The journey to the mountains was long and treacherous, the dense forest growing darker and more foreboding with each passing day. The sun barely pierced through the thick canopy above, casting the world beneath in perpetual twilight. The air was damp, thick with the scent of pine and moss, while the ground beneath their feet was uneven, often slippery from recent rains. Every step felt heavier, each breath labored as they made their way deeper into the heart of the wilderness.
Lin Yu led the way, his sword strapped to his back, eyes scanning the trees for any sign of danger. Behind him, Zhao Feng followed closely, his steps quiet but nervous, while Elder Wu brought up the rear, his old staff clicking softly against the rocks. The days of training had hardened Lin Yu's resolve, but with each step toward the temple, he could feel the serpent's mark pulsing more intensely against his skin, a constant reminder of the power that lay within him.
The Black Lotus Sect's plan to resurrect Xiangliu loomed like a dark shadow over his thoughts. If they succeeded in gathering the relics and completing the ritual, the consequences would be catastrophic. And the longer they traveled, the more the serpent's whispers clawed at Lin Yu's mind, urging him to give in to its power.
You can't stop me, Xiangliu's voice hissed, coiling around his thoughts like a snake. The relics belong to me. The rivers flow with my blood. You are wasting your time.
Lin Yu clenched his fists, pushing the voice aside. He couldn't afford to lose focus now. The fate of the world, his own fate, hung in the balance. But as they drew closer to their destination, the weight of that responsibility felt heavier than ever.
After hours of silence, Zhao Feng finally spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper. "The temple is not far now. We'll reach it by sundown if we keep this pace."
Lin Yu glanced over his shoulder at the former disciple. Zhao Feng had been quiet for most of the journey, lost in his own thoughts. There was a haunted look in his eyes, as if he were still running from the shadows of his past. Lin Yu knew that feeling all too well.
"Tell me more about this temple," Lin Yu said, breaking the silence that had settled over them. "What should we expect when we get there?"
Zhao Feng hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "It's old… very old. The sect uses it as a storage place for relics and scrolls they've gathered over the years. It's hidden deep in the mountains, and only high-ranking members are allowed inside. The outer temple will be guarded, but the real danger lies within."
Lin Yu's eyes narrowed. "And what about the relics? Do you know how many they've gathered?"
Zhao Feng shook his head. "I don't know the exact number, but I've seen at least three powerful artifacts stored there. One of them is a jade tablet said to be connected to the Nine Cursed Rivers. The sect believes that if they can activate the tablet, it will unlock the final key to Xiangliu's resurrection."
Elder Wu, who had been listening quietly, let out a low sigh. "If that is true, then time is not on our side. We must prevent them from using that tablet at all costs."
The weight of their mission settled heavily over Lin Yu's shoulders. He knew the risks, and yet, the path was clear. They had to stop the Black Lotus Sect from completing their ritual, no matter what. The thought of Xiangliu's full resurrection sent chills down his spine. The power he already struggled to contain was but a fraction of the serpent's true strength. If the sect succeeded, not only would the world be thrown into chaos, but Lin Yu's connection to Xiangliu would make him a target for both sides—those seeking to control the serpent, and those wanting to destroy it.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the trees thinned, revealing the base of a towering mountain. Nestled among the rocks was the temple Zhao Feng had spoken of—a crumbling stone structure hidden beneath layers of vines and moss. The temple appeared ancient, forgotten by time, yet Lin Yu could sense the dark energy that radiated from it. It was faint, like a whisper carried on the wind, but it was unmistakable.
"There it is," Zhao Feng said, his voice tight with anxiety. "The entrance is just ahead. The guards will be patrolling the outer grounds. We'll have to be careful."
Lin Yu nodded, his mind already racing through their plan. "How many guards are we expecting?"
"Usually around six to eight at the entrance," Zhao Feng replied. "But inside, there could be more. The inner sanctum is where the relics are kept, and that's where we'll face the real resistance."
Elder Wu stepped forward, his expression calm despite the danger ahead. "Our best chance is to move quickly and quietly. If we can take out the guards without alerting the others, we'll have a better chance of reaching the inner sanctum unnoticed."
Lin Yu gripped the hilt of his sword. The weight of the task ahead was daunting, but he felt ready. The training, the preparation—everything had led to this moment. "We move at sunset. We can use the shadows to our advantage."
The trio crept closer to the temple as the last of the daylight faded from the sky. The forest grew darker, the air colder, but Lin Yu's senses were sharp. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. As they approached the outer wall of the temple, they crouched behind a cluster of boulders, observing the patrols.
Two guards stood at the entrance, their black robes bearing the unmistakable emblem of the Black Lotus Sect. They were armed with spears, and their eyes scanned the forest, though their expressions were relaxed, unaware of the danger lurking just beyond the tree line.
Lin Yu exchanged a glance with Elder Wu, who gave a single nod. With swift, silent movements, Lin Yu darted forward, staying low to the ground. His body moved fluidly, years of training guiding him as he approached the first guard from behind. Before the man could react, Lin Yu's sword flashed through the air, the edge slicing cleanly through the back of the guard's neck. The man fell silently, his body crumpling to the ground without a sound.
The second guard, alerted by the movement, turned just in time to see his companion fall, but it was too late. Zhao Feng was already upon him, a dagger flashing in his hand. He drove the blade into the guard's side, silencing him before he could cry out.
Lin Yu dragged the bodies into the bushes, covering their tracks. The rest of the patrol hadn't noticed the two missing guards yet, but it wouldn't be long before someone came looking.
Elder Wu motioned for them to move forward. "Quickly, before they realize what's happened."
The three of them slipped through the entrance of the temple, their footsteps barely making a sound on the ancient stone floors. The air inside was musty and cold, and the faint glow of torches lit the long corridor that stretched before them.
"This way," Zhao Feng whispered, leading them deeper into the temple. "The inner sanctum is through here."
They moved swiftly through the labyrinth of passages, avoiding the few remaining guards they encountered along the way. Lin Yu's heart raced as they approached the door to the inner sanctum. The dark energy he had sensed outside was stronger now, oppressive and suffocating.
As they reached the heavy stone door that led into the sanctum, Zhao Feng hesitated. "Once we're inside, there's no turning back. If the sect has already activated the relics…"
Lin Yu took a deep breath, his hand tightening around his sword's hilt. "We stop them. No matter what."
Zhao Feng nodded, pushing the door open with a low creak. Inside, the inner sanctum was vast, its walls lined with shelves filled with ancient scrolls and relics. But in the center of the room, elevated on a stone pedestal, was the object of their search—a jade tablet, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.
But they were not alone.
Standing at the far end of the room, cloaked in black robes, was a man—tall, with cold, calculating eyes and a cruel smile twisting his lips. He held a staff carved with intricate symbols, its tip glowing with dark energy.
"Ah, Lin Yu," the man said, his voice smooth and dangerous. "I was wondering when you would arrive."
Lin Yu's blood ran cold. He knew instantly who this was.
The leader of the Black Lotus Sect.