The morning after Lady Xu's attack, a tense quietness settled over the sect. Although Feng Xiao and his friends had successfully fended off the high-ranking Crimson Serpent disciple, everyone knew that this victory was only temporary. The sect elders had grown concerned over the threat posed by the Shadow Pearl and the vengeance that the Crimson Serpents would continue to seek.
As Feng Xiao prepared for his morning meditation, he was summoned by Elder Yun, one of the most respected figures in the sect. Elder Yun, known for his vast knowledge of ancient artifacts and cultivation, was a quiet, contemplative man with a long white beard and piercing eyes that seemed to see through any deception.
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"Feng Xiao, you have done the sect a great service by retrieving the Shadow Pearl," Elder Yun began, gesturing for Feng Xiao to take a seat across from him. "But its presence has placed us all in great danger. The Serpents will not rest until it is returned or destroyed."
Feng Xiao nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Elder Yun. But the Pearl is too dangerous to give back, and destroying it... I'm not sure if we even can."
Elder Yun's gaze softened as he nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The Pearl is not just an artifact; it is a vessel of powerful, dark energy. Legends say that it can grant the user unimaginable power, but it comes at a heavy price, consuming the user's soul."
He then reached into his robes and took out a scroll, unfurling it on the table before Feng Xiao. "This is the Tome of Ancestral Shadows. Within it are ancient techniques for suppressing dark artifacts. I want you to study this and prepare yourself, for you may one day have to wield the power to control the Pearl."
Feng Xiao looked at the tome in awe. "Thank you, Elder Yun. I'll do my best to master the techniques."
For the next few days, Feng Xiao devoted himself to studying the Tome of Ancestral Shadows. The techniques in the tome were powerful yet complex, requiring deep concentration and delicate control of qi. He spent hours in his training chamber, practicing the steps and meditative methods described in the tome.
One of the primary techniques within the tome was called Soul-Sealing Bind, a powerful art that allowed the user to trap and contain dark energy within a protective barrier. This technique was a difficult one to master, as it required a precise balance of yin and yang energies, and any mistake could lead to severe backlash.
The second technique was the Eclipse Shadow Veil, a defensive art that could shield the user from dark qi attacks. It created a shroud around the cultivator, repelling harmful energies and preventing them from penetrating their qi channels.
Day by day, Feng Xiao practiced these techniques with determination, but he could feel the heavy toll it took on his body and spirit. His friends noticed his fatigue and tried to persuade him to rest, but he was steadfast, knowing that every moment counted.
After a particularly grueling training session, Feng Mei and Lin Yue found Feng Xiao collapsed in exhaustion under a tree in the training grounds.
"You know, if you keep pushing yourself like this, you're going to turn into a ghost," Lin Yue chided, handing him a bottle of spiritual water to restore his qi.
Feng Xiao took the bottle, smiling weakly. "Thank you. But I don't think ghosts can cultivate, so I'll keep pushing."
Jin Hu appeared, laughing heartily as he slapped Feng Xiao on the back. "Our friend here is turning into a legend, and legends don't sleep, right?"
"Only if they want to keep being legends," Feng Xiao chuckled, relaxing a bit. It was rare to have moments like these, where they could just be young disciples enjoying each other's company.
Seeing his exhaustion, Feng Mei hesitated before saying, "How about we take a break and have a small celebration tonight? We could use something to lift our spirits."
Her suggestion was met with enthusiastic agreement from everyone. That evening, they gathered in a secluded part of the forest near a river, where the moonlight reflected off the water, creating a peaceful and enchanting setting. They exchanged stories, laughed, and for a moment, all thoughts of the Serpents and the Shadow Pearl seemed distant.
As the night grew late and his friends drifted off to rest, Feng Xiao found himself alone by the river, gazing at the moon's reflection on the water. His mind was filled with questions and uncertainties about the future, especially about the power and mystery of the Shadow Pearl.
Just then, a figure stepped into the clearing—it was Lin Yue. She joined him silently, sitting on a rock beside him.
"It's strange," Lin Yue said softly, "to think that just a few months ago, we were normal disciples, focusing only on our training. And now we're caught up in something that could affect the entire cultivation world."
Feng Xiao nodded, his gaze still on the water. "Sometimes, I wonder if I'm ready for this. The Pearl... it feels like a responsibility too big for me."
Lin Yue looked at him thoughtfully. "But you're not alone in this. You have us, and we believe in you."
For a moment, their eyes met, and a quiet understanding passed between them. The tension melted away as they sat together in silence, finding comfort in each other's presence.
Meanwhile, within the Crimson Serpents' hideout, Lady Xu knelt before an altar, her face darkened with fury. She was surrounded by figures cloaked in shadow, each one radiating an aura of power and malice.
"The Shadow Pearl has been taken," she growled. "But we cannot let that brat and his sect get away with it."
An older figure, who radiated a dark, oppressive aura, spoke up. "Our revenge will be swift and merciless, Lady Xu. We have already begun preparations to summon the Dark Serpent Ritual, an ancient spell that will curse the entire sect and force them to hand over the Pearl."
Lady Xu's eyes gleamed with malice. "Good. Let them experience the wrath of the Crimson Serpents. We will have the Pearl, and anyone who dares oppose us will suffer."
The figures around her chanted in a low, ominous tone, their voices reverberating through the chamber. The air grew thick with dark energy as they prepared to unleash a deadly curse, one that could cripple even the most powerful of sects.
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End of Chapter