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Chapter Eight: The Master on the Eighth FloorUntitled

Chu Yunsheng stood by the window, the cold wind slipping through the cracked glass and filling the room with a sharp chill. Despite having just survived a deadly encounter with the monster, his mind was far from at ease. The energy arrow was powerful, but it drained too much of his strength. He couldn't rely on such techniques for long; he needed another solution.

As he stood in silence, contemplating his next move, a faint sound caught his attention. It was nearly imperceptible—a light footstep from the floor above. Ever since the revival of celestial energy, Chu Yunsheng's senses had become much sharper, allowing him to detect even the smallest disturbances around him.

"Someone's upstairs?" Chu Yunsheng thought, narrowing his eyes. This building had been largely abandoned after the first wave of monsters appeared. Whoever remained here was either reckless or, more likely, very skilled.

Clutching the talisman in his hand, Chu Yunsheng moved silently toward the stairwell. He had no intention of rushing in; after all, he didn't know if the person upstairs was friend or foe. Step by step, he made his way up to the eighth floor, each movement controlled and deliberate, his breath steady.

As he reached the eighth-floor landing, a sharp metallic sound echoed from the hallway—like the clash of steel. Chu Yunsheng halted, listening carefully. He peered around the corner and saw a tall figure standing by the broken window at the far end of the hall. The man held a long, slender sword, its blade gleaming faintly in the dim light. His movements were fluid, graceful, as if he were one with the air around him. Dressed in a dark coat, the man had his back turned to Chu Yunsheng, seemingly unaware of his presence.

"This man... he's no ordinary person," Chu Yunsheng thought, sensing the sword's sharp energy radiating through the air. It created a subtle pressure that even he could feel.

Suddenly, the man turned his head slightly, his cold gaze locking onto Chu Yunsheng's hiding spot. There was no surprise in his eyes, as if he had known Chu Yunsheng was there all along.

"No need to hide," the man said calmly, his voice low but carrying a sharp edge. "You're here, so come out."

Realizing there was no point in concealing himself any longer, Chu Yunsheng stepped into the open. He stood in the middle of the hallway, offering a slight nod. "I heard a noise, wasn't sure if you were friend or foe. I came to investigate."

The man's eyes briefly flickered with interest as he sized up Chu Yunsheng. After a moment, he smiled faintly and lowered his sword. "I mean you no harm. It seems you're not just some ordinary survivor either—you've grasped the use of celestial energy."

"Same could be said for you," Chu Yunsheng replied, still cautious but relaxing slightly. "Who are you?"

"My name is Gao," the man replied, his tone neutral. "I live on this floor—your neighbor, in a sense. Of course, we probably never crossed paths before the world changed."

"Chu Yunsheng," he introduced himself. "And given your skills, it seems we have a common enemy—the monsters."

Gao nodded, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes. "Indeed. These creatures are slowly consuming our world. If we want to survive, we must