Returning to the Li Clan estate with the Fragment of Ascension was a victory, but Li Feng knew they had to remain on guard. The Black Lotus Syndicate would retaliate, and they'd need to be ready. The weight of the fragment in his hand was a constant reminder of the danger it attracted, and he could sense its latent power resonating with the Celestial Jade Amulet hidden back at the estate.
As they approached the gates, a watchful guard ran up to meet them. "Young Master, there's a visitor waiting for you in the main hall," he reported, his tone a mix of curiosity and caution. "He arrived at dawn, saying he has news about… the Syndicate."
Li Feng raised an eyebrow. A stranger with information about the Syndicate could either be an unexpected ally—or a trap.
"Stay alert," he warned Chen and Li Mei. They nodded, ready to handle any threat.
They entered the estate's main hall, where the visitor was seated, hands folded and eyes closed, waiting patiently. He was a tall, cloaked figure with a calm, unassuming presence, yet Li Feng sensed an immense energy within him, carefully restrained.
As they approached, the man opened his eyes, which gleamed with an unnatural golden hue.
"Greetings, Young Master Li Feng," he said in a smooth, steady voice. "I am Zhen Rong. I've come with a warning—and an offer."
Li Feng kept his expression neutral, though his hand stayed close to his blade. "And what exactly is your connection to the Syndicate?"
Zhen Rong's gaze was piercing, yet calm. "I was once aligned with them, a high-ranking strategist for their ambitions. But I left when I realized their intentions were far darker than I had imagined."
Chen scoffed, crossing his arms. "A Syndicate deserter, huh? How can we trust you?"
Zhen Rong's expression didn't change. "If I had intended harm, you'd already know it. I come with a warning about the 'Eclipse Ascension' ritual and how it threatens more than just the Li Clan."
At the mention of the ritual, Li Feng's curiosity sharpened. "Go on."
Zhen Rong continued, his voice low and serious. "The Syndicate isn't just interested in power for themselves. They seek to tear down the boundaries between realms, hoping to unleash ancient, destructive entities bound beyond mortal planes. The amulet and the Fragment of Ascension are keys to this ritual, but they are only the beginning."
Li Mei frowned. "Then what's the next step in their plan?"
Zhen Rong's gaze darkened. "They're searching for a third artifact, one they call the Obsidian Heart, hidden deep within the Shadow Vale. It is the core piece that binds the amulet and fragment's powers into a single force, one capable of controlling celestial and mortal energies alike. Without it, their ritual cannot reach full potential."
The System chimed softly, acknowledging Zhen Rong's information and updating Li Feng's objectives.
[New Quest Chain: The Veil of Shadows]
[Objective 1: Seek out the Obsidian Heart in the Shadow Vale before the Syndicate reaches it.]
[Objective 2: Uncover the history of the Obsidian Heart and its connection to the Veiled Entity.]
[Reward: +80 Spiritual Points, Unlocks "Veil Piercer" (Ability to penetrate concealment spells and illusions)]
Li Feng absorbed this new information, weighing the risks. The Shadow Vale was a treacherous place, a mystical forest where reality and illusion blended dangerously. Few who entered returned.
"If what you say is true," Li Feng said slowly, "then stopping the Syndicate from obtaining the Obsidian Heart could cripple their plans."
Zhen Rong nodded. "Indeed. The Syndicate has already dispatched one of their most formidable agents, Xue Lan, to retrieve it. She's ruthless, and her knowledge of dark arts is unparalleled. But if you reach it first, you may have a chance."
Chen cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Well, we've come this far. One more dark forest doesn't scare me."
Li Mei shot him a skeptical look. "You do realize the Shadow Vale is infamous for driving even the bravest warriors insane, right?"
Chen shrugged. "Details, details."
Li Feng smiled faintly at their banter before turning back to Zhen Rong. "Why tell us all this? What's in it for you?"
Zhen Rong's gaze softened. "I've seen what the Syndicate's ambitions lead to. Destruction, loss, and endless suffering. I only seek redemption—for myself and for the people who would suffer from their madness. Help me make sure they fail."
After a moment's silence, Li Feng nodded. "Then let's work together. But remember, if you betray us…"
Zhen Rong nodded solemnly. "You have my word."
---
With Zhen Rong now joining them, Li Feng and his friends made quick preparations. Each member packed a combination of provisions, talismans, and charms to protect against illusions and dark energy. Li Mei selected scrolls that could ward against madness, and Chen stocked up on everything from food to enchanted throwing knives.
Zhen Rong observed them with an approving nod. "It's good to see you're prepared. The Shadow Vale preys on the unprepared and the weak-minded."
Once their preparations were complete, they gathered at the estate's gates, their eyes set toward the ominous dark expanse of the Shadow Vale in the distance.
"Let's move quickly," Li Feng said, steeling himself. "The sooner we reach the Obsidian Heart, the less chance the Syndicate has of getting it."
---
The journey to the Shadow Vale took several hours, the landscape growing more desolate and eerie as they drew closer. By the time they reached the forest's edge, the sun was sinking below the horizon, casting an ominous orange glow over the treetops.
The trees of the Shadow Vale were unlike any others. Twisted and dark, their branches reached out like skeletal fingers, casting strange shadows that seemed to shift and move of their own accord.
Li Feng took a deep breath, activating his "Celestial Vision." Immediately, he saw faint traces of energy trails—lingering marks from previous visitors, possibly Syndicate agents who had come before.
They entered the forest cautiously, Li Feng leading the way with Zhen Rong at his side. Every step deeper into the forest felt like a descent into another world, one where reality frayed at the edges.
Li Mei held up a protective charm, and its warm glow spread around them, forming a faint barrier. "This should help block out minor illusions," she said. "But the deeper we go, the stronger the illusions will become."
As they ventured further, the shadows around them began to take on disturbing shapes—faces twisted in anguish, whispering voices calling out in haunting tones. Li Feng gritted his teeth, focusing on the energy trails and ignoring the phantoms around him.
However, the forest's tricks soon became more intense. Suddenly, a dense fog rolled in, obscuring their path, and the trees seemed to shift positions, disorienting them.
"Stay close!" Li Feng called. "The forest is trying to separate us."
Through the fog, he spotted a flicker of movement—a shadowy figure slipping between the trees. A cold chill ran down his spine as he recognized the figure.
Xue Lan, the Syndicate's dark arts specialist, had arrived.
---
Xue Lan's eyes glinted through the fog, and a malicious smile curved on her lips. "So, Young Master Li, you've come all this way," she taunted, her voice echoing eerily. "But the Obsidian Heart is mine to claim."
Without another word, she darted deeper into the forest, her form blending seamlessly with the shadows. Li Feng's heart pounded as he signaled his companions. "We have to catch her before she reaches the heart!"
The chase began, their footsteps pounding against the forest floor as they sprinted after Xue Lan. She moved with supernatural speed, the forest seeming to bend and twist around her. Shadows rose up in her wake, blocking their path and pulling at their limbs.
Li Feng activated "Phase Strike," his form flickering as he bypassed a shadowy barrier that lunged at him. Chen and Li Mei followed, pushing forward through the forest's illusions.
Zhen Rong's voice echoed behind them, guiding them through the maze. "Stay focused! Keep her in your sights!"
Just as they closed the distance, Xue Lan turned, her hands forming intricate patterns as she cast a dark spell. Vines erupted from the ground, their thorns glinting menacingly as they shot toward Li Feng and his friends.
Li Feng activated "Celestial Channeling," his blade slicing through the enchanted vines as he advanced. Chen and Li Mei broke through the entanglement as well, but Xue Lan was ready for them, her smile widening as she prepared another spell.
However, Zhen Rong stepped forward, his hands forming counter-seals that disrupted Xue Lan's spell. "Your tricks won't work here, Xue Lan," he said calmly. "We know your weaknesses."
Xue Lan scowled, her gaze hardening. "You'll regret betraying us, Zhen Rong. You haven't seen the depths of our power."
With that, she disappeared into the darkness, vanishing just before they reached her.
Li Feng clenched his fists, frustrated at her escape but relieved they were nearing the Obsidian Heart. They pushed forward, reaching a small clearing where a stone altar stood. Atop it rested a dark, crystalline
object that pulsed with ominous energy—the Obsidian Heart.
But as they approached, the ground shook, and shadows converged around the altar, forming into a monstrous, guardian entity, one designed to protect the heart from intruders.
Li Feng drew his sword, his eyes narrowing. "This is it. The final trial."
They prepared themselves for the battle of their lives, knowing that the outcome would determine the fate of the Obsidian Heart—and perhaps the entire realm.