The dusty road stretched before them, winding its way through valleys and over gentle hills under the soft light of dawn. Feng Jiao Xue remained near the back of the group, her expression unreadable as she observed the other adventurers from a distance. She preferred the quiet solitude, finding it easier to focus on the rhythm of her own steps.
Ahead of her, the group was already breaking into conversations and laughter. Several pairs walked side by side, their voices carrying back to her on the morning breeze.
Wei Jian, a broad-shouldered cultivator with a blunt sense of humor, led the way with a boisterous laugh. His voice was loud enough to keep any nearby wildlife at bay, as he shared exaggerated tales of his past battles.
To his right, Chen Rong, a nimble swordsman known for his sharp wit, kept pace. His gaze occasionally darted back toward Feng Jiao Xue with a flicker of curiosity, but he quickly refocused on the path when she met his eyes.
Li Mei and Xu Fan, two younger cultivators, trailed a few paces behind. Their banter and light-hearted exchanges filled the silence, giving the journey a touch of levity.
Just a step behind them walked Mei Lin, a fiery-tempered girl with a mane of red hair tied back, her confident stride keeping pace easily with the others. Mei Lin's eyes were sharp, and she wore a smirk that suggested she was ready to prove herself at any moment.
Despite the casual atmosphere, Feng Jiao Xue could feel the tension beneath the surface. Each adventurer kept one hand close to their weapon, eyes sharp and attentive to the road and the forests on either side.
As the morning wore on, Feng Jiao Xue tuned into the sounds of the forest, the faint rustling of leaves, the distant calls of birds, the whisper of the wind through branches. Every movement around them had potential, each shadow hiding the unknown.
At one point, a lone crow cawed from a nearby tree, its eerie sound slicing through the quiet. Feng Jiao Xue glanced up, feeling a slight shiver at the bird's dark eyes watching them, beneath its pair of eyes, another air opened revealing four eyes, red as fire yet feathers as black as the night before it flew off, disappearing into the trees.
Mei Lin broke the silence, casting a glance back toward Feng Jiao Xue. "What's your story, Ice Queen? Why so quiet?"
Feng Jiao Xue simply regarded her with a calm gaze. "I prefer silence."
"Not much of a talker, are you?" Chen Rong's voice broke her thoughts. She looked up to see him matching her pace, his expression curious.
"No," Feng Jiao Xue replied, her tone neutral as her gaze stayed on the path ahead.
Chen Rong chuckled, unfazed by her indifference. "Fair enough. Just seems like you've done this before, that's all."
She didn't respond, simply offering a faint nod. Her focus remained on the journey, mentally mapping their progress toward Dark Wind Mountain.
She had and yet at the same time, she hadn't. After all, she was an assassin first and foremost. Her goal had always been to kill, not protect.
As midday approached, the group reached a sheltered grove where they decided to rest. The trees offered shade from the sun, their branches creating dappled patterns on the grass below.
Wei Jian unpacked a cloth bundle, revealing various supplies, dried meats, fruits, and water flasks, which he shared generously with the others. Feng Jiao Xue accepted a portion but kept her distance from the group, preferring to sit beneath a tree's shadow.
She took out a few refined pills she had prepared, carefully choosing a vitality pill to restore her energy. A few of the others glanced her way, watching with interest but keeping their questions to themselves.
As she glanced around, Feng Jiao Xue noticed the crown prince, disguised as an ordinary adventurer, quietly assessing each of his companions. He caught her gaze and offered a slight nod, which she returned. Despite his royal identity being concealed, she sensed the weight of his purpose in every action he took
The crown prince was a vision of elegance, his silver hair flowing like liquid moonlight, catching the breeze with each subtle movement. His skin, flawless and unblemished, bore the unmistakable mark of noble blood, smooth and untouched by hardship, yet there was a rugged contrast hidden just beneath it. Though his gloved hands appeared delicate, yet Feng Jiao Xue knew the hidden truth beneath the facade. Beneath his immaculate gloves lay calloused hands, evidence of rigorous training and the burdens he bore in silence.
Dressed in the simple attire of a commoner, he might have passed for one among any group. Yet his bearing betrayed him. Each step, each glance, held a quiet authority that no disguise could fully conceal. His pale eyes, thoughtful and observant, seemed to see more than they let on, adding a quiet intensity that even his humble clothing could not mask.
Even in the simplest clothing, his posture and the subtle grace of his movements betrayed his true status. His gaze, sharp yet veiled, seemed to carry a weight of knowledge and secrets, holding those around him at a respectful distance. To the untrained eye, he was a refined young man with a mysterious charm, but to Feng Jiao Xue, he was both familiar and unknowable, a figure forged by duty, concealing strength beneath layers of propriety.
Huang Jin De, seeing through his divine senses while staying inside the ring, also observed the prince. Even for a low level world with scarce qi he can sense the potential this prince has for cultivation.
As they resumed their journey, the peaceful atmosphere shattered with a rustle from the forest. Suddenly, a pack of Shadow Wolves emerged from the undergrowth, their sleek bodies blending into the shadows.
Wei Jian reacted instantly, raising his weapon. "Stay together!" he shouted, his tone steady but tense.
Feng Jiao Xue reached for her blade, her stance calm and composed. The wolves circled the group, their yellow eyes gleaming with hunger and malice. She narrowed her gaze, calculating her moves as she waited for the right moment.
The crown prince was already moving, his eyes focused, body tense and hand poised over the hilt of a concealed weapon at his side, narrowing her eyes, Feng Jiao Xue deduced a dagger on his person. It sparked Feng Jiao Xue's interest because the crown prince looks as harmless as a bunny. She knows that you can't judge a person by their looks but she cannot see any signs of danger from the prince.
Feng Jiao Xue unmounted Yin Xiao, standing protective over her friend.
Despite his advancement in terms of cultivation, the spiritual deer has no combat capability. At least, not yet.
Habitually, silver needles appeared between her fingers before she withdrew them again. There was no point in making them aware of her abilities gained and mastered from the arts of killing in the shadows.
A normal blade appeared in her hand, reinforced with qi to make sure that it did not falter.
"We need to find you a suitable weapon" Huang Jin De's voice appeared in her mind. From his peripheral vision, she saw the red head male hiding in a tree branch, his presence hidden but she could feel his gaze at him.
Chen Rong struck first, his sword flashing as he aimed for the nearest wolf. The creature dodged with surprising agility, baring its fangs as it retaliated. Feng Jiao Xue took this as her cue, moving in with precise, fluid movements to intercept the second wolf.
As she attacked, she replied to Huang Jin De. "Get back inside the ring before anybody notices. I can handle this much"
In a swift exchange, she cut a precise line through the air, her blade finding its mark. The wolf staggered, blood matting its fur as it retreated. She watched it carefully, her cold gaze unwavering, as it limped away back into the forest.
The wolf howled, a chilling sound that echoed through the trees, but it was quickly silenced as it leapt back to its feet, fangs bared. Feng Jiao Xue took advantage of the distraction. She charged forward, her blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The wolf, agile and quick, attempted to dodge, but her movements were fluid, a dance honed by years of training. She struck true, her blade grazing its side and sending a spray of dark fur and blood into the air.
The second wolf, undeterred by its companion's misfortune, lunged at the prince, its jaws snapping with vicious intent. But he was ready; in a flash, he drew his dagger, its blade gleaming wickedly. He sidestepped the attack with an elegant pivot, bringing his weapon down in a fluid arc. The dagger found its mark, piercing the wolf's flank as he used the momentum of its attack against it.
As the wolf staggered, Feng Jiao Xue felt the surge of adrenaline rush through her veins. She and the prince moved in sync, their focus unwavering. The remaining wolf, now desperate and cornered, retreated momentarily, growling low in its throat as it assessed its opponents.
The wolf growled, its fur bristling. "Grrroooowwwwwllllll!!!!!!"
The group covered their ears at the howl feeling their head about to burst.
"Ngough!!!" Yin Xiao stomped a hoof, mist bursting out of his feet and as the thin mist engulfed the group, they felt a sense of ease, their mind being refreshed.
As the group regrained focused they immediately realized that the howl was not just a mental attack but a signal as well.
From the shadows, more wolves emerged, their eyes gleaming with hunger and ferocity.
The pack advanced, their movements fluid and coordinated, circling the adventurers like a dark wave.
"We need to finish this quickly!" Wei Jian shouted, his heart racing as he counted the new arrivals. "We can't let them surround us!"
In response to the howl, the spirit beasts that had accompanied the adventurers sprang into action. Feng Jiao Xue's Yin Xiao, a majestic deer-like creature with shimmering silver mists surrounding it, galloped to her side, its antlers glinting with ethereal light. Beside him, Mei Lin's Crimson Fox, a playful but fierce creature with fiery red fur, stood ready to leap into battle.
Feng Jiao Xue paused and was about to tell him to get back inside the circle the adventurers and their beasts had formed but she faltered when she saw the determined look in Yin Xiao's eyes, fearless and determined.
"Yin Xiao, help them!" Feng Jiao Xue commanded, her voice steady. The mystical deer bounded forward, its hooves barely touching the ground as it weaved through the chaos, creating a barrier of silver mist that enveloped the nearest wolves, disorienting them.
Mei Lin focused her magic, directing her Crimson Fox to distract another wolf with its speed and agility. The fox darted around the wolf, taunting it with quick movements, then unleashed a blast of flame from its mouth, sending the wolf retreating with a yelp.
From the back Thunderhoof Stallion charged forward, hooves striking the ground with thunderous force, and crashed into one of the approaching wolves, sending it sprawling.
"Now, Frosting Gryphon!" Chen Rong called, and the majestic creature soared above, its icy wings creating a chilling gust as it swooped down to strike another wolf with its claws, frost trailing in its wake.
Mei Lin focused her magic, directing her Spirit Fox to help fend off another wolf. The fox darted between the creatures, creating barriers of elemental energy that protected its companions from the wolves' attacks.
The grouped worked together, ice, fire, thunder flashes in the air along with the ground rumbling. The spirit beasts fought alongside their companions, turning the tide of battle as the wolves fell one by one. The grove became a whirlwind of elemental magic and fierce determination, showcasing the strength of their bond as a team. With the last wolf defeated, the adventurers caught their breath, united by the victory they had achieved together.
The group breathed a collective sigh of relief as the wolves disappeared, though each wore a new look of respect as they regarded Feng Jiao Xue.
Though her skills were not shown much, her speed was enough to make them see her in a new light. After all, strength and speed comes hand in hand.
Wei Jian approached her, clapping her on the shoulder with a grin. "You're full of surprises, aren't you? Wouldn't have thought so, seeing how quiet you are."
She remained silent, her gaze sliding away from him, but a faint nod acknowledged his words.
As the group continued their journey, a subtle shift had taken place. The others now included her in their glances, their curiosity tempered with respect.
Despite the brief camaraderie, Feng Jiao Xue maintained her distance. This mission was just beginning, and she knew that Dark Wind Mountain would hold far greater dangers than the wolves they'd just faced.