Free Web NovelChapter 51: Chapter 51: Silent Lake Camp
Three days after the three-stage challenge, Qin Yuheng stood once again before the Heavenly Gate Tower.
This time, the atmosphere around his team was different.
When they had first entered Floor 1, they were new climbers. People watched them with curiosity, mockery, or doubt. When they entered Floor 2, the academy had begun observing them. When they entered Floor 3, Yu Qingmei had personally given them a special investigation mission.
Now, as they prepared for Floor 4, no one treated Qin Yuheng’s team as ordinary students anymore.
Floor 4’s known environment was called Silent Lake Camp.
According to the academy files, it was a defensive survival floor set near a dark lake. The main mission usually required climbers to defend a lakeside camp until dawn. Common dangers included water beasts, lake mist, sound-based illusions, drowning ambushes, and the possible appearance of a Silent Lake Serpent.
The difficulty was not only combat.
It was endurance.
The lake was called silent because sound behaved strangely there. Shouts could vanish. Footsteps could echo from the wrong direction. Water movements could be hidden until the enemy was already close.
Qin Yuheng’s team had prepared carefully.
Qin Mo carried enhanced formation markers, Water Barrier Talismans, and lake-warning stones. Qin Lian had studied aquatic ambush patterns. Qin Yuchen had practiced fighting with unstable footing. Qin Yuheng carried the usual hidden cards: evolved medicine, the A Grade Spatial Retreat Talisman, enhanced defensive tools, and several resources he had not yet revealed.
Han Shuren stood before them.
"Floor 4 will test patience. Do not chase shadows into the lake. Do not trust sound. Defend the camp first. Hunt second."
His eyes paused on Qin Yuheng.
"And do not turn every floor into a hidden mission hunt."
Qin Mo immediately nodded with deep approval.
Qin Yuheng answered calmly, "I will judge the situation."
Han Shuren’s expression said he did not find that reassuring.
Yu Qingmei was also present. She did not speak much, but before the gate opened, she said one sentence. frёeωebɳovel.com
"Silent Lake records memory. If you see something familiar in the water, do not reach for it."
Qin Yuheng’s eyes moved slightly.
"Memory illusion?"
"Sometimes. Sometimes worse."
The Tower gate opened.
[Team registration confirmed.]
[Entering Floor 4: Silent Lake Camp.]
Dark blue light swallowed the team.
When Qin Yuheng opened his eyes, he stood on damp wooden planks.
A cold lake stretched before him, black and perfectly still. No waves touched the shore. No insects sang. No wind moved across the reeds. Behind them stood a small camp surrounded by broken wooden stakes, low walls, and several dim lanterns.
The sky was already evening.
A mission panel appeared.
[Floor 4: Silent Lake Camp]
[Main Mission]
Defend Silent Lake Camp until dawn.
[Camp Integrity: 70%]
[Lantern Sound Barrier: 60%]
[Side Missions]
1. Repair the camp defenses before midnight.
2. Defeat 20 lake creatures.
3. Keep all team members above 50% mental clarity.
[Warning]
Sound distortion will increase after midnight.
Qin Mo stared at the words.
"Mental clarity again. Wonderful. The Tower has discovered my least favorite category."
Qin Lian looked toward the lake.
"Something is under the water."
Qin Yuchen nodded. "Several things."
Qin Yuheng activated a Spirit-Sight Lamp Crystal.
Pale light spread across the lake surface.
For a moment, he saw shadows beneath the water.
Long bodies.
Slow movement.
Waiting.
Qin Yuheng looked at the camp.
"We prepare before they attack. Qin Mo, inspect the lantern barrier. Qin Yuchen, wall repairs. Qin Lian, perimeter scouting. Stay within sight. I will check the central camp structure."
They moved immediately.
The camp was old, but not useless. It had three watch platforms, two broken barricades, a central bell post, and six sound lanterns. Unlike Bone Lantern Camp, these lanterns did not burn with blue flame. Instead, they held small silver bells inside glass chambers.
Qin Mo inspected one and frowned.
"These lanterns create sound pulses that disrupt lake creatures. Three are damaged."
"Can they be repaired?"
"With materials."
Qin Yuheng took out several D Grade Stability Talismans and lake crystals purchased earlier.
Qin Mo looked at him.
"You came prepared for something you had not seen."
"I read the file."
"You read files like other people loot treasure chests."
"Both are useful."
By the time darkness deepened, the camp had improved.
[Side Mission Progress] ƒreewebɳovel.com
Repair camp defenses before midnight: 70%
[Camp Integrity: 82%]
[Lantern Sound Barrier: 76%]
Then the lake moved.
Not with waves.
With ripples shaped like fingers.
Qin Lian raised her dagger.
"First attack."
From the silent lake, pale creatures crawled onto the shore.
They looked like thin humanoid fish with long arms, webbed claws, and blank eyes.
[Silent Lake Drowner]
[Level: 12]
[Type: Water ambush creature]
[Weakness: throat sac, spine, sound shock]
Qin Yuheng drew his sword.
The first battle of Floor 4 began without a single roar.
