As they left the node chamber, an uneasy silence settled over the group. The weight of their recent victory didn't overshadow the knowledge that each step was drawing them closer to the heart of the Shadow Sect's power.
The journey back out of the labyrinth seemed easier, as if the illusions had lost their strength now that the node was deactivated. Yet, everyone remained on guard, tense and alert, especially Wei. He could feel the faint tug of the node's energy still pulsing within him, almost like a lingering echo.
Once they exited the cave, the mountain air felt strangely cold, carrying a hint of foreboding. They regrouped under a canopy of trees, taking a moment to gather themselves after the mentally exhausting labyrinth.
