The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the forest as Zhi Xian and Wei Ling made camp by a small stream. The soft murmur of water blended with the calls of distant creatures, creating a peaceful contrast to the earlier battle with the Shadow Wolf.
Zhi Xian sat cross-legged near the fire, gazing into the flames as he held the pendant in his hand. Its warmth seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat, like a hidden force calling out to him. He had felt its power in the battle, amplifying his Qi and sharpening his senses. But there was something about the pendant that unsettled him, a feeling he couldn't quite place.
Wei Ling noticed his gaze and smiled. "That pendant of yours—it's no ordinary trinket, is it?"
Zhi Xian looked up, hesitating. "I don't know. It's been with me since I was a child, but it feels… different now. Ever since we began cultivating, it's like it's waking up."
Wei Ling nodded thoughtfully. "Artifacts like that often carry hidden powers, and sometimes they only reveal themselves when the time is right. But be careful, Zhi Xian. Powerful items can bring both blessings and curses."
The words lingered in the air, a quiet warning that made Zhi Xian's heart feel heavy. He nodded, gripping the pendant tightly, as if he could somehow uncover its secrets by sheer will alone.
"Tomorrow, we'll begin working on something new," Wei Ling said, breaking the silence. "Now that you've had a taste of combat, it's time to refine your Qi control. You need to learn how to harness it with precision, not just in bursts."
Zhi Xian's eyes lit up. He was eager to improve, to strengthen himself so he could face whatever lay ahead with confidence. But even as he felt the excitement of progress, a shadow of doubt crept into his mind—a reminder of the dark creature he had fought and the corruption he sensed within it.
"What was that darkness inside the Shadow Wolf?" Zhi Xian asked, unable to shake the memory of the red-eyed beast.
Wei Ling's expression grew serious. "It's not uncommon for creatures to be tainted by dark energy. Such energy is born from hatred, fear, or despair, and it warps the natural Qi within them. We call these creatures Corrupt Beasts, and they are a sign that something sinister is at work nearby."
Zhi Xian felt a chill. "Do you think there are more of them?"
"Likely," Wei Ling replied. "Corrupt Beasts don't usually appear in isolation. When dark energy seeps into the land, it spreads like a poison, infecting anything it touches. If the corruption continues, it could threaten the balance of this region—and perhaps even beyond."
A sense of urgency washed over Zhi Xian. The road ahead was clearly more dangerous than he had imagined. But rather than feeling afraid, he felt a fierce resolve building within him. If darkness threatened the world he had only begun to explore, then he would be the one to push it back.
"Then we have to stop it," Zhi Xian said firmly, his eyes flashing with determination. "Whatever is causing this, we have to put an end to it."
Wei Ling smiled faintly, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "You have the heart of a warrior, Zhi Xian. But remember, strength alone won't be enough. We must also be wise and patient."
They fell into silence, each lost in thought. Zhi Xian stared into the fire, his mind racing with questions about the power within him, the darkness in the forest, and the mysterious pendant that seemed to hold secrets of its own.
---
The next morning, Wei Ling led Zhi Xian to a secluded clearing where a mist hovered over the grass, catching the early sunlight in a shimmering glow. Birds chirped in the distance, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of wildflowers. It was a place untouched by the corruption, vibrant with natural energy.
Wei Ling stopped and turned to Zhi Xian. "Today, we focus on precision. Feel your Qi, sense its flow, and let it circulate through every part of your body. The goal is to use just the right amount of Qi for each movement—not too much, and not too little."
Zhi Xian closed his eyes, centering himself. He focused on his breathing, letting his Qi flow through him like a river. He moved slowly, lifting one arm, then the other, feeling the subtle currents of energy guiding his movements.
Wei Ling observed, nodding approvingly. "Good. Now, I want you to channel your Qi into your senses. Let it heighten your awareness, sharpen your perception. When used correctly, Qi can make you attuned to even the smallest details."
Zhi Xian did as instructed, letting his Qi flow to his eyes, his ears, even his fingertips. The world seemed to come alive around him, every leaf, every rustle of the wind, every breath of the earth. He felt connected to everything, part of a vast web of life and energy.
Just as he was beginning to grasp this new state of awareness, he sensed something—a faint pulse, like a heartbeat, coming from deeper in the forest. It was dark, twisted, unlike any energy he had felt before. His eyes snapped open, and he turned toward the source.
Wei Ling followed his gaze, his expression darkening. "You feel it, don't you? That's the corruption, spreading its roots into this land."
Zhi Xian nodded, his pulse quickening. The darkness he sensed was far stronger than the energy he had felt from the Shadow Wolf. It was deep, malevolent, as though something ancient and evil lay hidden within the forest.
"We need to investigate," Wei Ling said, his voice low and resolute. "But be on your guard, Zhi Xian. If the source of the corruption is close, then we may face dangers beyond what we've encountered so far."
They moved quietly through the forest, their steps soft on the moss-covered ground. The air grew colder as they ventured deeper, and the light dimmed, blocked by the thick canopy above. The sense of darkness intensified, pressing down on Zhi Xian like a weight.
At last, they reached a clearing, where the ground was barren, the trees twisted and blackened. In the center of the clearing stood a massive stone altar, etched with ancient runes that pulsed with dark energy. It was as if the very air around it was poisoned, thick with a sense of dread.
Zhi Xian stared at the altar, his heart pounding. He could feel the dark energy radiating from it, a malevolent force that seemed to reach out toward him, probing his defenses.
"This is the source," Wei Ling murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "An ancient altar, corrupted by dark rituals. Whoever placed it here has tainted the land itself, turning it into a breeding ground for dark energy."
Zhi Xian felt a surge of anger, his hands clenched into fists. "Can we destroy it?"
Wei Ling shook his head. "Not yet. The dark energy around it is too strong. If we try to break it now, we risk being consumed by the corruption. But there may be a way to weaken it."
He pointed to the runes on the altar, their dark glow pulsing in rhythm. "Those runes are the key. If we can disrupt their pattern, we might weaken the energy flow and slow the spread of corruption."
Zhi Xian stepped forward, his mind racing. He knew it was dangerous, but he also knew that they couldn't simply leave the altar intact. Taking a deep breath, he focused his Qi, letting it flow into his hands as he prepared to break the runes.