Lin Feng moved swiftly, his senses heightened by the recent confrontation. The urgency of the situation was pressing down on him like a heavy weight, and he knew that every second counted. The ritual had already begun, and the power of the shards was growing with each passing moment.
As he approached the heavy door again, he took a deep breath, centering himself. The enemy had been alerted to his presence, but they were unaware that he had already infiltrated their stronghold. He still had the element of surprise, and he needed to use it wisely.
Lin Feng pushed the door open just enough to slip through, his eyes quickly scanning the room. The robed figures were still gathered around the stone altar, chanting in unison. The four shards on the altar were glowing with an intense, almost blinding light, and the air was thick with a palpable energy that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
He knew he had to act quickly. If the fifth shard arrived and the ritual was completed, the consequences would be catastrophic. The Silver Dragon Clan would gain control over the dragons, and their power would be unmatched.
Lin Feng's gaze fell on the leader of the group, a tall, imposing figure who was clearly in charge. He recognized the man instantly—Long Wei. The sight of him filled Lin Feng with a surge of anger. This was the man who had betrayed him, who had orchestrated his downfall and exile. And now, he was on the verge of achieving a power that could spell doom for the entire world.
Silently, Lin Feng began to edge closer to the altar, keeping to the shadows. His mind raced with possible strategies. He couldn't take on all the robed figures at once—not without risking a full-scale battle that would alert the entire fortress. But if he could disrupt the ritual or steal the shards, he might be able to prevent the worst from happening.
As he moved closer, he noticed that each of the robed figures was focused entirely on the ritual, their eyes closed in concentration. They were channeling their energy into the shards, feeding the ancient power within them. If he could break their focus, even for a moment, it might be enough to disrupt the ritual.
Lin Feng reached into his pack and pulled out a small pouch of smoke powder—something Mei Yun had given him earlier. It was a last-resort tool, designed to create a thick cloud of smoke that could obscure vision and provide a momentary distraction. He held the pouch tightly, waiting for the right moment.
The chanting grew louder, more intense, as the leader raised his arms above the altar, his voice booming in the ancient tongue. The light from the shards pulsed in time with the chanting, filling the chamber with an otherworldly glow. Lin Feng knew he had only seconds before the ritual reached a critical point.
With a swift, fluid motion, Lin Feng hurled the pouch of smoke powder towards the altar. It hit the stone surface and exploded in a burst of thick, dark smoke, filling the chamber in an instant. The chanting faltered as the robed figures staggered back, coughing and trying to clear their vision.
Lin Feng didn't hesitate. He sprinted forward, using the cover of the smoke to reach the altar. His hands closed around the nearest shard, its surface hot to the touch, and he yanked it free from its place on the altar.
Instantly, the energy in the room shifted. The light from the remaining shards dimmed, and the chanting ceased entirely as the robed figures realized what had happened. Shouts of alarm echoed through the chamber as they scrambled to regain control of the ritual.
But Lin Feng was already on the move. He knew he couldn't take all the shards, not with the smoke already beginning to dissipate. He had to make a quick decision—escape with the shard he had or risk everything by staying longer.
As he turned to flee, Lin Feng caught sight of Long Wei emerging from the smoke, his eyes blazing with fury. Their gazes locked for a brief moment, and Lin Feng saw the realization dawn in Long Wei's eyes.
"You!" Long Wei roared, his voice filled with venom. "Lin Feng, you dare to interfere?"
Lin Feng didn't respond. There was no time for words, only action. He bolted towards the door, the shard clutched tightly in his hand. Behind him, he could hear the sounds of pursuit—footsteps pounding on the stone floor, the rustle of robes, the hiss of blades being drawn.
He reached the corridor just as the first of the robed figures lunged at him, a dagger flashing in the dim light. Lin Feng sidestepped the attack, using the narrow space to his advantage. He spun, delivering a swift kick to his assailant's midsection, sending the figure crashing into the wall.
But more were coming. Lin Feng could hear their footsteps echoing down the corridor, their shouts of anger growing louder. He had to get out of the fortress before they could corner him.
Drawing on his training, Lin Feng moved with speed and precision, navigating the twisting corridors with ease. The shard in his hand seemed to pulse with energy, almost as if it was guiding him, pulling him towards an unknown destination.
He emerged into a larger hall, and for a moment, he thought he had found a way out. But then, more robed figures appeared, blocking his path. Lin Feng cursed under his breath. They were closing in on him from all sides, cutting off his escape routes.
"Give up, Lin Feng," one of the figures sneered. "You can't escape. The shard belongs to the Silver Dragon Clan."
Lin Feng tightened his grip on the shard, his eyes scanning the room for any possible exit. "The shard belongs to no one," he retorted. "I won't let you use it to bring destruction upon the world."
The robed figures advanced, weapons drawn, their eyes cold and determined. Lin Feng knew he was outnumbered, but he refused to give in. He had come too far to be captured now.
Just as the first attacker lunged at him, Lin Feng felt a surge of energy from the shard. Without thinking, he raised it above his head, and a blinding light burst forth, filling the hall with a searing brilliance. The robed figures recoiled, shielding their eyes from the intense light.
Seizing the moment, Lin Feng dashed towards the nearest corridor, using the confusion to slip past his enemies. The shard's light continued to blaze, casting long shadows on the walls as he ran.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lin Feng found himself at the entrance to the fortress. The cold night air hit him like a wave, and he took a deep breath, relishing the taste of freedom. But he couldn't stop now—not with the Silver Dragon Clan hot on his heels.
He sprinted down the mountainside, his feet barely touching the ground as he made his escape. The fortress loomed behind him, a dark silhouette against the starry sky. But Lin Feng didn't look back. He knew that the battle was far from over.
As he ran, his thoughts turned to Mei Yun and Master Lei. He had to find them, warn them about what had happened, and regroup. Together, they would find a way to stop the Silver Dragon Clan and prevent the awakening of the dragons.