nodded and pushed forward, her body trembling under the pressure.

Then, without warning, the ground trembled. Cracks split across the violet soil as a gigantic centipede erupted from below, its armored body glinting under the dim light. Its countless legs scraped against the earth with a sharp, piercing sound as it slithered toward them with terrifying speed.

"A centipede!" Nina's team immediately cried out in alarm, their faces paling at the sight of the monster bearing down on them.

"Behind me, everyone!" Evan shouted, his voice sharp with authority as he leaped to the front. Mana burst from his body in an overwhelming surge of water energy. Waves poured out from him in torrents, encircling the group as they formed into a semi-hollow sphere of water that anchored itself firmly to the ground. The translucent barrier shimmered with rippling light, the liquid surface shifting with power as it shielded them from the creature's approach.

Almost instantly, sharp blades of water condensed within the barrier and shot forward in rapid succession. They tore through the air, aiming directly at the centipede's charging body.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The water swords struck the centipede's armor with explosive force. Sparks flew on impact, echoing like thunder across the wasteland as each strike slammed against the creature's thick, chitinous skin. But the centipede continued its charge, its screech cutting through the air as its massive body pressed closer, undeterred by the assault.

Max observed silently from the shadows, his expression calm but his eyes sharp, watching to see how this group would fare against the monstrous beast.

"Tch. The skin of the centipede is too tough to be pierced by my attacks," Evan said at last, his voice edged with bitterness and frustration.

Nina's expression turned solemn as she looked down at the beast. "Step aside. I will burn this insect with my flames." Her voice was firm, her blue eyes hardening as she prepared herself.

Evan snapped his head toward her, his face grim. "Young Miss, you must not use your flames!" he said urgently, his voice carrying a heavy weight of warning. "Please, do not do anything that will risk your life."

Nina bit her lip, her expression torn. She knew the cost of using her flames, what it would mean if she unleashed them here. Yet if she held back, the group would remain trapped, unable to harm the beast that threatened to devour them all.

"Leave it to me," Evan said with a faint smile, forcing steadiness into his voice. He clenched his fists, and the water sphere surrounding them swirled with renewed strength, rising higher as it narrowly dodged the snapping maw of the centipede below.

Following that, Evan's body glowed with waves of water aura as the semi-hollow sphere that shielded the group condensed into a full sphere. The liquid barrier thickened and sealed completely, lifting them gently from the ground until they floated in the air.

The centipede once again lunged forward, its maw snapping with sharp mandibles large enough to crush boulders, but the sphere rose out of its reach. The beast slammed its head into the ground, sending cracks racing through the violet soil, yet the water barrier remained intact, holding firm as it hovered above.

"Hold on," Evan said, his voice steady though his eyes burned with focus. The surface of the sphere rippled, and from its flowing currents countless blades of water began to form. They launched outward in rapid succession, streaks of sharpened liquid energy that rained down upon the centipede's armored body.

The blades struck one after another, exploding against the chitin with wet impacts. Droplets scattered in every direction, the sound of splashing water filling the wasteland as Evan's attacks pressed on without pause.

But the creature's defense was unyielding. Each strike landed with precision, yet the centipede's thick black armor absorbed the blows without even a scratch. The water swords shattered uselessly against its hide, breaking into mist that hung in the heavy air. The centipede screeched in irritation but pressed forward, its countless legs carrying it swiftly as it twisted its body upward to reach them.

"Then take this!" Evan growled, determination flaring in his eyes. He raised his hands, and the sphere pulsed with raw energy. A massive wave of compressed water surged outward, shaped into a spiraling drill that roared toward the centipede's head.

The impact struck with thunderous force, drilling into the plates of its armor.

For a moment, the sphere of energy vibrated violently as if it might pierce through. But with a sudden screech, the centipede swung its head aside, the water drill scattering into countless droplets that splashed back against the wasteland. Not even a dent was left on its armored skin.

Evan clenched his jaw, sweat running down his brow. He didn't hesitate and immediately wove a second attack. Streams of water condensed into a massive blade the size of a building.

With a furious shout, he slashed it downward. The glowing water blade cut through the air and collided with the centipede's back, bursting in an explosion of foam and mist. But once again, the armor remained unharmed, the water dispersing harmlessly across its surface.

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